April 9 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Let’s hope we are finished with weekends like the last one. We started with sixty degrees and nice weather Thursday morning, then it was all downhill. By Friday night, it was snowing – and Saturday never warmed up better than a tolerable day in mid-winter; and Sunday temperatures barely topped 50. What a miserable way to spend an April weekend. Maybe that’s all gone. Let’s hope. The weekend ahead looks better, and you’ll have to look closely to recognize your pals. Costumes are the norm for the coming weekend. The South Grand Lake Chamber’s Bootleggers Ball is at Cherokee Yacht Club Saturday night; and so is the Monkey Island Pub’s 50s Costume Party on Monkey Island. Mother Nature is the only one who seems to need a reminder: Spring is HERE on Grand Lake!

*****

I got to spend a lot of time over the weekend with the first “double Grand Lakers” I have ever met. Welcome to Grand Lake, Oklahoma to new homeowners Jeff and Diane Moll. They also own a home at Grand Lake, Colorado. How cool is that?

*****

Folks around Grand Lake need to prepare to vote “YES” in big numbers June 26 to give the Grand Lake tourism economy a big boost. County Commissioners in Delaware, Craig, Mayes, and Cherokee Counties have all scheduled votes on that day to repeal the archaic restrictions on sale of cocktails on Sundays and some holidays. Let’s get this done – and put Grand Lake on an equal tourism footing with the rest of the state!

*****

Gamblers got some good news last week, too! As part of the package to increase education funding and teacher pay, the legislature approved dice games and roulette at Oklahoma’s Indian casinos. At last, we’re going to have REAL casinos with all the options! Now, if voters will allow a Sunday morning Bloody Mary to go along with that, we’ll be just like the big kids!

*****

Speaking of Grand Lake tourism, the boys who play every year in the Marquart Group from St. Louis will be back at Shangri-La this week for their annual golf outing. Talk about Grand Lake lovers! This year is the 29^th consecutive year the Marquart Group has made the trek to Shangri-La for a long weekend of golf. Then, Monday and Tuesday, Shangri-La will host PGA Professionals from several states – three PGA sections – for the PGA Shoot-out. What a great opportunity to spread the word of our little paradise!

*****

At the Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, shoppers recently got a little more than they planned on when a photographer showed up with 22-year-old model Chelsea Guerra for a nude photo shoot. Families looked on as the model paraded in front of the camera wearing only thigh-high black stockings and high-heeled shoes. No wonder they call that place the “Miracle Mile.”

*****

A dairy truck driver in Vermont was fired when he was caught by a surveillance camera taking a leak near some dairy cows in a barn. His employer said it was awful. The farm owner was “shocked.” I guess farms in Vermont aren’t like farms in Oklahoma. If that driver has trouble finding a new job, I’m pretty sure he could find one almost anywhere in Oklahoma.

*****

“Representative government” can sometimes be a misleading moniker. In Michigan, Nestle’s applied to the Department of Environmental Quality for a permit to pump 576,000 gallons of water per day out of the Great Lakes Basin so they can bottle it and sell it. DEQ asked for public comments. There were 75 comments in support of approval – and 80,945 against it. So, of course…DEQ approved it. I guess the question of “representative government” depends on who it represents.

*****

BEST EXCUSE OF THE WEEK: I don’t always refill my hydrocodone early, but when I do it’s because the pharmacy shorted me and I dropped the few that weren’t stolen down the sink as I was on my way out of town to a funeral and my doctor said it was OK.

*****

BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: Oklahoma legislators say teachers lack the fortitude to wait this thing out. Do they know how long teachers have to wait just to pee?

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (held up by a teacher at the rally at the capitol in OKC): Sorry we’re late. Our history books said the capitol is in Guthrie, Oklahoma. (Maybe it’s time for an update.)

*****

TWEET OF THE WEEK: The wall should be built out of Hillary Clinton because it seems nobody can get over her.

                                                                     *****

RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Two thirds of the books added to the Library of Congress each year are in languages other than English.

*****

FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: I can’t wait until we’re all in nursing homes. It’ll be fun to write bathroom graffiti about the staff they can’t understand…because it’s in cursive!

*****

BEST OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: It’s like winter is really mad and keeps storming out of the room and them coming back yelling, “And another thing!” (Thanks to Terry Jones for sharing this one.)

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Peggy Howard, Jerry Cookson, Jack Moore, Doug Frans, Tripp Markwell, Mark Nichols, Debbie Littlefield, Ron Lay, Mark Poole, Ashley Davidson, Vicki Howard, Liz Paden, Tim Howson, Tanner Langley, Don Bullard, Jeff Spielmann, Jason Faulconer, Patrick Lippitt, Bobby Brewer, Linda Fieth, and Steve Long.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

*****

BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: GRDA offers a Free Boating Safety Course Saturday at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (8:00-5:00). Saturday night is the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce “Bootleggers Ball” at Cherokee Yacht Club (6:00-9:00), and a 50s Costume Party at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday afternoon at 4:00, Grand Lakers will sip a few cold ones at The Shebang honoring Monkey Islander Dr. Duane Koehler, recently installed as National President of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Monday and Tuesday, Shangri-La Golf Club hosts a three section PGA Shoot-out.

*****

GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment around the lake this weekend. On Monkey Island, dance the night away every Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. 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 from Erin Fitzgibbon. At Littlefield Corner, the Road Hog Saloon has features Lickitty Split 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 night Whiskey Poet Society will provide the musical entertainment at the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce “Bootleggers Ball” at Cherokee Yacht Club.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features music by Risky Business Friday night at The Bobby D Band Saturday night. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Asphalt Cowboys will be on stage at Bordertown Friday night; and the will be joined by Rachelle Turner Saturday. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features The Tiptons Friday night. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, Stonehorse will perform Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Brett & Terri kick off the entertainment Thursday and Torn entertains Friday night in the Echo Bar. Saturday night, music will be provided by The Rumor.

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: Season 1 of Lost in Space is available Friday on NETFLIX. The 53^rd Academy of Country Music Award airs Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS. If you’re into politics, the award winner program The Circus returns Sunday night at 7:00 on Showtime; and Billions airs Sunday night at 9:00, also on Showtime.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Isle of Dogs (careful, if you say that too fast, it becomes something entirely different), Red Sparrow, Rampage, and Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I don’t understand how Republicans can keep complaining about Hollywood celebrities expressing their political opinions. They’re the ones who brought us Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump.” – Bill Mahr

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, April 15 – PGA Shootout at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, April 21 – Ales & Tails Crawfish & Red Dirt Festival at Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo Grounds in Vinita. Thursday-Sunday, April 26-29 – Bassmaster Elite Tournament out of Wolf Creek. Saturday, April 28 – Burning of the Socks at Harbors View Marina. Saturday, April 28 – Old Bulldog Band at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Friday, May 4 – GRDA Lake Launch (Grand Fiesta) at the Ecosystems Center in Langley (6:00-9:00). Friday-Sunday, May 4-6 – In-Water Boat Show at Shangri-La Marina. Friday, May 4 – Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce Classic Golf Tournament at The Coves.

*****

Playoff time is here in the NBA. The first games are Saturday at 2:00 (ABC), 4:30, 7:00, and 9:30 (all on ESPN). ABC hosts another opening round game Sunday at2:00. TNT and NBA-TV will pick up the playoff games that are not on ABC or ESPN.

After a huge week at The Masters, PGA players are in Hilton Head, South Carolina this week for the RBC Heritage. Coverage is on the Golf Channel at 2:00 Thursday& Friday, noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are at Bristol this weekend. Coverage of the Food City 500 begins at 1:00 Sunday afternoon on Fox.

*****

Maybe Spring is FINALLY arriving. We may have some showers and wind Friday, but Saturday & Sunday will be sunny with high temperatures around 60. That’s more like it! There are a lot of activities and plenty of entertainment around the lake this weekend. Go for 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 web site.  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