August 24 Random Observations From The Grand Lake Bum

What a year, huh? And what a week! We have the Coronavirus pandemic which is resulting in the cancellation of a lot of popular events and virtually all concerts. Now, for the first time in history, we have two hurricanes at once in the Gulf of Mexico. Marco and Laura – first time a couple has tried to tear at our shoreline. Wild fires are ravaging California and; if that’s not enough, Death Valley this week recorded the hottest temperature on the face of the earth in the history of record-keeping – 130 degrees. And we thought we had “dog days of August in Oklahoma!” Whew. The only thing that might raise a higher temperature is all the hot air at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.

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I’m that guy, by the way. I watch every single minute of both national political conventions. With the “virtual” nature of the conventions this year, I saved a lot of time and learned something very important: if you take out the 30-seconds of applause after every sentence by every speaker – and take the political commentators and interviews out of the mix, it is totally possible to complete a normal 8-hour convention day in just two hours. Plus you have the advantage of deciding what to think about the speakers all by yourself without even being told what to think. Odd! But pleasant.

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By the way, just in case you’re the one who is trying to keep up with Kanye West’s tragic Presidential campaign, he got booted off the ballot in five more states last week because he didn’t meet standards (Illinois, Montana, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Ohio). So far, he’s only on the ballot in five states. To our eternal embarrassment, Oklahoma is one of them (in addition to Arkansas, Colorado, Utah, and Vermont). I guess we’re back to “zero days without a national embarrassment.”

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On to more important things…I can’t imagine what Grand Lake is going to look like on Labor Day weekend! Traffic on the water has looked like a normal Labor Day weekend every weekend for the last two months! With no college football on the holiday weekend for the first time since I can remember, I’m sure the crowds will be even bigger than in a “normal” year.

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If you don’t already have a boat, this would be a really good time to try to find one. That’s going to be the fastest way to get between Langley and Disney for a while. September 14, plans call for closing the Pensacola Dam for most of the next nine months to do resurfacing and structural work. Officials warn that the road will be closed most of the time, but they said they’re going to try to phase work so the road can be open across the dam for “large community events.” I’m not sure how that definition will work. I thought there were large community events at Grand Lake every weekend. Any-who…you are properly warned. Don’t count on using the road across the Pensacola Dam after September 14 until next summer. If you don’t have a boat, please take time to use the detour routes. Those merchants, restaurants, and clubs in Langley – and especially Disney & Tia Juana – are going to need all the support they can get.

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If you haven’t been keeping up with red-hot real estate sales in the Grand Lake market, I overheard a conversation between a potential buyer and a real estate agent pal of mine the other day. The potential buyer said he was thinking about buying a house at Grand Lake and wanted to know about the current real estate market. The answer was perfect: “Remember back in May when you were trying to find toilet paper? It’s kinda like that.”

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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). Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda has announced it will remain open “at least through October.” 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 (although they are planning a re-opening for dine-in next month).

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PUBLIC EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE: Grand Lake will undoubtedly have more Wichita families extending their season into the fall and beyond. The Wichita Board of Education voted last week to cancel the high school football season for Wichita Public Schools. The “Mahogany & Chrome” boat show at Arrowhead, originally set for September 12, has been cancelled. Grove Founders’ Day festivities, originally set for September 12, have also been cancelled. The Cherokee Golf Classic originally scheduled for September 18 has been cancelled. A Taste of Grand, scheduled for September 26, has been cancelled, as well. Shangri-La Resort’s Fall Festival planned for October 24 has been cancelled, as has the October 23-24 “Ghosts of Grove” tour.

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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). Saturday is the Cars for Critters Car Show at the Grove Civic Center benefiting Second Chance Pet Rescue (11:00-3:00). 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: 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.  KJ Flip leads the Thursday night karaoke fun at the Blind Swine, followed by Levee Town Friday night. KJ Flip will be back Sunday night for Karaoke & Cocktails at 9:00.  After Party 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.

A couple of area casinos are back in the musical entertainment business. Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Rackensack Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Tim Brasuell Friday night and Funkin Gonuts Saturday. Jesse Joice will entertain Friday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, and The Uncrowned Kings take the stage Saturday night.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The word "cute" was originally a shortened form of "acute," sometimes even spelled with an apostrophe - 'cute - and meant shrewd or clever.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: It takes one gallon of water to grow a single pistachio or almond.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I can’t wait to walk down the aisle one day…and hear those magical words. “This is your pilot speaking.” (thanks to Linda Wall for sharing this one)

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: A new study indicates captains are NOT actually sorry for what they say while docking a boat.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: If you aren’t happy single, you won’t be happy in a relationship. Happiness comes from day drinking, not a relationship.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Just found out there’s no popcorn in popcorn shrimp. Guess there’s no need to try pot roast.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I was going to take one of those Viking River Cruises until I learned you don’t actually get to loot the towns and monasteries along the way.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Comedian/philosopher/actor/director/producer Robin Williams died six years ago. He would have been 69 years old. I think he would have gotten a giggle out of that.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Gretchen Casto, David Heck, Jim Basgall, Gretchen Zumwalt, Brian Broaddus, Patricia Williams, DiAnna Wescott, Patty Davis, Seth Smiley, Kurt Dodd, Larry Mlnarik, Teresa Lay, Janet Link, Chad Randall, David Guest, Dennis Patrick, Gary Morgan, and Tammie Koehler.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When Webster wrote the dictionary, where did he look up the definitions?

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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). The mini-series Love Fraud debuts Sunday night at 8:00 on Showtime. The Canadian medical series Transplant makes its American debut next Tuesday at 9:00 on NBC. Tough as Nails airs Wednesday nights at 8:00 on CBS; and this week’s special guest interview on Sunday Today will be Al Pacino (7:00 a.m. Sunday on NBC).

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Unhinged, The One and Only Ivan, The New Mutants and Bill and Ted Face the Music are in movie theaters that are beginning to reopen – or are available streaming.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience.” – Mark Twain

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Sunday, September 4-6 – Jana Jae’s Fiddle Camp & Music Festival at the Grove Civic Center and Snider’s Campground. Saturday, September 5 – Redneck Raft-Out & Concert at Check-In Bay. Saturday, September 5 – Hot Dog Eating Competition at Blind Swine (5:00 p.m.). 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. Saturday, October 3 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber Car Show & Cruise Night in Langley. 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: NBA Playoffs. The OKC Thunder face the Houston Rockets in game four of their best-of-seven series Monday at 3:00 and Wednesday at 5:00 on TNT and Fox Sports Oklahoma. Playoffs roll into Round 2 this weekend.

After being postponed from last week’s PGA Tour schedule, The BMW Championship will be played in Olympia Fields, Illinois this weekend. It’s the last tour event prior to next week’s Tour Championship in Atlanta.  Coverage on The Golf Channel begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday, 11:00 Saturday and noon Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 1:00 Saturday & 2:00 Sunday.

Major League Baseball play continues daily. 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.

NASCAR drivers are at Daytona this week for some Saturday night prime time racing. Coverage of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 begins Saturday night at 6:30 on NBC.

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The weather for the weekend ahead will be a little dependent on actions of the twin hurricanes in the gulf, but right now it looks really nice. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, light winds, high temperatures around 90 degrees and lows in the mid-60s. Please remember - 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)

Marina’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