February 6 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

All of the January boat shows are now in the rearview mirror, a nasty batch of winter weather is behind us, and we have our total focus on a big weekend ahead! It’s Valentine’s weekend, Phoenix Open screaming golf weekend, and Super Bowl LVII weekend. There are special Valentine menus at all your favorite restaurants, lots of live entertainment, and Super Bowl parties all over the region Sunday night. If you can’t find a party you like at Grand Lake this weekend, you’re not really trying.

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If Valentine’s Day isn’t exactly your favorite because of bad memories of an ex, the 2^nd Chance Pet Rescue in Grove has you covered (pun intended). For a donation, they’ll write the name of your ex on the bottom of a litter box and let their adoptable cats do what they will with it. The zoo in San Antonio is taking the anti-Valentine challenge even further. For $10 you can name a cockroach after your not-so-special someone – and feed it to an animal at the zoo.

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Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, saw his shadow on the designated day. The myth is, of course, that means six more weeks of winter. Just remember, Punxsutawney is in Pennsylvania. If they have six more weeks of winter, it’s fine with me. Here at Grand Lake, we’re watching a trusted gopher, “Monkey Island Mel.” He popped his head up on February 2, and saw no shadow. Get ready to dewinterize the boats. Welcome Back weekend is less than a month away!

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Wandering through a list of court filings, I found an interesting tip for my drinking friends. If you’re a Fireball drinker, be sure to buy it at a liquor store. It’s 33% pure whisky. The company is being sued for misrepresenting their Fireball Cinnamon that is sold in grocery stores. It contains no whisky, and is only 16.5% alcohol.

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen skipped the Pro Bowl festivities over the weekend due to “injury,” but he competed at Pebble Beach. It’s okay, though. I’m sure he’s not the first person who called in sick to work just so he could go play golf.

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In the same vein, Tom Brady faking retirement last year to get divorced only to officially retire this year to play golf the rest of his life is why he’s the GOAT.

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Just in case you want to skip all the great Super Bowl parties on Grand Lake and attend the game in person instead, here’s a little buzz-kill. The cheapest tickets for Super Bowl LVII Sunday are priced at $4,859.00 apiece.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Steve Weatherford, Tom Bailey, Sandy Garrett, Steve Brewer, Ben Wolfe, Tonya Jurgensmeyer, Lisa McFadden, Larry Burns, Gene Duncan, Lynda Forrester, Jim Lee, Chad Brewer, Dustin Able, Tamara Carrott, Frank Klaus, Brad Coston, Betty Dennis, and Terry “Buffalo” Ware.  

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Saturday evening is the C.O.W. (Change Our World) CrossFit Games Competition at Wolf Creek CrossFit in Grove (5:00 p.m.). There are Valentine’s Specials at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday-Tuesday evenings. Saturday night is the Pimps & Hos Costume Party at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday, there are big Super Bowl Parties at The Anchor at Shangri-La, Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, Bella Donna’s in Grove, the Drunken Rooster in Cleora, and Mooney’s in Disney. There’s the normal weekly trivia competition Thursday night at Mooney’s and Tuesday night at The Anchor at Shangri-La.   

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Craig County, Oklahoma is named for Granville Craig, a Cherokee farmer from near Welch.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Travis and Jason – the Kelce brothers – have captured most of the “first-ever” publicity leading up to Sunday’s Super Bowl – but how about Andy Reid’s spot in history? He is the only coach to win 100+ games with two different teams – and both of those teams are playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl. He is the winningest coach in Philadelphia Eagles history and, if he wins Sunday, he will tie Hank Stram as the winningest coach in Kansas City Chiefs history.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: During the month of February, we will add one hour of daylight to each day. Next month, March 12, we’ll set our clocks forward one hour to put that daylight where it belongs – at the end of the day!

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK (on Dolly Parton’s Facebook page): Dolly Parton is not affiliated with, has not endorsed, and is not associated with any keto or CBD gummy product. She’s more the cake, cookie, and cornbread type.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Touching Wires Causes Instant Death! $200 fine.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: The Flat Earth Society has members all around the globe.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Two silkworms had a race. They both ended up in a tie.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If it’s a requirement for vehicles to be road-worthy, why isn’t it a requirement for roads to be vehicle-worthy?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: None of the last sixteen quarterbacks to lose in their Super Bowl debut has ever made it back to the big game.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Cindy Williams, best known for her role as Shirley opposite Penny Marshall’s Laverne in the sitcom “Laverne & Shirley,” died last week at the age of 75. The popular TV series “Dukes of Hazzard” made its debut 44 years ago.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It’s not where you start. It’s where you finish. I’ll always be an Oklahoma Sooner. I don’t know why Alabama wants to claim me now.” – Jalen Hurts

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s some great entertainment around the lake to start off the new year. On Monkey Island, the fun kicks off at Doc’s Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun. Ryan Graham performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Friday night is Open Mic Night for Grand Lake area songwriters at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and DJ Chris Kennedy will lead the DJ and karaoke fun at Monkey Island Pub.  

On South Grand, Brent Giddens will perform Friday night at The Drunken Rooster followed by DJ Mo Saturday night; and Wilkie Jay will provide the entertainment Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music from Bobby DeGonia Friday night and more karaoke Saturday. DJ Gragg entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by music from D’ Elegantz Saturday night.

Aaron Lewis will be on stage with an acoustic concert Saturday night at Downstream Casino (although the show is sold out). The Randy Rogers Band will be on stage in Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace Friday night with special guest Tanner Usrey.  The Midwestern Playboys will provide the music Saturday night at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Terrei Phipps and Tammie Koehler will split Guest Chef duties Wednesday night at The Shebang. Valentine Dinner specials begin Friday and continue through Tuesday at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. The resort’s Summit Restaurant will also be open to the public for Valentine’s dinner Tuesday, February 14. Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Country Club has a special Valentine menu Saturday night only. Bella Donna’s in Grove offers special Valentine dining menus Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday nights. Arrowhead Yacht Club features Valentine menus both Friday & Saturday nights. The Cove Club is not normally open on Tuesday nights, but next week they will be open with a special Valentine Dinner menu. Big Shots Rhythm & Booze is now open at 5:00 p.m. for Happy Hour Friday & Saturdays at 5:00, in addition to their late-night dance fun on Saturdays. BOOM is now open atop The Regatta in Grove with lots of sports screens, beverages, BBQ, wings, and pizza. R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon is also now open in the Cheapo Depot shopping center in Grove. Arrowhead Yacht Club is now open, but Cherokee is closed for the month of February (although Hookers at CYC remains open).

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Puppy Bowl XIX airs Sunday afternoon at 1:00 on TBS and Discovery. Super Bowl LVII kicks off Sunday at 5:30 on Fox followed by a new episode of Next Level Chef at approximately 9:30.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: 80 for Brady, Blacklight, Marry Me, and Death on the Nile all open in movie theaters this week. The In Between is available Friday on Paramount+.  Your Place or Mine debuts Friday on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, February 16 – Grove Chamber Business After Hours at NEO Orthopedics and Rehabilitation in Grove (5:00 p.m.). Friday-Tuesday, February 17-21 – Mardi Gras drink and food at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Saturday, February 18 – Cool Breeze returns for a performance at Big Shots. Sunday, February 19 – Readers Theater at Playmakers in Grove (2:00 p.m.). Monday, February 20 – Carden International Circus at Miami Civic Center (4:30 & 7:30). Saturday, February 25 – Mardi Gras Buffet & Costume Party at The Summit Restaurant. Saturday, February 25 – Mardi Gras Party at Monkey Island Publ. Saturday, February 25 – Grove Sports, Inc. Daddy-Daughter Dance at Grove City Hall (6:00 p.m.). Sunday, March 3-5 – Welcome Back Weekend! Friday, March 3 – First Friday Wine Share at Legacy Event Center in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 3-5 – Grove Home & Garden Show at former Whoops store location in Grove. Wednesday, March 8 – “Grove’s Got Talent” C.O.W. (Change Our World) Talent Show at GHS Performing Arts Center (6:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, March 9-12 – Big Meat Run in the South Grand Lake Recreational Area. Friday-Sunday, March 17-19 – Grand Lake Boat and Sport Show at the Craig County Community Center in Vinita. 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).

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It’s Super Bowl Week. The Chiefs and Eagles square off in the biggest and last football game of the NFL Season Sunday. Super Bowl LVII kicks off at 5:30 Sunday.

The NBA season rolls on this week, too. The OKC Thunder continue their road trip out west this week at Portland Friday (9:00). Monday, they’re back home hosting New Orleans (7:00) followed by the return of the Houston Rockets Wednesday (7:00).

There are some good college basketball games in the area this week, too. OU hosts Kansas Saturday at noon followed by K-State next Tuesday at 8:00. OSU is on the road at Iowa State Saturday at 5:00 before returning home to host Kansas next Tuesday at 8:00. Kansas State is at Texas Tech Saturday at 6:00 before traveling to OU Tuesday.

PGA Players are in Phoenix for everybody’s favorite tournament – The WM Phoenix Open. Coverage starts at 2:00 Thursday and Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.

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It looks like we’ll have pretty nice weather for Valentine/Super Bowl weekend. The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies, highs ranging from the mid-40s to mid-50s with lows in the mid-30s. There are incredible parties celebrating the Valentine holiday and Super Bowl weekend, so get out there and have some 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

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

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

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