April 18 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

I hope you had a great Easter – and I hope you found all your eggs. There’s nothing worse than finding them while wearing flip-flops a month later after they’ve had a chance to rot for a while.

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I found a way to make a little money! All I have to do is ask my employer not to throw me a birthday party, then find a way to get it to happen, anyway. It happened in Kentucky. An employee of Gravity Diagnostics asked the company bosses not to throw him a birthday party because he said it would give him an anxiety attack. They did it anyway – and he had an anxiety attack. In a meeting about it the next day, he had another anxiety attack and was given two days off. That weekend he was notified that he was fired because of “the events of the past few days.” The jury awarded him $450,000. Nice birthday present, after all!

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I discovered some other good news this week. I may be one of the best friends you’ll ever have. Smartest, too. A new study indicates people who swear a lot may be more intelligent than average – and also turn out to be the best and most loyal friends. You’re welcome!

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With all the news about Scottie Scheffler’s win, Tiger Woods miraculous reemergence, and the miracle chip-ins from Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa hole-out from the same bunker on 18, you may not be aware of who had the most fun at The Masters golf tournament. It’s been fifteen years since John Daly played in the tournament, but he always makes a big splash. This year was no different. As usual, he parked his RV at the Augusta Hooters, drank a bunch of beer, smoked a lot of cigarettes, hung out with the Hooter’s girls, and sold a bunch of merchandise. After The Masters, he headed to Myrtle Beach to celebrate in a jam session with Darius Rucker and the rest of the crew from Hootie and the Blowfish. So, who enjoyed the Masters more? You be the judge.  

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It’s officially political campaign season. Filing for public office ended in Oklahoma last Friday with 569 candidates filing for state and federal offices. In Grand Lake’s 2^nd Congressional District, I hope there are enough voters left to elect one of the list of candidates. Sixteen people (14 Republicans, 1 Democrat, and 1 Independent filed for the office. That ought to be an interesting campaign. Nobody knows anything about any of them. Those federal slots must be good jobs. Another 16 candidates filed for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jim Inhofe, and incumbent U.S. Senator James Lankford drew 10 opponents. We also have races in our area for State Representative, State Senate, Sheriff, and District Attorney. We should have a little easier time learning a little about those folks.

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I found out this week that Oscar Award-winning actor Will Smith and I have something in common. Neither one of us is going to be allowed to attend the Academy Award Presentations for the next ten years.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Larry Sanford, Jackie Moore, Carrie Lindsay, Creed Littlefield, Greg Bolton, Lissa Merillat, Gary Anstine, Boyd Ayer, Travers Mahan, Don Douglas, Jim Forrester, Gaines Dittrich, Phil Carrott, Judy Dullea, Ron Stahl, Soohyun Jin, Nina Landers, and Cindy Estes.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Grove Royal Liquor Friday hosts a Taste Testing Friday from 4;00-6:00. Sunday morning at 9:00, Blind Swine on Monkey Island hosts “Outdoor Barre” by Grand Lake Barre on the patio. Sunday morning at 10:30 is also a Couples 18-hole mixer at Shangri-La Golf Club. Next Tuesday is the final Tuesday Trivia Night of the spring season at The Anchor at Shangri-La Resort (7:00 p.m.).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: According to legend, the 2nd century Irish King Conn of the Hundred Battles was killed by 50 male warriors dressed as women.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: It ain’t cheap to be rich! Zillionaire Mark Zuckerberg Chief Executive Officer of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) might only take $1 per year in pay – but Meta spent $26.8 million providing security for Zuckerberg and his family last year.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: During an argument with her hustand, a wife was just about to calm down; but then her husband asked her to calm down.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: If it’s in stock, we have it!

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I go to work so I can afford the amount of alcohol required to continue going to work.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Stop referring to us as “weed smokers.” From now on you can call us “your highness.”

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: I saw a picture that confused me the other day. It was a photo of people completing work on the very first camera. So…who took that picture?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I like rumors. I find out so much about me that I didn’t even know.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The great band Buffalo Springfield kicked off the stellar careers of Stephen Stills and Neil Young. The band made their debut at The Troubadour in Hollywood in this month…56 years ago! The Simon & Garfunkel smash hit “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” was released 52 years ago this week.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: People say money is not the key to happiness, but I have always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made. - Joan Rivers

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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. Ryan Graham 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.  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. Jake Flint takes over entertainment Friday night; and Left of Center will be on stage Saturday night at the Rooster. Randy Steele will entertain with a solo show Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney; and Recommended Dose will take the stage Saturday night. Doctor Junior provides the entertainment Saturday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek.

In Grove, enjoy a rare opportunity to enjoy beautiful harp music Friday night at The Regatta; and Puzzle Pieces entertain Saturday night. Dale & Gayle will perform Saturday 5:00-8:00 at Goodfellas Pizza. There is live entertainment by Brent Giddens Friday night at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by karaoke Saturday night. Western Justice will be on stage at Cherokee Casino Grove Friday night, followed by Boone Mendenhall & War Horse Saturday night.

Terri Clark will be in concert Wednesday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Indoor Peoria Showplace. Drew Lynch will be in concert at The Pavilion at Downstream Casino Thursday night. Members Only will entertain in Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Friday night, followed by Downbeat Saturday night.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents TJ Scarlett in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features Tim Nowell; and Of Bad Habit wraps 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 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.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Season 2 of The Flight Attendant opens Thursday with two new episodes on HBO Max. The four-part mini-series They Call Me Magic is available Friday on Apple TV+. David Spade: Nothing Personal debuts next Tuesday on NETFLIX.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Bad Guys, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, and The Northman all debut in movie theaters this week.

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SAVE THE DATE: 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 – Demo Day at Shangri-La Golf Club (9:00-1:00). 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. Thursday, May 12 – First Farmers Market of the year at Grove Community Center. Friday, May 13 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Spring Scramble Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge Golf Course. 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, the NBA Playoffs are in full swing with at least three games every day including some fantastic matchups between now and June 2.

PGA golfers are in the Crescent City this week for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Coverage begins at 1:30 Thursday & Friday and 11:00 Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 1:00 Saturday & Sunday.

If you’ve been anxious for football, another USFL Football season is here with four games this weekend. Friday night at 7:00 the Michigan Panthers face the New Jersey Generals (Fox). Saturday, the Philadelphia Stars host the Pittsburgh Maulers at 11:00 (Fox) and the Birmingham Stallions travel to Houston to face the Gamblers at 6:00 (FS1). Sunday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Bandits host the New Orleans Breakers at 2:00 (NBC).

For fans who are irritated at the lack of TV coverage for the #1 ranked OU softball team, they have a couple of games televised on Bally Sports Oklahoma this weekend – hosting Iowa State at 6:00 Friday and 1:00 Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are at Talladega this week for the GEICO 500. Coverage begin Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on Fox.

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We may have a shower or two over the weekend, but at least the temperatures are slowly rising toward summertime. Friday & Saturday highs will be in the 80-degree neighborhood, with Sunday’s high still in the mid-70s. Nighttime lows will stay up around 60 until Sunday night when the low drops to around 50. Get out and have some Grand Lake fun this week. 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