April 10 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

I hope everyone had a Good Friday and a fantastic Easter! Finally, the weather is magnificent! Actually, I only hear rumors that the weather at Grand Lake is nice because I got tired of waiting for summer weather, so I’m in Puerto Vallarta this week…but the weather here is terrific!

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Following the $17 million over-charging fiasco with Swadley BBQ, the Oklahoma Tourism Department has selected a new operator to provide food & beverage service at state parks – Oklahoma-based La Ratatouille. I know they’re probably a great company, and I realize ratatouille is actually a French dish, but I hope the Oklahoma parks can overcome the popular movie of the same name – and the image that food for park visitors is being prepared by a rat.

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Speaking of food, did you see the announcement that Bradford BBQ is going to be serving food at the new Woodshed in Langley? That complements the Subway at their other locations. Plus, there’s Tomcat Corner, Littlefield’s Country Store, Casey’s, Quik Trip, Love’s…things are back just like they were when I was a kid. When the family decides to eat out, they’re eating at gas stations!

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The book-banning craziness isn’t just in Oklahoma. The book “Life is So Good,” co-written by George Dawson, has been banned at George Dawson Middle School in Southlake, Texas. The same George Dawson who wrote the book is the George Dawson the school is named after.

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Seriously, this craziness is getting waaaay out of hand. Randy McRandall, the Principal at Jacksonville, Florida’s Central High School, has actually banned the 1495 Renaissance painting “Madonna and Child” from the school’s art history curriculum claiming the Virgin Mary “doesn’t look happy enough” to experience the joy of motherhood. He said Mary’s “lack of enthusiasm” is “an attack on family values.” Sadly, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted that he welcomed the decision. You can’t make this stuff up!

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It’s not just access to Masters Golf Tournament tickets or hanging out with the world’s most famous golfers, there’s another clue to how the big kids live. There were approximately 1,600 private jets that landed and took off from the Augusta airport last  week. They were handled by an additional 100 employees brought aboard to handle the “top one percent.”

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Bill Dalton, Bobby Hendren, Jack Moore, Tripp Markwell, Doug Frans, Ashley Davidson, Melanie Athey, TJ Phipps, Terrei Phipps, Natasha Wilcox, Ron Lay, Mark Poole, Vicki Howard, Liz Paden, Jason Faulconer, Jeff Spielmann, Don Bullard, Cheryl Koesler, Steve Long, Bruce May, and Sarah Scott.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Friday morning is the Grove Chamber of Commerce “Eggs & Issues” legislative breakfast at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (8:00 a.m.). Ketchum Drama presents three performances of “Cinderella” at the Ketchum Elementary Gym this weekend (7:00 Friday & Saturday, 2:00 Sunday). Saturday is the annual Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt & Auction at The Shebang benefiting Second Chance Pet Rescue (11:00 a.m.). Sunday is a the opening performance of “You Make My Frame Shake” at Playmakers in Grove (2:00). Next Tuesday is the Grand Lake Newcomers Meet & Eat Spring Fling at the Drunken Rooster (6:00 p.m.).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: When entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. lost an eye in an auto accident in 1954, actor Jeff Chandler offered to donate one of his.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: When Neil Armstrong was pondering what his first words on the lunar surface would be during the Apollo 11 moon landing, Command Module pilot Michael Collins had a suggestion: “If you had any balls, you’d say ‘Oh, my God, what is that thing?’ then scream and cut your mic.”

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Motorola engineer Martin Cooper made the first cell phone call in history with a device that was 9 inches tall and weighed 2.5 pounds – 50 years ago.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK Imagine learning English and finding out butt dialing and booty calls are two different things.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Just finished doing my own taxes. Should be in jail by morning.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: She only made whiskey, but I loved her still.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Before Smart Phones, what did people look at while driving?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: There was a time that “a new hip joint” meant someplace I would go on weekends.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Actress & model Ali MacGraw, best known for her award-winning roles in the movies “Goodbye, Columbus” and “The Love Story,” turned 84 last week. Actress & Singer Shirley Jones has been a show biz fixture for over six decades, starring in such productions as “Oklahoma,” “Elmer Gantry,” and “The Music Man,” but is perhaps best remembered as widowed Shirley Partridge in the TV series “The Partridge Family.” She turned 89 last week. Outrageous “Eagles” guitarist Joe Walsh is 75.  

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The first time I played The Masters, I was so nervous I drank a bottle of rum before I teed off. I shot the happiest 83 of my life.” – Chi Chi Rodriguez

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off at Doc’s Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke and Singo competition. Ryan Graham performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Friday night is magic night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze featuring magician Alex Ramon – and RocKFiscH 2.0 provides the musical entertainment Saturday night. DJ Kennedy brings Rockstar Karaoke to Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.  

On South Grand Lake, Brent Giddens will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at The Drunken Rooster, followed by The Hype Saturday night – and Erin Fitzgibbon will entertain next Tuesday. The Michelle Warren Duo will provide the music at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill Saturday night.

