March 14 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
Snow gave way to sunshine and a great Spring Break week at Grand Lake – and Daylight Saving Time is officially in place. Fortunately, road crews did a great job and hardly anybody’s trek to Grand Lake for Spring Break was delayed – and everyone was rewarded with a glorious 7:30 p.m. sunset Sunday night. Now, we move on to another Sunday and the official First Day of Spring. We made it through another winter. Now, let’s move on to the outdoor fun!
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Before we move everything outdoors, there’s still plenty of indoor fun. It’s “March Madness” time. Let the basketballs roll.
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The Oklahoma legislature is busy, busy, busy – passing a bevy of bills that will later be known as the “law firm full employment legislation” as they are challenged for constitutionality. We are actually passing legislation in Oklahoma that says you don’t have to obey federal law. What? I had no idea we could pick and choose what laws we would obey. A lot of my pals will be glad to hear that news…as long as it lasts.
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Perhaps the strangest legislation approved by the full House of Representatives you’re your kids can’t be sent home from school just because they have a contagious disease. Seriously. Any disease. Head lice? That’s okay. Flu? Leprosy, maybe? Do you think perhaps we’ve gotten a little carried away with the anti-mandate attitude? It’s not like schools aren’t already a petri dish! It’s a wonderful time not to be a teacher.
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Question: If a guy is 80 years old and his fiancé is 47 years old, how much money does he have? The answer, according to net worth estimates by Forbes, is $8.3 billion. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, 80, has announced his engagement to Dr. Dana Blumberg, 47.
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Some of the news of the day is actually good news! If you didn’t see it, the national publication “Boat U.S. Magazine” has selected the “nine best lakes in the United States for boating.” Yep! You guessed it. Right there on the list of “nine best” is Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees. It’s not a secret, anymore.
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Is it just my social media feed, or has the entire world gone weight-loss crazy? The headlines are screaming at me: “Lose weight while you sleep!” “My friends don’t even recognize me anymore.” “Lose 27 pounds in 27 days – without dieting!” “Take one pill at 8:30 every night and lose your body fat!” There’s Oneshot Keto. There’s Trim Life Keto (that even the judges on the TV show Shark Tank are buying into it. I’m not making this up. Just mention it while you’re in the same room with your phone or smart speaker. I’m sure you’ll get all the info you want on your Facebook feed.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to John Pellow, Gary Quick, Terri Hinrichs, Troy Hinrichs, Candy Brasel, Sheila Stogsdill, Linda Eller, Carla Steckline, Mo Washington, Dana Able, Bill Slepka, Brad Parish, Tuesday Woods, Richard Lippitt, Rusty Fleming, Larry Wheeler, Erin Fitzgibbon, Julie Londagin, and Jan Smith.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Grand Panache Boutique in Grove will be celebrating Tuesday with a come-and-go Wine & Spirits Tasting from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Shangri-La welcomes Spring Break with “Spring Break Champ Camp” for grades 7-12 Tuesday-Thursday, March 15-17 at The Anchor; and Tuesday night is Trivia Night at The Anchor. Thursday night is a “Grand Lake Newcomers Club” St. Patrick’s Day Meet & Eat event at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grove (6:00). Friday & Saturday, the Anchor at Shangri-La hosts a Couples Virtual Golf Scramble in the Trackman golf simulator bay.
It’s a huge weekend for the ATV and rock-crawling crews. John Sumner’s Big Meat Run is Friday & Saturday below the Pensacola Dam in Disney. The Home & Garden Show is at the Grove Civic Center Friday-Sunday. Saturday night is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Party at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday is a huge charity benefit auction & music extravaganza at Road Hog Saloon beginning at noon. Sunday is also Open House at Spring Valley Ranch (1:00-4:00).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Raymond St. Jacques (born James Arthur Johnson) joined the cast of the series "Rawhide" in 1965, thus becoming the first Black regular on a TV western.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Kudos to one of our own. Big Edition Sports has compiled a list of the greatest NBA players of all time from each state. They had to be born in the state. For Oklahoma? Congratulations to Blake Griffin!
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: It’s embarrassing that people don’t know one country from another on a map. Don’t they teach geometry anymore?
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: I hope when I inevitably choke to death on gummy bears, people just say I was killed by bears, and leave it at that.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: My therapist told me to “write letters to the people you hate and then burn them.” I did that, but now I don’t know what to do with the letters.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: My girl has a glass eye. She’s the one-eye love!
