July 26 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
I can’t believe we’re already wrapping up the month of July. It was cool for so long in the Spring, it seems like summer just started. I’m sure we’ll be screaming that it’s too hot by the time Labor Day rolls around. It won’t be long.
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So, how are the Olympics going for you? I was surprised to see how quickly I got hooked again after a five year hiatus. Much to my surprise, I suddenly found myself giving a damn who won the co-ed team Archery gold medal. Some things haven’t changed, though. NBC still covers the cycling event; so at least there are still opportunities to go to the restroom.
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Did you watch the 11-minute Jeff Bezos-sponsored quick trip to space and back? There was history made when Oklahoma State alum and NASA lifer Wally Funk became the oldest person ever to fly into space. She’s 82. Sadly, the same flight stole NASA veteran Sally Ride’s record as the youngest person in space. That title now belongs to some 18-year-old Dutch kid whose Daddy is really, really rich.
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All right, Major League Baseball fans, practice saying “Cleveland Guardians.” Known as the “Cleveland Indians” since 1915, the team last week officially changed its name to “Guardians.” They spent most of the year trying to whittle the 1,200 suggestions down to just one. If “Guardians” was the best name on their list, I’d say they should have called someone to help them with their list. At least they have a name, though. In the NFL, we still have “The Washington Football Team.” They say they’ll think up something by next year. Sheesh. It’s a good thing they don’t have to come up with a column every week.
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The IHeartCountry Festival returns to Austin, Texas with a live audience October 30. There are eight performers signed up for the show – the two biggest headliners for the Texas festival are both from Oklahoma – Blake Shelton and Toby Keith.
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Okay, I’ve tried to be nice about “freedom of choice” and all the BS excuses for people not getting the Covid-19 vaccine, but I’ve had enough. Your foolishness is really messing with my schedule. I’ve been wanting to do a British Virgin Islands bareboat charter for as long as I can remember. Finally, I scheduled it for last year. Canceled due to Covid. Rescheduled for this year. Canceled due to Covid. This week, I re-booked for next year. If your reluctance to get vaccinated results in my having to cancel again because of another Covid spike, I’m coming after you people with a needle of my own. As my he folks at Nike would say…Just Do It! (Maybe we should just dip the vaccine in some batter and deep fry it. Then nobody in Oklahoma would care what’s in it.)
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Monkey Island Pub has been closed for a couple of weeks, but is now slated to reopen at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, July 29. The Cove Club in Langley is now closed on Tuesdays. They are open for breakfast, lunch & dinner Mondays and Wednesday-Saturday, and for breakfast & lunch Sundays. The Galley is now open Thursday-Monday at The Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La. Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) has breakfast service Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Doc’s Bar & Grill, Road Hog Saloon, and Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda offer Saturday & Sunday breakfast.
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday night from 5:00-7:00, the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Business After Hours event at Oasis Animal Adventures in Eucha. Hinder appears for a live concert Friday night at Buffalo Run Casino. The Anchor at Shangri-La hosts a 3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament this weekend (6:00 p.m. preliminary rounds Friday, 8:00 p.m. semi-finals and finals Saturday). Monday night is free Beginners Pickleball at The Anchor from 6:00-7:30. The Shangri-La Invitational Golf Tournament is set for Sunday & Monday.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Nick Whitaker entertains at Doc’s. DJ Kennedy provides the music Friday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar, followed by Torn Saturday. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons Friday & Saturday nights; and just across the street, there’s great dance music Friday & Saturday nights featuring DJ K-Bandito at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine – and he’s back for more Karaoke & Cocktails Sunday night – and there’s always live entertainment Friday & Saturday nights at the Swine. Erin Fitzgibbon will perform Friday night at 6:00 at the Swine/Monkey Island – and Saturday night is great dancing and singing at Monkey Island Pub - Karaoke with Tim.
On South Grand, Clint Ingram performs Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney, followed by The Barrett Lewis Band Saturday night. Erin Fitzgibbon entertains every Thursday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) and KJ Flip leads the musical fun every Wednesday night. Robbi Bell will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at Sharky’s; and Reverse Reaction performs Saturday night.
In Grove, entertainment starts Thursday night at The Regatta with Cory Lee followed by 3-Dollar Rocket Friday night.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents The Juice Duo in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Derryl Perry Friday night, and Brent Giddens Saturday. Hinder brings their “Summer 2021 Tour” to Buffalo Run Casino for a concert Friday night. Friday night, Taria Lee & Friends entertain Friday night in Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Casino. The Accidental Moguls will take over Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, Audio Crush provides the entertainment Friday night, followed by Jacob Dement Saturday night.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Through one of history's most elaborate scams, a former street car conductor named James Addison Reavis managed to briefly convince authorities he held an old Spanish land grant to 18,600 square miles of what is today New Mexico and Arizona, which he called the Barony of Arizona. Eventually convicted of fraud and forgery, the self-styled baron died destitute in 1912.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: It was actually in Tulsa last week! The converted 727-200 that Tex Sutton Forwarding uses to fly race horses and show horses is named “Air Horse One.”
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: So, you think politicians know more about medicine than Dr. Fauci? Well, then, Zeb here from the town council will be doing your colonoscopy.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: I guess we should retire the expression “avoid it like the plague” given how little effort people are putting into avoiding an actual plague.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I hate hotel towels. They’re so soft and thick and fluffy, I can’t even close my suitcase.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I have a friend who survived pepper spray and mustard gas in the military. He’s now a seasoned veteran.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I drink a glass of bourbon every day for health purposes. I drink all the rest of it because I like bourbon.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The Three Dog Night version of Oklahoman Hoyt Axton’s hit song “Joy to the World” topped the charts for six weeks – 50 years ago. The long-running “Tom & Jerry” cartoon series made its debut 76 years ago. Pop music legend Linda Ronstadt turned 75 last week.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Terri Ogle, Brad Busch, J.B. Robison, Jay Cranke, Kane Russell, Kelly Rush, Nancy Bradley, Kenny Smith, John McCharen, Kirk Woford, Peggy Blair, Kim Brady, Tammy Botts, Amy Regan, Cheryl Brecheisen, Daniel Love, and Mark Paden.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Has anybody lived long enough to buy a second bottle of Worcestershire Sauce?
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: 2021 Olympic Summer Games coverage is live at 5:00 a.m. daily on various NBC networks with primetime coverage nightly at 7:00 on NBC. Behind the Music is available Thursday on Paramount+ and the first new production in 30 years of the Hanna-Barbera favorite Jellystone airs beginning Thursday on HBO Max.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The much anticipated Stillwater makes its theater premiere this week, along with Jungle Cruise and The Green Knight. Resort to Love is available on NETFLIX and Ride the Eagle is available digitally.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “When I was a boy, I was told that anybody can become President. I’m beginning to believe it.” – Irving Stone
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, August 6 – Grove Block Party (5:00-9:00) with musical guest Clint Walker. Friday, August 6 – Dock Shots at Shangri-La Golf Club. Friday, August 6 – Granger Smith, featuring Earl Dibbles, Jr. performs at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace. Friday, August 6 -7 – Woodstock on the Water in Leon Russell Cove (Lawhead Hollow) including overnight raft-out Friday and concert Saturday 1:00-5:00. Saturday, August 7 – Run a Monkey Tournament at Shangri-La. Sunday, August 8 – PGA Oakley Cup Tournament at Shangri-La. Friday, August 13 – Shangri-La Sunset Cruise (7:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, August 13-15 – Women’s Getaway Weekend at Shangri-La. Monday-Saturday, August 14 – Cruise Night in Jay. Tuesday, August 16-17 WOGA Partnership Championship Tournament at Shangri-La. Friday, August 20 – Mary Moore Charity Event & Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, September 4 – Redneck Raft Out at Check-In Bay (12:00-5:00). Friday, September 10 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Patricia Island (1:30 Shotgun). Saturday, September 18 – REC Day Drive-Thru Event (Grove, Miami, Vinita, Pryor).
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SPORTS WATCH: Wall to wall 2021 Olympics live coverage continues this week on the various networks of NBC, plus Peacock. Nightly prime time coverage is on NBC.
The PGA Tour gives way to Olympic Golf this week. Live coverage is exclusively on the Golf Channel beginning live at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
There are some great MLB rivalries this week. Oakland is at the L.A. Angels Saturday at 3:00, followed by Minnesota at St. Louis at 6:00, both on FS1. Boston is at Tampa Bay Sunday night at 6:00 on ESPN.
NASCAR drivers are still taking time off for the Olympics. They’ll be back on the track at Watkins Glen August 8.
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You don’t have to have a calendar to be able to tell August is arriving this weekend – just a thermometer. We’ll have highs in the upper-90s and lows in the mid-70 all weekend. Get in the water – or get in the air conditioning. Remember, though, wherever you 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
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Coppers Tea & 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
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Gabby’s Place 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
Red’s Buffet & Ice Cream in Disney
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)
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