February 25 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
The time has arrived. February is headed on down the road; ad it’s Welcome Back Weekend time on Grand Lake. The weather forecast looks a little chilly, at least after Friday. The Sunday forecast even has a chance of snow flurries in it. I’m thinking that Punxatawny Phil guy was just looking the wrong direction. Maybe there was a shadow there somewhere, after all!
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There are lots of festivities for the weekend – the Carnival with a Cause charity dessert auction at Cherokee Yacht Club kicks off the weekend fun Thursday. Saturday is the Poker Run kick-off breakfast at Arrowhead Yacht Club, followed by the by-land-or-by-sea Poker Run. Saturday night is the Awards Party/Dance/Dinner at Cherokee, a murder mystery dinner at Shangri-La Resort, and the annual Mardi Gras Party at Monkey Island Pub.
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I hope everyone got properly tuned up for the big weekend ahead with the training sessions last weekend. I survived National Margarita Day on Friday, but the follow-up celebration of National Open That Bottle Day Saturday. It seemed only fitting that Open That Bottle Day fell on my birthday this year – and I enjoyed every minute of both (as nearly as I recall).
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So, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was arrested in Florida for soliciting prostitution? Huh? Something doesn’t sound right. I may not understand how this works, but if I owned an NFL football team that had won six Super Bowls – including this year – I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t need to hire a prostitute.
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NEWS YOU CAN’T MAKE UP: An on-line petition calling for the sale of Montana to Canada has gathered thousands of signatures. A group called “Christian Moms Against Private Education” started the petition at www.change.org proposing the sale of Montana to Canada for $1 trillion to reduce the national debt. It’s not an incredibly strong sales pitch accompanying the petition. It simply says, “We have too much debt and Montana is useless. Just tell them it has beavers or something.”
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DINING AND DRINKING ON GRAND LAKE: VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina opens for the season Friday.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Bacteria account for 2-6% of the average human’s body weight.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Sorry, boss…you can either expect me to work well with others or pass a drug test. It can’t be both.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Vaccines cause adults.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: There is a rare species of antelope than can jump higher than the average house. This is due to their hind legs – and the fact that the average house can’t jump.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Trying to make protein shakes, but they keep coming out as margaritas.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I hope Elon Musk never gets involved in a scandal because ElonGate would be really drawn out.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Peter Tork, best known as the offbeat and outrageous bassist and singer for The Monkees, died last week. He was 77. Veteran CBS newsman and longtime host of “Face the Nation,” Bob Schieffer had a birthday over the weekend. He’s 82 (still a pretty fair country singer, too!).
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: There is a fine line between numerator and denominator. Only a fraction of people will find this funny.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Dan Pitala, Sharon Pitala, Bob Rush, Isaac Love, Bryan Hendershot, Glenna Whitehead, Don White, Debbie Totty, Gary Allen, Taylor Brandwein, Joe Zaloudek, Sr., David Brauckmann, Mary Lou Manley, Dee Snyder, Diane McPeters, Jim Brown, Tom Workman, and Kyle Keeton. Congratulations to Grand Lake’s Shangri-La Resort which was named one of “Oklahoma’s Top Romantic Spots” by American Towns Media, publishers of “Best Things Oklahoma.”
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is the synonym for Thesaurus?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: There’s certainly no shortage of things to do this weekend on Grand Lake! Thursday evening at 6:00 is the South Grand Lake Chamber’s “Carnival with a Cause” - a Charity Pie/Dessert Auction at Cherokee Yacht Club. Friday, the Den of Uniquity on Monkey Island kicks off the month with Sip, Shop and Sashay drinking and shopping festivities. Friday is also the kick-off of Baja Disney at the off trail area by the Pensacola Dam. Saturday morning, the “Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run” heads out from Arrowhead Yacht Club following a pancake breakfast. The Poker Run Awards Party is Saturday night at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday night is also a Murder Mystery Dinner – “Murder at the Circus Masquerade” at Shangri-La Resort and the annual Mardi Gras party at Monkey Island Pub.
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment coming up around the lake to kick off the new month. On Monkey Island Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub. At the Blind Swine, there’s live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night (including Erin Fitzgibbon Friday), and KJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday. At Littlefield Corner, there’s live music every Saturday at the Road Hog Saloon.
On South Grand Lake, Thursday night is Trivia Contest night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Bar & Grill at Grand Lodge in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night. Saturday night’s Awards Party for the Welcome Back Poker Run will feature the Barrett Lewis Band at Cherokee Yacht Club.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino-Grove features music from Audio Crush Friday night followed by Brandon Butler Saturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Dewayne Bowman entertains at Bordertown Friday night. Runnin’ on Empty will be on stage Saturday night. Western Justice will perform both Friday and Saturday nights at Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Torn performs Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Diversity Friday. Odd Key Party wrap up the weekend Saturday night at Indigo.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including PGA Golf, NASCAR, and college & NBA basketball games are the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Season 3 of Better Things debuts Thursday night at 9:00 on FX. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is available on NETFLIX Friday. American Idolreturns for its 17th season Sunday night at 7:00 on ABC. The controversial documentary Leaving Neverland also airs at 7:00 Sunday night on HBO; and Good Girls returns for its second season Sunday night at 9:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIE: Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “My desire to stay well-informed is at war with my desire to remain sane.” – Argus Hamilton
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Sunday, March 7-10 – Grand Lake Boat Show, Grove Civic Center. Sunday, March 10 – DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME RETURNS! Saturday, March 16 – Kyle Williams Boating Safety Course at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley. Saturday, March 16 – Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party & Dance at Monkey Island Pub. Thursday-Sunday, March 21-24 – Sumner’s Big Meat Run in Disney. Saturday, March 23 – Ladies Wine Tasting at The Casitas followed by a co-ed karaoke & dance party at Grand Meridian RV Park. Sunday, March 24 – Shangri-La Lake-to-Golf 5K. Saturday, April 13 – South Grand Lake Chamber Bootlegger’s Ball at Cherokee Yacht Club. Friday-Sunday, May 3-5 – In-Water Boat Show by Nichols Marine at Shangri-La Marina. Saturday, May 4 – Burning of the Socks at Harbors View Marina – music by 5thElement. Saturday, May 18 – Ales & Tails at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita. Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1 – Toes in the Grand celebration at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Saturday, June 8 – Camp Bandage (10-2) at Grand Lake RV Resort.
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It’s a busy week in the NBA. The OKC Thunder host Philadelphia Thursday night at 7:00 (TNT) before playing back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday. They’re in San Antonio Saturday night (7:30 on FSOK) and back home to host Memphis Sunday night at 6:00 (FSOK). Tuesday night they’re on the road at Minnesota (7:00 on FSOK).
College action is good this week, too. OSU hosts Kansas Saturday morning at 11:00 (CBS) and OU hosts West Virginia at 1:00 (ESPN2/U). Kansas is at OU Tuesday night at 8:00 (ESPN2) and OSU is on the road to face Baylor Wednesday night at 8:00 (ESPN2/U).
PGA Players are in Palm Gardens, Florida this week for the Honda Classic. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in Las Vegas this week for the Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube. Coverage is Sunday afternoon at 2:30 on Fox.
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It’s going to be a chilly Welcome Back Weekend! High temperatures will be around 50 degrees Friday – but Saturday and Sunday highs are likely to only be in the low 30s with nighttime lows in the low-20s. At least the winds will be light, and we’ll have some Saturday sun! Of course, the weather is always great for indoor dining & drinking at Grand Lake. So, party on! Remember, though… 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.
1909 in Downtown Grove
Ailey’s Café in Langley
American Grill in Grove
Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)
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 Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Bobbers Café in Langley
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café Italia on Monkey Island
Café Yum in Grove
Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)
Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Coffee Shelter in Ketchum
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lodge in Ketchum (smoking)
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
Henrie’s Grill in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Hilltop Café in Grove
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
Karrie's Kaboose in Langley (smoking)
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
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
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)
Scooters in Langley (smoking)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)
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 Office Gentlemen’s Club on Monkey Island (smoking)
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
Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove