March 18 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Bagpipes at The Pub, corned beef & cabbage topped with karaoke, and springtime cocktails on the patio at The Shebang - all topped off with Chef Michael Bujold’s St. Patrick’s Day brunch – WOW! What a weekend of food, beverages, and fun! There are no parties like St. Patrick’s Day parties…and the Grand Lake versions are rreally special. An extra thanks to Tami Wilson at Monkey Island Pub. As the lake’s only official “Irish Bar,” she and Jon always do it up right – and this year was certainly no exception.
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We finally made it to Spring! Despite some erroneous forecasting by that damn groundhog and far more winter than we wanted, the First Official Day of Spring has arrived! It was very special seeing so many boats on the lake filled with spring-breakers enjoying Grand Lake’s spectacular pre-spring weather. I feel a great summer coming on!
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At the beginning of the 2019 Oklahoma legislative session, lawmakers had filed 2,815 proposed new laws. As of another deadline which passed last Thursday, almost two-thirds of those proposals had died a natural death. That’s undoubtedly a good thing.
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A federal appeals court says a woman was well within her first-amendment rights when she gave the middle finger to a cop who pulled her over for speeding. The sixth circuit Court of Appeals said, while giving the middle finger to police is rude and crude, it is indeed constitutionally protected free speech. Hmmm. I think I’ll wait for the Supreme Court ruling on this before I try it.
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If you live or travel in the Oklahoma City area, you should probably stay in your vehicle. New rankings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration name OKC as the “third deadliest city in America for pedestrians” (behind Albuquerque and Phoenix). Size matters.
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You can’t make this stuff up. In Cleveland, a man was arrested on drug trafficking charges last week. Police confiscated narcotics, cash, three guns…and a three-and-a-half-foot long alligator. The suspect’s name is Charlie Brown. Good grief!
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If you completely run out of things to do, you might contact Micah Cash for some ideas. He spent most of 2018 traveling throughout the United States visiting Waffle House Restaurants. His photo essay entitled “Waffle House Vistas” is now available. If you were too drunk to notice the view outside the window the last time you were at a Waffle House, you can probably find the view in his new book.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Dire Straits' 1985 "Brothers in Arms" was the first compact disc to sell 1 million copies.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: For those of you who are afraid to share my posts because you’re afraid a S.W.A.T. Team will come knocking at your door, that is crazy! S.W.A.T. Teams don’t knock!
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: After all the eating I’ve done this winter, I’m happy to report my flip-flops still fit!
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: My mind is like an internet browser. 17 tabs are open, 4 of them are frozen and I don’t know where the music is coming from.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Whoever came up with the word “dentures” really missed the opportunity to call them “substitooths.”
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Crooner Nat King Cole would have been 100 years old this week – and Maroon Five leader and The Voice star Adam Levine turns 40. Former Beatle and legendary music icon Paul McCartney had a great line last week: “My grandkids always beat me at Rock Band; and I say, ‘Listen, you may beat me at Rock Band, but I made the original records, so shut up!’”
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Bill Slepka, Rusty Fleming, Richard Lippitt, Bobby Seybolt, Drew Faulkner, Julie Londagin, Megan Swisher, Jan Smith, Jason Macer, Todd Segress, Ryan Dalton, Helen Oden, Matt Moyer, Spencer Londagin, Jana Kimball, William Cook, and Lauren Hess.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Which letter is silent in the word “scent” – the S or the C?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: There’s a lot going on around the lake this week, starting Thursday night at The Shebang on Monkey Island where Darrel Hicks will be the featured “Guest Chef” offering his awesome Cajun cooking. Sumner’s Big Meat Run is underway Thursday-Sunday in the off-road area in Disney. Saturday morning is the Ketchum FFA Flower Power 5K Fun Run, as well as a Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show at Grove Civic Center. Saturday evening is a Ladies Wine Tasting at The Casitas followed by a co-ed karaoke & dance party at Grand Meridian RV Park. Sunday morning is the inaugural “Shangri-La Lake-to-Golf 5K Run.”
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment coming up around the lake to kick off the new month. On Monkey Island, there is nightly karaoke fun and dance music at Monkey Island Pub. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night, and KJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday. At Littlefield Corner, there’s always live music Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon.
If live theater is more your style, the Grove Playmakers’ presentation of “I and You” opens this week. Friday, Saturday & Tuesday night performances are at 7:30 with a Sunday afternoon matinee at 2:00.