In Grove, Dale & Gayle will perform Friday & Saturday (5:00-8:00) at Goodfella’s Pizza. There is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night by Western Justice, and more karaoke Saturday. Audio Crush entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Travis Kidd Saturday night – and The Downbeat next Wednesday evening.

Jon Dooly entertains Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Bad Decisions Friday and Encore Saturday. Palomino Moon provides the music Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: The Grill at Indian Hills is back to regular hours – Wednesday-Saturday 7:00-3:00. The Chicken Coop in Langley is now closed Tuesday & Wednesday (Open 7:00-2:00 Thurs-Tues). Blind Swine on Duck Creek opens weekends this week at Harbors View Marina – opening Friday at 4:00. Mooney’s is now open at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays – only closed on Mondays. Bella Donna’s in Grove is now closed on both Mondays and Tuesdays. Blue Cat Bistro is now open Thursday-Tuesday at Har-Ber Village (8:00-3:00 – Sunday 10:00-3:00). The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is open for the season (Friday 4-8, Saturday 11-8, Sunday 11-7). VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina, The Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove, and Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor are all now open, as well.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Rabbit/Hole is a new series available on Paramount+. The new mini-series Florida Man is available Thursday on NETFLIX. The final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is available Friday on Prime Video. The Weakest Link returns Monday at 9:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore opens in movie theaters this week, joining Air and Sonic the Hedgehog2.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, Friday, Sunday, April 20, 21, 23 – “You Make My Frame Shake” live performances at Playmakers in Grove (7:30 Thurs & Fri, 2:00 Sunday). Friday-Saturday, April 21-22 – Grand Lake Youth Art Show at the Grove Community Center (10-6 Friday, 10-4 Saturday). Saturday, April 22 – Earth Day Celebration at Grove Community Center (10-2). Saturday, April 22 – South Grand Lake Chamber Bootleggers Ball & Murder Mystery at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, April 22 – “Old Bulldog Band at Big Shots performing for Northeastern Oklahoma Food Bank Benefit (7:00 - $25 admission). Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23 – Spring Open Pickleball Tournament at The Racquet Club at Shangri-La. Monday, April 24 – Modoc Nation Golf Scramble at Shangri-La Golf Club (11:00 a.m.). Thursday-Sunday, April 27-30 - “You Make My Frame Shake” live performances at Playmakers in Grove (7:30 Thurs-Saturday, 2:00 Sunday). Friday, April 28 – Season’s first weekly “Yellow Rabbit Run Horse Race” at Shangri-La Golf Club (5:00 p.m.). Saturday, April 29 – Grand Lake Fireworks Annual 5K Dam Run/Walk from the State Park in Disney (8:30 a.m.). Thursday, May 4 – 1sts Thursday night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke of the season on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La (6:00). Friday, May 5 – Food Truck Friday at Grove Community Center. Friday, May 5 – Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina opens for the season. Friday-Sunday, May 5-7 – In-Water Boat Show at Shangri-La Marina. Saturday, May 6 – Burning of the Socks at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 6 – Nichols Marine/Shangri-La Marina Customer Appreciation Luau (5:00 p.m.). Tuesday, May 9 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Trivia Night at BOOM. Thursday, May 11 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon with featured speaker Jill McAbee (DCCSN) at the Grove Community Center (noon). Friday, May 12 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Spring Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge Golf Course. Saturday, May 13 – Cowskin Fire Department Car Show at Elk River Baptist Church (8:30-3:30). Friday, May 19 – Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens at Shangri-La Marina (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 20 – Sounds of Summer Festival & Car Show at Marina Del Rey Resort (1:00-6:00).

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With The Masters in the rearview mirror for another year, PGA Golfers move on to Hilton Head this weekend for the RBC Heritage. Coverage begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on The Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.

Following Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday play-in games, Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs gets underway Saturday and continues through April 23.

College gymnastics have reached the NCAA National Championship stage – and OU’s Men and Women are both in the running. Coverage begins at noon Thursday and continues into the evening hours on ESPN2. Finals are Saturday beginning at noon on ABC.

The OSU Softball girls have televised games this week. They host Iowa State Friday at 6:00 and Wichita State next Tuesday, both on ESPN+.

Major League Baseball is underway. TV games include Milwaukee at San Diego Saturday at 3:00 and Texas at Houston Sunday evening at 6:00.

For pro football fans, it’s the ninth week of XFL action. Houston hosts Las Vegas Saturday at 11:30 and Orlando is at San Antonio at 6:00. Sunday games feature Arlington at DC at 11:00 and Seattle at St. Louis at 2:00.

NASCAR drivers are at Martinsville this week for the NOCO 400. Coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on FS1.

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Weather gets better every week. We may have to deal with a few “April Showers” here and there, but at least high temperatures will be in the mid-to-upper 70s and lows will be in the mid-to-upper 50s. Much better! Get out and have some Grand Lake fun! Always remember, though, wherever 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

Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove

Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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

BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

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 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 Restaurant in Grove

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill

E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Flower Bar in 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

Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek

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

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

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

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

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 (smoking on the deck)

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 (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 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