February 21 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
February weather last week was another week of the new normal: wind, wildfires, thunderstorms, snow, sleet. I’m ready for March. Fortunately, it’s almost here. Sunsets after 6:00 o’clock have already arrived!
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State Senator Blake “Cowboy” Stephens has his first hearing this week on legislation aimed at making Daylight Saving Time a year-round permanent situation. This would be awesome for Oklahoma tourism, and I hope he gets this done. Unfortunately, it still won’t take effect until and unless the U.S. Congress can ever get off its ass and approve federal legislation allowing this to be a state-by-state reality.
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I finally got impatient and couldn’t wait any longer for summertime, so I went to find it. I’m writing this week from Peoria, Arizona where it’s sunny, dry, no wind, and 80 degrees. I’ll do my best to pack up the weather and bring it back with me.
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On my little vacay, I found a perfect on-the-water bar at Lake Pleasant. I knew I was in the right place when I saw the sign at the front door: “If you have to ask if it’s too early to drink, you are an amateur and we can’t be friends.” My new home away from home.
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Something’s up with the pending sale of the Grove Civic Center. For some strange reason, Walmart is trying to kill the deal. Yep. Walmart. I guess having 90 percent of the business isn’t enough for them.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his (former) fiancé Shailene Woodley have called off the engagement. The website “NFL Memes” is always quicker than I am. They labeled the Rodgers/Woodley break-up as “Classic Aaron Rodgers choking right before he gets a ring.”
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Good news. The famous dinosaur which famously marks “Dinosaur Point” at mid-lake, bit the dust, falling from its pedestal and breaking during a recent winter storm. All is good, though. The dinosaur is repaired and back up welcoming visitors. Special thanks to the family of Maynard Hemphill who erected the dinosaur almost 50 years ago. The relic has recuperated completely and is welcoming visitors to the famous point again.
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What the hell is wrong with people? The Oklahoma City Council found it necessary to protect pets by approving an emergency ordinance to fine pet owners $500 if they are caught leaving their pets outside for more than 30 minutes in sub-freezing temperatures. I think a better penalty might be to leave the pet’s owners outside for the same amount of time.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to James Diver, Andi McConn, Travis Davidson, Winston Connor II, Leta Carson, Pete Regan, Gary Sisco, Bob Rush, Bryan Hendershot, Glenna Whitehead, Debbie Totty, Becky Curry, Donnie Hale, Don White, Taylor Brandwein, Diane McPeters, Dee Snyder, Mary Lou Manley…and me!
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Tuesday is 2-22-22. Appropriately enough, Shebang will host a “Tutu” party with featured Guest Chef Mark McDowell. Tuesday is also Trivia Night at The Anchor at Shangri-La. 918 Grand Prix runs Friday-Sunday at Mid-America Outdoors. Saturday night is the annual Mardi Gras Party at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday, Grand Lake’s Don White will be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame at Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa (the day before Don celebrates his birthday); and next Wednesday is the Home of Hope drive-thru Chocolate Affair at HOH in Vinita (4:00-8:00).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Howard Hughes was so enamored of Jane Russell's bust that he created a steel reinforced pushup bra for her to wear in his 1943 movie “The Outlaw.” Unbeknownst to Hughes, Russell never wore the thing.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The Oasis at Death Valley, California is the lowest elevation golf course in the world – 214 feet below Sea Level.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he has to buy graphite rods, two-speed reels, monofilament lines, neoprene waders, polarized sunglasses, tackleboxes, lures, flies, spinners, offset hooks, 20-pocket vests, fish finders, depth sounders, radar, boats, trailers, GPS systems, coolers, and beer.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: The fastest land mammal is a toddler who has just been asked what’s in their mouth.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: At the store was an X on the floor by the register marking the spot for me to stand. I’ve seen too many Roadrunner cartoons to fall for that crap.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: A new airplane has been developed that cannot crash. Made from rubber polymers, it will just bounce. The craft was invented by Boeing, Boeing, Boeing!
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When you clean out a vacuum cleaner, does that make you a vacuum cleaner?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If you eat and sleep well, get lots of exercise, and drink plenty of water, you will die anyway.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Shout out to everyone who can still remember their childhood phone number, but can’t remember the password they created yesterdasy. You are my people.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.” – Clarence Darrow
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke & Singo with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Scott Musick performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Thursday night is karaoke night at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, and Erin Fitzgibbon entertains Friday night at the Swine. Saturday is also karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub.
On South Grand Lake, The Brent Giddens Band will provide the music Saturday night at Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill.
