June 26 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
Weather was plenty warm, but fantastic otherwise for the big three-day Grand Jam Music Fest at Grand Meridian RV Park – and all the rest of the incredible pre-holiday events all around the lake. The long holiday weekend ahead looks great, as well…so good that it looks like a lot of folks have decided to turn the five-day holiday into a 12-day vacay. I think the extended power outages in Tulsa made people respond like they did during Covid – “to hell with it. Let’s just go to Grand Lake and stay!”
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By the way, in case the temperatures weren’t a clue for you, it’s SUMMER! Summer officially arrived last Wednesday – so all should be good now for the folks who only boat in the summertime.
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We have finally arrived at the biggest holiday weekend of the year at Grand Lake. This week, our population will be equal to the population of the third largest city in Oklahoma. A lot of folks coming in for the weekend may not be familiar with my official Grand Lake Bum Holiday Rules of Behavior, so here they are again: No fighting, no puking, no hitting on someone else’s date, no griping at over-worked servers and bartenders, no bragging about how much money you have (or your parents have), no drunk driving, no public nudity (private nudity is okay), no yelling, no discussion of religion - and especially no politics!
As with all holiday weekends, you may have a little longer wait for a seat, a drink, or some food. Be nice to everyone who is working so you can play. Everyone is always understaffed for the influx of holiday weekend visitors. If everybody who’s coming to the lake over the holiday weekend would come every weekend, all the businesses could staff up for those giant crowds. If I get my drink before you do, it’s because I’m there every day all year long. Bartenders already know what I want – and they know I’ll be sitting on the same stool in December. So, maybe you should buy a house and a boat while you’re here and come join us for the party all year!
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I always wonder why clever people with criminal minds don’t use their brain for more productive (and legal) escapades. Some scammer was selling bootleg tickets last week to the Grand Jam Music Festival held over the weekend at Grand Meridian RV Park. I hope you didn’t buy any tickets from them. If you went to the festival, you know there were no tickets. The event was free! If anyone tries to sell you tickets to this week’s Bobberland Cove concert of the upcoming Aquapalooza festival in Ketchum Cove July 15, don’t buy those, either. Both of those events are free, as well. Tickets to the Aquapalooza VIP Party may be purchased, but the actual concert is free to the public.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Terri Fowler, Dallas Sorrells, Ilene Briggs, Patricia Sanford, Larry Sanders, Craig Maxwell, Bobby Owens, Mary Brewer, Dandy Risman, Tonya Moorhead, John Jameson, Janet Sheeler, Gary Harkreader, Alana Williams, Dick Seybolt, Alyson Aberle, Velma Mullen, Bo Smith, Lisa Kucera…and America!
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. As you might expect, this week is jam-packed with huge events. Friday morning at 10:00 is the official Grand Opening and Dedication of The Battlefield Par 3 Golf Course at Shangri-La followed by “Glow Golf” fun with closest-to-the-pin and putting contests at The Battlefield Friday evening. The Huckleberry Festival in Jay runs Thursday-Tuesday. Vinita Fireworks are Friday night at Craig County Fairgrounds. Saturday afternoon is the annual Bobberland Cove Concert (1:00 p.m.) and the holiday “Dock Shots” competition at Shangri-La Golf Club (5:30). Horse Creek Fireworks and Gran Tara Fireworks are Saturday night. Sunday afternoon at 4:00 is Shangri-La Golf Club’s holiday “Alternate Shot Horse Race.” Monkey Island Fireworks are Sunday night at Shangri-La Resort. Grand Lake Fireworks in Disney and the City of Grove Fireworks at Wolf Creek Park are both Monday night. Duck Creek Fireworks are Tuesday night, July 4. Jay Fireworks and Miami Fireworks are also Tuesday night, July 4.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: TV censors refused to allow the planned first episode of "Leave it to Beaver" to be broadcast until scenes of a toilet tank were removed.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Rory McIlroy’s 72-hole score of 271 in the U.S. Open was the lowest ever by a player who did not win the tournament.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Security at every level of the airport is insane until you get to baggage claim. Then, it’s like “take whatever bag you want.”
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Please don’t use Facebook to vent. We are all either depressed, divorced, broke, or fat. It’s not just you.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Dave’s Maintenance Shop. We can repair anything. (Please knock hard on the door. The bell doesn’t work.)
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I’d like to thank whoever told my mom that WTF means “wow, that’s fantastic.” Her texts are so much more fun now.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Not everyone thinks Cleopatra was beautiful, but that’s how Julius Caesar.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do we refer to “hard liquor” when there’s no such thing as “soft liquor”?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: There are fourteen muscles activated when you pour a drink. Fitness is my passion.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I was recently asked what it was like being in the greatest band of all time. I must be losing my memory because I don’t remember being in ZZ Top.” – Sir Paul McCartney
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary singer/songwriter Kris Kristofferson turned 87 last week. Rocker Cyndi Lauper turned 70 last week. Singing sensation Barry Manilow turned 80 years old last week; and the ageless music legend Lionel Richie just turned 74.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: It’s a big holiday weekend with an equally big list of fabulous entertainment on Grand Lake! On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off at Doc’s Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun at the Thursday night Shrimp Boil. Chloe Johns performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar features three big nights of live entertainment this weekend – Usual Suspects Saturday night, Downbeat Sunday night and The Jessica Horn Band Monday night. Terry Jordan entertains at The Summit Restaurant Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings. DJ K-Bandito hosts the weekend musical fun at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights; and across the street, there’s karaoke on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. DJ Kennedy brings Rockstar Karaoke fun to Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.
On South Grand Lake, The Vanessa Oxford Duo kicks off the weekend Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill; and Barrett Lewis will handle the tunes Sunday afternoon at 4:30. Jake Brake entertains Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina. One Night Stand will take over Saturday night, with the Mike Barham Band wrapping up the weekend music Sunday night. The weekend musical fun always starts on Thursday nights with karaoke fun at The Drunken Rooster. This week, Infinity will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at the Rooster followed by Stars Saturday night and Imzadi Sunday night. At Blind Swine on Duck Creek, Magen Faulconer will perform Friday night. DJ Sayeth will entertain Tuesday, July 4 both before and after the Duck Creek Fireworks.
In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music from Out for a Ride Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. 90 lb. Wrench entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by ZZKC Saturday night.
Low Compatibility kicks off the weekend Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Dino D and the D Train Band Friday night. Monday night, God’s Country Music & Variety Show will entertain guests at Grove’s July 3rd Celebration at Wolf Creek Park (6:00 p.m.).
HunterGirl will be on stage Friday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar – and a big concert by Lainey Wilson is set Monday night, July 3 at Downstream’s Outdoor Venue. Tanya Tucker will be in concert Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace.
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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Lots of places that are normally open only on weekends are extending service for the holidays. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar is open late Friday-Monday and until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Two Chefs Chillin’ will be serving at Monkey Island Dispensary Saturday from 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Marina del Ray Resort is hosting a “Food Truck Roundup” Saturday-Tuesday (11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.). Bella Donna’s in Honey Creek reopens Thursday after being closed for a few days due to storm damage. Blind Swine on Duck Creek is offering front row seats for the 4th of July Duck Creek Fireworks including an all-you-can-eat American Buffet for $35 (open seating begins at 5:00 – closed from 3:00-5:00 to prepare). Shebang is now serving Sunday Brunch (9:00-2:00).
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: New game show Press Your Luck and Generation Gap premiere Thursday night at 7:00 and 8:00 respectively on ABC. The fourth and final season of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan will be available Friday on Prime Video. Tough as Nails returns Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS. Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular airs on NBC at 7:00 on the 4th of July!
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Indiana Jones and Dial of Destiny, No Hard Feelings and Asteroid City are all in theaters Friday, joining Lightyear on the big screens. Rise will be available Saturday on Disney+.
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, July 7 – “First Friday Wine Share” at The Flower Bar in Grove (6:00-7:30). Friday, July 7 – Food Truck Friday at Grove City Hall including show=n-shine of drag boats and music by Backwood County (5:00-9:00). Friday-Saturday, July 7-8 – Grand Lake Summer Expo at Craig County Community Center (9:00-6:00). Saturday-Sunday, July 8-9 – Wolf Creek Drag Boat Nationals in Wolf Creek (Saturday 8:00-5:00, Sunday 10:00-6:00). Monday-Thursday, July 10-13 – Kids Summer Camp at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Thursday-Saturday, July 13-15 – Monkey Island Two-Man Best Ball Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Friday-Saturday, July 14-15 – Oklahoma Legislative Grand Lake Getaway. Friday, July 14 – Grove Rotary Club “Shrimpfest” at Shangri-La Resort (5:30). Friday, July 14 – Aquapalooza VIP Party at Lighthouse Restaurant in Ketchum (6:00-9:00) and Aquapalozza Pre-Party at Sharky’s (9:00-Midnight). Saturday, July 15 – Grove Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association Car Show at Wolf Creek Park (8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Saturday, July 15 – Oklahoma Legislative Golf Tournament at The Battlefield at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 15 – Aquapalooza on-the-water concert in Ketchum Cove (Willow Park Marina).
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PGA Golfers are in Detroit this weekend for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Coverage begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday, and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
It’s a big week for professional football. The USFL Championship Game is Saturday night at 7:00.
NASCAR drivers are in Detroit for a little Sunday afternoon racing. Coverage of The Grant Park 220 begins at 4:30 Sunday on NBC.
There’s some good pro baseball on TV this week, too. The Cardinals host the Yankees at 1:00 Saturday followed by the Dodgers and Royals at 6:00. Sunday night, the Mets host the Giants at 6:00. Cincinnati is at Washington next Monday at 5:00 and the L.A. Angels are in San Diego Monday night at 8:30.
Professional tennis takes the spotlight early next week. It’s Wimbledon Time! Competition begins Monday morning, July 3 and continues daily through July 16. Coverage starts at 5:00 a.m. and runs until 4:00 p.m. most days on the ESPN networks.
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After a sizzling hot week, the forecast for the weekend ahead looks really nice. High temperatures will be around 90 degrees with lows in the upper 60s with partly cloudy skies, for the most part, right on through the holiday next Tuesday. It looks like a great weekend to enjoy a sensational array of holiday fireworks and other events. There’s music everywhere! Always remember, though, wherever you decide to 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
Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove
Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Blue Cat Bistro at Har-Ber Village
BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café at Har-Ber Village
Café Yum in Grove
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Danny’s Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina
Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek
Flower Bar in 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 Coffee Company in Grove
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek
Hero’s Deli 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
Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner
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
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey Island RV Resort
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney
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
Pier 13 Liquor Store 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)
R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort
Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
The Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
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