February 19 Random Observations of the Grand Lake Bum

The 10-day celebration of Valentine’s Day is finally over – although I’m so glad I went to the final event of the schedule. The band at the Valentine Gala at Shangri-La was unbelievable! Hook. With another holiday behind us, the Summit Restaurant features a fabulous “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” dinner Sunday night honoring longtime Shangri-La member and country music star Toby Keith. The event is open to the public and will feature all of Toby’s food & beverage favorites at the Summit, as well as a sing-along of Toby’s biggest hits led by Terry Jordan. After that, we just have one week to get ready for “Welcome Back Weekend” and the always-popular Poker Run that highlights the return of the weekenders to the lake.

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Welcome Back Weekend is just the beginning of the March fun, though. The very next weekend features both the Grove Home & Garden Show and the Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show. We wrap up that weekend with the return of Daylight Saving Time – and the following weekend begins Spring Break Week, which already looks like a huge week-long celebration at Grand! The Big Meat Run is the first weekend, complete with a return of music to the legendary Mountain Mama’s location in Tia Juana on the 16^th. The Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda opens for the season that same weekend. The Spring Break week includes a Kids Camp, “Killer Keyz” dueling piano show, karaoke & live music at Docs, a family fun festival & hot-air balloon glow and an awesome Food & Wine Festival with more live entertainment, all at Shangri-La; and the Bassmaster Classic will dominate the waters of the lake that same week! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – there is NO OFFSEASON at Grand Lake, anymore!

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Attention, bourbon drinkers! There’s a rumor that a new whisky, specially blended by Maker’s Mark, is coming to Grand Lake’s hottest drinking spot. Watch for the upcoming release of “Monkey Island Maker’s.” Can’t wait.

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And you thought you had a tough last month? I hope Donald Trump wasn’t lying about being a billionaire, because he’s gonna need some serious cash. In the last three weeks, Trump has been hit with fines, penalties, interest, and fraud judgments requiring him to fork over $542 million. Oh, wait. His lawyers will probably send him a bill or two, as well.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Larry Haney, Jim Wyche, Todd Gayer, Bob Howard, Bill Oden, Ryan Stoner, Greg Hopeman, Dave Kruse, Andi McConn, Jennifer Bujold, Mike Williams, James Diver “Ugly John” Mullen, Susan Faulkner, Winston Connor II, Leta Carson, Gary Sisco, and Bob Rush.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. There’s a lot happening around Grand Lake again this week! Thursday is the South Grand Lake Chamber monthly Membership luncheon at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (11:30 a.m.). Thursday-Sunday the Miami Little Theatre presents “Arsenic and Old Lace” at the Coleman Theatre (7:00 p.m. Thurs-Sat and 2:30 Sunday). Thursday night is Trivia Night at both Mooney’s in Disney and BOOM in Grove. It’s also Thursday Karaoke Night at Doc’s at Shangri-La. Saturday evening is a “Meet the Pros” with the Shangri-La Golf Professionals at The Anchor (6:00-8:00 p.m.), as well as SINGO competition, also beginning at 6:00. Sunday evening is a special “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue evening of dinner and music dedicated to the memory of Toby Keith at the Summit Restaurant (open to the public). In addition to regular menu items, the Summit will feature Toby’s favorite appetizers, meal, and beverages. Terry Jordan will lead the sing-along of Toby’s biggest hits from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Monday is the Northeast Oklahoma Board of Realtors General Membership meeting at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Next Tuesday is Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor (7:00 p.m.).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: More than 50 years after its release, Linda Ronstadt’s 1970 recording of Gary White’s “Long, Long Time” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Rock Digital Song Sales list.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Super Bowl LVIII was the most-watched telecast ever, with a Total Audience Delivery of 123.4 million average viewers across all platforms. That’s “average.” The only part of the evening that topped the game was Usher’s half-time performance which drew 129.3 million viewers.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Over 40 percent of Americans believe dinosaurs and people lived together.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: My high school was so small we had sex education and driver’s education in the same car.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Some drink deeply from the well of knowledge. Others just rinse and spit.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: My son is going to a Rolling Stones concert. It’s a family tradition going back five generations.

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PUN OF THE WEEK: I accidentally sprayed myself in the mouth with Axe cologne. Now I talk with an Axe scent.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If 15+15 is thirty, is 16+16 thirty, too?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: 13-year-olds today are having relationship stress. When I was that age, I spent my time closing the refrigerator door slowly to see how the light goes off.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Everyone’s still talking about the Super Bowl commercials. Cost of a 30-second ad in the Super Bowl telecast was seven million dollars. Nobody’s spent that much money for 30 seconds since the Jets signed Aaron Rodgers.” – Jimmy Fallon

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Television and radio presenter, actor, author and TV show host Steve Harvey is now 65 years old. Actor Robert Wagner who starred in everything from “It Takes a Thief” in 1968 to “NCIS” in 2019 turned 94 last week; and iconic singer/songwriter Carole King turned 82.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend with Thursday Night Karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Friday night, Chloe Johns entertains live at Doc’s. Terry Jordan entertains Sunday night at The Summit Restaurant as he leads a sing-along tribute to Toby Keith’s biggest hits. Erin Fitzgibbon entertains Friday night at the Blind Swine, and Randall George will be live at the Swine Saturday night.

