April 11 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Major League Baseball season is officially underway, The Masters is in the rearview mirror, and NBA Playoffs start this week. It must be Easter! Grand Lake has been a busy place all winter, but nothing like the season that kicks off with Easter. Speaking of which, who was the screwball who first came up with the idea of confusing kids by teaching them rabbits lay eggs?

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I’m back from my own personal Spring Training season, preparing for sunshine, warm weather, time in the water, and drinking specialty drinks. Amergris Caye, Belize is my Spring Training site – and there’s no better place to prepare for summertime on Grand Lake. The water is clearer, but everything else is very Grand Lake-ish. Drinking, swimming, boating, and music are the major Belizean pasttimes (in that order). Travel alert: develop a taste for rum and Belikin beer. All other alcohol is imported from the U.S., so it’s pretty pricy.

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While I was gone, I notice the Oklahoma legislature passed a bevy of unconstitutional legislation that should keep law firms fully funded for a while as they turn to the courts to protect us from the folks we elected. Odd system, isn’t it? We keep struggling through it, though, remembering Winston Churchill’s appropriate observation: “Democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried.”

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We get a chance for a political re-boot this year, though. This week, we’ll know who has big enough egos and tough enough skin to take on the voters. Wednesday-Friday is candidate filing period for federal, state, county, and judicial districts. It’s election year! Let the games begin.

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In the “Anything to Get Attention” category, South Florida lawyer Anthony Russo has filed a lawsuit against Burger King alleging they have been potraying their food in advertisements as being “inflated in size compared to what is actually served to customers in real life.” He says this “larger than life food” advertising began in 2017. I can’t help but wonder if maybe counselor Russo bought a larger flatscreen in 2017. Imagine how riled up he would be if Burger King were advertising on theater movie screens!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Kudos to everyone who attended the “InVESTment Dinner” or joined in the fundraising cause to purchase bullet-proof vests for Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies. Great community support for a great cause – again! Ya’ gotta love Grand Lakers. Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Jack Moore, Doug Frans, Ashley Davidson, Melanie Athey, TJ Phipps, Terri Phipps, Ron Lay, Mark Poole, Vicki Howard, Natasha Wilcox, Liz Paden, Fran Kimmel, Jeff Spielmann, Jason Faulconer, Don Bullard, Cheryl Koesler, Steve Long, Bruce May, Sarah Scott, and Ashley Stafford.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: What an incredible array of options to enjoy Grand Lake this Easter weekend! Josh and Mandy Cousins are featured as Guest Chefs Wednesday night, April 13 in the final “Guest Chef” episode of the season at The Shebang Restaurant on Monkey Island. You can make it an extra “Good Friday” by stopping by Grove Royal Liquor Friday 4;00-6:00 for Taste Testing. Friday is also day #1 of the Easter In-Water Boat Show at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday, CYC offers Easter Egg Hunts, a petting zoo, pony & camel rides, and a picnic – followed by traditional Easter Brunch on Sunday. Saturday is an Easter Egg Hunt at Jay City Park (9:00 a.m.), and Langley’s gigantic 5^th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at First Christian Church (11:00 a.m.), as well as an Egg Hunt at Bernice State Park (1:00) and another at 3:00 at Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill. Saturday night is the Annual “Gnome Costume Party” at Monkey Island Pub (6:00 p.m.) and a “Glow in the Dark Pickleball Mixer” at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La. Sunday, there is the always-incredible Easter Sunday Buffet at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La, as well as a very special Easter Sunday menu at Doc’s Bar & Grill. There is also a fun Easter Egg Hunt at The Anchor at Shangri-La Sunday (1:30 – kids 12 & under). Next Tuesday is a great Grove Chamber Business After Hours at Honey Creek BBQ (5:00).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The dice game Craps evolved from an earlier game called Hazard, and was originally known as Krabs.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The biggest joke on mankind is that computers have started asking humans to prove that they aren’t robots.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Doing crunches twice a day now. Captain in the morning and Nestle in the afternoon.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: I envy people that grow old gracefully. They age like fine wine. I’m aging like milk. Getting sour and chunky.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: When people tell me “You’re gonna regret that in the morning,” I sleep in until noon because I’m a problem solver.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I just flew back from a ravioli convention. Boyardees arms tired.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If poison is past its expiration date, is it more poisonous – or no longer poisonous?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: They advertise yoga as having the result of “making you relaxed, flexible, and loose.” Bourbon does the same thing – and no sweating!

