April 23 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
The wet weather held off for the HGA golf group making their Shangri-La golf outing at Grand Lake for the 27th consecutive year over the weekend. Unfortunately, the news was not as good for the Ales & Tails event Saturday night. I made a wise choice by spending it indoors with friends celebrating the season with the “White Dinner” at the Summit Restaurant Saturday night – and a great after-party at friends’ home afterwards. The forecast for the weekend ahead is much better – and I’m delighted. I’m sure looking forward to the Burning of the Socks at Harbors View and the return of the fabulous Old Bulldog Band at Big Shots Saturday night. Perfect way to wrap up another month!
*****
It’s all about communication. Did you see the coverage of English soccer player Sanchez Watt who was awarded a yellow card by an official? When the ref asked him his name, Watt replied quickly, but the official misunderstood. Instead of “Watt,” he heard “What,” and repeated the question several times with the same answer before he became frustrated and traded the yellow card to red for the player’s lack of cooperation. Everyone, including the official, had a good laugh when the situation was explained, and the red card was rescinded. In a related story from baseball….who’s on first?
*****
When Eric Bower was arrested by state police in Pennsylvania for soliciting a prostitute, he told authorities he was “self-employed.” When reminded that he was also mayor of a nearby town, his response was classic: “for now.”
*****
Speaking of Pennsylvania, Penn State University has raised the “nanny state” bar to a new level. After the Outing Club has logged enough hiking miles to go around the world four times, the University has determined it is too risky for the club to go on any more student led outings. Among the grave dangers listed by the university was the fact that the students were hiking into “high risk environments” that had either unreliable or no cell phone service. So we have arrived at that point in society. If there is unreliable cell phone service, run! You are in a high risk environment!
*****
Be careful on your international flights, my friends. Crystal Tadlock wasn’t hungry on her return flight from Paris to New York; so when the flight attendant gave her an apple, she stuck it in her carry-on bag. When she went through customs in New York, she was fined $500 for bringing an agricultural product into the U.S.
*****
I celebrated 4/20 with friends enjoying champagne, wine, and great food Saturday instead of attending any of the rallies held last Saturday to celebrate “Weed Day” as a reason to toke up with friends. The best warning to marijuana smokers in states where it is still illegal came from the now-famous Twitter account of the Lawrence, Kansas Police Department. The @LawrenceKS_pd tweet read: “If it’s 4:45 on 4/20, and you get pulled over, and you got orange or red Cheeto dust on your finger tips, that’s what we call ‘evidence’.”
*****
I’m not sure how many teachers in Oklahoma are running for slots in the state legislature because they’re upset at their legislators for not doing enough for education – but there are dozens and dozens of them. I hope they realize that, you can’t do both jobs; and while teachers have certainly been underpaid in Oklahoma, legislators are paid even less.
*****
Gilberto Escamilla has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for stealing…fajitas. Okay, okay. There’s a little more to the story. He worked at a juvenile detention center in Brownsville, Texas where a food service driver informed the kitchen staff of a delivery of fajitas, but fajitas were not on the detention center menu and District Attorney Luis Saenz was alerted; and Escamilla was arrested. Oh, one other thing. It was 800 pounds of fajitas valued at $1.2 million. He must have been planning one heck of a Cinco de Mayo party! The D.A. quipped, “if it wasn’t so serious, you’d think it was a ‘Saturday Night Live’ skit.”
*****
BEST EXCUSE OF THE WEEK: Chickasha Wal-Mart Pharmacy Manager Barry Neil Smith is accused of stealing 20,000 pills valued at over $20,000 from the pharmacy, then falsifying the pharmacy records. He reportedly told authorities he needed the pills, mostly Oxycodone and Fentanyl, for “anxiety as a result of working as a pharmacist.” He didn’t mention anything about additional stress from his 10 months of criminal conduct.
*****
BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: If Trump and Hannity don’t pay their lawyer, how does he get paid? I’m not Russian to judgment, just Putin the question out there.
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Make 45 Become 46 Again (I guess whomever dreamed up this slogan doesn’t realize that, even if President Trump is re-elected in 2020, he’ll still be #45)
*****
TWEET OF THE WEEK: I wish I had a pair of skinny genes. (Thanks to Gretchen Zumwalt-Smith and Kanaan Hallett for sharing this one.)
*****
BEST (FAKE NEWS) HEADLINE OF THE WEEK (from Andy Borowitz on the hiring of Rudy Giuliani by President Trump): Trump Hires Only Lawyer in the U.S. with Fewer Clients Than Michael Cohen
*****
FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: This is the 50th Anniversary of the release of The Beatles’ White Album.
