February 27 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Can you believe it’s already “Welcome Back Weekend”? There has been so much happening at Grand Lake for the past few months, it doesn’t seem like anyone ever left. May it should be “Your Welcome Mat is Still Out Weekend.” The annual Welcome Back Poker Run is set for Saturday. Poker run stops are open beginning at noon – Arrowhead, Hookers, VIP Pizza, Cedar Port, and Mooney’s (with an extra stop at Arrowhead Grove that will provide you with an extra chip that allows you to replace one of your cards). Turn in chips and draw hands beginning at 5:00 at Cherokee Yacht Club. Winners will be announced at 8:00. Next weekend Daylight Saving Time arrives. The next weekend is the Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show followed by the official arrival of the first day of Spring. Here we go, Grand Lake!

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I’m familiar with the old adage about the “four gas station intersection” being good for everyone’s business – and “restaurant & club districts” certainly are a popular thing, but I’ll be darned if I can figure out this “dollar store” philosophy. It happened in Fairland and Wyandotte – and now at Littlefield Corner at the entrance to Monkey Island. A Dollar General store has been popular there for a long time. Now…right next door…a new Family Dollar and Dollar Tree. I dunno. Just seems odd to me.

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Actor Richard Belzer died last week at the age of 78; but did you know Richard Belzer and Henry Winkler were cousins? Yup, The Fonz and Munch were related — Belzer appeared in Winkler's 1982 film ”Night Shift” and Winkler guest-starred in an episode of “Law & Order: SVU in 2002.”

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If you’re eligible to vote, Tuesday, March 7 is election day in Oklahoma. It won’t take you long to vote. The only question on the ballot is whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana and expunge old criminal records of folks previously convicted of possession charges. It seems like most elected officials are opposed. It’s your decision, though. If we followed the lead of elected officials historically, Oklahoma still wouldn’t have Medicaid, lottery, horse racing, casinos, or liquor-by-the-drink.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Congratulations to Grand Laker Chris Byrd who has been named Regional Sales Director for Chaparral/Robalo Boats. Happy birthday wishes go out this week to David Brauckmann, Mary Lou Manley, Taylor Brandwein, Joyce Maxson, Diane McPeters, Deanna Snyder, Stan Orr, Curtis Kahle, Kristin Zumwalt Woolery, Tom Workman, Jim Brown, Marla Lopeman, Bradley Jumper, Lisa Cookson, Tammy Pameticky, and Tara Barnow Smith.  

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. There is certainly no shortage of incredible events on the calendar for Welcome Back Weekend!  Grove Drama presents “Grease” Thursday & Saturday at 6:00 and Sunday at 2:30 at the Grove Performing Arts Center. The Grove Home & Garden Show runs Friday-Sunday at the former Whoops store location in Grove. Friday is the First Friday Wine Share at Legacy Event Center in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Saturday festivities begin with the Welcome Back Weekend  Poker Run Start-up breakfast at Arrowhead Yacht Club (10:00-noon) followed by the Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run (noon-5:00 p.m.). Saturday is also “Cownival,” a COW Week Carnival at the Grove Community Center (12:00-4:00 p.m.) and Sip n’ Shop at the re-opening of the boutique at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina (9:00-4:00). Next Wednesday, March 8 is the “Grove’s Got Talent” C.O.W. (Change Our World) Talent Show at GHS Performing Arts Center (6:00 p.m.). Also next Wednesday, The Anchor begins a Half-Price Wednesday promotion at Shangri-La. Half-price arcade and virtual reality games each Wednesday through April 5.   

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Actor Larry Hagman turned down a sitcom called The Waverly Wonders to play the role of JR Ewing in the series Dallas.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Former President Jimmy Carter met his wife Rosalynn when she was just ten minutes old! His mother was a midwife who delivered baby Rosalynn while 3-year-old Jimmy waited in the next room. He was then invited in to meet her – his future sweetheart.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: In 2010, Sandra Bullock personally accepted the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress for “All About Steve.” The next day, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in “The Blind Side.”

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: We squint at the sun because it’s bright. We squint at people because they are not.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Last Dollar Store for a half mile.

 

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: The universe is made of protons, electrongs, neutrons, and morons.  

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Have you heard of the blind cyclops brothers? Neither have eye.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why don’t they either make wine glasses the size of a pour, or make the pour the size of the wine glasses?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Our legislature is over-the-top concerned about Drag Queens and adult performances “indoctrinating” our kids. I don’t know, I remember watching the Three Stooges dressed as women and Bugs Bunny wearing a dress when I was six years old, and I didn’t grow up to become a Drag Queen. Come to think of it, I never dropped an anvil on anyone, either.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: NBA Hall-of-Famer and sports commentator extraordinaire “Sir” Charles Barkley turned 60 this week. “The Youngest Beatle,” George Harrison, would have been 80 years old this week.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The measure of a society is found in how they treat their weakest and most helpless citizens.” – Jimmy Carter

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Welcome Back Weekend fun kicks off at Doc’s Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke and Singo competition. Kevin Price performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Friday night is karaoke night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze – and there is always special entertainment and dancing on Saturday nights. DJ Chris Kennedy will lead the DJ and karaoke fun at Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.  

On South Grand, Casey West will provide the entertainment Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Jump Suit Love will perform Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster. House Party will entertain at Cherokee Yacht Club Saturday night for the Poker Run drawing/dinner/winners’ announcements.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night and more karaoke Saturday. 90LB Wrench entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Runnin’ on Empty Saturday night.

Brett n’ Terri will provide the music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Bobby DeGonia Friday and Constant Chaos Saturday.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Prime Meats, Eats & Sweets in Ketchum and VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina both open for the season Friday. Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove is now open, as well; and the arrival of March means both Arrowhead and Cherokee Yacht Clubs are open. BOOM Sports Bar at The Regatta in Grove is now open Friday evenings, Saturdays & Sundays. Bella Donna’s in Grove is offering all-you-can-eat Peel & Eat Shrimp Sundays at 3:00 p.m. The Cove Club in Langley no longer serves breakfast on Saturday (open at 11:00), but they still serve Sunday breakfast. Big Shots Rhythm & Booze is now open at 7:00 p.m. for karaoke fun on Fridays in addition to their special performances and late-night dance fun on Saturdays.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Chris Rock: Selective Outrage streams Saturday night at 9:00 on NETFLIX. Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce will host Saturday Night Live at 10:30 Saturday night on NBC. The Voice kicks off a new season next Monday at 7:00 on NBC. Season 2 of Perry Mason debuts Monday night at 8:00 on HBO; and That’s My Jam returns next Tuesday at 9:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Creed III are in movie theaters this week.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, March 9 – Creative Alliance President Judi Barber is the featured speaker at the Grove Chamber of Commerce Members Luncheon at Grove City Hall (noon). Thursday, March 9 – Spring Pool League Organizational Meeting at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, March 9-12 – Big Meat Run in the South Grand Lake Recreational Area. Saturday, March 11 – Kyle Williams Safe Boating Course at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (8:00-5:00). Monday-Friday, March 13-17 – Spring Break Day Camp at Rocket Skating in Grove. Friday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Party at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina. Friday-Sunday, March 17-19 – Grand Lake Boat and Sport Show at the Craig County Community Center in Vinita. Saturday, March 18 – St. Patrick’s Day Party at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday, March 19 – COW (Change Our World) Day at The Anchor charity competition at Shangri-La. Wednesday, March 22 – Home of Hope Chocolate Affair at the Craig County Community Center in Vinita (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 25 – Spring Fling Market with 2 Hip Chicks Traveling Roadshow at Whoops Surplus building in Grove (9:00-4:00). Saturday, March 25 – “Almost Midnight Madness” pickleball tournament at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (7:00-11:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 25 – Jay Education Foundation presents Dinner Theater & Silent Auction at Bulldog Arena in Jay (5:30 p.m.). Saturday, April 8 – Langley Easter Egg Hunt at Langley City Park (11:00-1:00). Sunday, April 9 – Easter Egg Hunt at The Anchor at Shangri-La (2:00-3:00 p.m.).

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The OKC Thunder are at home for a few days, and it’s a busy schedule. They’ll host Utah Friday at 7:00 and Sunday at 6:00 before the Lakers come to OKC Tuesday at 7:00. Next Wednesday, the Thunder travel to Phoenix to face the Suns at 8:00.

This is the final week of college basketball’s regular season play with everyone finishing up Saturday. OU hosts TCU at 2:00 and OSU is at Texas Tech at 5:00. Other big games include Arkansas hosting Kentucky and Kansas State at West Virginia, both at 1:00, and Kansas at Texas at 3:00. Both Big 12 and SEC Tournament play gets underway next Wednesday.

PGA Players are spread around the world this week. The Puerto Rico Open coverage will start at 9:00 Thursday & Friday mornings and 1:30 Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. The Arnold Palmer Invitational is in Orlando this weekend, as well. Coverage is on The Golf Channel Thursday & Friday and NBC Saturday & Sunday.

For pro football fans, it’s the third week of XFL action. Seattle is at Las Vegas Saturday night at 6:00 (FX). There are three games Sunday – St. Louis at DC at 1:00 (FX), Orlando at Arlington at 3:00 (FX), and San Antonio at Houston at 7:00 (ESPN).

NASCAR drivers are in Las Vegas this week for the Pennzoil 400. Coverage gets underway Sunday at 2:30 on Fox.  

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Nice weather for Welcome Back Weekend slides in Friday night. Friday will have a high around 50 with a low in the mid-30s and a chance of rain. By Saturday, though, we’ll have sunshine, highs around 60 and lows in the mid-40s for the rest of the big weekend. It should be a great weekend to take advantage of lots of Grand Lake fun. Remember, though, wherever you decide to 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

Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)

Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina

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

BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

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 in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove

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

Cove Club in Langley

Danny’s Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing

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 Restaurant in Grove

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill

E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

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

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Flower Bar in Grove

Forage in downtown Grove & The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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 Coffee Company in Grove

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek

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

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

Monkey Island RV Resort

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

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 (smoking on the deck)

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 (smoking...but not at lunch)

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

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 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