July 24 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Big announcements bring out the worst in people, don’t they? I couldn’t believe all the social media posts from pessimists, know-it-alls, naysayers, and just plain ol’ hateful folks after the big announcement of the planned American Heartland Theme Park between Vinita and Bernice last week. On top of all the negativism from otherwise seemingly normal people, the masses showed their ignorance again. “That $2 billion should be spent on roads, bridges and highways,” one person wrote. Another said, “They should put that money into education, not theme parks.” Your attention please…this is NOT a government project. Private investors are investing in this project. As for if and when any or all of this $2 billion project will be completed, I have on idea. And, by the way…neither do any of the folks who felt the urge to bad-mouth developers with all their negative comments on social media sites.
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For some reason, there weren’t such negative comments about the Colorado-based Notes Live company’s announcement of planned gigantic Amphitheaters to host future concerts in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City. It’s like the whole entertainment world just noticed Oklahoma last week! Very cool.
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Amsterdam, on the other hand, is heading the other direction. They have become such a popular world destination that they have decided to ban cruise ships in an effort to reduce pollution by reducing tourism. That same thing happened years ago when I was in Roadtown, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. I got locked in a Pusser’s Rum bar because all the businesses decided to lock their doors when a cruise line brought the first ship in as a test. Locals had decided they didn’t want to have their little village bombarded by thousands of strangers all at once, so they all closed while the cruise ship was there so passengers would complain that there was nothing to do – and the cruise ships would never come back. It didn’t work, by the way. Passengers love the peacefulness of the quiet little town – and it’s now a regular cruise ship stop.
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My mistake in last week’s column. I said the fun Splash Bash concert last Saturday would be the last water-based concert before the big Boats, Beats & BBQ scheduled for September 2-3 in Wolf Creek. My column hadn’t been shot into the sky for an hour before ANOTHER Splash Bash was scheduled for Saturday, August 5 – also in Ketchum Cove at Hammerhead Marina. Mark your calendar for BOTH fun events.
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I was terribly worried about all my pickleball-playing friends last week when I saw a study that concluded “Pickleball is worse for you than cigarettes, soda, fast food, and crack combined!” Don’t worry. As it turns out, the study didn’t mean it was more dangerous. It meant it is more addictive. A Mayo Clinic study was released the same week suggesting that playing pickleball may contribute to longevity, with participants potentially living 6 to 10 years longer due to the social interaction and physical demands that promote cardiovascular health and mental agility. When word gets out, we’ll have to start reserving those pickleball courts at The Anchor at Shangri-La days in advance!
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All those restaurants who promote “Taco Tuesday” are apparently safe to do so now. A company called Taco John’s has actually had a trademark registration of that phrase for thirty-four years – but last week, they said they’re giving up after Taco Bell wanted to engage in a battle. Taco Johns CEO said “We’ve always prided ourselves on being the home of Taco Tuesday, but paying millions of dollars to lawyers to defend our mark just doesn’t feel like the right thing to do.” So…Taco Bell and all the other trademark-stealing restaurants are free to roll on! Taco John’s is throwing in the towel. (Wait…can I say that? Is “throwing in the towel” a trademarked phrase?)
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Congratulations to Grand Laker Toby Keith, who will receive the Country Icon Award at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards. Fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton will present the honor to Toby when the event airs on September 28. Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Jeff Moll, Brandon Sharpe, Tim Carson, Dick Lillard, John Castelli, Darlene Flegler, Toni Stanley, Karen Karr, Jim Conner, Joe Allbaugh, Yana Livesay, Mims Talton III, Dennis Geary, Lee Lawson, Terri Ogle, Kim Burke, Justin Barrett, Brad Busch, J.B. Robison, Kane Russell, Kenny Smith, John McCharen, Kirk Woford, Amy Regan, Tammy Botts, Peggy Blair, and Kim Brady.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Har-Ber Village has fully reopened after repairing storm damage. Thursday is the Grand Lake Newcomers Club Luncheon at Doc’s at Shangri-La Resort (11:30 a.m.). Playmakers in Grove presents Nunsense II – The Second Coming in live theater productions Friday & Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon. Saturday morning is Farmers’ Market in downtown Grove (9:00-2:00). Saturday night is a Celebration of Life Benefit, Dinner & Auction for Jon Wilson at Monkey Island Pub (6:00). Saturday is also a big End of Summer Vendor Event at the Drunken Rooster (11:00-5:00).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: How competitive is the U.S. marketplace? According to the New York Times, 1% of U.S. Corporations control 97% of all corporate assets. That compares to 70% in 1940.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: If you refill a whiskey glass before it’s empty, it still counts as one glass.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Michael Jordan earns 5% royalty on the sale of Jordan Brand clothing and shoes. Last year’s sales totaled $5.1 billion meaning MJ made $255 million last year off of merchandise carrying his name. That’s nearly three times more than his entire career NBA earnings ($94 million).
