January 29 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

If you’ve missed the first two big Oklahoma boat shows of the year, you have another chance this week. The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show runs through Sunday at Tulsa’s SageNet Center at the fairgrounds. After that, you just have one more chance. The Grand Lake Boat Show will be at the Craig County Fairgrounds March 8-10.

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As the bull riders say, “Grab a tight hold and get a faraway look in your eye. February is here. That means the Oklahoma legislature goes into session Monday. Newspaper editor Gideon Tucker said it first back in 1866, but it’s still true today: “No man’s life, liberty, are safe while the legislature is in session.”

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All the top NFL players got frustrated with getting hurt while playing as an honor in the annual “Pro Bowl” game – so they changed the format a little to protect the players. The Pro Bowl “Flag Football” game will be Sunday afternoon at 2:00. I’m guessing there will be no injuries…and about that same number of viewers.

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Speaking of football, how’s this for a double standard? When Jason Kelce takes off his shirt and starts chugging beer with strangers, it’s a great celebration…but when I do it, it’s “time to go home.”

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Things that make you go, “Hmmm.” Chaya Raichick is a Brooklyn-based, right-wing, anti-LGTBQ+ social media influencer whose falsified attacks on a Tulsa Union school librarian preceded days of bomb threats and learning disruptions. Now, she has a new position. State School Superintendent Ryan Walters appointed her to the Oklahoma State Department of Education Library Media Advisory Committee. Gee, what could possibly go wrong?

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A scammer called a buddy of mine the other day, threatening him by claiming to have all his passwords. My buddy had only one reaction: “Thank God! I’ve got a pen and paper. What are they?”

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers JoAnn Schaub, Justin Tesreau, Steve Hudiburg, Dianna McIntyre, Lynn Moore, Pete Moss, Dan Moore, Mark Blanchat, Lance Ledbetter, Kelly Long, Jade Jennings, Amber Forrest, Stacy Landon, Dave Moore, Lori Lillard, Christi King, and Laura Goss.          

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. There’s plenty happening around the lake this week! The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show is underway at SageNet Center, Tulsa State Fairgrounds and continues through Sunday. Wednesday night is “Guest Chef Night” at The Shebang. Guest Chef this week is my pal Mickey Landers. 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. Friday is the First Friday Wine Share at Still Waters Salon & Day Spa in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Saturday night is SINGO Competition with Jason Morgan at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Monday is a “Ladies Fun Day” Pickleball Clinic – drills, mixers, and lunch at Shangri-La Racquet Club (8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) Next Tuesday is Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor (7:00 p.m.); and next Wednesday is the annual Home of Hope Chocolate Affair at the Craig County Fairgrounds (6:00-8:00 p.m.).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Native Oklahoma Singer/songwriter Roger Miller said he joined the Army at 17 to avoid going to jail for stealing a guitar.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: One of the most famous movie lines in history was never said. We often quote, “Play it again, Sam,” from Casablanca; but the real line is, “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’”

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Lake Superior contains 3 quadrillion gallons of water – enough to submerge all of North and South America in one foot of water.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I found $20 laying in the parking lot and thought to myself, “What would Jesus do?” So, I turned it into wine.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Joe’s Radiator Shop: A Great Place to Take a Leak

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I saw two blind guys fighting. You shoud’ve seen the look on their faces when I said, “My money’s on the one with the knife.”

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PUN OF THE WEEK: Caught my son chewing on electrical wires. So, I grounded him. He’s doing better currently, and conducting himself properly.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How did the guy who invented cottage cheese know when he was done?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Apparently men are like fine wine. They start out as grapes and it’s up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society.” – Mark Twain

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Actor Ryan O’Neal who skyrocketed to fame in the classic movie “Love Story” died last week. He was 82.  Remember the fabulous CBS newsman Charles Osgood? He took over “On the Road” from Charles Kuralt. He hosted “CBS Sunday Morning” for years. He died last week at age 91. Everybody knows about Grand Lake’s Shangri-La, but do you remember the 1960s band named “The Shangri-Las?” Mary Weiss, lead singer of the group most famous for “Leader of the Pack” died last week at the age of 75.

