August 10 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. The annual CYC/AYC-sponsored Woodstock on the Water celebration in Lawhead Hollow was cancelled a few weeks ago, but the band and the fans wouldn’t hear of it. New sponsors stepped forward, the Barrett Lewis Band spread the word – and the event happened last Saturday, after all. Grand Lake raft-up/music fans will not be denied. Even the Coronavirus cannot stop Grand Lake fun. Next biggie – the Redneck Raft-Out set for Saturday, September 5 in Check-In Bay. Mark your calendar.

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Very soon, you may be able to get to Grand Lake faster. Speed limits are now being raised to 80 MPH on some Oklahoma turnpikes, and to 75 MPH on some non-metro interstate highways. Be forewarned – until the new signs are in place, the posted speed limits will be enforced. You can’t expect these things to happen overnight, I guess. This new speed limit law, after all, has only been in effect for TEN MONTHS!

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CORONAVIRUS CONTROL 101: The City of Los Angeles is now shutting off the water and electric service to homes or non-permitted locations where there are large parties with lots of people. That should do it. It’s been my experience, anyway, that when you can’t see to pee, and can’t flush when you’re done, the party’s soon over.

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People are just getting too impatient these days. For proof, you need look no further than Orlando, Florida, where a busy Saturday night had traffic backed up in the drive-thru and lines in the restaurant. One woman got so frustrated she began yelling and screaming, complaining that she was tired of waiting and threatened to “have my man” come take care of the problem. The clerk refunded her $40 and asked her to leave, which she did. But…I guess she had “her man” take care of it, after all. He showed up at the Burger King a few minutes later – and killed the clerk. Now, THAT’S an overabundance of impatience, I’d say!

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South Dakota has had a fairly successful time fighting against the Coronavirus, but cases are now on the rise there. This week, an estimated 250,000 cyclists from all over everywhere are in Sturgis for the 80^th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Normal population of Sturgis is 7,000. What could possible go wrong?

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The political season is heating up as national conventions approach – and now the political wars have expanded into the music industry. The Rolling Stones and the family of Tom Petty have demanded that President Trump stop using their music at his rallies – and Neil Young has actually filed a lawsuit to make the President stop using his music. On the other side of the arena, Hank Williams, Jr. has announced he is pulling permission for the NFL to use his music on the opening of Monday Night Football. I guess all his rowdy friends will be looking for something else to do on Monday nights. On the former topic, my personal recommendation would be for President Trump to hire someone new to pick the music for his rallies. In the midst of the pandemic, the selection of the Guns & Roses cover of Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die” was probably not a great choice for his recent Ohio rally. What’s next? Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust?”

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Jerry Fallwell, Jr. has agreed to take an “indefinite leave of absence” from his post as President of Liberty University, the college founded by his father (who was also the founder of The Moral Majority back in the day). The pictures of him aboard his yacht with his pants unzipped alongside a woman (not his wife) with her shorts unzipped and sporting what appeared to be a dark-colored cocktail. For some reason, it didn’t occur to him to say the “cocktail” was a Coke. Instead, he said it was “black water,” whatever that might be. Any-who, apparently he’s going to have to improve his tale-telling skills if he’s going to get the job back running his Daddy’s university.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: The Grill at Indian Hills Marina has re-opened for dine-in service (take-out still available, too, of course). There is some damage to the deck they’re taking care of, so no dining on the deck for now. Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda is also back open. 1909 Restaurant in Grove has reduced hours/days of operation to Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Doc’s at Shangri-La offers take-out food orders, wine and beer, but is not open for dine-in service.

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PUBLIC EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE: The American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches have cancelled Eskimo Joe’s sponsorship of OSU’s “Coaches vs. Cancer” fundraising campaign. They don’t like the name or the Eskimo caricature in the popular restaurant’s logo. Speaking of OSU, their big centennial Homecoming Celebration October 26-31 has been cancelled – and they’ll likely have to cancel their home game with Western Illinois due to Big 12 scheduling rules. OU’s games with Tennessee and Army have been cancelled. The Wal-Mart store in Jay is apparently cancelled. It is scheduled to close for good August 21. The “Mahogany & Chrome” boat show at Arrowhead, originally set for September 12, has been cancelled. The Cherokee Golf Classic originally scheduled for September 18 has been cancelled.

