June 4 Random Observations of Grand Lake Bum
What an incredible weekend gone by. Between the fun and food at the World’s Largest Calf-Fry Cook-off in Vinita – and the fabulous two-day Toes in the Grand Festival in Grove, I barely had time to hit my regular stops (don’t worry, I expanded my schedule and made it okay). I do want to give a special shout-out to the people who worked so hard on the Toes in the Grand Festival featuring some great “Trop Rock” music. Honestly, Grove historically has not had the reputation of having such fun lake-oriented events. It’s a new day…and I give a lot of credit to the vision of the new Grove Chamber President Donnie Crain. Nicely done!
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This weekend, Grove is doing it again – but at the other end of town. Jana Jae, who has brought some great music to Grand Lake in the years she has lived here, is once again hosting the American Heritage Music Festival at Snider’s Campground (in Honey Creek) Thursday night & Friday and at the Grove Civic Center Saturday. It’s three days of musical competition and performances by fabulous musicians. Check it out. The biggest show will be Saturday evening at the Civic Center in Grove.
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Kathy Griffin said last week that no comedian’s career was in worse shape than hers. Roseanne said, “Hold my beer.”
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At an English Subway Sandwich store, Karly Coulton thought her “six-inch” sub sandwich looked small. To make sure she was getting what was advertised, she whipped out her ruler and discovered the “six-inch” sandwich was actually a “four-and-a-half-inch” sandwich. Sounds like a fun date, doesn’t she?
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Did you observe a solemn moment of silence on Sunday to honor Billy Joe McAlester? I’m pretty sure that’s the day he jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge. It was the 3rd of June….
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It was great to see the OU Football coaches and their spouses enjoying Grand Lake during their three-day retreat at Shangri-La Golf Club & Resort last week. I thought is was a particularly fun coincidence that OU legend Uwe von Schamann (“The Kick” – 1977), was at Shangri-La at the same time for an unrelated event. The OU past met the OU present…and future! At Grand Lake!
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It was equally cool to have all the major donors and supporters of the University of Tulsa Athletics at Grand Lake for a two-day outing at Shangri-La. Isn’t it fun that with Shangri-La Resort Hotel’s first birthday this month, Grand Lake is once again THE premier destination?
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By the way, congratulations to the Oklahoma State Cowboys Golf Team for an incredible national championship victory in the NCAA Tournament last week. I’ve never seen such a butt-whipping as they put on Alabama in the finals. The victory was secured when Matthew Wolff birdied #15 – and it was over. That’s my first exposure to a team being run-ruled in golf! Pretty cool.
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GRAND LAKE DINING UPDATE: The Grand Lake Food Boat launched last weekend. Naturally, it was in Wolf Creek over the weekend feeding the flocks on the water at the Toes in the Grand Festival. It’ll be in a different spot every weekend. Watch for it in your area or check their Facebook page.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: When I was a kid, my parents would always say “excuse my French” just after a swear word. I’ll never forget my first day of school when my teacher asked if any of us knew any French.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: How old were you when you realized “Arby’s” was prounced “RB’s” – short for “Roast Beef?” I was today old.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK So the woman who got her start doing a sex tape, went to the White House to talk about prison reform to a party who just said shootings are caused by porn…OMG I need an #ambien.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Radio sex therapist “Dr. Ruth” Westheimer celebrated her 90th birthday Monday. At the big “Rocklahoma” show at Pryor Memorial weekend, a set of teeth was turned in to the Lost & Found.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: One of western Sicily's favorite dishes is Pane con la Milza, or fried spleen sandwich.
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BEST OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the world. Then he made the earth round…and laughed and laughed and laughed.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Kim Schoppa, Dan Arnold, Parker Gibbs, Don Davis, William Pettit, Matt Nash, Ron Young, Jim Gray, and Doug Ohlstrom.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When airplanes, cars, and other vehicles almost collide, but avoid the crash, why do they call it a “near miss?” Shouldn’t that be a “near hit?” Wouldn’t a “near miss” actually be a “hit?”
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The 21st Annual American Heritage Music Festival is at Snider’s Campground in Honey Creek Thursday night and Friday, and at the Grove Civic Center Saturday. Saturday morning is “Walkin’ with the Monkeys” on Monkey Island, raising funds for extension of the Monkey Island Trail. $25 registration fee and check-in are at Shangri-La Resort Hotel from 8:00-10:00 rain or shine. Grand Lake Camp Bandage is also Saturday at Grand Lake RV Park.Saturday night The Home of Hope 50th Anniversary Banquet will be held at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, and Girlfriends of the Airport will host “NAPA NITES” with live jazz, wine tasting, and heavy hors ‘d oeuvres at South Grand Lake Regional Airport north of Ketchum.
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s a lot of great entertainment around this weekend. The 21st Annual American Heritage Music Festival in Grove features a wide variety of musical entertainment beginning Thursday night at Snider’s Camp in Honey Creek with more competition at Snider’s Friday night. Saturday, the festival moves to the Grove Civic Center featuring evening entertainment from The Western Flyers, Jana Jae, Barry “Bones” Patton and many other entertainers. On Monkey Island, Risky Business entertains Saturday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina. You are the star on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang with karaoke fun Friday and Saturday nights, and the dance floor will be hoppin’ both Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots. Up highway 125, Fridaynight is also karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub. At the Blind Swine, there’s live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights; and at Littlefield Corner, the Road Hog Saloon also presents the music of Lickitty Split Saturday night.
On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Bar & Grill at Grand Lodge in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night.
Friday night, Wink Burcham will provide the entertainment at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, followed by Darrell Lee & the Smokin’ Gunz Saturday night. At South Grand Lake Regional Airport, live jazz music will entertain attendees at the “NAPA NITES” airport fundraiser. Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney will feature musical entertainment by DJ Binger Saturday night.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove Thomas Martinez Friday night and a Foreigner Experience with Double Vision Saturday night. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Friday night is music by The Boston Mountain Playboys; and Dewayne Bowman entertains Saturday. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, Big Smitty will perform Friday night. At Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, BC and the Big Rigwill be on stage Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. James Muns and Sierra perform Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by The Allen Biffle Band Friday night. Saturday night music at Indigo will be provided by Paralandra.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NBA Finals, PGA Golf, the and NASCAR are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina, Monkey Island Pub, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Nashville returns Thursday night at 8:00 on CMT. The mini-series The Staircase will be available Friday on NETFLIX. The 72nd Annual Tony Awards presentation will be televised live Sunday night at 7:00. If you’re a game show freak, ABC is your Sunday night home starting this week with Celebrity Family Feud starting at 7:00, followed by $100,000 Pyramid and To Tell the Truth.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Ocean’s Eight and Hotel Artemis
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’ll bet it’s easier for Donald Trump to negotiate de-nuclearization with North Korea than it was for me to cancel my internet service with Cox.” – Sam Walker
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Saturday, June 15-16 – Vinita Route 66 Festival in downtown Vinita (block party Friday night 6:00-10:00 with live music). Saturday, June 16 – Wild West Costume Party at Monkey Island Pub. Monday-Wednesday, June 18-20 – Junior Players Academy at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, June 23 – 4thAnnual Rock the Dock raft-up party at Check-In Bay. Friday, June 29 – Vinita Fireworks (High School Football Stadium). Saturday, June 30 – Summer Fun Fest at Grand Meridian RV, Cabin and Tiny Home Resort. Tuesday, July 3 – Grove Fireworks (Wolf Creek Park) and Grand Lake Fireworks (Disney). Wednesday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks. Saturday, July 7 – Wolf Creek Nationals, Southern Drag Boat Association at Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, July 7 – Monkey Island Fireworks at Shangri-La. Monday-Wednesday, July 9-11 – Junior Sports Camp at Shangri-La Resort.
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PGA players are at TPC Southwind in Memphis this weekend for the FedEx St. Jude Classic. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 3:00 Thursday and Friday, noon Saturday and Sunday. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and Sunday.
NBA finals continue this week. Golden State is at Cleveland Friday night. They move to Golden State Monday night. All games are at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.
We’re also down to the Stanley Cup Finals in the NHL. Washington is at Vegas Thursday night. Vegas is at Washington Sunday night, and they’re back in Vegas (if necessary) next Wednesday. All games are on NBC at 7:00 p.m.
Will we have another Triple Crown winner this year? The 150th running of The Belmont Stakes Saturday will decide the issue. Coverage begins at 4:00 p.m. Saturdayon NBC. Post time is 5:30.
NASCAR action comes from Michigan International Speedway this week. Coverage of the FireKeepers Casino 400 begins Sunday afternoon at 1:00 on Fox.
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With a plethora of outdoor activities planned at Grand Lake this weekend, I sure hope the weather forecast holds. Right now, it’s calling for light winds, partly cloudy skies, highs in the mid-90s and lows in the 70s. That works for me. There’s plenty of fun on the Grand Lake agenda this weekend – both outside and inside. But, remember…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.
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
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Bobbers Café in Langley
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
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
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
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)
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