August 9 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

We are so lucky to be at Grand Lake! If you don’t feel blessed by all the restaurants and bars that are accessible by boat – and all the live entertainment options available by boat, go to another lake for a day. I spent a couple of days last week on Table Rock Lake in Missouri. It is a beautiful lake, tucked in the Ozark Mountains with surrounding forests and nearby Branson – but there is nothing to do and virtually no place to go. One marina has a floating café; and there’s the Branson Belle with its dinner cruises. That’s it. On most lakes in this part of the United States, if you want to eat lunch or dinner while you’re out on the boat, you’d better pack a sandwich. Yes. We are blessed.

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As if hiring staff had not been enough of a challenge for Grand Lake food & beverage venues, now it’s time for colleges & high schools to crank back up; and that means even more of a staff deficit for venues that were fortunate enough to have some good summer help. Be patient, my friends. Everyone is doing everything they can to provide good service and full staffing, but it’s tough. If your service is slow at Grand Lake venues, keep in mind that you could be at virtually any other lake and, instead of slow service at your favorite venue, most lakes offer no service – and no venues. Count your blessings and relax.

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Speaking of on-the-water venues, I canceled my charter in the British Virgin Islands for the third year in a row last week. Increase in COVID cases has resulted in the BVI government closing all the bars. Restaurants have take-out service only. Boating in the BVI is fun, for sure; but boating with the bars closed is not something to which an avid Grand Laker can easily adapt.

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Another successful Grand Lake concert on the water is in the books. Congratulations to everyone involved in the Friday raft-out and Saturday “Woodstock on the Water” celebration of Grand Lake’s birthday in the legendary Leon Russell Cove. Thanks to Mother Nature for holding off the rain & wind until early Sunday morning Next up? Redneck Raft-out at Check-In Bay Saturday of Labor Day weekend.

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If you’re running a little low on conspiracy theories, the latest is that ESPN is conspiring with other athletic conference to destroy the Big 12 Conference. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas has even decided the U.S. Department of Justice has nothing better to do that investigate amateur football and broadcasts of the game. Seriously. He has asked DOJ to “investigate ESPN’s role in the potential destruction of the Big 12 Conference.” Your tax dollars at work.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Staff shortages are taking a toll. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now closed Sunday & Monday. 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. On the other hand, Monkey Island Pub has re-opened and Charlie’s Chicken in Grove has re-opened, but will be drive-thru only until the Fall. Grand Lake Casino has restored operation of table games. The Galley is now open Thursday-Monday at The Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La. Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) has breakfast service Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Doc’s Bar & Grill, Road Hog Saloon, and Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda offer Saturday & Sunday breakfast.

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday morning from 9:45-10:30, “Big Boy No. 4014,” the world’s largest steam locomotive will make a whistle-stop on East Flint Street in Vinita as part of a national tour. Friday evening is the monthly Shangri-La Sunset Cruise (7:00 p.m.). Saturday is Cruise Night in Jay. Monday & Tuesday, the top women golfers in the state converge on Shangri-La for the Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association Partnership Championship Tournament.

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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, Zac Wenzel entertains indoors at Doc’s. DJ Max provides the music Friday night on the patio at Doc’s, followed by Robbie V and the Smokin’ Section 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, there’s great dance music Friday & Saturday nights featuring DJ K-Bandito at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine. Erin Fitzibbon will perform early Friday at the Swine – and there’s always live entertainment late Friday & Saturday nights 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 Johnny Dale Roberts (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 Faulconer Duo will be on stage at the Grand Meridian RV Park Customer Appreciation Party Saturday night. Downbeat will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, followed by a matinee performance by Cory Timmons Saturday afternoon.

In Grove, there’s Alisha Fryar will perform Thursday night at The Regatta, followed by karaoke fun Friday night and Brett & Terri Saturday.