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La Resort (5:00-9:00). Friday is the Mary Moore Charity Event & Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Resort benefiting the Home of Hope Special Olympics (noon). Friday night at 7:00 is the monthly Shangri-La Sunset Cruise. The Grand Lake Queen riverboat runs regular sightseeing cruises at 7:00 Friday and 6:00 Saturday evenings from Royal Bay Marina in Grove. Farmers Market will be open Saturday from 9:00-2:00 at the Grove Community Center.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Erin Fitzgibbon entertains Wednesday nights for “Crab Legs Night” at Blind Swine. KJ Flip leads the Thursday night karaoke fun at the Swine. DJ Kennedy will be on stage at the Swine Saturday night; and Sunday offers a double-header with The Faulconer Duo performing at 5:00, followed by the return of KJ Flip with Karaoke & Cocktails at 9:00.  Jason Morgan starts the weekend with karaoke fun at the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort.  Whiskey Poet Society will be live at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Saturday night and Terry Jordan performs at the Summit Restaurant Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Big Shots will feature DJ K Bandito Friday and Saturday nights. Karaoke with Kerry on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday& Saturday nights. Monkey Island Pub features Karaoke with DJ Tim Saturday night.

On South Grand, The Barrett Lewis Band will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

A couple of area casinos are back in the musical entertainment business. Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Eastbound Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Chris Hyde Friday night and The Rumor Saturday. Hudson Drive will entertain Friday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, and Rosy Hips takes the stage Saturday night.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Arthur Conan Doyle originally called his soon-to-be famous detective Sherrington Hope. And, by the way, the phrase "Elementary, my dear Watson," does not appear in any of the Sherlock Holmes stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Women spend more time wondering what men are thinking than men actually spend thinking.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Smoking pot and skipping school had me in trouble constantly. Now weed’s legal and schools are closed. Damn kids are living the dream!

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen posted in front of a Bar-B-Q Restaurant): We wash our hands before we rub our butts.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: People who want to get paid for not working should build up the courage to run for federal office themselves.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I just told my suitcases that we’re not going on vacation this year. Now I’m dealing with emotional baggage.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The three hardest things to say. 1) I was wrong. 2) I need help. 3) Worcestershire Sauce.

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FEEL OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Bond. James Bond. The REAL James Bond. Actor Sean Connery turns 90 years old this month.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Jamie Perryman, Aracelly (Marina) Jameson, Jeff McDougall, CC Leuszler, Heather Cole, Bill Wolfe, Hershel Lamirand, Candi Bullard, Matt Pinnell, Stephanie Graves, Sandye Berga, Rachel Cox, Cheryl Dalton, Lynda Fleming, Mike Hegeman, and Debi Saied.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If illegals are freeloaders, why does ICE only raid workplaces?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Living Grand on Grand Lake airs Thursday at 7:30 on RSU (repeat Saturday morning at 10:00). Teenage Bounty Hunters makes its debut Friday on NETFLIX. Lovecraft Country premieres Sunday night at 8:00 on HBO. Amy Schumer Learns to Cook Monday night at 9:00 on the Food Channel.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: There are some great movie releases this week. Endless is available streaming on Friday and Magic Camp is also available Friday on Disney+ along with The One and Only Ivan. Bombardier Blood will be streaming Tuesday.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Last year we said, ‘Things can’t go on like this.’ And they didn’t. They got worse.” – Will Rogers

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 5 – Redneck Raft-Out & Concert at Check-In Bay. Friday, September 18 – Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Patricia Island. Thursday-Friday, September 24-25 – Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s Luau on the Green and Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, September 26 – Gretchen Wilson LIVE at Buffalo Run Casino. Sunday, October 4 – Folds of Honor Classic Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Friday, October 23 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at The Coves Golf Club.

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SPORTS WATCH: After being postponed from last week’s PGA Tour schedule, the Wyndham Championship will be played in Greensboro, North Carolina this weekend. Coverage on The Golf Channel begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday, noon Saturday and 11:30 Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & 1:30 Sunday.

Major League Baseball play is underway, sort of. MLB is suffering from some COVID-19 scheduling problems. You’ll just have to flip around the channels – ESPN, Fox, FS1, and TNT – to see what games are still on for any given day.

NBA Playoff time is just around the corner. The OKC Thunder face the Phoenix Suns Monday afternoon at 1:30, before a Wednesday evening match-up at 7:00 against the Miami Heat. They play the Los Angeles Clippers Friday. All games are on Fox Sports Oklahoma. Playoffs begin Monday, August 17.

NASCAR drivers are at Daytona this week for the Go Bowling 235. Coverage kicks off at 2:00 Sunday afternoon on NBC.

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For the most part, the weekend weather ahead looks terrific! There may be a slight chance of some showers Saturday morning, but otherwise the forecast calls for sunshine, and light winds with highs around 90 degrees and low temperatures of about 70. Have fun; but wherever you party this weekend, 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.

1909 in Downtown Grove

Ailey’s Café in Langley

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 (Open Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

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

Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove

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

Domino’s in Grove

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 (smoking)

Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove

Henrie’s Grill 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

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’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)

Morrow’s Bar & Grill at Morrow’s Landing

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

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)

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 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