On South Grand Lake, Thursday night is Trivia Contest night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. 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. Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina also has Saturday night entertainment.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino-Grove features music from The Mixers Friday night followed by Blake Turner Saturday. Paralandra will perform Friday night at Grand Lake Casino. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. James Muns will be on stage at Bordertown Friday night, followed by a Saturday night performance by Whiskey River Band. Saturday night, there will be a special tribute performance at the Club 60 West Event Center at River Bend Casino. The featured performers will be Killer Queen: Tribute to Queen. Bo Phillips will perform Friday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill followed by Dead Metal Society Saturday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Morgan Squared performs Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Liz Moriondo Friday night and Rosy Hips Saturday night.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including PGA Golf, NASCAR, and college & NBA basketball games are the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
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UPCOMING ENTERTAINMENT TIP: You might want to mark your calendar! In addition to the great music that is on Grand Lake’s weekly schedule, Monkey Island’s Joyce Duke has outdone herself with a couple of weeks of outstanding spring entertainment. March 30 will be a night of live comedy – and April 6 will be a comedy/hypnotism show, both at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards will air live Saturday night at 7:00 on Nickelodeon. Sunday night at 7:00 is the first of a four-part Showtime mini-series exploring sports betting: Action. Next Wednesday night at 8:00 on CBS is the debut of Tim Tebow’s Million Dollar Mile. Season 5 of Jane the Virgin also debuts next Wednesday at 8:00 on CW.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Us and Where’d You Go Bernadette?
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’m just glad we caught this whole ‘Ivy league schools are rigged in favor of the rich’ thing early so we can nip it in the bud.” – Glorious Daniel
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Saturday, March 29-30 – Grove Merchants Spring Open House.
Saturday, March 30 – Bunny Hop 5K Fun Run at 8:00 a.m. (behind the Grove Community Center). Saturday, March 30 – Comedy Night at Big Shots on Monkey Island (8:00 p.m.) Saturday, April 6 – South Grand Lake Lions Club Grand Dam Run 5K and 10K. Saturday, April 6 – “Get in Your Head” comedy/hypnotist show at Big Shots (8:30). Saturday, April 13 – South Grand Lake Chamber Bootlegger’s Ball at Cherokee Yacht Club. Thursday, April 18 – The Wizard of Oz at the Coleman Theater featuring Dennis James on the organ (6:30). Friday-Sunday, May 3-5 – In-Water Boat Show by Nichols Marine at Shangri-La Marina. Saturday, May 4 – Burning of the Socks at Harbors View Marina – music by 5th Element. Saturday, May 18 – Ales & Tails at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita. Saturday, May 18 – Barkaritaville Party (fundraiser for 2nd Chance Pet Rescue) at The Parrot in Grove (5:30-9:00). Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1 – Toes in the Grand celebration at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Saturday, June 8 – Camp Bandage (10-2) at Grand Lake RV Resort.
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If you really, really love college basketball, this is your time. March Madness is officially here. Following the “first four” games Wednesday, the Dance gets underway Thursday – and continues through April 8. “Check your local schedule,” as they say. Things change quickly in this one-and-done playoff tournament. Games are televised on Tru TV, CBS, TBS, and TNT. Games played in Tulsa, by the way, are this weekend – Friday and Sunday.
In NBA action, the OKC Thunder are on the road in Toronto Friday night (6:30 on FSOK) before enjoying a weekend off. Monday night, they’re in Memphis to face the Grizzlies (7:00 on FSOK). They’re back home next Wednesday, hosting the Pacers (7:00 on ESPN).
PGA Players are in Palm Harbor, Florida this week for The Valspar Championship. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are at Martinsville this week for the STP 500. Coverage is Sunday afternoon at 1:00 on Fox Sports 1.
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Weather for the weekend ahead doesn’t look quite as perfect as the weekend gone by – but it looks pretty nice and, of course, the forecast at Grand Lake gets better as the weekend gets closer. Right now we’re looking for clouds, light winds, high temperatures in the upper 60s and lows around 50. We might have a few showers. Of course, the weather is always perfect for dining & drinking at Grand Lake. So, party on! It’s a great weekend for it! Remember, though… 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
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 (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
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
Henrie’s Grill in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Hilltop Café in Grove
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
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.)
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 Office Gentlemen’s Club 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