Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum June 10
Although Summer doesn’t officially arrive on the calendar until June 20, it arrived at Grand Lake over the past weekend. High temperatures that start with a “9” were enough to finally get me in the water. It is Oklahoma, of course. I didn’t get in the water Sunday when the high temperature started with a “7.” It’s okay. I’ll get another shot at the “nines” this weekend.
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There was a bit of breeze, but we couldn’t have had more cooperative weather for all the outdoor events around the lake – Toes in the Grand Festival, American Heritage Music Festival, Barkarita, Thunder on Wolf Creek boat races, Boats, Bikes & BBQ, lots of crab boils and shrimp boils – there’s nothing like summertime at Grand Lake!
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And now, here comes Father’s Day. It’s this weekend, you know – right after Flag Day and right before Election Day. Please don’t make Dad get the grill out and cook for everybody else on his day. Don’t make him handle plans for an adventure for the entire family. These holidays that honor parents still confuse me. It’s a no-no to get Mom a new vacuum cleaner, but it’s perfectly acceptable to get Dad new tools or a chainsaw. I think it’s safer to stay away from gifts that involve work. I do have a gift suggestion, however, for a perfect gift for the Grand Lake Dad. Clean his boat, fill it with fuel, fill an ice chest with ice and his favorite beverages, take him to the boat, untie it, and wave as he floats away for a day on the lake by himself!
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It looks like it might be a funny weekend at The Vatican. No, seriously. Pope Francis has invited comedians from all over the world to hang at The Vatican this weekend. American comedians who will be trying to make the Pope laugh include Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jim Gaffigan, Conan O’Brien, Chris Rock, Tig Notaro, and Whoopi Goldberg. In all, 105 comics and humorists from around the world will be hanging at The Vatican Friday night. Even the Pope can use a good laugh now and then!
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I know old habits and wishful thinking are both hard to put behind us, but please don’t pull up to the docks at the former Decks/Oliver’s Twist/Morrow’s Landing restaurant and try to order food. It is no longer a restaurant. It won’t be a restaurant. It is now someone’s home. There are plenty of accessible-by-water places to eat on Grand Lake, but that is not one of them.
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We don’t have Pat Sajak on “Wheel of Fortune” to kick around anymore. After 41 seasons and more than 8,000 shows, last Friday was his last time to host the show.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Steven Schulte, Lynn Bowker, Blair Philbrick, Athena Captain, Amy Kennedy, Bri Ball, Terry Barker, Leigh Bentley, Derrick Pelcher, Miranda Fields, Eddie Estes, Judy Love, Ron Foster, Amy Zoellner, Kevin Dennis, Kelly Rossman, Charlie Apperson, Shelly Soliz, Josh Russell, and Mike Ward.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Performances of the hilarious one-woman show, Ann, continue at Playmakers in Grove with performances every Thursday, & Friday (7:00), and Sunday (2:00) until June 21. Thursday night is the weekly Shrimp Boil & Karaoke at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La (5:00-9:00). Thursday night is also a fun Thursday Night Scramble at Shangri-La Golf Club (5:00 p.m.). Kentucky Drag Boat Association Wolf Creek Nationals at Wolf Creek Park in Grove are Thursday & Friday. Friday is a PXG Fitting Day at Shangri-La Golf Club (3:00-7:00 p.m.) and Midnight Bingo Fun at The Anchor at Shangri-La (11:00 p.m.). Friday is also Opening night for “The Story of Ruth” at Picture in Scripture Amphitheater. The Annual Route 66 Festival is Friday & Saturday in Vinita. Friday & Saturday, The Anchor at Shangri-La features summer Lawn-a-thon family fun with inflatable games on the Anchor Lawn (1:00 p.m.). Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. Laken Zimmerman offers Yoga on the lawn at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La. Saturday morning is also “Farmers Market” in downtown Grove (8:00 a.m.). Saturday is a Jungle Party poolside at Cherokee Yacht Club (8:00 p.m.). Saturday afternoon, Jason Morgan hosts SINGO competition at The Anchor (3:00-5:00), and Saturday afternoon is a Co-Ed “Hybrids” Golf Clinic at the Battlefield at Shangri-La (3:00 p.m.).
Next week, the Summer Fun Kids’ Camp is at Shangri-La Racquet Club Monday-Wednesday (8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) daily, and the Grove Police Department Summer Youth Academy Monday-Friday (8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The present site of Cleveland, Ohio, was once in Connecticut.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Pufferfish release a toxin when they puff out that is meant to impair the attacker, so they can safely escape. Ironically, this doesn’t work on dolphins in the same way. It actually gets them high. So they purposely inflate them and pass them around to their dolphin friends for fun.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Dolly Parton once anonymously entered a Dolly Parton lookalike contest in L.A. She lost to a drag queen.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Don’t eat aluminum or you will sheet metal.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Don’t give up on your dreams. Go back to bed.
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Beer is now cheaper than gas. Drink. Don’t drive.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Even though he had a successful 20 year acting career in Hollywood, Ricardo Montalban struggled to find steady acting work after his role in Star Trek 2. I guess Hollywood is reluctant to hire ex-Khans.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Did Eric Clapton REALLY think she looked “wonderful tonight,” or was that the 20th outfit she had tried on and he just didn’t want to be late again for dinner?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: A lot of people don’t realize the actor that played Wilson in “Castaway” is the same actor from the volleyball scene in “Top Gun.”
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Please don’t accept friend requests from my parents. They’ve been hacked.” – Lizzie Borden
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary crooner Pat Boone turned 90 years old over the past weekend. Believe it or not, crooner Frankie Valli is also 90. Born only 4 days apart, Motown sensations Patti Labelle and Gladys Knight both turn 80 this month; and actor Jerry Mathers – The Beaver in “Leave it to Beaver,” turned 76 this week. Did you notice that actor Dick Van Dyke showed up for the Daytime Emmy Awards last week? And he actually WON a Daytime Emmy for a guest appearance last year on “Days of Our Lives.” He’s 98 years old!
