March 21 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
The convergence of Daylight Saving Time, the First weekend of Spring, nice weather, sunshine, and Spring Break had Grand Lake bursting at the seams last week (except for the rotten, rainy cold snap Friday). Boaters, golfers, pickleball players, fishing enthusiasts, Wiffle Ball & basketball players – even swimmers – and rock crawlers. OMG, I don’t remember ever seeing as manypeople gathered one Grand Lake location as were below the Pensacola Dam in Disney for John Sumner’s Big Meat Run over the past weekend. Absolutely incredible! Grab a tight hold and get a faraway look in your eye, Grand Lakers. The busy season is here!
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Speaking of Daylight Saving Time, I hope the U.S. House of Representatives and the President follow the lead of the U.S. Senate which unanimously approved legislation last week making Daylight Saving Time permanent! I can’t remember the last time the Senate passed anything unanimously and with no debate. It looks like everybody finally agrees that it’s a good idea to put the daylight at the end of the day where everybody can use it!
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Former University of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has the best new job in professional football. He just signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals to back up superstar former OU quarterback Kyler Murray. It’s a two-year contract worth $7.5 million - $6 million guaranteed. I would sit on the bench for half that amount!
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March Madness is officially underway. Experts estimate that 17% of Americans will wager $3.1 billion on the NCAA Tournament games. Tell me one more time why Oklahoma doesn’t have legalized sports betting to capitalize on this bonanza – and many others.
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Who knew? Tulsa has a Polo Club. They posted a notice of a meeting last week to advise interested folks what they need to play polo. In case you missed it, I have a little knowledge on the subject. You’ll need a helmet, a uniform, a mallet, knee guards, a special saddle, 2-to-8 horses, a trailer and truck to transport your horses, lots of free time, and a couple of hundred thousand dollars in the bank. Oh, and a place to play polo.
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Although gasoline prices seem to be dropping now, the sudden increase allowed lots of businesses to add “fuel surcharges” that will never go away. Airline fares are up, shipping costs are up, and Uber has added a per-ride fuel charge plus an increase in the cost of premium rides. Beware the Rides of March.
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Tulsa owes Grand Lake another big “Thank You.” The REDCREST 2022 Outdoor Sports Expo hosts lots of big happenings this weekend – all made possible by the arrival of competitors in the Major League Fishing Marquee Championship event on Grand Lake through Sunday. They’re fishing for $300,000 in prize money.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to David Ogle, Jason Macer, Todd Segress, Helen Oden, Ryan Dalton, Jana Kimball, Matt Moyer, Larry Ewing, Todd Kerr, Greg Brasel, Jeff Williams, Jerry Barnes, Mandy Long, Brice Long, Kathi Sikorski, and Andy Stewart.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Major League Fishing competitors are on Grand Lake through Sunday for their 2022 Championship Tournament. Thursday is a “Grand Lake Newcomers Club Lunch” at Blind Swine on Monkey Island (11:30). Friday is opening night for “The Harry & Sam Dialogues” at Playmakers in Grove (performances Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, as well). Saturday is the “2 Hip Chicks Roadshow” at the Grove Civic Center (9:00-4:00).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Until 2020, most General Motors vehicles sold in Australia carried the Holden nameplate, which had been one of that country’s early auto makers and began in the 1850s as a saddlery.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Former Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel has the best job on earth. As back-up quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers, he has made $41.1 million. Admittedly, he has been called on to play on occasion. Payment for the time he has actually played comes to $230,899 per pass completion.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: How to cook crack and clean a crab. Step One: Use commas.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: In a world of Putins, be a Zelenskyy.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: It was a sad and disappointing day when I discovered my Universal Remote Control did not, in fact, control the universe. (Not even remotely.)
