April 3 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Grand Lake was blessed with almost perfect weather to kick off the month of April. There was nothing whatsoever that could have made last weekend better – except maybe a 15-degree temperature increase and 10 mph less wind. Can’t complain, though. It was great boating weather – and a few more people are taking advantage of that every week!

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It’s Easter Weekend! I hope you have all your eggs painted and ready to hide; and when you hide them…I hope you remember where! There’s nothing worse than stepping on a boiled egg in late May when it has been in its hiding place since the first week of April. That’s a smell that can only be truly appreciated by folks who had old sulfur-water wells on Monkey Island back in the stone age.

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Since it’s also Masters week, and you can’t play at Augusta National, anyway, I thought you might be interested in an expensive place to play. The most expensive golf rates in the U.S. are at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas. According to Golf Digest Magazine, off-peak rates are $750 per person for 18 holes. Peak season rates are $1,000. Oh, I almost forgot. You also have to be staying at an MGM hotel and you must take an MGM-owned limousine to the course.

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I may start using my Keurig a lot more! A company called Cask & Kettle is now marketing single-serving pods that blend coffee with whiskey, tequila & vodka to create what they call “Easy, Boozy, K-Pod Cocktails. I drink a lot of coffee already…but now that I can get 76 proof coffee pods, I see increased consumption in my future.

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I’m worried about our State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He seems to spend an inordinate amount of time finding new books that schools should ban as “pornographic.” Should we be worried about his spending so much time searching for pornography?

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I probably shouldn’t escalate the debate over AI, but I know several people whose intelligence has always been artificial. It’s odd that people are so terrified of artificial intelligence, but so accepting of real ignorance.  

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Speaking of ignorance, I was “today years old” when I learned that multiple Grammy award-winning jazz singer/songwriter/pianist Norah Jones was the daughter of musician/composer/sitar virtuoso/yoga guru/Beatles collaborator/spiritual leader Ravi Shankar.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Brian Edwards, Stormy Williams, Ginger Richey, Sonya Fitzgibbon, Cindy Hefner, Steve Oden, Donnie Smith, Gloria Pickens, Tiera Henry, Brian Pitts, Kim Carter, Devon Miller, Pat Sheeler, Alex Frost, Bill Durick, Bill Schenke, Peggy Howard-Burgess, Frank Love, and Jerry Cookson.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Friday and Saturday is the Grove and Monkey Island Merchants’ Spring Open House. Grove Marine has an Open House Saturday (9:00-8:00). Saturday is the Jay Chamber of Commerce Easter Egg Hunt at Jay City Park (10:00 a.m.), the Langley Easter Egg Hunt at Langley City Park (11:00-1:00), and another Easter Egg Hunt at the Drunken Rooster (2:00). Arrowhead Yacht Club is celebrating Easter Saturday with an in-water Boat Show and Easter celebration (petting zoo, jump houses, egg hunt). Sunday is an Easter Sunday Brunch special at Doc’s followed by the big Easter Egg Hunt at The Anchor at Shangri-La (2:00-3:00 p.m.).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Actor Tim Holt, best known for his starring roles in The Magnificent Ambersons and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, spent the last decade or so of his life managing KEBC radio station in Oklahoma City. He said it was the first time in his life he could "do what I want to do." He is buried in Harrah, Oklahoma.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Cimarron County in the Oklahoma panhandle is the only county in the United States that is bordered by four states – Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Debbie McKee-Fowler, the face of “Little Debbie” snack cakes since 1960 is now 67 years old.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I got two tickets for the 2023 Masters for Christmas, both top hospitality admissions. The person that got them for me didn’t realize it was going to be on the same day as my wedding. If you are interested, I’m looking for someone to take my place. It’s at St. Michael’s Church in Orlando at 3:00 p.m. The bride’s name is Nicole, she’s 5’4”, about 115 lbs., good cook, too. She’ll be the one in the white dress.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Welcome to Florida! It’s not the heat, it’s the stupidity.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Today’s good mood is brought to you by Jack Daniel’s.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: A steer stumbled into a marijuana field. The steaks have never been higher.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What do people who type “U” instead of “you” do with all their spare time?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Last year I joined a support group for anti-social people. We haven’t met yet.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Superstar Sir Elton John turned 76 years old last week. Feminist leader and “Ms. Magazine” founder Gloria Steinem turned 89. Actor John Astin, the original Gomez Addams on “The Addams Family,” turned 93 last week. Oklahoma’s own Reba McEntire joins “The Voice” as mega-mentor this week after celebrating her 68^th birthday last week.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There is something deeply hypocritical about praying for a problem you are unwilling to resolve.” – Miroslav Volf

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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. Kevin Price performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Friday night is Karaoke Night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze – and there is always special entertainment and dancing on Saturday nights. DJ Kennedy brings Rockstar Karaoke to Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.  

On South Grand Lake, Erin Fitzgibbon will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at The Drunken Rooster, followed by Reverse Reaction Saturday night. Barrett Lewis will provide the music at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill Saturday night.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night by Luke Christenson, and more karaoke Saturday. Carl Acuff, Jr. entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Hollywood Riot Saturday night.

Brett n’ Terri entertain Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Funkin’ Gonuts Friday and Brent Giddens Saturday. The New Waves provide the music Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Doc’s and The Summit at Shangri-La both feature special Easter Sunday brunch specials this week. 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). Matt’s Place in Grove now opens daily at 6:00 a.m. 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. Blind Swine on Duck Creek (Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina) is scheduled to open for the season on weekends Friday, April 14.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Masters airs Thursday & Friday on ESPN at 2:00 and on CBS Saturday at 2:00 and Sunday at 1:00. Totally Weird and Funny airs Saturday night at 8:00 on CW. A Grammy Salute to the Beach Boys is Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS. The Voice begins the knock-out round Monday & Tuesday on NBC with mega-mentor Reba McEntire. The Wall debuts for another season Tuesday at 8:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Ambulance, Air, and Sonic the Hedgehog2 open in movie theaters this week joining Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, April 14 – Grove Chamber of Commerce “Eggs & Issues” legislative breakfast at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (8:00 a.m.). Friday-Sunday – Ketchum Drama presents “Cinderella” at the Ketchum Elementary Gym (7:00 Friday & Saturday, 2:00 Sunday). Saturday, April 15 – Second Chance Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt & Auction at The Shebang benefiting Second Chance Pet Rescue (11:00 a.m.). Tuesday, April 18 – Grand Lake Newcomers Meet & Eat Spring Fling at the Drunken Rooster (6:00 p.m.). 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-Sunday, April 22-23 – Spring Open Pickleball Tournament at The Racquet Club at Shangri-La. Friday, April 24 – Modoc Nation Golf Scramble at Shangri-La Golf Club (11:00 a.m.). 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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It’s the biggest week of the year for professional golf. It’s time for The Masters. Coverage from Augusta National begins Thursday & Friday at 2:00 on ESPN. CBS picks up the final two rounds Saturday at 2:00 and Sunday at 1:00.

We’re down to the nail-biting stage of the NBA season. It’s the final week of regular season play. The OKC Thunder wrap up regular season play at Utah Thursday at 8:00 and back home to host Memphis Sunday at 2:30.

The OU Softball girls are televised again this week. They’ll host Texas Tech for three games – Thursday and Friday at 6:00, Saturday at 1:00 on ESPN+. Next Tuesday, they’re in Baton Rouge to face LSU at 6:00 on ESPN2.

Major League Baseball is underway. TV games include the Rangers taking on the Cubs Saturday at 3:00. San Diego is at Atlanta Sunday night at 6:00.

For pro football fans, it’s the eighth week of XFL action. Las Vegas is at St. Louis Saturday at noon, followed by Arlington at Orlando at 3:00. Sunday games feature Houston at San Antonio at 2:00 and DC at Seattle at 6:00.

NASCAR drivers are at Bristol this week for the Food City Dirt Race. Coverage begins Sunday evening at 6:00 on Fox.

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The Easter weekend weather looks very nice. We’ll have sunshine for the most part, with high temperatures pushing 70 degrees and lows in the upper 40s. All in all, it should be a terrific weekend for all the things happening around the lake. Get out and have some fun! 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