February 7 Random Observations of the Grand Lake Bum

Another set of boat show doors has closed for the year. The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show is in the books. Two big Tulsa shows and another big one in Oklahoma City put January boat shoppers at the front of the 2022 buyers’ line. There aren’t but a couple of shows left. If you’re in the jet-setting boat lovers’ crowd, the Miami International Boat Show runs February 16-20. In our area, only the Grand Lake Boat Show March 3-6 at the Grove Civic Center remains on the show schedule.

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A tornado is all we lacked last week to run the full gamut of Oklahoma weather. We started the week with clear blue skies, 70-degree weather and an earthquake. By Tuesday night, it was cold and raining. Rain changed to sleet Wednesday, then snow, and we started shutting down schools. By Friday night, low temperatures were single digits. A 65-degree temperature swing in five days. Hopefully, we’re getting this out of our system. Welcome Back Weekend is just days away!

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We have a great holiday weekend ahead. There has never been a better “something for everyone” Valentine weekend. Here’s the drill, guys. Get a nice hotel room, champagne and chocolates. Spend a few hours watching Winter Olympic coverage of figure skating while soothing your macho ego with the knowledge that at least one of the USA flag bearers in the Opening Ceremony was a member of the Curling team. That should give you plenty of goodwill to turn you loose for a fabulous Super Bowl Party Sunday. A Monday holiday gives you plenty of time to recover before taking your mate to an awesome Sweetheart Dinner Monday night. Truly – something for everyone! Enjoy the weekend.

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Jeff Bezos has his own problems for Valentine’s Day. His new $500 million Dutch-built yacht is almost ready to go. The only problem is, it’s so huge it won’t fit under the bridge exiting Rotterdam to get it to open water. So, what do you do? Well, you dismantle the bridge, of course, and sail your new yacht into the North Sea. Money may not be everything, but it beats whatever is in second place.

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So, the Super Bowl is Sunday, Tom Brady has retired from football, and Caleb Williams finally committed to USC. And yet, the big sports news of the week is that the NFL’S Washington Football Team has finally selected a new name. The former team from Washington are now officially the Washington “Commanders.” It only took them eighteen months to come up with that creative name. I’ll bet team owner Dan Snyder is irritated that it took so long. Now people think he named the team after President Biden’s new dog.

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Punxutawney Phil, the famous (or infamous) groundhog who supposedly holds a TV meteorologist job on the side, has made his prediction. February 2, he slinked out of his hole and saw his shadow, thereby predicting six more weeks of winter. I have three points to make regarding the predictions of this oversized rat: 1) Even trained meteorologists are right less than 50 percent of the time on their long range forecasts; 2) I saw on social media where Punxutawney Phil’s ex-wife (who now lives in Florida) says he is an habitual liar; and 3) He’s in Punxutawney, Pennsylvania. I guarantee, nobody saw any shadow of any kind at Grand Lake on February 2. Bring on the Spring. If they want six more weeks of winter in Pennsylvania, that’s fine by me.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Ben Wolfe, Caryl Fowler, Tonya Jurgensmeyer, Gene Duncan, Linda Forrester, Tamara Carrott, Chad Brewer, Brad Coston, Betty Dennis, Frank Klaus, Terry “Buffalo” Ware, George Couch, Sandi Pellow, Bob Corlett, and Mike Flanagan.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Anchor at Shangri-La features daily coverage of the Winter Olympics; but football dominates this weekend at Grand Lake as it does all across the country. Super Bowl LVI Watch Parties are all over the place Sunday. Biggest parties are at The Anchor at Shangri-La, Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, The Regatta, Mulligans, Mooney’s, and Drunken Rooster. Monday, Grand Lake Newcomers will host a “Meet & Eat” event at Events on Third in Grove (6:00).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Beijing, China is home to more billionaires than any other city on Earth.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Oklahoma connections in Sunday’s Super Bowl: OU alum Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine and Jordan Evans, and OSU alum Tre Flowers play for Cincinnati. OU’s Bobby Evans and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo play for the Rams

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: The hard part about being a bartender is figuring out who is drunk and who is just stupid.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Oklahoma’s weather went from 70 to 30 like it saw a State Trooper.  

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: My biggest fear about becoming a Zombie is all the walking.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Do they allow loud laughing in Hawaii? Or just a low ha?

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When French people swear, do they say, “Pardon my English?”

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Attorney Michael Avenatti has been found guilty of stealing $300,000 of an advance to stripper Stormy Daniels for her book about involvement with Donald Trump. Poor Stormy. She can’t catch a break. She got screwed by a guy over her book about getting screwed by a guy.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The Beatles performed live for the last time atop the Apple building in London…53 years ago. Actor Howard Hesseman, best remembered as the prototype laid-back DJ on the “WKRP in Cincinnati” TV series, died last week. He was 81 years old.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Some days I swear I’m gonna give up. Some days I swear I’ll never give up. Some days I just swear.” – Nakeia Homer

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke & Singo with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Clint Ingram performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Thursday night is karaoke night at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, and Erin Fitzgibbon entertains Friday night at the Swine. Saturday night is a huge Valentine Party with DJ K-Bandito at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Morgan Squared will perform Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon; and Saturday is also karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub.

On South Grand Lake, RocKFiscH will provide the music Saturday night at Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill. DJ Binger will handle the tunes Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill for the big Anti-Valentine’s Day Party (singles only!).

In Grove, harpist Annie Mocha entertains both Friday night and Monday night at The Regatta, with piano man J.R. Neal providing the music Saturday night. There is Friday night live entertainment by Diversity at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by karaoke Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, The George Brothers entertain Friday night, and The Sidemen take the stage Saturday night. Saturday night, Kevin Upshaw & One Night Stand will entertain at the Grove VFW.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Jon Dooly in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features Swade Diablo, and Thomas Martinez wraps up the weekend Saturday night. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, Brent Giddens will be on stage Friday night, followed by Uncrowned Kings Saturday night.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Wednesday, February 9 – Peggy Howard Burgess and her Sous Chef husband Ray Burgess will be the featured guest chefs at The Shebang. There are special Valentine Dinner menus at Doc’s Bar & Grill Saturday, Sunday & Monday nights and at The Regatta Friday, Saturday, and Monday. The Summit Restaurant offers a special Valentine Wine Dinner menu open to the public both Sunday and Monday nights. Opening soon for lunch service only: The Table Bites & Bottle at The Lakehouse in Grove. Bella Donna’s, is planned for a May opening at Honey Creek Landing Marina (the former location of The Parrot). Cadillac Jack’s, a new restaurant at Scissortail Marina (formerly Port Carlos), is also hiring for a planned opening this spring.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: NFL Honors air live Thursday night at 8:00 on ABC. Inventing Anna is available Friday on NETFLIX and Bel-Air is available Sunday on Peacock. For sports fans, coverage of the Winter Olympics continues daily on NBC – except Sunday night at 5:30 when Winter Olympic coverage will be replaced by the live broadcast of Super Bowl LVI on NBC at 5:30.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Blacklight and Death on the Nile both premier exclusively in movie theaters this week. The Sky is Everywhere is available Thursday in theaters and on Apple TV+. Marry Me is in theaters and streaming on Peacock this week.

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SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, February 22 – “Tutu” Party at The Shebang (2/22/22). Friday-Sunday, February 25-27 – 918 Grand Prix at Mid-America Outdoors. Saturday, February 26 – Mardi Gras Party at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday, February 27 – Grand Lake’s Don White will be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame at Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. Thursday-Sunday, March 3-6 – Grand Lake Boat Show at the Grove Civic Center. Friday-Sunday, March 4-6 – Welcome Back Weekend and Ice Breaker Poker Run! Thursday, March 10 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Member Luncheon at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, March 12 – Glow Golf (nighttime golf) at Shangri-La Golf Club (6:00). Sunday, March 13 – First Day of Daylight Saving Time. Friday-Saturday, March 18-19 – John Sumner’s Big Meat Run below the Pensacola Dam in Disney. Saturday, March 19 – St. Patrick’s Day Party at Monkey Island Pub. Saturday, March 19 – InVESTment dinner to raise money for protective vests for Delaware County officers. Sunday, March 20 – Open House at Spring Valley Ranch (1:00-4:00).

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It’s a big week for football fans. Super Bowl LVI is Sunday with the L.A. Rams hosting the Cincinnati Bengals. Kick-off is at 5:30 Sunday. Prior to Super Bowl Sunday, presentation of NFL Honors airs Thursday night at 8:00.

Winter Olympics are happening full on! Coverage is on NBC and USA daily through January 20 with prime time coverage at 6:00 each evening.

There’s great college basketball this week. OU is at Kansas Saturday at noon and OSU travels to Lawrence Monday night at 8:00. OU hosts Texas at 6:00 next Tuesday night. Arkansas is at Alabama at 11:00 Saturday morning before Traveling to Missouri Tuesday night at 8:00.

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder are on the road for back-to-back games at Philadelphia Friday (6:00) and Chicago Saturday (7:00), before heading to New York Monday night at 6:30. They’re back home to host San Antonio Wednesday at 7:00.

The PGA players are in Phoenix this week for Waste Management Phoenix Open. Live coverage will begin on the Golf Channel at 2:00 Thursday & Friday, and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and Sunday.

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It looks like we might have a little preview of Spring weather Friday, with sunny skies and a high temperature pushing 60. We’ll keep the sunshine throughout the weekend, but temperatures will drop off by about 15 degrees. Saturday & Sunday will have highs in the mid-40s and lows in the upper 20s. Fortunately, there are plenty of indoor options for entertainment, and it’s a good time to find a nice spot to enjoy some great music, watch The Winter Olympics or catch the Super Bowl. Remember, though, no matter where 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

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

Cafeteria at The Layk House on Monkey Island

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

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

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill at Grand Meridian

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

Forage 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