May 16 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
What a week we had last week on the lake, huh? Heavy rains all over the watershed brought the lake up 10 feet in 3 days! Kudos to GRDA for looking into the future and dropping the lake a couple of feet before the onslaught hit. Otherwise, it would have been much worse. I hope everyone is dealing with the debris okay. Fortunately, all that drama gave way to an absolutely perfect weekend – and boats are back on the water. Things are looking pretty darn good for boaters as the Memorial holiday approaches. As always, just be careful out there.
*****
There was a plethora of stupid comments and questions on social media during the high water, of course. My favorite was someone asking “why doesn’t GRDA dredge the debris off the bottom of the lake so this doesn’t happen?” I’m still trying to picture what that dredging of 46,500 acres of Grand Lake would look like and trying to figure out how that would help. The debris comes from the shoreline, not the bottom of the lake. SMH. I also loved, “GRDA should come get this debris off my property.” Right. And while they’re on your property, maybe they’ll fix that leaky spot in your roof and paint your house.
*****
Karma! It happened in Trenton, South Carolina. Joseph McKinnon had a heart attack and died while digging a grave for a woman he had strangled to death.
*****
We all make mistakes, right? St. Anselm’s Catholic School in Philadelphia has apologized for its “unfortunate mistake.” The Mother’s Day plant sale at the school gave students a chance to by faux roses for their mothers. It was later that it was discovered those particular roses had thong underwear tucked into the petals. Probably not all mothers were unhappy, though. Just sayin’.
*****
How about a life of boating every day? And every night? And seeing the world in the process? Several folks have now found it more affordable to move permanently onto cruise ships, but Angelyn and Richard Burk of Seattle have put a pencil to it. They have moved from ship-to-ship cruising the world non-stop since May 2021. They say it costs approximately $30,000 per year to live fulltime on cruise ships. Remember…that includes food and, sometimes, drinks. Hmmm.
*****
I’m wondering if an old acquaintance of mine is still flying around searching for his vacation destination. His departing post on social media said “British Honduras, here I come.” As my Belize-visiting Grand Lake pals no, there has been no such thing as “British Honduras” since 1973 when the country began self-governance and became…Belize.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Gayle Larimore, Randy Hess, Debbie Hess, Jordon Nichols, Paula Silzer, Julie Meshri, Marilyn Conner, Ellen Fleming, Edward Gibbs, Vicki Graper, Kevin Blumenthal, Michelle Hartman, Jeremy Callison, Kolin Williams, Ron Tipton, Phil Bethel, Don Oden, Ann turner, Todd Mlnarik, and Pam Nutting.
*****
BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: There’s a lot happening at the lake this weekend. Thursday is a Grove Chamber Business After Hours at Eubanks Power Sports in Grove (5:00). Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens for the season at Shangri-La Marina Friday – and Friday night is the Grove Rotary Lobsterfest. Saturday is another big horse racing day with a Preakness Stakes Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La. The Big Bass Bash is this weekend – Saturday & Sunday; and next Tuesday, May 24, is Grove Chamber Trivia Night at The Regatta.
*****
RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Although he customarily dressed in rags and wore a ten pot for a hat, Johnny Appleseed died relatively affluent. Over his years of wandering he bought parcels of land throughout the Midwest and made his money selling apple tree saplings raised in nurseries he scattered across the countryside. Contrary to popular lore, he did not go about spreading apple seeds for free.
*****
FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The ultimate variety show host, Ed Sullivan, was known as much for his strict rules and grudge-holding as he was for star making. Among those banned from “The Ed Sullivan Show” for disagreements with the host were Walter Winchell, Steve Allen, Frank Sinatra, Jack Parr, Nat King Cole, Arthur Godfrey, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, Jackie Mason, The Doors, and Bo Diddley.
*****
BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I was watching a TV show for about 10 minutes, and this lady was listing all these great things to do for fun. Then, I realized it was one of the religious channels and she was reading a list of sins.
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: If you loan someone money and they disappear, it was probably a good investment.
*****
TWEET OF THE WEEK: I miss the 90s when bread was still good for you and nobody had heard of kale.
*****
BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: My favorite allergy song is “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Peter, Pollen Mary.
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How did we end up with computers asking humans to prove that they aren’t robots?
*****
OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The OU Sooner football team just signed a junior college quarterback named General Booty. I can’t wait until he’s in the line-up and changes a play with an audible at the line of scrimmage. Would the announcers have to report it as “a Booty call”?
*****
FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Dan Blocker was best known for his portrayal of Hoss Cartwright in the TV series “Bonanza.” He was only 43 years old when he died…50 years ago. The country music star who inspired the movie “Urban Cowboy” died last week. Mickey Gilley was 86.
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The rule is you have to dance a little bit in the morning before you leave the house because it changes the way you walk out in the world.” – Sandra Bullock
*****
BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke & Shrimp Boil with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Chloe Johns performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night; and Terry Jordan tickles the ivories both Friday and Saturday nights at The Summit. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar also opens at Shangri-La this weekend with Friday night entertainment by DJ T-Bone and a live performance Saturday night by Hypnotik. Thursday night is karaoke night with DJ Mo at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, and Erin Fitzgibbon entertains early Friday night at the Swine, followed by The Faulconer Duo Saturday night. Kerry Kimmons leads the karaoke fun on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday nights while DJ K-Bandito provides the dance music Friday & Saturday nights across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and Saturday is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub.
On South Grand Lake, Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina opens the weekend entertainment Friday night with Jake Marlin & Casey West. Reverse Reaction entertains at Sharky’s Saturday night and Laron Simpson performs Sunday afternoon. Dustin Moore starts the weekend musical entertainment with karaoke Thursday night at the Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill. DJ Matt takes over entertainment Friday night with music for the big 80s party; and Empire will be on stage Saturday night at the Rooster. Randy Steele will be on stage Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by The Clint Ingram Duo Saturday.
In Grove, Twice as Nice Harpists provide the music Friday night at The Regatta; and Until Now entertains Saturday night. There is live entertainment by The George Brothers Friday night at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by karaoke Saturday night. Borrowed Money will be on stage at Cherokee Casino Grove Friday night, followed by Audio Crush Saturday night.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents J.R. Neal in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features Travis Kidd; and The Downbeat wraps up the weekend Saturday night.
*****
DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: The Balcony Bar at The Shebang is now open with karaoke fun Friday & Saturday nights. Uglys Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina opens for the season this week. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La is now open Friday-Sunday. Big Shots Rhythm & Booze is now open every Friday and Saturday night for music & dancing. Bella Donna’s Italian Restaurant at Honey Creek Landing Marina is now open. Forage now has a location for take-and-bake and pantry items at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island. Thursday night Shrimp Boil at Doc’s at Shangri-La and Friday Night Shrimp Boil at Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Harbors View Marina.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: The two-part series George Carlin’s American Dream airs Friday and Saturday at 7:00 on HBO. Season 4 of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman is available Friday on NETFLIX. Rip in Time airs Sunday night at 8:00 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries; and Don’t Forget the Lyrics returns to Fox Monday night at 7:00.
****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Downton Abbey: A New Era opens in movie theaters Friday. Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers premieres Friday on Disney+. Jackass 4.5 is available Friday on NETFLIX.
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, May 26 – Grand Lake Newcomers Club Luncheon at Indian Hills (11:30). Friday, May 27 – Grove Chamber Eggs & Issues Legislative Breakfast at St. Andrews Episcopal Church (8:00 a.m.). Friday, May 27 – Grand Reopening of renovated Honey Creek Landing Marina. Saturday, May 28 – Grove Farmers Market at the Community Center. Friday, June 3 – Grove Block Party at the Community Center. Friday & Saturday, June 3-4 – Farmers Market at Grove Community Center. Saturday, June 4 – Monkey Island Scavenger Hunt & Auction at The Shebang benefiting 2nd Chance Pet Rescue (11:00 a.m.) Saturday, June 4 – Afton Summer Car Show on Main Street, Afton (9:30-3:00). Saturday, June 4 – Camp Bandage at Grand Lake RV Park (11:00 a.m.). Saturday, June 4 – NAPA Nights fundraising dinner at the South Grand Lake Regional Airport. Friday, June 17 – Monthly Sunset Cruise at Shangri-La Marina. Friday, June 24 – South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Friday-Sunday, June 24-26 – Grand Jam Music Fest at Grand Meridian RV Resort.
*****
In the sports world, all eyes are focused on the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa. Coverage begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and 9:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday on The Golf Channel. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds at noon Saturday & Sunday.
It’s another big week for horse racing. It’s time for the Preakness Stakes, second leg of the Triple Crown. Coverage begins at 3:30 Saturday afternoon on NBC. Post time is at 5:50.
The NBA Playoffs are moving into the conference championship rounds this week with games scheduled each night to determine the East and West Conference Champions.
National Hockey League Playoffs move into Round 2 play this weekend. Each series is a best-of-seven competition.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs move to Round 2 this week with two games scheduled nightly Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday.
USFL action has all eight teams on the field this week with games Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
On the heels of last weekend’s thrilling Big 12 Softball Championship Tournament, NCAA Regionals are this week with games Friday-Saturday on the networks of ESPN.
NASCAR drivers are in Fort Worth this week for all-star action. The All-Star Open is at 5:00 Sunday, followed at 7:00 by the All-Star Race. Coverage of both events is on FS1.
*****
The weather for the weekend ahead should be really nice. We may have an isolated shower or two Sunday but, for the most part, we’ll have partly cloudy skies and nice temperatures – highs around 90 Friday and 80 Saturday & Sunday with lows in the upper 60s. It’s a big pre-holiday weekend on Grand Lake, so get out there are do something 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
Want more information on advertisers you see in the Grand Lake Bum? No problem. Just click on their ad and you will be connected to their website. If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both Grand Lake Living and www.360grandlake.com, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing. E-mail or contact grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker newspaper.
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)
Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina
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
Danny's Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing in Grove
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 Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)
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