In Grove, Brett and Terri entertain Saturday night at The Regatta. There is Friday night live entertainment by Runnin’ on Empty at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by karaoke Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, The Southern Drawl Band entertains Friday night, and The Juice takes the stage Saturday night.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Sunset Circle in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features Constant Chaos, and Jumpsuit Love wraps up the weekend Saturday night. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, Travis Kidd will be on stage Friday night, followed by 90 Lb. Wrench Saturday night. Saturday night, Theory of a Deadman will be in concert at Buffalo Run Casino’s Indoor Peoria Showplace with featured guest Shaman’s Harvest.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Mark McDowell is the featured Guest Chef at The Shebang Tuesday night. For the 2/22/22 “Tutu Party.” The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La is open to the public Sunday nights. The Table Bites & Bottle at The Lakehouse in Grove will be opening soon for lunch service only. Bella Donna’s is planned for a May opening at Honey Creek Landing Marina (the former location of The Parrot). Cadillac Jack’s, a new restaurant at Scissortail Marina (formerly Port Carlos), is also hiring for a planned opening this spring.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursday night at 8:00 on ABC and the original Law & Order will return to NBC Thursday. The Blacklist returns Friday night at 7:00, also on NBC. Sunday night at 7:00, TNT and TBS will carry live coverage of The Screen Actors Guild Awards at 7:00 and American Idol returns Sunday night at 7:00 on ABC. The Season 1 finale of 1883 also drops Sunday night on Paramount+.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Desperate Hour debuts exclusively in movie theaters this week. Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming will be available Friday on NETFLIX. Free Guy is available on Disney+.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Sunday, March 3-6 – Grand Lake Boat Show at the Grove Civic Center. Friday-Sunday, March 4-6 – Welcome Back Weekend and Ice Breaker Poker Run! Saturday, March 5 – WAAMI Fundraising Chili Luncheon at Monkey Island Community Center (11:00-2:00). Sunday, March 6 – Fundraising Lunch & Auction to benefit Retta Coats at Vinita High School Cafeteria (lunch at 11:00, auction at noon). Thursday, March 10 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Member Luncheon at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, March 12 – Boater Safety Class at GRDA Ecosystems & Education Center in Langley. Saturday, March 12 – Glow Golf (nighttime golf) at Shangri-La Golf Club (6:00). Sunday, March 13 – First Day of Daylight Saving Time. Tuesday-Thursday, March 15-17 – Spring Break Champ Camp at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Friday-Saturday, March 18-19 – John Sumner’s Big Meat Run below the Pensacola Dam in Disney. Friday-Sunday, March 18-20 – Home & Garden Show at the Grove Civic Center. Saturday, March 19 – St. Patrick’s Day Party at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday, March 20 – Open House at Spring Valley Ranch (1:00-4:00). Saturday, April 9 – InVESTment dinner to raise money for protective vests for Delaware County officers in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (6:00).
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In the sports world, PGA players move from the west coast to the east coast this week for The Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
There’s great college basketball this week. Saturday is Bedlam day – OSU at OU at 11:00. Arkansas hosts Kentucky at 1:00 and Kansas is at Baylor at 7:00. The red-hot OU Lady Sooners host Kansas State Saturday at 4:00 and the OSU Cowgirls are at West Virginia at noon Sunday. Next week, Tuesday night games feature West Virginia at OU at 6:00 and Kansas at TCU at 7:00. Wednesday night, OSU is at Iowa State at 6:00 and LSU is at Arkansas at 8:00 – and there’s Lady Bedlam: OU at OSU at 6:30.
Following the All-Star break, NBA regular season play resumes this week. The OKC Thunder have back-to-back games again. They host Phoenix Thursday night at 7:00 before traveling to Indiana Friday at 6:00. They’re back home Tuesday to take on Sacramento at 7:00; then they’re back on the road in Denver Wednesday at 8:00.
NASCAR drivers are in Fontana, California this week. Coverage of the Wise Power 400 is at 2:30 Sunday afternoon on Fox.
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We’re wrapping up the month with another week of February Oklahoma Yo-Yo Weather – with temperatures going up and down, up and down. We’ll start the weekend Friday with high temperatures only in the mid-30s; but by Sunday afternoon, we’ll probably be topping 50 degrees. Lows will be in the teens Thursday & Friday nights, mid-20s Saturday & Sunday. Nothing serious, so get out and have some Grand Lake fun! Remember, though, no matter where you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM
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Looking for places to go, things to do, services to use or property to buy in the Grand Lake area? Here’s a starter kit listing of “open to the public” fun places to spend time at Grand Lake.
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café at Har-Ber Village
Café Yum in Grove
Cafeteria at The Layk House on Monkey Island
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill at Grand Meridian
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Forage in downtown Grove
Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Honey Creek BBQ in Grove (south of Honey Creek bridge)
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Marina’s Place at Littlefield Corner
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Monkey Island Trail Rides
Monkey Island Winery
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island (smoking...but not at lunch)
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort
Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)
The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)
The Pourhouse at The Regatta in Grove
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (smoking)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Water Side Bar & Grill in Grove
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove