July 16 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Somebody actually asked me this week, “so, how was your summer?” WTH??? Are you kidding me? Summer on Grand Lake isn’t even half over, yet. It’s been less than a month since the official First Day of Summer. C’mon, people! Don’t get silly on me. I spent the last weekend at a great pig roast, luau party (both at Monkey Island Pub), enjoyed lots of live music, had some karaoke fun, hung out by the pool, enjoyed a raft-up, celebrated with friends and beverages (not necessarily in that order), and tried to stay cool in 100-degree heat. And look at the weekend ahead: Grand Bobber Drop, Aquapalooza, Ugly’s Hole-in-One competition, golf tournaments, live music. The right question is, “How IS your summer?” So far, so good, thank you. But there’s three months of it left!

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The Oklahoma State Board of Health certainly kicked up quite a ruckus last week when they approved a rule against the advice of counsel banning smokable medical marijuana in dispensaries that will be set up following voter approval of State Question 788. The State of Florida has been going through the same situation for the past 16 months. The legislature banned smokable medical marijuana in Florida. Las month, however, Judge Karen Gievers ruled the Florida ban unconstitutional. Oklahoma leaders of the House and Senate are appointing a bi-partisan group to try to undo what the Board of Health screwed up. We’ll see.

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They say that life is full of lessons, and many of us find that we are going from one lesson to the next. That was the case for some thieves who were trying to make a hasty retreat with some gas in Australia. Apparently, they felt that they needed gas enough that they went to a tour bus in the middle of the night and siphon out the tank. That’s exactly what they did, but….ummm…wrong tank. When they started sucking on the siphon hose, they quickly realized they were siphoning straight out of the sewage tank! Sometimes committing a crime just leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

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I’m not sure which is more embarrassing for Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Joe Trillo – hitting a rock in his yacht forcing the Coast Guard to rescue him – or the fact that he was campaigning by traveling up and down the beaches of Rhode Island with a banner on his 65-foot yacht.

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The school board in Hartshorne, down in Southeastern Oklahoma, has voted to allow teachers to carry guns at school. I’m sure glad none of my teachers were packing heat where I grew up out in western Oklahoma! Down in Hartshorne it’s probably okay, though. I’m pretty sure most of the students are already carrying.

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Wouldn’t it be ironic if Popeye’s Chicken was fried in Olive Oil?

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I may start eating breakfast after all these years. “Spreadable Whisky,” a single malt marmalade has just been announced. Good breakfast options are starting to crowd each other off the shelves. There’s also Tiptree Orange and Whisky Marmalade, Makers Mark Kumquat Marmalade, Spreadable Beer, and Gin & Tonic Toast. Not kidding, boys and girls. Google it.

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TRANSLATION OF THE WEEK: German word for constipation: farfrompoopen.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: Answering the phone, “Sheriff’s Department, fraud division,” has sure cut down on the telemarketing calls.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen at Lowe’s): Freezer capacities: one person 3-7 cubic feet. Small family 8-14 cubic feet. Medium to large family 15-26 cubic feet. (So, Lowe’s is now taking the guesswork out of storing bodies.)

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The first McDonald’s was a barbecue restaurant.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Too old for Snapchat. Too young for Life Alert.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: John F. Kennedy accepted the Democratic nomination for President of the United States 58 years ago last week. John F. Kennedy’s, Jr.’s plane was lost over the waters of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts 19 years ago this week.

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BEST OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Don’t irritate old people. The older they get, the less “life in prison” is a deterrent.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Joe Carter, Sharon Burnett, Erin Davis, Bailey Stanphill, Bobby Stem, Bill Flegler, Gary Gilstrap, Carolyn Cavins, Rene Talley, Jack Kirkpatrick, David Poindexter, Cindy Dunavant, Kent Jopling, Liz Poole, Dennis McCulla, Nathan Gunter, Peggy Kiefer-Steed, Shawn Webb, Randy Sullivan, Christina Riggs, Dean Ruth, and Heather Lillard.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What if James Brown didn’t feel good? What if Journey stopped believing? What if the Devil never went down to Georgia?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s a really big week on Grand Lake! The Junior Club Championship Tournament is at Shangri-La Golf Club Thursday and Friday– and the Legislative Family Getaway is here Thursday-Saturday with a special Legislative Breakfast Friday morning (7:30) at Trinity Baptist Church in Grove and the Legislative Golf Tournament Saturday at Shangri-La. Saturday is the date for two very large on-the-water events at Grand Lake, as well – Grand Bobber Drop (Monkey Island, Honey Creek, Sailboat Bridge areas) and  Aquapalooza (between the spillways at Disney); and Ugly’s Hole-in-One competition returns to Ugly John’s Thunder Bay Marina beginning Saturday and continuing each weekend through August 25.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s always a lot of great entertainment around the lake. On Monkey Island this weekend, Risky Business entertains Saturday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina. You are the star on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang with karaoke fun Friday andSaturday nights, and the dance floor will be hoppin’ with music by D.J. Deeko right across the street both Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Up highway 125, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub. At the Blind Swine, there’s live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night, with karaoke Sunday and Tuesday; and at Littlefield Corner, the Road Hog Saloon also features live entertainment on Saturday nights.

If live theatre is more your style, there’s an incredible “participation play” production of Nightingale at Playmakers in Grove Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday nights at7:00 and Sunday afternoon at 2:00; and Picture in Scripture Amphitheater features the live production of Damascus Road Friday and Saturday night east of Disney.

On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Bar & Grill at Grand Lodge in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night.

Friday night, Tyler Brant will provide the entertainment at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, followed by The Rumor Saturday night. There is always Friday & Saturdaynight entertainment & karaoke fun on the deck at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina; and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney features live music by Reverse Reaction Saturday night and Brett & Terri next Wednesday night, July 25.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of The Reeves Brothers both Friday and Saturday nights. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Friday night is music by Whiskey Poet Society; and Cedar Creek entertains Saturday. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, Big Smitty will perform Friday night. At Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, 90 Lb. Wrench will be on stage Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Phil Vaught performs Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Stonehorse Friday and The Uncrowned Kings Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including PGA Golf, Major League Baseball, and NASCAR are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina, Monkey Island Pub, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Duck, Duck, Goose and Father of the Year will both be available on NETFLIX Friday. Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived airsMonday night at 8:00 on PBS; and the series premiere of Castle Rock will be available next Wednesday on Hulu.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Equalizer 2 and Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Dating sites really work. A poll shows that 12% of Americans met their spouse online, while 88% met someone else’s spouse online.” – Argus Hamilton

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, July 28 – Ship Stores Poker Run out of Cedar Port Marina. Saturday, July 28 – Members Golf Cart Drive-In Movie Night at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday-Sunday, August 4-5 – Big Bass Cash Tournament. Saturday, August 11 – Premiere of the movie “Wedding Belles” at the Cinema 6 in Grove followed by an after party at Big Shots on Monkey Island. Saturday, August 18 – Cars for Critters Car Show at Grove Civic Center. Wednesday, August 22 – Will Rogers Rodeo Parade in downtown Vinita (11:00 a.m.)

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The big kids on the PGA Tour will be in Scotland this week for The Open Championship which returns to Shinnecock Hill for the first time since 2004.  You’ll have to either stay up late or get up really early to watch it live. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 12:30 a.m. Thursday & Friday and 3:00 Saturday & Sunday mornings. There’s also more civilized scheduled coverage at 8:30 Thursday & Friday mornings on the Golf Channel and coverage beginning at 6:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday on NBC.

Everybody who didn’t make The Open will be in Kentucky for the Barbasol Championship. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 4:00 Thursday & Fridayafternoons and at 3:00 Saturday & Sunday.

Major League Baseball features some great rivalries this week. The Cardinals will visit the Cubs Thursday at 6:00 (ESPN) and again Saturday at 6:00 (Fox). The Yankees host the Mets Sunday night at 7:00 (ESPN), the Cubs host the Diamondbacks Monday night at 7:00 (ESPN) and the Red Sox visit the Orioles next Wednesdaynight at 6:00 (ESPN).

NASCAR drivers are at in New Hampshire this weekend for Sunday afternoon racing. Coverage of the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 begins at 1:00 Sunday on NBCSN.

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The weekend forecast looks great for all the scheduled on-the-water stuff – but it’s going to be hot, hot, hot. Highs pushing 100. Stay hydrated, my friend. There’s certainly plenty of fun on the Grand Lake agenda this weekend – both outside and inside. Be safe, have fun, and stay hydrated. And, remember…wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me; and I need to stay hydrated, too.

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.

1909 in Downtown Grove

Ailey’s Café in Langley

American Grill in Grove

Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)

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 Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Bobbers Café in Langley

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café Italia on Monkey Island

Café Yum in Grove

Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)

Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Coffee Shelter in Ketchum

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

Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina

Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lodge in Ketchum (smoking)

Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

Karrie's Kaboose in Langley (smoking)

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Lakeside Bar & Grill in Grove at Sail Boat Bridge

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)

Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South

Pickles at the Lake in Langley

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)

Scooters in Langley (smoking)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora

Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)

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 Office on Monkey Island (smoking)

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

Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove