June 14 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
What an absolutely incredible weekend we all enjoyed at Grand Lake over the past weekend. If you didn’t know better, you would have thought it was the 4th of July weekend. The American Heritage Music Festival and the Toes in the Grand Festival at Wolf Creek were fabulous shows for kids of all ages – and even wrapped up with fireworks. There were lots of boats at the Bobberland on-the-water concert on South Grand, an awesome Flag Day Boat Sashay parade – and two national competitions: the Thunder on Wolf Creek boat races and the Odyssey National Dance Competition at Shangri-La. I guess it’s going to be like that every weekend. I was counting up the “live music” performances around the lake next weekend. I stopped counting when I got to 30 – including yet another on-the-water concert Saturday at Check-In Bay. Grand Lake is truly Oklahoma’s party spot – and live entertainment is back with a passion!
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Modern day Jonah? Seriously! I’ll bet you can’t top Michael Packard’s story! The 56-year-old Cape Cod lobster diver found himself suddenly in total darkness after feeling a “bump” in the water. He didn’t realize where he was until thirty seconds later when he was spewed from the mouth of a humpback whale in a Jetstream of water. That is literally one whale of a story!
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Everybody is trying to outperform everyone these days. NBA Playoffs, the U.S. Open is coming up, the College World Series starts this week…and just when you thought no one could top Coach Patty Gasso and her National Championship Sooner Softball, here comess Coach Tiffany Eichten, coach of the Wabasso, Minnesota Softball Team. The very pregnant coach Eichten was in the top of the 7th inning of the second playoff game of the day when the coach suddenly turned the reins over to her assistant and got help getting to her car where baby Andie was born! These teams plan for everything. One of the assistant coaches is also an OB/GYN nurse. I still don’t know who won the game, though.
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Our ambitious boating friends at Lake of the Ozarks set an ambitious goal last weekend – but they weren’t even close. Boaters gathered at Osage beach Saturday in an attempt to take the Guinness Book of Records “Largest Boat Parade” title. In fairness, it was a daunting goal to attempt to take the title from the 2014 boat parade in Malaysia that included 1,180 boats; but the qualifying entries at LOTO last weekend had less than half that total – 505. Personally, I think the Flag Day Boat Sashay we had on Grand Lake is a lot more our style.
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Sunday is Father’s Day. If you’re stumped for a gift idea, here’s a suggestion: clean and polish the boat, fill it with fuel, stock it with ice, snacks and Dad’s favorite beverages. When everything is perfectly prepared, grab your Dad, take him to the boat, put him at the helm, unplug the shorepower, disconnect the dock lines and push him safely out of the slip – while you and the rest of the family remain on the shoreline! The perfect gift!
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Mr. Shing Chinese Restaurant has now re-opened in Langley. Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney is now open 7 days a week. QuickQue BBQ Shack is now open Wednesday-Sunday from 11:00-8:00 at Monkey Island RV Park. Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) is now hosting Friday night Creole Shrimp Boil fun, as well as breakfast service Friday, Saturday & Sundays. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La hosts a weekly Shrimp Boil on the patio each Thursday night as well as an all-you-can-eat Ribs Special Friday nights. Doc’s Bar & Grill and Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda both offer a Saturday & Sunday Breakfast Buffet.
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Friday night is the huge Grove Rotary Club Lobsterfest at Grove Civic Center. The Route 66 Festival in Vinita is Friday & Saturday. Saturday is also the big on-the-water Rock the Dock Concert at Check-In Bay (noon-5:00). Saturday night, there’s Jello Wrestling at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina (7:00 p.m.) and the annual Steampunk Costume Party at Monkey Island Pub. GRDA is also offering the Kyle Williams Safe Boating Class at the GRDA Ecosystems Building Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. Sunday is Father’s Day, of course; and the annual Junior Players Academy at Shangri-La is next week, Monday-Wednesday from 8:00 a.m.-noon daily.
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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, Scott Musick provides the live entertainment at Doc’s. DJ C-Dub kicks off the weekend entertainment Friday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar, followed by Reverse Reaction Saturday night. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit at Shangri-La. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons beginning at 8:00 Friday & Saturday nights; and just across the street, there’s always great dance music Friday & Saturday nights 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. Erin Fitzgibbon will perform Friday night at 6:00 at the Swine/Monkey Island. Saturday night is the annual Steampunk Costume Party and Karaoke with Tim at Monkey Island Pub.
At The Regatta in Grove, Brett & Terri entertain Thursday night and Faultline headlines the musical fun Friday. Saturday night, Encore entertains along with Cory Lee.