*****
FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: My pal J.B. Robison made the observation this week that there are more theater seats in Branson, Missouri than there are on Broadway.
*****
BEST OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: We should start referring to age as “levels,” so when you’re “Level 80” it sounds more badass than just being an old person.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Nina Landers, Heather Zaloudek, Mike Burnett, Cindy Estes, John Lewis, Charlotte Lindley, July Morgan, Robin Markwell, Tom Haynes, Emily Tyrrell, Dana Rock, Nancy Brandwein, Lori Stanphill, Dick Lane, Cale DeLozier, Greg Lorimore, and Chad Borin. Congratulations to Bank of Grand Lake on the Grand Opening of their new location in Langley.
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you’re a kleptomaniac, is there something you can take for it?
*****
BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Bassmaster Elite Tournament is Thursday-Sunday at Wolf Creek in Grove. Lori Klickman stars in “Shirley Valentine” at Playmakers in Grove. Performances are Friday & Saturday nights at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00. Saturday is the annual “Burning of the Socks” at Harbors View Marina (4:30). Saturday night, The Old Bulldog Band is at Big Shots (7:30) performing to raise money for extending the Monkey Island Trail ($20).
*****
GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment around the lake this weekend. On Monkey Island, The Old Bulldog Band will entertain Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, raising money for extending the Monkey Island Trail. Just down highway 125, Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub; and a little further down the highway, Blind Swine offers both karaoke and live music. At Littlefield Corner, the Road Hog Saloon has live music every Saturday night.
On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Bar & Grill at Grand Lodge in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night. Saturday afternoon at 4:30, the great reggae band Irie Lions will entertain at the annual Burning of the Socks party at Harbors View Marina.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features music by Rosy Hips Friday night and Members Only Saturday night. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Hunks: The Show will be featured at Bordertown Friday night; and The Cedar Creek Bandentertains Saturday. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features Western Justice Friday night and Lickitty Split Saturday night. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar,Torn will perform Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Travis Kidd performs both Thursday and Friday nights in the Echo Bar. Saturday night, music will be provided by Big Smitty.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NBA Playoffs, PGA Golf, and NASCAR are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Monkey Island Pub, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: Quantico kicks off its third season Thursday night at 9:00 on ABC. Monday night at 7:00 on ABC marks the return of Dancing With the Stars;and the season 6 premiere of Elementary airs Monday night at 9:00, on CBS.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Traffik, Animal Crackers, and Avengers: Infinity War
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We should legalize cannabis in all 50 states, use the money to repair roads & highways, and call it operation “pot-hole.” – Bill Murray
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, May 3 – Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce Classic Golf Tournament at The Coves. Friday-Sunday, May 4-6 – In-Water Boat Show at Shangri-La Marina. Saturday, June 2 – World’s Largest Calf Fry Festival & Cookoff in Vinita. Friday-Saturday, June 15-16 – Vinita Route 66 Festival in downtown Vinita. Saturday, June 23 – 4th Annual Rock the Dock raft-up party at Check-In Bay.
*****
The NBA Playoffs move into the second round this week. Games will be played daily with coverage on TNT, ESPN, ESPNEWS, NBA-TV, and ABC.
PGA players are in the Crescent City this week for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Coverage is on the Golf Channel at 1:30 Thursday & Friday, noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are at Talladega this weekend for the GEICO 500. Coverage begins at 1:00 Sunday afternoon on Fox.
*****
The weather forecast is finally getting a little more user friendly. The weekend ahead will feature sunshine, highs in the mid-70s and lows around 50. We’re getting there! There are a lot of activities and plenty of entertainment around the lake this weekend. Get some of it! But…wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me.
GRAND LAKE BUM
Want more information on advertisers you see in the Grand Lake Bum? No problem. Just click on their ad and you will be connected to their website. If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both grandlakenewsonline.com and www.360grandlake.com, as well as Grand Times on Grand Lake, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing. E-mail or contact grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up.
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.
1909 in Downtown Grove
American Grill in Grove
Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (smoking upstairs—open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Bobbers Café in Langley
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café Italia on Monkey Island
Café Yum in Grove
Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)
Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Coffee Shelter in Ketchum
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina
Frosty & Edna’s (west of the dam in Langley)
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lodge in Ketchum (smoking)
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
Karrie's Kaboose in Langley (smoking)
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lakeside Bar & Grill in Grove at Sail Boat Bridge
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
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)
Scooters in Langley (smoking)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora
Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)
The Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)
The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)
The Office on Monkey Island (smoking)
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
Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove
Comments:
Map It