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Forever-young comedy and late night icon David Letterman turns 75 years old this week. The movie “Planet of the Apes” was released 54 years ago this month.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Greg Abbott is threatening to bus migrants to D.C. Since when is getting a free ticket out of Texas a bad thing?” – Andy Borowitz

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke & Singo with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Clint Ingram performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night; and Terry Jordan tickles the ivories both Friday and Saturday nights at The Summit. Thursday night is karaoke night with KJ Flip at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, and Erin Fitzgibbon entertains early Friday night at the Swine, followed by a Saturday performance by The Faulconers.  DJ K-Bandito provides the tunes Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and Saturday is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub.

On South Grand Lake, Dustin Moore starts the weekend with Thursday night karaoke at the Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill. Caleb Fellenstein takes over entertainment Friday night; and Reverse Reaction will be on stage Saturday night at the Rooster. Clint Ingram will entertain with a solo show Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney; and Ronnie Pyle & the Drivers will take the stage Saturday night.

In Grove, enjoy a rare opportunity to enjoy beautiful harp music Friday night at The Regatta; and Wade Quinen entertains Saturday night. Dale & Gayle entertain Saturday 5:00-8:00 at Goodfellas Pizza.There is live entertainment by Blank Earth Friday night at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by karaoke Saturday night. The Shotgunbillys will be on stage at Cherokee Casino Grove Friday night, followed by Rockin’ Horse Rebellion Saturday night.

Vanilla Ice with Young MC will be in concert Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Indoor Peoria Showplace. Retro Rockerz will entertain in Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Casino Friday night, followed by FM Live Saturday night.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Jon Dooly in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features Brent Giddens; and Uncrowned Kings wrap up the weekend Saturday night.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Forage is coming soon to another location at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island (take & bake meals). The Dam Coney Dog is now open next to Butler Real Estate in Langley, serving Dam Coneys from 10:30-2:00 Monday-Saturday. Blind Swine on Duck Creek is now open weekends from 4:00 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda has opened for the season with early season service Friday-Sunday from 11:00-7:00. Grand Lake Public House has new hours of operation – open 3:00-9:00 p.m. with bar service available until 10:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Bill Maher: #adulting airs Friday night at 9:00 on HBO Anatomy of a Scandal is available Friday on NETFLIX. Outer Range also debuts Friday on Prime Video. The First Lady returns to Showtime at 8:00 Sunday night; and Better Call Saul returns to AMC Monday night at 8:00.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Father Stu with Mel Gibson premieres in movie theaters this week, as does Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

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SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, April 24 – Blind Swine on Monkey Island hosts “Outdoor Barre” by Grand Lake Barre on the patio from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 26 – Tuesday Trivia at The Anchor at Shangri-La Resort (7:00 p.m.). Thursday, April 28 – South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (11:30). Thursday, April 28 – Grand Lake Newcomers Club Luncheon at Drunken Rooster (11:30).  Saturday, April 30 – The Old Bulldog Band returns to Big Shots on Monkey Island for another fabulous charity fundraising concert & dance. Saturday, April 30 – GEFFE Gala at Shangri-La Resort Hotel. Friday, May 6 – First Grove Black Party of the season on the Community Center Lawn. Friday, May 6 – Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina opens for the season. Saturday, May 7 – Pirate’s Scavenger Hunt (beginning at Cedar Port Marina at 10:00 a.m.) followed by Pirate’s Costume Party at Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina. Friday, May 27 – Grand Reopening of renovated Honey Creek Landing Marina. Saturday, June 4 – Camp Bandage at Grand Lake RV Park (11:00 a.m.).

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In the sports world, it’s NBA Playoff time. Sadly, the OKC Thunder are not in the playoff picture this year, but there are fantastic match-ups between now and June 2. This week, the “Play-in Tournament” is underway, wrapping up Friday. Serious playoff action begins Saturday with first-round games at 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, and 7:30. Sunday’s schedule has games at 2:00, 4:00, 6:30, and 9:00.

PGA Golf continues from Hilton Head in the wake of the huge Masters Tournament. This week, it’s the RBC Heritage. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 2:00 Thursday & Friday, and noon Saturday & Sunday.

If you have the Longhorn Network, catch the awesome OU Softball team in action at Texas Thursday and Friday at 6:00, and Saturday at 1:00.

NASCAR drivers are at Bristol this week for a little Sunday night prime time racing. Coverage of the Food City Dirt Race begins at 6:00 Sunday evening on Fox.

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It will still be a little breezy over the Easter weekend, but nothing like what we’ve had the past couple of weeks. After a chance of Friday morning showers, we’ll have sunny skies with high temperatures around 70 and lows around 50…until the bottom drops out again Sunday night with a low in the mid-30s. Enjoy an outstanding Easter weekend! Get out 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)

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

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