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend with Thursday Night Karaoke at the Shrimp Boil at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar and DJ Kennedy hosts Rockstar Karaoke at the Island Bar & Grill, also Thursday night. Friday night, Chloe Johns entertains live at Doc’s. There is karaoke fun on The Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday nights. Saturday night, Torn headlines the weekend musical fun at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar (8:00-11:00). Wednesday night is “Cocktails & Karaoke” night at Blind Swine and Thursday night is DJ Night at the Swine Monkey Island location. Robbi Bell will be on stage Friday night at The Swine, followed by The Sallisaw Drifters Saturday. Magen Faulconer leads the musical fun Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.
On South Grand, the Drunken Rooster has karaoke every Thursday night, and this week, Reverse Reaction entertains Saturday night. Randy Steele will be on stage early Thursday night (6:30) at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Absher, Martin & White Friday night, The Michelle Warren Duo Saturday and an early show Sunday (4:30 p.m.) featuring James Muns. Erin Fitzgibbon will headline Friday night fun at Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina followed by Jumpsuit Love Saturday night, and a Sunday afternoon show (3:30) by Melissa Potter.
In Grove, there are two nights of live entertainment at Cherokee Casino Grove – Runnin’ on Empty Friday night and Reversing Radio Saturday. Wilkie Jay headlines Friday night entertainment at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655.
In Club 60 West at River Bend Casino, Stonehorse entertains Saturday night, and there is late night karaoke with DJ Kay beginning at 11:00 Saturday night. Comedian Frank Caliendo entertains at The Pavilion at Downstream Casino Friday night. Rodney Atkins will be at the Peoria Showplace at Buffalo Run Casino Saturday night – and RocKFiscH will perform at Buffalo Run’s Backwoods Bar Saturday.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Hero’s Deli is now open in Langley. Bradford BBQ is now open in Ketchum. The Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina has re-opened – seven days a week! Shangri-La’s Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke will be at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar this week.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The new series Presumed Innocent will be available Thursday on Apple TV+. Greatest @Home Videos: Father’s Day Edition airs Friday night at 7:00 on CBS. The 77th Annual Tony Awards presentation airs live Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Inside Out 2 and Watchers open in movie theaters Friday.
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SAVE THE DATE: Performances of the hilarious one-woman show, Ann, continue at Playmakers in Grove with performances every Thursday, & Friday (7:00), and Sunday (2:00) until June 21. Thursday, June 20 – America’s Boating Club Grand Lake Summer Kickoff dinner at The Landings (4:30 p.m.). Friday, June 21 – “Final Friday” celebration at Langley City Park – food trucks from noon-7:30 and Jana Jae performing at 6:30. (Saturday, June 22 – Battle in the Saddle Pony Express Races & Juneteenth Celebration at Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita (4:00 p.m.-midnight). Thursday-Sunday, June 27-28 – Grand Meridian RV Resort’s 7th Annual Grand Jam Music Fest. Wednesday, July 2 – Vinita Fireworks at Craig County Fairgrounds. Thursday, July 3 – Fireworks at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Thursday-Sunday, July 3-6 – Food Truck Roundup at Marina Del Rey Resort. Friday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks, Jay Fireworks, and Miami Fireworks. Friday, July 5 – Monkey Island Fireworks at Shangri-La Resort. Friday, July 5 – Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney. Friday, July 5 – Blue Bluff Harbor Fireworks. Saturday, July 6 – Mountain Mama’s Grand American Concert in Tia Juana (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, July 6 – Gran Tara Fireworks and Horse Creek Fireworks near the Unfinished Bridge.
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With the Women’s College World Series behind us, it’s time to focus on college baseball. The College World Series gets underway Friday with games every day at 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. through next Wednesday, at least. The Championship Series is scheduled to begin June 22.
NBA Playoffs are hot & heavy with more games in the Championship Series this week. Boston is at Dallas Friday and the series moves to Boston Monday. Both games at 7:30.
It’s another really big week for PGA Golfers. It’s time for the U.S. Open. First day coverage is sort of odd – all day coverage on USA, and exclusive coverage on Peacock at 4:00 Thursday. NBC picks up the coverage of the final three rounds Friday at noon, Saturday & Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
NASCAR drivers are in Iowa this weekend. Coverage of The Iowa Corn 350 begins at 6:00 Sunday evening on the USA Network.
Stanley Cup Playoffs are down to the final two NHL teams. Florida is at Edmonton Thursday & Saturday, and the series moves to Florida next Tuesday. All games are at 7:00 p.m.
It’s also Championship Weekend for UFL Football. The National Championship game airs Sunday at 4:00 on Fox.
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The weather forecast for the weekend ahead looks like the one right behind us. “A chance of scattered thunderstorms Sunday.” What else is new? Otherwise we’ll have sunshine for the most part with light winds, highs in the lower 90s and lows in the low 70s – so get out there and enjoy the great offerings of Grand Lake entertainment! Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might 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.
Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, 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
BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)
Bradford BBQ in Ketchum
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s on Monkey Island
Chicken Coop west of Langley
Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina
Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek
Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Getaway Mercantile (north of Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek
Hero’s Deli in Grove
Hero’s Deli in Langley
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
Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Legacy Eatery in Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Bar on Monkey Island
Monkey Island RV Resort
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney
Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Monkey Island Trail Rides
Monkey Island Winery
Mosa Hibachi and Sushi in Grove
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
One-Eyed Monkey at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley
Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor
R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina
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 Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove