May 13 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Monkey Islanders proved once again that they can raise a lot of money for great causes. All it takes is a party! Island bartenders got a good pre-Memorial-Weekend workout as last Saturday’s Monkey Island Golf Cart Poker Run drew 150 competitors who drank their way through five stops – Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda, Blind Swine, Monkey Island Pub, The Shebang, and Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La – on their way to raising over $10,000 for extension of the Monkey Island Pedestrian/Golf Cart Trail. Thanks to the Women’s Auxiliary Association of Monkey Island for organizing the event, and congratulations to everyone who joined the fun. The top three winners (in order) were Darrel Hail, Charlie & Patricia Mitchell, and Randy & Tresa Hendrix.
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I hope everyone had a fantastic Mother’s Day weekend. All the mothers in my life left me over-fed and overserved. I hope the same was true for you!
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Boaters have an important weekend ahead. This is the time to make sure everything works on your boat before all your friends and family bombard you for the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend. There’s no shortage of fun. This weekend the Rotary Clubs of Grove and Vinita are having big events, along with the 2nd Chance Pet Rescue “Barkaritaville” party at The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing. This weekend is also the 20thAnniversary Celebration at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze on Monkey Island. Then – boom – Memorial Weekend is here followed immediately by the official “Toes in the Grand” party at Wolf Creek. If your calendar doesn’t include spending every one of the next 20 weekends on Grand Lake, you’re missing out on the fun!
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If anyone knows Cheyenne Ewing of Vinton County, Ohio, please give her my address. She is charged with burglary, although she didn’t actually steal anything when she broke into a home. She spent a little time on the sofa petting the homeowners’ dog, then washed all their dirty dishes and left. Officers said she seemed to be under the influence of drugs – but please don’t let her get straightened out before she makes it to my house.
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An important new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has some encouraging medical information. The study says that both red and white wine kill 99.9 percent of dental bacteria and germs that cause dental plaque and sore throats. You’re welcome!
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GRAND LAKE AREA DRIVING TIP: Most of our roads are just two-lane roads. If there are cars behind you, but no cars in front of you…YOU are the problem.
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DINING AND DRINKING ON GRAND LAKE: Morrow’s Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow is now open for the season – 5:00-9:00 Friday, 11:00-9:00 Saturday, 12:00-8:00 Sunday.
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SEEN IN A CHURCH BULLETIN: The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement Friday afternoon.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: At 98,000 square miles, Wyoming is slightly larger than the entire United Kingdom.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The oldest bar in the world is in Ireland. Archeological records have found that the walls of Sean’s Bar have been around, and serving, since 900 AD. There are records of every owner of the pub back to its tenth century founding. It opened over 1,100 years ago.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Wife crashed the car again today. She told police the man she collided with was on his mobile phone and drinking a can of beer. Police said he can do what he likes in his own living room.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: If you’re looking for a sign to drink tonight, this is it. (thanks to Jon Wilson for sharing this one)
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: They say the restoration of Notre Dame could take 75-100 years. The only person who will see it finished is Keith Richards.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: There are two types of people in the world – people you would want to drink with – and people who make you want to drink.
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DEFINITION OF THE WEEK: Electile Dysfunction – the inability to be aroused by any of the candidates running for office.
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BEST LINE OF THE WEEK: I might wake up early and go running. I also might wake up and win the lottery. Odds are about the same.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: And just like that, 1969 was fifty years ago.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Nancy Adkisson, Gary Cameron, Gaylyn Haynes, Vicki Stockwell, Charlie Mitchell, Gayle Larimore, Randy Hess, Debbie Hess, Paula Silzer, and Kevin Blumenthal. Congratulations to South Grand Lake Regional Airport and airport manager Brent Howard for being honored as both the Airport of the Year and the Airport Manager of the Year respectively by the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association. Grand Lake swept the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association’s annual RedBud Awards, too. Oasis Animal Adventures on South Grand Lake was honored for Best Agri-Tourism. Grand Lake’s Candlewyck Cove Resort won the RedBud for Best Lodging Property. Kristi Wallace and the RSU-TV program “Living Grand on Grand Lake” was honored for Best Media Coverage. Awesome!
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If all is not lost, where the heck is it?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday is the second attempt at the weather-delayed Vinita Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic at The Coves. Friday evening is the Grove Rotary Club Boot Scootin’ BBQ at Woody Crest Farms. Saturday is the Ales & Tails Red Dirt Festival event at the American Legion Rodeo Grounds in Vinita (4:00-10:00), as well as the Barkaritaville Party (fundraiser for 2nd Chance Pet Rescue) at The Parrot Restaurant in Grove (5:30-9:00).
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s a bunch of great entertainment around the lake this weekend. It must be May! On Monkey Island, The Balcony Bar at The Shebang is open Friday & Saturday nights for karaoke fun and there’s great dance music right across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. There is also karaoke at Monkey Island Pub Friday nights and a Saturday night DJ. 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 great live entertainment every Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon.
On South Grand Lake, Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina will feature the music of Tyler Brant Friday night followed by Lickitty Split Saturday. Thursday night is Trivia Contest night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Friday night is Karaoke Night at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina.
In Vinita, there will be fabulous Red Dirt music at the Ales & Tails Festival at the American Legion Rodeo Arena beginning at 4:00 Saturday. Performers include Magen Faulconer, Mike McClure, the Motorcars and headliner Reckless Kelly.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features music of NighTTrain Friday night and Rod Robertson Saturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Lucas Gates will be on stage at Bordertown Friday night, followed by a Saturday night performance by Dewayne Bowman. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, Stonehorse will be on stage Friday night, and D.J. Chris will provide the entertainment Saturday night. Friday night music at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 will be provided by Western Justice. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill, Sugarpill will perform Saturday night, and there’s always Friday & Saturday night live DJ action beginning at 10:00 p.m. Saturday night is also Xtreme Fight Night at Buffalo Run’s Peoria Showplace. Thursday night, Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar will feature “Thowback Thursday: A Tribute to the Golden Age of Honkytonk Swing” featuring Sugar Thumb. Friday night, enjoy the music of Mr. Lucky, followed by 90LB Wrench Saturday. In Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge, The Jeff Long Duo will perform both Friday & Saturday nights. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Johnny Dale Roberts performs Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Torn Friday night and Diversity Saturday night.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NBA playoff games, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Major League Baseball, PGA Golf, and NASCAR are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, 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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BUM MUST-SEE TV: See You Yesterday is available on NETFLIX Friday and the series premiere of Catch 22 is on Hulu. Meghan and Harry Plus One airs Friday night at 7:00 on CBS. The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Prime Time Special airs Monday night at 9:00 on CBS; and the series premiere of Blood & Treasure airs Tuesday night at 7:00, also on CBS.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum, A Dog’s Journey and The Sun is Also a Star
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Courage is knowing it might hurt, but doing it anyway. Stupidity is the same. And that’s why life is hard.” – Jeremy Goldberg
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, May 23 – Grand Lake Queen riverboat cruises begin for the season. Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1 – Toes in the Grand celebration at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Friday-Wednesday, May 31-June 5 – MLF Stage Seven Bass Pro Tour out of Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, June 1 – Back to the Basics Short Game Clinic at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, June 8 – Camp Bandage (10-2) at Grand Lake RV Resort. Saturday, June 8 – Home of Hope Annual Gala at Shangri-La. Saturday, June 15 – Splash Bash in Ketchum Cove. Saturday, June 15 – NAPA Nights celebration in Hangar 12 at South Grand Lake Regional Airport. Monday-Wednesday, June 17-19 – Junior Players Academy at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, June 22 – Rock the Dock in Check-In Bay beginning at noon. Friday, June 28 – Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Patricia Island. Wednesday, July 3 – Wolf Creek Celebration & Fireworks in Grove. Thursday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks. Friday, July 5 – Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney. Saturday, July 6 – Monkey Island Fireworks & Family Fun Festival at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 20 – Grand Bobber Drop. Saturday, July 20 – Aquapalooza adjacent to Grand Lake RV Resort. Friday-Saturday, July 26-27 – GLOC Performance Boat Challenge.
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NBA Playoffs continue this week with the conference championship series. Western Conference games are on ESPN. Eastern Conference games are on TNT.
Stanley Cup Playoffs are also down to four teams and the conference championship series this week. NHL coverage is on NBC and NBCSN.
It’s time for the second race of horse racing’s Triple Crown series. Coverage of The Preakness Stakes begins Saturday afternoon at 4:00 on NBC. Post time is 5:45.
It’s a huge week in the world of professional golf. The PGA Championship is this weekend at Bethpage in Farmingdale, New York. Coverage is on TNT beginning at noon Thursday & Friday and 10:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 1:00 Saturday & Sunday.
It’s a big week on the NASCAR circuit, too. Fans are in Charlotte Saturday for two big events. Coverage of the Monster Energy Open begins at 5:00 Saturday, followed by the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race at 7:00, both on Fox Sports 1.
There’s some good Major League Baseball action on the tube this week. Saturday night, Houston is at Boston at 6:00 (Fox) and the Royals are in San Francisco at 9:00 (FS1). Sunday night, the Cubs are in Washington (6:00 on ESPN). Tuesday’s early game has the Cubs hosting the Phillies at 6:00 followed by Atlanta at San Francisco at 8:30, both on ESPN.
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Weekend weather looks pretty good considering it’s Oklahoma’s monsoon season. We’ll have a chance of scattered thunderstorms, of course, but high temperatures will be around 80 with lows in the mid-60s. It looks like a pretty nice weekend at the lake, so party on! 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
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 (smoking)
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
Henrie’s Grill 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
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 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