On South Grand, 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. Vanessa Oxford kicks off the weekend entertainment Friday night at Sharky’s. Saturday entertainment begins early in the day with both BC & The Big Rig and Paralandra performing at the on-the-water Rock the Dock Concert at Check-In Bay from noon until 5:00. Cory Lee will be performing Saturday afternoon from noon until 4:00 at Sharky’s; and Sunday afternoon is karaoke fun with John Hamilton. At Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, The Blake Turner Trio will perform Saturday night.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Erin Fitzgibbon in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by The Sidemen Friday and Borrowed Money Saturday. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar features music of Whatever Rocks Friday and Superstar Mafia Saturday nights. At Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar, Rod Robertson will be performing Friday night followed by Jumpsuit Love Saturday.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The title “cowpoke” originally applied only to the men whose job was to prod or “poke” cattle into rail cars for shipment.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: There is now a place on Grand Lake you can drink and drive legally – the NASCAR/Formula 1 driving simulator at The Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La (you may need a ride home, though).
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I bought some shoes from a drug dealer…not sure what they were laced with, but I’ve been tripping all day.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Like everyone else, we’re hiring.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: As we get older, we don’t lose friends. We just find out who the real ones are.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Something in the way she moos attracts me like no udder lover. (did you sing it?)
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I really think it’s time to take the warning labels off of everything and let stupidity work itself out of the gene pool.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: We lost country music legend Jerry Jeff Walker last week. He was 78 years old. Oklahoma City’s media world lost three giants last week – longtime WKY (now KFOR) sportscaster and ad agency executive Robbie Robertson was 73, KOCO, OETA meteorology icon Ross Dixon, and former Griffin Television President and KWTV General Manager Jacques “Jack” DeLier who was 101.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Kevin Dennis, Judy Love, Josh Russell, Mike Ward, Cory Bowker, Lisa Arizpe, Tony Mills, Sandy Busch, Casey Borin, Brittani Isaac, Gary Palu, John Landers, and Jim Chapman.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If vegetables are so good, why do vegans always try to make them taste like meat?
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Two new game shows debut this week. Holey Moley premieres Thursday night at 8:00, followed by The Hustler at 9:00, both on ABC. Kevin Can F**K Himself debuts Sunday night at 8:00 on AMC; and Peyton Manning hosts the return of College Bowl next Tuesday night at 9:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: 12 Might Orphans and The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard debut in movie theaters this week. Luca is available on Disney+ and Fatherhood is on NETFLIX. The Birthday Cake is available for rent.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Breaking up is like knocking over a Coke machine. You can’t do it in one push. You have to rock it back and forth a few times; and then it goes over.” – Jerry Seinfeld
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Saturday, June 25-26 – Grand Jam Music Festival at Grand Meridian RV Park. Friday-Saturday, June 25-26 – Corn Hole Tournament at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Saturday, June 26 – Heels on Wheels Car Show & Bikini Contest at Copper Penny Bar & Grill in Ketchum. Monday-Wednesday, June 28-30 – Youth Pickleball Camp at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 3 – Monkey Island Fireworks at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 3 – July 3rd Fireworks Celebration at Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, July 3 – Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney. Sunday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks. Sunday, July 4 – Miami Fireworks at Riverside Park.
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SPORTS WATCH: NBA Playoffs continue this week as we wrap up the conference semi-finals and determine which two teams will battle for the conference championships. Conference finals could begin as soon as Sunday. Games are on TNT, ESPN, and ABC.
The PGA players are at Torrey Pines South in San Diego this week for The U.S> Open. Coverage begins on The Golf Channel at 11:30 Thursday and Friday. NBC has full coverage of Saturday action beginning a 10:00 a.m. Sunday’s final round coverage begins on the Golf Channel at 9:00 and moves to NBC at 11:00.
The College World Series games kick off Saturday – and air daily. Check your local listings for teams, times, and channels.
In MLB, the Cardinals are in Atlanta to face the Braves Saturday night at 6:15 (Fox) and Sunday night at 6:00 (ESPN).
NASCAR drivers are in Nashville this week. Coverage of the Ally 400 begins at 2:30 Sunday afternoon on NBCSN.
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It’ll be tough to top the fabulous weather from last weekend, but we’re going to try. We’ll have sunshine for the most part, with highs in the upper 90s Friday, then low 90s Saturday & Sunday. Enjoy light breezes and lows around 70 degrees. It should be perfect for an incredibly busy Father’s Day weekend. 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.
Ailey’s Café in Langley
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)
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
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 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