Rodney Carrington performs at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace both Friday and Saturday nights. Indigo Sky Casino this week presents The Whiskey Outlaws Duo in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Big Smitty Friday night, and Diversity Saturday. Sam Hunt will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Outdoor Venue Thursday night at 7:00. At Cherokee Casino Grove, Constant Chaos provides the entertainment Friday night, followed by The Banned Saturday night.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Remembered today mostly for his compositions, and especially his lullaby, Johannes Brahms was considered the most gifted performer of his generation, and made his public debut at 10.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In the early 1800s, the handle on a casket was called a “huckle.” The person that carried it was a “bearer.” So what Doc Holliday said was, “I’ll be your huckle bearer.” Not huckleberry.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: When I was a boy, my momma would send me to a corner store with $1 and I would come back with 5 potatoes, 2 loaves of bread, 3 bottles of milk, a hunk of cheese, a box of tea, and 6 eggs. You can’t do that now. Too many freakin’ security cameras.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Unattended children will be given coffee, a puppy, and will be taught to cuss.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Summer isn’t over until September 22; so sit your pumpkin spice asses down! I haven’t finished my margarita yet!

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: A cheese factory exploded in France. Da Brie is everywhere!

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Technically, the first man to download files from the cloud using a tablet was…Moses.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Iconic crooner Tony Bennett turned 95 last week. Sunday, we lost legendary Florida State University Football coach Bobby Bowden. He was 91. Happy birthday to Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, too. Our beautiful lake is 81 years old.  

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Michelle Graham, Casey Bronc Smith, Jamie Perryman, Jeff McDougall, Aracelly Jameson, CC Leuszler, Donna Bohannan, Heather Cole, Hershel Lamirand, Bill Wolfe, Scott Ward, Candi Bullard, Savannah Brown, Matt Pinnell, Sandye Berga, Rachel Cox, Cheryl Dalton, and Lynda Fleming.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is the point of taking blood pressure medication if it is so expensive that buying it raises your blook pressure?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The final season of Brooklyn Nine Nine premieres Thursday at 7:00 on NBC. Bachelor in Paradise debuts Monday at 7:00 on ABC. The star-studded mini-series Nine Perfect Strangers airs on HULU beginning next Wednesday.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Respect makes its theater premiere this week, along with Fre Guy and Don’t Breathe 2. Pray Coda is available on Apple TV+. Beckett is available this week on NETFLIX.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” - Elie Wiesel

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, August 19 – Bedlam Blood Drive at Shangri-La Resort Hotel 11:30-3:15 (donors will be given their choice of OU or OSU tee shirt). Friday, August 20 – Mary Moore Charity Event & Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, Friday, Auugst 20 – Sugarpill performs live at Big Shots. August 21 – Grove Ridgerunner Band Car Wash at Worley Luginbuel Funeral Home in Grove (10:00-1:00). Sunday, August 22 – Couples Mixer at Shangri-La (9:00 a.m.). 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 in Langley (6:30). Saturday, September 18 – REC Day Drive-Thru Event (Grove, Miami, Vinita, Pryor).

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SPORTS WATCH: If you’ve been needing an NFL Football fix, this is your week. Preseason Week #1 includes seven televised games – Washington at New England Thursday at 6:30, Buffalo at Detroit at 6:00 and Dallas at Arizona at 9:00 Friday. Saturday there are three games: Miami at Chicago at noon, Denver at Minnesota at 3:00 and Cleveland at Jacksonville at 6:00. Sunday’s lone televised game features Carolina at Indianapolis at noon. All games this week are on the NFL Channel.

The PGA Tour in North Carolina this week for The Wyndham Championship. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.

There are some great MLB rivalries this week. The White Sox host the Yankees Thursday at 6:15 (ESPN). Cincinnati is at Philadelphia Saturday at 3:00 (FS1); and the Mets host the Dodgers Sunday evening at 6:00 (ESPN).

NASCAR drivers are at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Sunday for the Verizon 200 at The Brickyard. Coverage is at noon on NBC.

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Weather for the weekend ahead looks like nice August weather – partly cloudy with light winds, highs in the low-to-mid 90s 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