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: “Fifty Shades of Grey” is ovary rated.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Whose cruel idea was it for the word “lisp” to have an “s” in it?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Every woman has a little bit of Marilyn inside of her. You just have to find out if it’s Monroe or Manson.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: It seems like last year I was watching Brian “The Boz” Bosworth tear up the gridiron at the University of Oklahoma before he went pro and subsequently became an actor. He had a birthday last week. He’s 57. This week is the anniversary of the release of the movie “The Godfather”….fifty years ago.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” – Winston Churchill
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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. Jon Moody 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. DJ K-Bandito provides the tunes Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and Saturday is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub.
On South Grand Lake, Reverse Reaction will provide the music Saturday night at Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill. Clint Ingram will entertain with a solo show Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
In Grove, it’s a live theater weekend. “The Harry & Sam Dialogues” is the featured production at Playmakers Friday & Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00. Brett N Terri entertain at The Regatta Thursday night, and Laron Simpson takes the stage Saturday night. Stonehorse will be on stage Friday night at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by karaoke Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, Borrowed Money performs Friday night followed by Sequel Dose Saturday.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Tim Nowell in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features Faultline; and The Rumor wraps up the weekend Saturday night. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Kurt Allen provides the music Friday night, followed by Hypnotik Saturday nights. Johnny Dale Roberts performs Saturday night at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West. Night Ranger will be in concert at Buffalo Run Casino’s Indoor Peoria Showplace Saturday night.
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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: Atlanta returns to FX for its third season Thursday night at 9:00. The 94th Annual Academy Awards air live Sunday night at 7:00 on ABC; and Moon Knight will be available next Wednesday on Disney+.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIE: The Lost City debuts in movie theaters Friday.
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 2 – Just in case your high school prom didn’t go well back in the day, you have a chance to get it right, with no regrets. The over-21 “Regret-Me-Not Prom” is at Big Shots Rhythm & Blues. Friday, April 8 – Grove Chamber Eggs & Issues Legislative Breakfast at St. Andrews Episcopal Church (8:00 a.m.). Friday-Saturday, April 8-9 – Grove & Monkey Island Shop Local Weekend. 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 9 – Christian Music Festival on Grove Community Center Lawn (1:00 p.m.). Monday-Friday, April 11-15 – Citywide Clean-Up Week in Grove. Saturday, April 16 – Langley’s 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at First Christian Church (11:00 a.m.). Sunday, April 24 – Blind Swine on Monkey Island hosts “Outdoor Barre” by Grand Lake Barre on the patio from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Friday, May 6 – First Grove Black Party of the season on the Community Center Lawn.
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In the sports world, it’s a huge week for college basketball. We’re down to 16 teams now in the NCAA Tournament. Sweet 16 games are Thursday & Friday with Elite 8 games set Saturday & Sunday. Games are on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV beginning daily at 11:00 a.m.
The Women’s NCAA Tournament is also winding down to a handful of teams. Sweet 16 women’s games are Friday & Saturday with Elite 8 games Sunday & Monday.
In the NIT Tournament, quarterfinals are set Tuesday & Wednesday this week. Semi-final games are next Tuesday, March 29.
PGA players have options this week. The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play is in Austin this week, with four days of coverage – 1:00 Wednesday, Thursday & Friday – and 9:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday on The Golf Channel. NBC has the final two rounds at 1:00 Saturday and 2:00 Sunday. This week is also the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic. Coverage is on the golf channel exclusively beginning at 9:30 a.m. Thursday & Friday, and 1:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.
In the NBA, the OKC Thunder have a tough road schedule (Saturday at 8:00 in Denver and Monday at 9:00 in Portland) before returning home to host Atlanta next Wednesday night at 7:00. Coverage is on Bally Sports Oklahoma.
NASCAR drivers are in Austin this week for the Echopark Automotive Grand Prix competition. Coverage is on Fox beginning at 2:30 Sunday afternoon.
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We still have some cool nights ahead of us. There’s no doubt about that; but the weekend ahead looks great for all activities – indoors and out! We’ll have sunshine, high temperatures around 70 degrees with lows in the mid-40s. 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