August 16 Random Observation Of The Grand Lake Bum

Good for us! We made it through another Friday the 13th with no catastrophes. In fact, Friday night was an absolutely sensational evening. The storms to the north of the lake provided the perfect sky scenery for an incredible sunset – and the perfect backdrop for those of us enjoying the Shangri-La August Sunset Cruise!

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I’m not sure what happened to the “Trump will magically resume the Presidency on August 13” that the My Pillow guy predicted. I haven’t heard any updated date. Speaking of such predictions, does anybody know the new updated “end of the world” date?

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Sadly, as students return to classes, the upward spike of the Covid-19 Delta Variant continues to pollute the nation’s atmosphere. Nobody has been harder hit than Florida. In fact, rumor has it that they are planning to abbreviate the signs that used to read “Welcome to Florida.” Now, they’ll just read “WTF?”

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There is finally something that will persuade unvaccinated folks to get the shots – OU Football! If you’re planning on attending the Sooners’ season opener at Tulane September 4, the City of New Orleans will require you to either show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test performed within 72 hours of game time.  If staying alive isn’t a good enough reason for you to get the vaccine, now there’s an even more important reason – OU football!

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I’ve been watching a lot of TV lately. It seems like every television sales offer now adds the line “But wait. If you act now, we’ll double your order. Just pay an additional fee.” I thought you could double ANY order by paying extra. It kinda reminds me of one of my favorite signs I saw in a bar: “One beer for the price of two. Get a second beer absolutely free!”

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By the way, I ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon last week. I’ll let you know.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Staff shortages are taking a toll. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now closed Sunday & Monday and Blind Swine on Duck Creek is closed on Mondays. Sugar Shack at Lee’s Resort now closes at 3:00 Sunday and remains closed Monday. The Cove Club in Langley is now closed on Tuesdays. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar operation at Shangri-La has temporarily moved to Doc’s Patio (just across the parking lot) – open Friday, Saturday & Sunday.  Stuff’ns Café in Ketchum is now closing at 2:00 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and at 8:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday is the Bedlam Blood Drive at Shangri-La Resort Hotel from 11:30-3:15 (donors will be given their choice of OU or OSU tee shirt). Friday is the annual Mary Moore Charity Event & Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday morning is the annual Grove Ridgerunner Band Car Wash at Worley Luginbuel Funeral Home in Grove (10:00-1:00). Saturday is also the “2 Hip Chicks Road Show” at the Grove Civic Center (9:00-4:00); and there’s a Couples Mixer at Shangri-La Sunday morning at 9:00. Next Wednesday kicks off four days of fun at the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in Vinita.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Clint Ingram entertains indoors at Doc’s. DJ C-Dub provides the music Friday night on the patio at Doc’s, followed by Big Smitty Saturday. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons Friday & Saturday nights; and just across the street, Sugarpill will be on stage Friday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, followed by great dance music with DJ K-Bandito Saturday night. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine. Erin Fitzibbon will perform early Friday at the Swine – and The Faulconer Duo with Beau Jeffries will entertain Saturday night at the Swine. Saturday night is great dancing and singing at Monkey Island Pub -  Karaoke with Tim.

On South Grand, Franklin Birt performs Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney, followed by The Dustin Pittsley Band Saturday night and an early performance Sunday by Jamey Hooper (5:00-8:00). Erin Fitzgibbon entertains every Thursday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) and KJ Flip leads the musical fun every Wednesday night. The Jacob Dement Duo will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, followed by Reverse Reaction Saturday night and a matinee performance by True Swagger Sunday afternoon.

In Grove, there’s karaoke fun Friday night at The Regatta, followed by The Until Now Band Saturday.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Jon Dooly in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Oreo Blue Friday night. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar will feature the music of Encore Friday night, followed by Hypnotik Saturday. At Cherokee Casino Grove, Whiskey Poet Society provides the entertainment Friday night, followed by D’Elegantz Saturday night.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Since at least the late 14th century, Roman numeral clock faces have denoted "4" with IIII instead of IV. The reason is unclear.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Actress Lucille Ball once championed a script nobody wanted, paid for the pilot, and fought the money people back enough for “Star Trek” to get made.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I hate it when people act all intellectual and talk about Mozart when they’ve never even seen one of his paintings.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: No sense in being pessimistic. It probably wouldn’t work, anyway.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I think I promised to have 3 beers and be home by 10. I always get those two confused. (thanks go Bob Graper for sharing this one)

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Somebody threw a bottle of Omega 3 pills at me. Luckily, my injuries were only super fish oil.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: There are two types of people in the world: people I want to drink with – and people who make me want to drink.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Last Friday was the anniversary of the death of Yankee slugger Mickey Mantle who hosted his Mickey Mantle Golf Classic at Shangri-La for many years. He would have been 89.  Remember Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show?” Richie Cunningham on “Happy Days.” Ron Howard moved on to become one of America’s leading producer/directors. The Duncan, Oklahoma native is 67.1 “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” the classic hit by The Bee Gees, was # on the charts – 50 years ago this week.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Mike Hegeman, Debbie Saied, Vern Spain, Sam Pangburn, Hayley Vaughn, Paige Porter, Jo Eve, Emilio Arizpe, Anna Stafford, Jen Sullivan, Barry Hurley, Charlie Givens, Grant Callison, Kaylea Hutson-Miller, Larry Steckline, Debbie Howell, Robine Blumenthal, Michael Whalen, Everett Lees, and Sue Davidson.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Is Popeye’s Chicken fried in Olive Oil?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The six-episode series The Chair is available Friday on NETFLIX. Kate Hudson joins the crew for season two of Truth Be Told premiering Friday on Apple TV+. The incredible We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert will air Saturday beginning at 4:00 p.m. on CNN. The Walking Dead returns Sunday night at 8:00 on AMC; and Reservation Dogs airs Monday night at 11:00 on FX on HULU.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: There’s a whole slew of great movies being released this week. Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Keaton’s The Protege , Tom Hanks’ Finch, and Hugh Jackman’s Reminiscence make theater premieres this week, along with The Night House and Paw Patrol: The Movie.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” – Yogi Berra

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SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday-Saturday, August 25-28 – Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in Vinita. Friday-Saturday, September 3-4 – Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival (Snider’s Campground & Grove Civic Center). Saturday, September 4 – Redneck Raft Out at Check-In Bay (12:00-5:00). Saturday, September 4 – Dock Shots Competition at Shangri-La Golf Club (5:00). Tuesday, September 7 - PGA Pro/Assistant Championship Tournament at Shangri-La. Friday, September 10 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Patricia Island (1:30 Shotgun). Saturday, September 11 – 2nd Annual Dusty Russell Car Event and South Grand Lake Lions Club Chili Cookoff in Langley (1:00-6:30). Thursday-Friday, September 16-17 – Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s “Luau on the Green” at Shangri-La Resort. Friday, September 17 – Cherokee Classic Golf Tournament at The Coves (10:00). Saturday, September 18 – REC Day Drive-Thru Event (Grove, Miami, Vinita, Pryor). Saturday, September 18 – Grand Lake Fireworks 5K Sunset Dam Run in Disney (3:00 at Cherokee State Park).

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SPORTS WATCH: It’s week #2 of the NFL Preseason, and there are 10 televised games on the schedule. New England is at Philadelphia Thursday night at 6:30 on the NFL Network. Friday night, there are two games – Kansas City is at Arizona on ESPN and Cincinnati is at Washington on NFL, both at 7:00. Saturday there are four games: Buffalo at Chicago at noon, the Jets at Green Bay at 3:30, Detroit at Pittsburgh at 6:30, and Las Vegas at the L.A. Rams at 9:00, all on NFL Network. Sunday’s double-header is also on NFL Network – The NY Giants at Cleveland at noon and San Francisco at the L.A. Chargers at 6:30. And yes, there’s Monday Night Football – Jacksonville at New Orleans at 7:00 on ESPN.  

The PGA Tour is in Jersey City this week for The Northern Trust. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday, noon Saturday & 11:00 Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds Saturday at 2:00 & Sunday at 1:00.

There are some great MLB rivalries this week. Fox Sports 1 features two Saturday games: The Yankees host the Minnesota Twins at noon, and the Dodgers host the Mets at 3:00. Sunday night at 6:00 the L.A. Angels are at Cleveland on ESPN. Next week, San Diego hosts the L.A. Dodgers both Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 9:00, also on ESPN.

NASCAR drivers are in Michigan Sunday for the Firekeepers Casino 400. Coverage is on NBCSN beginning at 2:00.

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Weather for the weekend ahead looks good. We may start out with some showers Friday morning, but otherwise the weekend forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with light winds, highs around 90 and lows around 70. There’s plenty happening around the lake this weekend, so get out an enjoy all you can. Remember, though, wherever you 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

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Coppers Tea & 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

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)

Gabby’s Place 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 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 Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)

The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)

The Pourhouse at 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