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Check before you hit the “send” button! One spelling mistake, and a husband cannot go home. He wrote a romantic message to his wife on his official business trip,and missed an “e” in the last word. Now he is seeking politice protecton to enter his own home. He wrote: “Hi darling, I am experiencing the best time of my life, and I wish you were her.” Pro tip – If you stir coconut oil into your kale, it makes it easier to scrape into the trash.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Bacon alone can’t solve all our problems. That’s what bourbon is for.
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: It’s another hot day, so I’ve taken all my clothes off and opened every window. I feel so much better, although the other people on the bus don’t seem so pleased.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Grandpa leapt around in his undies on the 4th of July. It was his in-depends-dance day.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is lemonade made from artificial flavors, but furniture polish is made from real lemons?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I was in a restroom at a bar the other night where there was a sign I’m sure you have seen a lot. It said, “Employees must wash hands.” In magic marker, someone had written on the mirror beneath the sign: “I waited 45 minutes and no employee came to wash my hands!”
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger turns 80 years old this week. Actor Donald Sutherland, father of actor Kiefer Sutherland, turned 88 years old. Yusuf Islam turned 75 last week. You probably know him as Cat Stevens.
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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. Mark Gibson performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar features The Jon Moody Band Saturday night. Terry Jordan entertains at The Summit Restaurant Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings. There’s karaoke Thursday night and DJ K-Bandito hosts the weekend musical fun Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and across the street, there’s karaoke on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday nights. Friday night is “DJ Fun Night” at Monkey Island Pub featuring some of the Pub’s favorite past enterment – DJs Tim, Robbie, Dustin…and more! DJ Kennedy will provide the music at The Pub Saturday night following the benefit for Jon Wilson.
On South Grand Lake, Clint and Frank kick off the weekend Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill followed by The Smith Brothers Saturday night. Jamey Hooper wraps up the weekend at Mooney’s Sunday afternoon at 4:30. Jumpsuit Love will entertain Saturday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina. Sharky’s also features acoustic music most Sunday afternoons. The weekend musical fun always starts on Thursday nights with karaoke fun at The Drunken Rooster. This week, Constant Chaos will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at the Rooster followed by House Party Saturday night. Magen Faulconer will provide the music Friday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek.
In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music from Jesse Joice Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. Stonehorse entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Runnin’ on Empty Saturday night. There’s great live theater available at Playmakers in Grove. “Nunsense II – The Second Coming” features performances Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon. Final performances are next week – Friday & Saturday, August 4-5.
The Sweet Trouble Trio kicks off the weekend Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Rock Radicals Friday night and the full Sweet Trouble Band Saturday.
Finn Again will provide the music Saturday night at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West. HunterGirl will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Saturday night.
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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Josh and Mandy Cousins will be cooking meals-to-go at Monkey Island Pub Saturday evening for the Jon Wilson Benefit. 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. 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: Secret Celebrity Renovation debuts Friday night at 8:00 on CBS. Season two of Dark Winds premieres Sunday night at 8:00 on AMC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Oppenheimer and Barbie are both in movie theaters. Haunted Mansion and Sympathy for the Devil both also open in theaters this weekend.
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SAVE THE DATE: 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. Saturday, August 5 – Splash Bash in Ketchum Cove at Hammerhead Marina (1:00). 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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We’re in a bit of a sports lull this week as we prepare for the beginning of the NFL preseason next week, but there’s still quite a bit going on. FIFA Women’s World Cup play continues this week. Because of the time difference between here and Australia, most of the games, unfortunately, are in the wee hours of the morning. We do have one prime-time game this week – Argentina vs. South Africa Thursday evening at 7:00.
PGA Golfers are at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota this week for the 3M Open. Coverage is on the golf channel beginning at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. The final two rounds move to CBS Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR drivers travel to Richmond for Sunday’s Cookout 400. Coverage begins at 2:00 Sunday afternoon on USA.
There are a couple of excellent Major League Baseball games, too. Miami hosts Detroit at 3:00 Saturday followed by Tampa Bay at Houston at 6:00. Red-hot Baltimore hosts the Yankees Sunday night at 6:00.
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We’ll have lots of sunshine for the weekend ahead, but it’s gonna be hot, hot, hot. Highs will be around 100 degrees with lows in the mid-70s. It looks like a great weekend for some serious summer 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
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