February 26 Random Observations of the Grand Lake Bum

It’s officially “Welcome Back Weekend” time on Grand Lake. Mother Nature must have thought it was scheduled for an earlier date this year – because we’ve had awesome weather for a while now! – and it looks equally beautiful for the weekend ahead. It’ll be plenty good for boaters who want to do the Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run by water. If you need the schedule, the Poker Run starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Stops are all accessible by water except for the “Bonus Chip” stop at Arrowhead Boat Sales in Grove. The regular stops are Cherokee and Arrowhead Yacht Club Ship Stores, VIP Pizza, Cedar Port Marina, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Check-in and card dealing is 5:00-7:00 at Cherokee Yacht Club. Poker Run winners will be announced at 8:00 p.m. Be careful out there – and have fun! If you’ve been absent for the winter – Welcome Back.

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Welcome Back Weekend is just the beginning of the March fun, though. Both the Grove Home & Garden Show and the Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita are March 8-10.. 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! You’d better mark your calendars or you’ll miss out on some really fun stuff. The Big Meat Run kicks off Spring Break Week, complete with a return of music to the legendary Mountain Mama’s location in Tia Juana on the 16^th. The Spring Break week at Shangri-La is crazy busy, including a four-day Kids Camp, “Killer Keyz” dueling piano adult show, karaoke & live music at Docs, a family fun festival & hot-air balloon glow Wednesday, March 20, and an awesome Food & Wine Festival with more live entertainment March 23; and the Bassmaster Classic will dominate the waters of the lake that same week! I’ll bet there are a lot of folks who don’t live at Grand Lake full-time – but wish they did!

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Congratulations on your pay raise, by the way. The Oklahoma Legislature finally approved a new law eliminating the state sales tax on groceries. That’ll save you 4.5% on groceries as soon as the new law takes effect. Well, maybe not right away. But…August!

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There have been a lot of tributes to the great country music superstar Toby Keith – and there will be more; but it’ll be hard to top the sold-out dinner Sunday night at The Summit at Shangri-La where Toby was an active member. Terry Jordan did a fantastic job entertaining the crowd with sing-along fun featuring Toby’s biggest hits – and the culinary team made the evening especially fun serving all of Toby’s favorites at The Summit. Mussels, Fried Chicken Dinner, Key Lime Pie complemented with Cabernet Sauvignon, and good ol’ bourbon whiskey. And as the nightcap? I don’t think I’ve seen that many shots of Sambuca consumed at one time in my life. Yes, I made it home safely. Thanks for asking. And kudos to everyone at The Summit and Shangri-La for an incredible event!

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Speaking of drinking, I’ve started prepping my liver for St. Patrick’s day – but I heard about an even bigger event. I heard Shangri-La has finalized plans with Maker’s Mark to offer a new exclusive bourbon blend – Monkey Island Maker’s is coming soon! Can’t wait.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Glenna Whitehead, Debbie Totty, Don White, Taylor Brandwein, Mary Lou Manley, Deanna Snyder, Diane McPeters, Kristin Zumwalt Woolery, Tom Workman, Jim Brown, and Autumn Wilhelm.  

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. It’s “Welcome Back Weekend” and there’s a lot happening around Grand Lake this week! Thursday is Opening night for “Cinderella” at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center (7:00 p.m.). Additional shows are scheduled for Saturday, March 2 at 7:00 and Sunday afternoon, March 3 at 2:30. Thursday night is Trivia Night at BOOM in Grove. It’s also Thursday Karaoke Night at Doc’s at Shangri-La. Friday is the MYKC Golf Scramble at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.) and First Friday Wine Share at Rustic Rehab in Grove (6:00-7:30 p.m,). Saturday is the Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run from Cherokee Yacht Club (10:00-4:00) wrapping up at Cherokee Yacht Club for card draws and evening entertainment. On Monkey Island Saturday, the Women’s Auxiliary Association of Monkey Island (WAAMI) will host a fundraising Chili Lunch at the Lake Center Baptist Church on Monkey Island (11:00-2:00). The COW Week Pickleball Tournament is also Saturday at the Shangri-La Racquet Club (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). Saturday evening is the debut of “Saturday Night Game Show” competition hosted by Jason Morgan at The Anchor at Shangri-La beginning at 6:00. Open House for the first venues at The Shops at Grand Meridian RV Park is both Saturday & Sunday. 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: After losing two toes and a finger, Cal Stewart quit his railroad job to become an early version of a standup comedian. Best known for his character Uncle Josh Weathersby of Punkin Center, he is thought to be the first to record a popular comedy album (1897).

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In the last seven Major League Baseball seasons, all the major league pitchers have thrown a combined 254 complete games. Bob Gibson alone pitched 255 complete games.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The entirety of continental South America lies on a line entirely east of Michigan.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Sometimes, giving someone a second chance is like giving them an extra bullet for their gun because they missed you the first time.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: SPEED LIMIT 80. But we know y’all gonna drive much faster.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Just because you haven’t found the right person yet, doesn’t mean you will.

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PUN OF THE WEEK: Someone ripped the 5^th month out of my calendar. I’m dismayed!

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why are the “Save the Trees” signs made out of wood?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: No parent ever turned the car around. That was an empty threat we all fell for.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “A man who correctly guesses a woman’s age may be smart, but he’s not very bright.” – Lucille Ball

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Teen singing sensation Justin Bieber turns 30 years old this weekend. The youngest Beatle, George Harrison, would have turned 81 this week (he died at age 58).

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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, Ryan Graham entertains live at Doc’s. Erin Fitzgibbon is live at the Swine Saturday night.

On South Grand, Friday night is Karaoke Night at The Copper Penny in Ketchum. Big Earl will entertain Friday night with Outlaw Willie at Grand Meridian RV, Cabin & Tiny Home Resort. House Party will be on stage at Cherokee Yacht Club Saturday night for the Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run party. Reverse Reaction entertains Saturday night at the Drunken Rooster in Cleora. It’s a big weekend at Mooney’s, too, with Magen Faulconer on stage Friday night and the Barrett Lewis Band entertaining Saturday night.

In Grove, there are two nights of live music at Cherokee Casino featuring Magic J Friday night, followed by The Brandon Butler Band Saturday night. Sunday afternoon at 2:00 is “Spring Forward” Readers’ Theater at Playmakers in Grove.

Travis Kidd starts the weekend entertainment Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino.

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

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: There will be several food trucks at the Grand Opening of the Shops at Grand Meridian Saturday & Sunday – Incredible Edibles, Big Time Munchies, Johnny’s Kettle Corn, and Stored Sunshine Freeze Dried Sweets. The Restaurant at Lake Hudson Inn is now open for lunch and dinner (bar will be open later). VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina is now open for the season and Mosa Hibachi & Sushi and Legacy Eatery are now open in Grove.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The new drama series Elsbeth premiers Thursday night at 9:00 on CBS. The mini-series The Regime debuts Sunday night at 8:00 on HBO. Season three of Resident Alien is now available on Peacock. The Voice airs 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: Dune: Part Two opens in movie theaters Friday and Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate is available Friday on Peacock.

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SAVE THE DATE: 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 Balloon Glow & Festival at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 22-24 – Bassmaster Classic Tournament. Saturday, March 23 – Easter Festival and Egg Hunt at Marina Del Ray Resort benefiting Ketchum FFA. Saturday, March 23 – Food & Wine Festival on The Anchor Lawn at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 23 – Bingo Fundraiser at American Legion Post 178 in Grove benefiting America’s Boating Club Grand Lake (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.). Friday & Saturday, March 28-29 – Grove Merchants Spring Open House. Saturday, March 30 – Langley Easter Egg Hunt at Langley City Park (11:00-1:00).

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In the NBA, it’s going to be a while before the OKC Thunder are back in Oklahoma. They’re headed on the road for a rough few days – in San Antonio Thursday night, Phoenix Sunday night, L.A. to face the Lakers Monday night late, and then in Portland next Wednesday for another late game.

College basketball conference play is getting close to wrapping up regular season play. OSU is at Texas Saturday at 1:00 before hosting Texas Tech next Tuesday at 7:00. OU hosts Houston Saturday night at 7:00 and Cincinnati next Tuesday at 7:00.

The OU girls have a chance to wrap up a Big 12 Championship if they can win one of their last two games. After facing Texas Wednesday in Norman, they’ll be on the road at Kansas Saturday afternoon at 4:00.

The awesome OU and OSU Softball teams are in action this weekend. OU’s team is especially busy opening their new Love’s Field Stadium this weekend with a bevy of games. They’ll host Miami Friday at 2:00 and Liberty at 5:00. They have two more games Saturday – Louisiana at 11:00 and Liberty at 1:40 before wrapping up the weekend with one more game against Louisiana at 12:30 Sunday. Next week, they host Texas A&M Commerce at 6:00 Wednesday.

The OSU girls have a little less ambitious schedule this week. They’ll host Seattle Friday at 3:00 and Drake at 3:30; then they’re off until next Wednesday when they host Wichita State at 6:00.

PGA players are in Florida this week for the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. Coverage begins Thursday & Friday at 1:00 and Saturday & Sunday at noon on the Golf Channel. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Vegas this weekend for the Pennzoil 400. Coverage is on Fox Sunday afternoon at 2:30.

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Welcome Back Weekend weather looks absolutely fantastic! After a Friday night temperature in the low 60s, we’ll jump to the mid-70s Saturday & Sunday with lots of sunshine and nighttime lows around 50. It may be a little breezy, but not bad. It should be a perfect weekend to enjoy Grand Lake! 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