May 30 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
It waited until the last possible moment, but at least the 17-day rain at Grand Lake finally ended as the Memorial Day holiday weekend began. So, how did you like your first 2022 weekend at Grand Lake with a population equal to that of Oklahoma’s third largest city? The lake crested at noon last Saturday, and GRDA’s plan to manage all the water inflow from up north was a success – again. There was no flooding, debris was avoidable, and the lake level is headed down to normal levels. The only problem for boaters over the holiday weekend was wind; but everybody resolved that issue by either rafting up – or docking near their favorite club or bar. My only problem with the wind was that it was strong enough at times to blow some of the whiskey out of my cup at the pool. I figured out how to resolve the issue, though. Just drink faster. All in all – a fabulous kick-off to what will undoubtedly be one of the busiest summers in the history of Grand Lake.
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If Grand Lake needs another boost of publicity, we’ll get one in prime time on KOTV, Channel 6 at 8:00 p.m. June 14. Griffin TV will air a one-hour special featuring places to go and things to do in Oklahoma. “Six in the Morning” anchor LeAnne Taylor and photographer Rodney Stringer spent much of their holiday weekend shooting video of the fun Grand Lake has to offer. Fortunately, LeAnne is a Grand Laker herself, so she knows! After a day of pickleball, virtual reality games, pool time, parasailing, and great live music, even a veteran Grand Laker like LeAnne was slowing down a little. It should be a great prime time special. Mark your calendar.
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Speaking of great publicity for our lake, congratulations are in order for Shangri-La Resort. Grand Lake’s biggest attraction is the subject of a three-page feature in the newly released issue of Midwest Golfing Magazine – and they hosted course-rating players from Golf Digest last week, as well. We’re sure lucky Eddy Gibbs loves Grand Lake!
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I want to take just a second to give a special shout-out to all the chefs, cooks, servers, bartenders, dock hands, boat rental operators, golf course crews, convenience store clerks, retailers, realtors, housekeepers, first responders, law enforcement personal, GRDA teams, and all the other workers who spent their holiday weekend providing all the amenities that make holidays and every weekend fun and safe at Grand Lake. I hope they all made a bunch of money. This wouldn’t be such an entertainment mecca if not for all the people who are willing to spend their time working to make our play time so special!
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Andrew Doney, Margerete Schenke, Shaun Tune, Valerie Carter, Tiana Douglas, Nick Bowers, Lance Locke, Hank Kraft, Julie McFerron, Chris Mullen, Donna Ferguson, Gordon Kucera, Kim Schoppa, Mary Jobst, and Don Davis.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: June is here, and it’s a busy kick-off weekend. This weekend’s event calendar makes it look like there wasn’t much happening on Memorial weekend. Friday morning is the Grove Chamber Eggs & Issues Legislative Breakfast at St. Andrews Episcopal Church (8:00 a.m.). The South Grand Lake Chamber hosts a ribbon cutting for The Monkey Buzz at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island at 4:00 Friday. The First Friday Wine Share is Friday evening at Forage in Grove (6:00). The Farmers’ Market is open Friday & Saturday at Grove Community Center. Saturday is the big Monkey Island Scavenger Hunt & Auction at The Shebang benefiting 2nd Chance Pet Rescue (11:00 a.m.) and the Afton Summer Car Show on Main Street, Afton (9:30-3:00). Saturday is also the annual Camp Bandage at Grand Lake RV Park (11:00 a.m.). Saturday night is the NAPA Nights fundraising dinner at the South Grand Lake Regional Airport; and the 2022 Youth Tennis Camp runs next Monday-Wednesday at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Some of our state’s political leaders trust teachers with guns, but they don’t trust them with library books.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: At Donald Trump’s speech to the National Rifle Association Convention over the weekend, guns were banned. Things that make you go, “Hmmm.”
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Once you’ve seen a woman take off her bra without removing her shirt, it makes more sense why they should be in charge of things.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: If you need a $40 can cooler to keep your beer cold for that long…you’re doing it wrong.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Never ask a woman who’s eating ice cream straight from the carton how she’s doing.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: There was a kidnapping at one of the Grand Lake area parks the other day. It’s okay, though. He woke up.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do my clothes only get caught on the door handle when I’m in a bad mood?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: You know you’re getting older when you send your kids out to the clubs and you stay home – or when you’re coming home at the same time they’re getting ready to go out.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Famed jockey Willie Shoemaker became the first jockey to win 8,000 races – 41 years ago. The popular Disney character “Goofy,” first appeared in “Mickey’s Revue” in 1932. Goofy turned 90 years old last month. He gets around pretty well for his age!
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the peop who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.” – Albert Einstein
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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. Jon Moody 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 features Friday night entertainment by DJ Matt and live performance Saturday night by Whiskey Poet Society. 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. Kerry Kimmons leads the karaoke fun on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday and Saturday nights while DJ K-Bandito provides the dance music both nights across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and Saturday is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub.
On South Grand Lake, Laron Simpson will be on stage Thursday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek. Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina opens the weekend entertainment Friday night with Tangle Wire. DJ Mo entertains at Sharky’s Saturday night and The James Muns Duo performs Sunday afternoon. Brent Giddens starts the weekend musical entertainment Thursday night at the Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill. Gusto Dave Jackson takes over entertainment Friday night followed by Str8ght Shot Saturday. Randy Steele will be on stage Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by The Blake Turner Trio Friday and the Barrett Lewis Band Saturday. Clint Ingram wraps up the weekend Sunday evening at 6:00.
In Grove, Twice as Nice Harpists provide the music Friday night at The Regatta. David Bridges & The Message provide the Saturday night show. Following Thursday night karaoke, there is live entertainment by The Larry Brown Band Friday night at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by more karaoke Saturday night. The Sidemen will be on stage at Cherokee Casino Grove Friday night, followed by Runnin’ on Empty Saturday night.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Brett ‘N Terri in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features Thomas Martinez, followed by The Larry Brown Band Saturday. 38 Special will be in concert Saturday night at The Indoor Peoria Showplace at Buffalo Run Casino.
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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 and Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La are open. Big Shots Rhythm & Booze is now open every Friday and Saturday night for music & dancing (and Sunday night this weekend). Bella Donna’s Italian Restaurant and Danny’s Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing Marina are now open. Forage now has a location for take-and-bake and pantry items at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Borgen debuts Season 4 Thursday on NETFLIX. MTV Movie and TV Awards will be televised Sunday night at 7:00 on MTV. American Ninja Warrior returns Monday night at 7:00 on NBC; and That’s My Time with David Letterman premieres next Tuesday on NETFLIX.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Top Gun: Maverick is in movie theaters. Interceptor is available Friday on NETFLIX and Fire Island is on HULU.
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Sunday, June 10-12 – Toes in the Grand Festival and Boat Races at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Friday, June 10 – Barkaritaville at Honey Creek Landing Marina. Saturday, June 11 – Bobberland Cove Concert (1:00). Thursday, June 16 – Grove Chamber Business After Hours at Bella Donna’s (5:00 p.m.). Friday, June 17 – Monthly Sunset Cruise at Shangri-La Marina. Monday-Wednesday, June 20-22 – Junior Players Academy at Shangri-La Golf Club. 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. Monday-Wednesday, June 27-29 – Youth Pickleball Camp at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La. Friday, July 1 – Vinita Fest at Vinita High School (7:30). Saturday, July 2 – Commerce Fireworks at Commerce High School. Sunday, July 3 – Monkey Island Fireworks at Shangri-La, Horse Creek Fireworks across from the Unfinished Bridge, Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney, July 3rd Extravaganza & Fireworks at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Monday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks, Blue Bluff Harbor Fireworks, Huckleberry Fireworks in Jay, Miami Fireworks, and Parade of Flight (4:00 p.m.) at South Grand Lake Regional Airport.
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It’s a big week in the sports world – especially for college teams. The Women’s College World Series gets underway Thursday (with OU and OSU both in) – and Regionals begin in the NCAA Baseball Tournament Friday (with OU & OSU both in). The College World Series is set to begin June 17.
The NBA Championship Finals series begins Wednesday night, and Round 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs also begins this week.
PGA Golfers are in Dublin, Ohio to compete in The Memorial. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and 11:30 Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds beginning at 1:30 Saturday and Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in Illinois this week, appropriately enough, for the Enjoy Illinois 300. Coverage begins at 2:30 Sunday afternoon on FS1.
All eight USFL teams are in action this week with games Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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Weather for the weekend ahead looks a little cooler, but we’ll still have high temperatures pushing 80 and lows in the mid-60s. Might be a chance for a scattered shower or two, but at least the wind will be fairly low. There’s a lot going on, so get out there 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)
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
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