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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, R. Jay Smith entertains live at Doc’s; and DJ K-Bandito hosts the musical fun Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots. Jason Morgan hosts SINGO competition Saturday evening at The Anchor (6:00-9:00). Erin Fitzgibbon entertains Friday night at the Blind Swine, and Kevin Upshaw will be live at the Swine Saturday night.

On South Grand, Friday night is Karaoke Night at The Copper Penny in Ketchum.

In Grove, there are two nights of live music at Cherokee Casino featuring Three Dollar Rocket Friday night, followed by Phil Vaught Saturday night.

Brett n’ Terri start the weekend entertainment Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino. Bobby DeGonia takes over the stage Friday night followed by The Rumor Saturday night.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Mickey Landers is the special “Guest Chef” this week (Wednesday night) at The Shebang. Legacy Diner (2-Boyz & a Grill re-vamped) is now open at the former Lester’s 3^rd Street Diner location in Grove. Piguets Prime Time will offer a Sunday Brunch buffet this week (11:00-2:00) and will continue doing so on the first Sunday of each month. Blind Swine on Monkey Island now has an extensive menu of “bar food.” The Artichoke Restaurant in Langley has now reopened, but only on Friday and Saturday evenings.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The new series Mr. and Mrs. Smith will be available Friday on Prme Video. Jeff Dunham: I’m with Cupid airs Saturday night at 7:00 on Comedy Central. Sunday night, The 66^th Annual Grammy Awards show airs live at 7:00 on CBS; and Curb Your Enthusiasm returns and 9:00 on HBO.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Argylle and Scrambled debut in movie theaters this week, joining Mean Girls.

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, February 10 – COW Week Daddy-Daughter Dance at the Grove High School PAC (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Sunday, February 11 – Super Bowl Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (4:00 p.m. party – 5:30 kickoff). Monday, February 12 – Grand Lake Newcomers Club Mix, Mingle & Movie at Rancho Viejo in Grove (5:00 p.m. followed by a movie at Grove Cinema 7). Wednesday, February 14 – Valentine Wine Dinner at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La. Saturday, February 17 – “Valentine in Black & White” Valentine Gala (dinner & dance with music by “Hook”) at Shangri-La Resort Hotel. Sunday, February 18 – NBA All-Star Game watch party at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Sunday, February 18 – COW Week Pickleball 101 Clinics at Shangri-La Racquet Club (2:00-6:00). Sunday, February 18 – Opening Day for “Persnickety or The Ironic Passion of Carlicious” at Playmakers in Grove. Thursday, February 22 – South Grand Lake Chamber monthly Membership luncheon at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (11:30 a.m.) Thursday-Sunday, February 22-25 – Miami Little Theatre presents “Arsenic and Old Lace” at the Coleman Theatre (7:00 p.m. Thurs-Sat and 2:30 Sunday). Friday, March 1 – MYKC Golf Scramble at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.). Saturday, March 2 – COW Week Pickleball Tournament at the Shangri-La Racquet Club. 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. Wednesday, March 13 – COW Week Talent Show at the Grove PAC (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 16 – St. Patty’s Day Party at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina (6:00 p.m.).

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Now that we’re down to just two teams in the NFL, we have a little waiting period before Super Bowl LVIII on February 11. This week, we’ll fill the time with some fun for Pro Bowl honorees. The Pro Bowl Skills Showdown airs Thursday night at 6:00 – and the final skills showdown and flag football fun will air Sunday afternoon at 2:00.

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder wrap up a nice home stand this week. After hosting Minnesota Monday and Denver Wednesday, the Thunder host Charlotte Friday at 7:00 and Toronto Sunday at 6:00 before hitting the road again to face Utah next Tuesday at 8:00.

College basketball conference play continues this week. OSU hosts Kansas Kansas State at 1:00 Saturday while OU is on the road at UCF at 3:00. Next Tuesday, OSU is at Houston at 6:00 while OU hosts BYU at 7:00.

On the PGA Tour, it’s time for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Coverage begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

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Friday looks like the nicest day of the weekend ahead. We should have a high in the mid-50s and a low around 40. Then, the bottom starts to drop out again. Saturday & Sunday, we’ll start seeing high temperatures in the low 40s – and lows below freezing again. It looks like a good weekend to party inside, so party on! 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

Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove

Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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

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)

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 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

Flower Bar in Grove

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

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 Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

The Artichoke north of Langley

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