Grand Lake Bum News Review

Friday is a big day for a big economic boost for Grand Lake. It’s the Grand Opening date for Shangri-La’s new resort hotel (4:00 p.m.). The place has already caught a lot of attention both in local publications and other not-so-local operations including the Tulsa World, KJRH-TV, Channel 2 in Tulsa, Golf Oklahoma Magazine, Midwest Golfing Magazine, Destination Golfer Magazine, and Oklahoma Today Magazine who have a crew here this week. I’ll be at the Grand Opening Friday for sure! It’s not the first time they’ve had the hotel open, but it’s the first time a free drink has been included in the deal! Count me in.

I thought current trends and my personal fashion taste had finally arrived at a spot for co-existence. I walked into the Monkey Island Pub Saturday night, and a lot of people were actually dressed like I was. I guess my joy was short-lived, though. As it turns out, the Pub was hosting a Woodstock Costume Party.

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I’m not sure it’s true, but I heard this week that Catholic chefs who die must remain in Purgatory until they eat all the garnish they put on plates during their life on earth.

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Anybody who is a professional drinker can tell you that the sensory experience and surroundings are part of the experience (ergo Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar). Apparently our word wasn’t good enough for the experts. It took an actual study of wine tastings to determine once and for all that we like wine more when sipping it in a tasting room while on vacation far from the responsibilities of family and career than when you drink it straight from the bottle on Tuesday night after the kids have gone to bed. Genius.

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Note to bicyclists clogging Highway 125 on Monkey Island: the reason islanders built that expensive concrete pathway beside the highway was, in part, to get you off the highway!

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Katrina Bookman is suing Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York…and I can’t say I blame her. To no one’s surprise, it turns out Ms. Bookman would rather have $43 million than a free steak dinner and $2.25. The screen on the slot machine she was playing clearly displayed that she had won $43 million – the most ever won on a slot. The casino said (and the New York State Gaming Commission agreed) that the machine malfunctioned. They offered a steak dinner and a refund of her $2.25. Personally, I think her claim of “mental anguish” is pretty believable. If I thought I had won $43 million life-changing dollars, only to be told I was just as poor as I used to be, I’d have a little anguish myself!

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From the “you-can’t-fix-stupid” file: Michael McCormick was arrested for selling heroin in Norfolk, Virginia. Here’s some free advice for Mr. McCormick – if you sell heroin close to the school where you are a teacher, there’s a chance someone might recognize you. Here’s your sign.

It’s getting deep in Washington. Apparently all the investigations are causing a little concern. President Trump’s personal lawyer has now hired his own personal lawyer. I’ll bet that doesn’t give the President a warm fuzzy feeling of confidence.

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Democrats finally won something in Washington – the annual Congressional Baseball Game. Democrats 11, Republicans 2. Demonstrating their willingness to share the wealth, the Democrats gave the trophy to the Republicans.

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Come on OU. Get your act together. Delish.com has released its 2017 list of 50 Best College Bars in America – and Norman is never mentioned. OSU saved us this time. Thanks, Eskimo Joe’s.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Monkey’s Uncle is open at Littlefield Corner at the entrance to Monkey Island. Great breakfast & lunch. Blind Swine on Monkey Island (formerly The Armadillo) is open for cocktails only at 5:00daily.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen near a farm pond): Frog parking only. All others will be toad.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so they can tell when they’re really in trouble.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: The first five days after the weekend are the hardest.

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LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Josh Davis): It’s probably not a good idea to bring your “morning pick-me-up” with you to drink in court, then call the judge “Honey.”

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Liz Follis, Kyle Frans, Jeremy Mullen, Autumn Love, Max Tyrrell, Jason Benson, Rob Stallings, Rudy Moritz, Lynn Garman, Bill Thune, and Jason Morgan.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  Why does Donald Duck wear a towel when he comes out of the shower when he doesn’t normally wear any pants?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Friday at 4:00 p.m. is the formal Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony for the fabulous new Shangri-La Resort Hotel. Friday, June 23 – formal dedication of Shangri-La’s new Resort Hotel (4:00 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday is the Shangri-La Men’s Golf Association Member/Guest Invitational and Saturday is also the date for a free Boating Safety Course at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (8-5).

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s great entertainment around the lake this weekend. On Monkey Island, Broadway performer Ron Young will open Grand Opening festivities with his stirring performance of the National Anthem at 4:00 Friday afternoon at Shangri-La Resort Hotel. Friday night, Nashville recording artist Travis Marvinwill perform at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina. You provide a big part of the entertainment at The Balcony Bar at The Shebang, with Friday & Saturday night karaoke. Downstairs in the Burlesque Room, Randy Lunsford provides the entertainment. Across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, enjoy all the best dance tunes with D.J. Deeko Friday night.Saturday night, by popular demand, classic rock ‘n’ roll artists The Normal Street Band return to Grand Lake for a one-night performance at Big Shots ($10 cover). Just down the highway from there, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub. A little further down the road, there’s always great live weekend entertainment at the Road Hog Saloon.

On South Grand Lake, The Brent Giddens Band will be on stage Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, followed byReverse Reaction Saturday night. The Diamondback Band will be live at Pickles at the Lake just north of Ketchum Saturdaynight.

Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well. Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Casino is freshly remodeled and re-opened. Friday night, Mr. Lucky will be on stage at Legends, followed by Oreo Blue Saturday night. Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace will feature Melissa Etheridge in concert Friday night. Buffalo Run’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill will host Six-Foot Landing both Friday and Saturday nights.  Cherokee Casino Grove will feature James Muns Friday night andThe Bobby D Band Saturday night. At River Bend Casino (formerly Wyandotte Casino), Club 60 West spotlights Uncrowned Kings Friday night. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursday night with music byBrett & Terri. Friday night features the music of Heath Wright & The Hangmen followed by Leah and the Mojo DoctorsSaturday night.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NASCAR and PGA Golf are Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina, Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, Monkey Island Pub, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The new production of The Gong Show debuts Thursday night at 9:00 on ABC. Season 4 of The Night Shift premieres Thursday night at 9:00 on NBC. The new series GLOW will be available Friday on NETFLIX.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Big Sick, Transformers: The Last Knight, and The Beguiled

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK (after the Amazon purchase of Whole Foods for $13.4 billion): “Amazon wants to become Wal-Mart before Wal-Mart becomes Amazon.” – John Egenes

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, June 31 – Vinita Fireworks. Saturday, July 1 – Disney Fireworks and Horse Creek Fireworks.Sunday, July 2 – Monkey Island Fireworks. Monday, July 3 – Duck Creek Fireworks, Grove Fireworks (Wolf Creek) and Miami Fireworks (Riverview Park). Tuesday, July 4 – Jay Fireworks (J.B. Earp Stadium). Saturday-Sunday, July 8-9 – SDBA Drag Boat Races at Wolf Creek. Monday-Thursday, July 10-13 – Kids Sports Camp at Shangri-La (Members’ children only).Thursday-Saturday – July 13-15 – Oklahoma Legislative Retreat on Grand Lake. Thursday-Sunday, July 13-16 – GLOC Performance Boat Challenge. Saturday, July 15 – Aquapalooza. Saturday, July 22 – Bobber Drop. Friday-Sunday, August 18-20 – Thunder on Wolf Creek (boat races). Saturday, August 19 – Barkarita (fundraising party for Second Chance Pet Rescue) at Honey Creek Landing in Grove.

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It’s another big week on the PGA Tour. Players head to Connecticut for The Travelers Championship this weekend. Coverage begins at 2:30 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two roundsSaturday & Sunday at 2:00.

NASCAR drivers are in Sonoma this weekend for the Toyota/Save Mart 350. Coverage starts at 2:00 Sunday on FS1.

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The weather for the upcoming weekend looks pretty darn good. Friday will be sunny with highs in the mid 90s. Saturday, we may have a scattered storm or two, but otherwise we’ll have partly cloudy skies and highs in the upper 80s Saturday & Sunday. It looks like a great weekend to play. Get out and enjoy all Grand Lake has to offer, but remember, wherever you decide to play, 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

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 (smoking upstairs—open Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Bobbers Café in Langley

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café Italia on Monkey Island

Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)

Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and on Monkey Island

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

Frosty & Edna’s (west of the dam in Langley)

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

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

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

Lakeside Bar & Grill in Grove at Sail Boat Bridge

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.)

Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South

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)

Roadhouse 125 on Monkey Island (smoking deck)

Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)

Scooters in Langley (smoking)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora

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 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