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How can a cemetery raise burial prices and blame it on the cost of living?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I guess it's a good thing we have the internet so kids have someplace to learn. By the time the Oklahoma legislature is finished, we won't be able to teach them ANYTHING about life in school.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Sexy actress Halle Berry (aka Catwoman) is on the cover of this month’s AARP Magazine. She’s 55. Peyton Manning was, without a doubt, one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time. Believe it or not, it’s been six years since he retired. Even though Willie Nelson always called her his “little sister,” she was actually two years older than him. Willie’s sister, soul mate, and piano player died last week. “Little Sister Bobbie” Nelson was 91.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.” – David Sipress
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke & Singo with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Jacob Dement performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night; and Terry Jordan tickles the ivories Saturday night at The Summit. Thursday night is karaoke night with KJ Flip at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, and Erin Fitzgibbon entertains early Friday night at the Swine. Waxie Dargles “Stillwater’s Loudest Little Celtic Band” will provide the St. Patrick’s Party music Saturday night at Monkey Island Pub. DJ K-Bandito entertains Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.
The music runs all day and all night for the charity fundraiser at Road Hog Saloon Sunday, beginning at noon. Entertainment includes Constant Chaos, DJ Gragg Band, Full Throttle, Whiskey Outlaws, Corey Shavers, Brian Odle, Jeff Tatum, Palomino Moon Band, and Faultline.
On South Grand Lake, One Night Stand will provide the music Saturday night at Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill. Randy Steele will entertain with an acoustic show Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, followed by Jake Flint Friday night and DJ Binger Saturday. Taria Lee & Marty will provide the music at Grand Meridian RV, Cabin & Tiny Home Resort Friday night.
In Grove, there will be a different kind of entertainment at The Regatta Friday night – a harpist! Saturday night’s music at The Regatta will be provided by Backwoods Country. Encore will be on stage Friday night at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by karaoke Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, The Western Swing Rules Band entertains Friday night followed by The Hi-Fi Hillbillies Saturday.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents JR Neal in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features The Juice, and MoArk Mojo wraps up the weekend Saturday night. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Jesse Joice provides the music both Friday and Saturday nights. Stonehorse performs Saturday night at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda has opened for the season with initial season service Friday-Sunday from 11:00-7:00. VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina is also open Thursday-Sunday at 11:00. The Cafeteria at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island has new hours of operation – Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Blind Swine on Monkey Island has returned to its regular season six-day-a-week operating schedule (Tuesday-Sunday). Road Hog Saloon is now open seven days a week. The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La is open to the public Sunday evenings.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Life & Beth debuts Friday on Hulu. CBS Sunday Morning (8:00 a.m. Sunday on CBS) this week includes a sit-down with actress Sandra Bullock. Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson co-host American Song Contest which debuts Monday night at 7:00 on NBC. Jeff Foxworthy: The Good Old Days will be available next Tuesday on NETFLIX.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Batman and Cyrano are in movie theaters along with Umma and The Outfit. Cyrano is also available on demand. Cheaper by the Dozen is available on Disney+ and Deep Water is on Hulu.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, March 24 – “Grand Lake Newcomers Club Lunch” at Blind Swine on Monkey Island (11:30). Friday, March 25 – Opening night for “The Harry & Sam Dialogues” at Playmakers in Grove. Friday-Saturday, April 8-9 – I44 Classic Antique Car Auction at Buffalo Run Casino. Saturday, April 9 – InVESTment dinner to raise money for protective vests for Delaware County officers in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (6:00). Saturday, April 16 – Langley’s 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at First Christian Church (11:00 a.m.).
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In the sports world, it’s a huge week for college basketball. March Madness is underway! Rounds 1 and 2 are this weekend with loads of games Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Check the TV guide for your favorites. Games are on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV beginning daily at 11:00 a.m.
The Women’s NCAA Tournament is also this week on the networks of ESPN (and ABC Sunday). Round 1 games are Friday & Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. Round 2 games are Sunday beginning at 11:00 a.m. and Monday beginning at 2:00.
PGA players are in Palm Harbor, Florida for the Valspar Championship. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
In the NBA, the OKC Thunder have a tough road schedule (Friday in Miami at 7:00, Sunday at 5:00 in Orlando) before returning home to host Boston Monday night at 7:00. Coverage is on Bally Sports Oklahoma.
NASCAR drivers are in Atlanta this week for the Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500. Coverage is on Fox beginning at 2:00 Sunday afternoon.
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The upcoming weekend looks like the perfect way to start off the springtime season. We may have a shower or two Friday, but then the sunshine comes out. Highs will be in the 60s and 70s with lows in the low 40s. Perfect. Get out and have some Grand Lake fun. Remember, though, no matter where 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
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
Cafeteria at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
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
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
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
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill at Grand Meridian
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Forage 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 Coffee Company in Grove
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
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)
Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort
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