July 6 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
What an incredible holiday weekend on Grand Lake, huh? We have long shared the statistic that, on 4th of July weekend, Grand Lake has a population equal to the third-largest city in Oklahoma, but I’m not sure about this year. We may have surpassed the population of Tulsa – especially since most of Tulsa seemed to empty out into Grand Lake!
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Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard and gave so much financial support to the incredible fireworks shows at Grand over the holiday weekend. There are normally eleven shows around the Grand Lake area. Two of them cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus issues – but the other nine shows came off without a hitch – and they were incredible. It’s nice to have the great War Birds team with their vintage WWII aircrafts supporting the shows on Monkey Island and Duck Creek, too. Those guys put on a sensational show! Speaking of sensational shows, the annual Cajun Fest in Grove on the 4th was incredible, as well. Doug Kershaw hasn’t lost a step. And neither has Grand Lake’s own Jana Jae. Congratulations to her and her team for another fabulous show!
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As with every major summer holiday, there was plenty of “amateur boating activity” by people who, I’m sure, have absolutely no idea that they were the problem. Fortunately, experienced captains know to look out for them – and a lot of regular boaters on the lake don’t even venture onto the water on holiday weekends. It’s all good, though. There were plenty of precarious close calls…but wiser, cooler, more experienced heads prevailed. One of my buddies said, “boy, we had a near-miss with a couple of SeaDoos.” That term cracks me up. Wouldn’t a “near miss” be a “hit?” I’m thinking a better term would be “near hit.”
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It may be my imagination, but I think the totals on the “holiday jerk list” are a little fewer than normal. Oh, sure, there were the usual demanding egomaniacs who think everything should be designed for, operated for, and planned for only their personal enjoyment with no regard to anyone else. In fact, there were even a few people who complained about Arrowhead, Cherokee and VIP Pizza closing due to COVID-19 positive tests of a couple of members as if that incredibly difficult decision was made simply to mess up their personal plans for the evening. But those people are probably jerks wherever they go. We’re just lucky to only have them for a couple of weekends a year. Even the social media site where people seem to not like much of anything or anyone on Grand Lake was full of pretty pictures of fireworks celebrations and complimentary language. I was thrilled to see that. Maybe people are starting to get a little more tolerant, thoughtful, and patient. On second thought, I was probably right to start with – it may be my imagination.
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In case you were busy celebrating the holiday and missed the news, Kanye West announced he’s running for President. I’m not sure he checked with his buddy Donald Trump before announcing; but I doubt the polarizing entertainer (West, not Trump) will get very far. It’s more likely he’s just trying to get a little publicity for his new album. Can you imagine? The only thing more bizarre than Kanye West as President would be Kim Kardashian as First Lady.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Doc’s at Shangri-La offers curbside pickup of pizza, wine and beer, but is not yet open for dine-in service. FYI, The Landings Restaurant and Morrow’s Bar & Grill have no plans for opening this season.
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PUBLIC EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE: Aquapalooza, originally scheduled for July 18, has been canceled for 2020. The Will Rogers Rodeo in Vinita , has been cancelled for this year. The Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament has been postponed until Friday, September 18.
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Grand Lake Queen riverboat runs Friday-Sunday cruises. Friday evening is the Shangri-La Resort monthly Sunset Cruise. Saturday night is the Shangri-La Marina Slip Renters Appreciation Luau.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Erin Fitzgibbon entertains Wednesday nights for “Biker Night” at Blind Swine. KJ Flip leads the Thursday night karaoke fun at the Swine, and he’s back Sunday night for Cocktails & Karaoke. Jason Morgan starts the weekend with karaoke fun at the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort. Brett & Terri perform live at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Saturday night. Big Shots will feature DJ K Bandito Friday and Saturday nights. Karaoke with Kerry on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday& Saturday nights.
Live entertainment returns to Indigo Sky Casino this week. Jesse Joice and the Teddy Scott Duo kick off the weekend Friday night, followed by Funkin Gonuts Saturday.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" was composed by an illiterate Choctaw freedman named Wallis Willis. Made famous in the early 1900s by the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, it was performed at Woodstock by Joan Baez and in 2011 became Oklahoma's official state gospel hymn.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: At the store, there was a big X by the register for me to stand on; but I’ve seen too many Roadrunner cartoons to fall for that crap.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Toilet out of order. Please use floor below.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Every dead body on Mt. Everest was once a very determined person; so…maybe calm down.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Forrest Gump’s email password? 1Forrest1
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: There are two things that test a marriage: having children – and docking a boat.
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OBSERVATION FROM THE GALS IN MY CROWD: You know what’s really uncomfortable? My bra. But I still wear it in public. Not for me, for others.
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FEEL OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The big Birthday Bash virtual concert this week featuring Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney is actually named the “80th Birthday Bash.” Ringo Starr is 80 years old. Iconic writer, producer, director, actor and comedian Carl Reiner died last week. He was 98 years old. Legendary broadcaster Hugh Downs, best know for his time on The Today Show and 20/20, died last week. He was 99.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Toby Keith, Sheri Stoner, Jaime Dobbins, Mike Aberle, Kelly Aberle, Bob Graper, Mandy O’Banion, Jon Wilson, Tami Wilson, John McFerron, Kasidy Jeffers, Alan Kraft, Dylan Hutson, John Moore, Tina Tolleson, Tony Russell, Melody Casper, and Miss Halle Zaloudek.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How to they get those “Keep off the Grass” signs out on the grass?
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Living Grand on Grand Lake airs Thursday evening at 7:30 on RSU (repeat Saturday morning at 10:00). The first season of P-Valley debuts Sunday night at 7:00 on Starz. The CMA Best of Fest Special airs Sunday night at 7:00 on ABC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: First Cow had a brief limited opening in March before the Coronavirus hit. It will be available streaming Friday, as will Money Plane and Sometimes, Always, Never. Greyhound will be available Friday on Apple TV.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “When Kennedy was President, we went to the moon. Today, we can’t even go to Paris.” - Anderson Cooper
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, July 17 – Xtreme Fight Night #368 at Buffalo Run Casino. Thursday-Friday, July 23-24 – Junior Club Championship Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday-Sunday, July 25-26 – Club Championship Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, August 22 – Shangri-La Mystery Dinner. Saturday, September 5 – Redneck Raft-Out & Concert at Check-In Bay. Friday, September 18 – Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Patricia Island.
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SPORTS WATCH: The PGA Tour moves to Muirfield in Dublin, Ohio this week for the Workday Charity Open – a one-time PGA Tour event replacing the cancelled John Deere Classic this year. Coverage will be on the Golf Channel at 2:00 Thursday & Friday afternoons and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS will pick up the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR drivers will be at The Kentucky Speedway Sunday afternoon for the Quaker State 400. Coverage starts at 1:30 Sunday afternoon on Fox Sports 1. Next Wednesday (July 15), drivers will be at Bristol for the All-Star Open at 6:00 p.m. followed by the NASCAR All-Star Race at 7:30. Coverage of both races will be on Fox Sports 1.
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Weather for the weekend ahead looks fabulous – but plenty hot. The forecast calls for sunshine with highs in the mid-to-upper 90s, hitting 100 by Sunday, with lows in the mid-70s. Have fun; but wherever you party this weekend, 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
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
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
Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove
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
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
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
Henrie’s Grill 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
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Morrow’s Bar & Grill at Morrow’s Landing
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 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