On South Grand, Friday night is Karaoke Night at The Copper Penny in Ketchum. Magen Faulconer entertains Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

In Grove, there are two nights of live music at Cherokee Casino featuring Erin Fitzgibbon Friday night, followed by Brett N’ Terri Saturday night. Sunday afternoon at 2:00 is “Spring Forward” Readers’ Theater at Playmakers in Grove.

Low Compatibility starts the weekend entertainment Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino. Dino D and the D Train Band take over the stage both Friday and Saturday nights.

Finn Again entertains Saturday night at 7:00 at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, followed by karaoke with DJ Kay at 11:00 p.m.

Phillip Phillips performs Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina opens for the season Thursday. Ghetto Tacos will be at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island next Tuesdsay, February 27 from 11:00-6:00. Mosa Hibachi & Sushi and Legacy Eatery are now open in Grove.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The new series Avatar: The Last Airbender premiers Thursday on NETFLIX. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live debuts Sunday night at 8:00 on AMC and Vegas: The Story of Sin City airs Sunday night at 9:00 on CNN. The Voice returns for a new season Monday & Tuesday nights at 7:00 on NBC; and Jon Stewart hosts The Daily Show Monday night at 10:00 on Comedy Central.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Ordinary Angels and Drive-Away Dolls debut in movie theaters Friday.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, February 29 – Opening night for “Cinderella” at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center (7:00 p.m.). Additional shows Saturday, March 2 at 7:00 and Sunday afternoon, March 3 at 2:30. Friday, March 1 – MYKC Golf Scramble at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.). Friday, March 1 – First Friday Wine Share at Rustic Rehab in Grove (6:00-7:30 p.m,). Saturday, March 2 – Women’s Auxiliary Association of Monkey Island (WAAMI) Chili Lunch at the Lake Center Baptist Churt on Monkey Island (11:00-2:00). Saturday, March 2 – COW Week Pickleball Tournament at the Shangri-La Racquet Club. Saturday, March 2 – Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run from Cherokee Yacht Club (10:00-4:00). Saturday-Sunday, March 2-3 – Open House for the first venue at The Shops at Grand Meridian RV Park. Friday-Sunday, March 8-10 – Grove Home & Garden Show. Friday-Sunday, March 8-10 – Grand Lake Boat and Sport Show at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita. Saturday, March 9 – COW Week COWnival at the Grove Community Center (11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Sunday, March 10 – COW Week Golf Tournament at The Coves (12:00 p.m.). Monday, March 11 – COW Week Basketball Tournament at Grove High School Gym (5:00 p.m.). Wednesday, March 13 – COW Week Talent Show at the Grove PAC (6:00 p.m.). Thursday-Saturday, March 14-16 – Big Meat Run at the South Grand Lake Recreation Area in Disney. Thursday, March 14 – South Grand Chamber Business After Hours at FirsTitle in Langley (5:00-6:30). Friday, March 15 – The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda Harbor reopens for the season. Saturday, March 16 – St. Patty’s Day Party at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 16 – Big Meat Run Music at Mountain Mama’s in Tia Juana. (6:00 p.m.). Tuesday, March 19 – “Killer Keyz Dueling Pianos” show at the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La Resort. Wednesday, March 20 – Hot Air Ballon Glow & Festival at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 22-24 – Bassmaster Classic Tournament. Saturday, March 23 – Food & Wine Festival on The Anchor Lawn at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Thursday, March 28 – Mardi Gras in March at the GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley sponsored by the South Grand Lake Foundation, benefiting Ketchum Backpack Program (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 30 – Langley Easter Egg Hunt at Langley City Park (11:00-1:00).

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In the NBA, the OKC Thunder have a couple of tough back-to-back home games this week, hosting the L.A. Clippers Thursday at 7:00 and the Washington Wizards Friday at 7:00 before hitting the road to face Houston Sunday at 6:00. They’ll be back home next Tuesday to play Houston again at 9:00 in a game nationally televised on TNT.

College basketball conference play continues this week – and it’s Bedlam week for both the guys and the gals. The OU women host the Cowgirls at 1:00 Saturday, and the Cowboys host the Sooners in Stillwater at 3:00. Both games are nationally televised – the ladies on Fox, the guys on ESPN2.

PGA players are in Mexico this week for the Mexico Open at Vidanta. Coverage begins Thursday & Friday at 2:00 and Saturday & Sunday at noon on the Golf Channel. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

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After a little midweek tease to make us think summer is almost here, weekend weather is going to be a little more like a regular nice winter weekend to wrap up the month of February. High temperatures will be in the upper 50s with lows around 40. Monday, the warm-up trend starts again. It should be a terrific weekend for partying both indoors and outdoors. Enjoy! Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might 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

Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina (closed for the season)

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Casa Gutierrez in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s on Monkey Island

Chicken Coop west of Langley

Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)

Cove Club in Langley

Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Domino’s in Grove

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill

E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (closed for the season)

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Getaway Mercantile (north of Grove)

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

Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek

Hero’s Deli 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

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

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 RV Resort

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney

Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Monkey Island Trail Rides

Monkey Island Winery

Mosa Hibachi and Sushi in Grove

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

Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley

Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove

Pit Stop Café in Grove

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (closed for the season)

R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove

Raggedy’s in Grove

Rancho Viejo in Grove

Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove

Riggs & Company in Langley

River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)

Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (closed for the season)

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 Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)

The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)

Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (closed for the season)

VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove