July 17 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Mother Nature smiled on some big Grand Lake events over the past weekend despite some stormy after-dark action. Sunshine and temperatures that were at least bearable greeted the participants in the Oklahoma Legislative Grand Lake Getaway Weekend and the thousands who enjoyed the annual Aquapalooza on-the-water concert at Willow Park Marina in Ketchum Cove – as well as the throngs who flocked to their favorite raft-out spots on the lake. Monkey Island 4-Ball Golf tournament participants had a little early rain Friday, but weather was perfect for most of their two-day event. Only the GCPAAA Car Show organizers decided to re-schedule their event until September because of the forecast for rain (that turned into a cloudless day of sunshine, instead). If you’re planning some fun on Grand Lake, you’re always smart to watch the actual weather – NOT the weather forecasts!

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The awesome Aquapalooza fun last weekend was the first of two on-the-water concerts in Ketchum Cove. There’s another one this weekend. “Splash Bash” will be in Ketchum Cove near Hammerhead Marina Saturday afternoon. If you missed Aquapalooza, head for Ketchum Cove Saturday. This is the last on-the-water concert at Grand Lake until Labor Day weekend when there’s the giant two-day Boats, Beats & BBQ is scheduled for September 2-3 in Wolf Creek. Mark your calendar.

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In case you missed it, the SAG-AFTRA Actors’ union went on strike, joining the Writers Guild which was already striking. That doesn’t seem like a very tough decision to me. With no writers, there are no scripts…so what is there for actors to do, anyway? That said, I’m sure the studios will try to work something out with the writers before they deal with actors. Unless the writers get back to work, we STILL won’t need any actors!

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Long goodbyes! Elton John began his lengthy “Yellow Brick Road Farewell Tour” in September, 2018, and wrapped it up with his final live concert in Sweden July 8. Not to be outdone, The Eagles will kick off “The Long Goodbye Final Tour” September 7 at Madison Square Garden. Dates of the “Final Tour” are expected to run through 2025.

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If you have the urge to vacation jammed like sardines with almost 8,000 of your closest friends, “Icon of the Seas” sets sail in January. The world’s largest ship, weighing 250,800 tons, rises 19 stories above the sea, accommodating 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew members with more than 40 bars, restaurants, and bowling alleys. Tickets start at $1,900. No, thank you!

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I learned something this week that I should have known years ago, but I didn’t. I’m not sure it’s the worst business decision EVER, but it has to be close. In 1979 Magic Johnson turned down Nike’s offer of 100,000 shares of stock and $1 for every pair of shoes sold. Instead, he accepted an offer from Converse who offered him $100,000 per year. Johnson lost approximately $5 billion by declining the Nike offer.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Rene Talley, Tricia Covel, Jack Kirkpatrick, Bobbie Callison, Dennis McCulla, Shawn Webb, Cindy Dunavant, Kent Jopling, David Poindexter, Randy Sullivan, Christina Riggs, Peggy Kiefer-Steed, Emily York, Heather Lillard, Katie Merrill, and Susie Kraft.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Har-Ber Village reopens Thursday after repairing storm damage. Thursday is the Shangri-La Junior Club Championship Tournament. Thursday night is the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at Legacy Event Center (5:30). Friday morning is a Grove Chamber Ribbon Cutting at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort (10:00). Friday & Saturday is the big “Rigs at the Run” truck show at Buffalo Run Casino. Friday is the July “Sunset Cruise” from Shangri-La Marina (7:00). Saturday morning is Farmers’ Market in downtown Grove (9:00-2:00). The Shangri-La Club Championship Tournament is Saturday & Sunday. Saturday is “Splash Bash” in Ketchum Cove (1:00); and Saturday evening is a Benefit Concert for Dawayne George at Grand Meridian RV Park (5:00 p.m.), as well as a Hot Havana Nights member party at Cherokee Yacht Club (8:00).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: 85% of the universe is “dark matter,” which is a way of saying we have no idea what it is or how it operates.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Famed Beatle Ringo Starr and Joe Walsh of The Eagles are brothers-in-law.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Bobby Jones, one of the most legendary names in golf history, never played golf as a professional.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I tried to re-marry my ex-wife, but she figured out I was only after my money.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Trojan Condoms $3.25 – Huggies Diapers $22.00. Compare and Save!

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: FYI, you pee on a jellyfish sting, not a jelly stain. Again, my apologies to the lady at the Waffle House this morning.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Isn’t the Grand Canyon just gorges?

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why can’t you make another word using all the letters in “anagram?”

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Things that make you go, “hmmm.” I saw a personalized “Don’t Tread on Me” Oklahoma license plate. So…in order to make sure everyone knows they don’t trust the government, folks are actually sending extra money to….the government?

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.” – David Sipress

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie, the son of even more famous Woody Guthrie, turned 76 years old last week.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off on Doc’s Patio Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun at the Thursday night Shrimp Boil. Ryan Graham performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar features Brett N’ Terri Saturday night. Terry Jordan entertains at The Summit Restaurant Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings. DJ K-Bandito hosts the weekend musical fun at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze Friday & Saturday nights; and across the street, there’s karaoke on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday nights. DJ Kennedy brings Rockstar Karaoke fun to Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, Randy Steele kicks off the weekend Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill followed by The Oliver Brothers Band Friday and Ryan Graham both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at 4:30. The Barrett Lewis Duo will entertain Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, and Whiskey Poet Society will be on stage Saturday night. Sharky’s also features acoustic music most Sunday afternoons. Saturday afternoon is another on-the-water show featuring The Hype performing at Splash Bash in Ketchum Cove. The weekend musical fun always starts on Thursday nights with karaoke fun at The Drunken Rooster. This week, Downbeat will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at the Rooster followed by Empire Saturday night. The Faulconers, Lickitty Split, Oklahoma Moon, and Zimmeroo will perform at the benefit for Dawayne George of The George Brothers Saturday at Grand Meridian RV Park (5:00). Magen Faulconer will be on stage at Blind Swine Duck Creek Sunday afternoon.  

In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music from Bill & Monica Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. Brent Giddens entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by The Brandon Butler Band Saturday night.

TJ Scarlett kicks off the weekend Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Bad Decisions Friday night and Constant Chaos Saturday.

Jeff Tatum & The Palomino Moon Band will provide the music Saturday night at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West. Jon Reep will provide the stand-up comedy fun at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace Friday night.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: The Canteen at The Battlefield Golf Course at Shangri-La offers food & beverage service Thursday-Tuesday (closed Wednesday). Lee’s Resort Café is now open daily from 8:00-8:00. Two Chefs Chillin’ mobile food cart is now operating Saturday nights from 8:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. at Monkey Island Pub – and the Pub is now open only Wednesday-Saturday. The Galley at Shangri-La’s Anchor Activity Park now offers food service seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. Shebang is now serving Sunday Brunch (9:00-1:00).

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Special Ops: Lioness debuts Sunday night on Paramount+. The Lincoln Lawyer and Quarterback are both available on NETFLIX. Futurama returns to HULU Monday.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Oppenheimer and Barbie both open in movie theaters Friday. The Deepest Breath is available this week on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, July 27 – Grand Lake Newcomers Club Luncheon at Doc’s at Shangri-La Resort (11:30 a.m.). Saturday, July 29 – Celebration of Life Benefit, Dinner & Auction for Jon Wilson at Monkey Island Pub (3:00). Saturday, July 29 – End of Summer Vendor Event at the Drunken Rooster (11:00-5:00). Friday-Saturday, August 4-5 – Run a Monkey Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Friday-Sunday, August 4-6 – Tax Free Weekend in Oklahoma. Friday, August 11 – Mary Moore Charity Golf Tournament & Silent Auction at Shangri-La Golf Club. Monday-Tuesday, August 21-22 – Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association Partnership Championship Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday-Sunday, August 26-27 – Race to Shangri-La Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Friday, September 1 – Food Truck Friday in downtown Grove. Saturday & Sunday, September 2-3 – Boats, Beats & BBQ Festival & Formula 1 Powerboat Racing at Wolf Creek Park in Grove.

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It’s soccer time! The FIFA Women’s World Cup gets underway this week in Australia and New Zealand. Because of the time difference, you’ll have to be up in the middle of the night to watch many of the matches, but defending champion USA faces Vietnam Friday night at 8:00 and they’ll take on The Netherlands next Wednesday night at 8:00, both on Fox.

Professional Golfers still spread around the world this week. The Barracuda Championship is at Lake Tahoe with coverage exclusively on The Golf Channel at 4:00 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. All eyes will be on Great Britain, though, for The Open Championship. Time difference is a challenge for that event, as well, but coverage of the final two rounds will be on NBC Saturday beginning at 6:00 a.m. and Sunday at 5:00 a.m.

NASCAR drivers are at Pocono this week for the Pocono 400. Coverage begins at 1:30 Sunday afternoon on USA Network.

There’s some good pro baseball on TV this week, too. The Red Sox host the Mets Saturday at 3:00 and again Sunday at 6:00. Atlanta is at Milwaukee Saturday evening at 6:00.

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Weather for the weekend ahead looks really nice. Highs will be around 90 degrees with lows in the mid-60s – and sunshine most of the time during the day. It’s another great weekend for 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

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)

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

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Blue Cat Bistro at Har-Ber Village

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

Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove

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

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

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 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

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

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

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 Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

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