July 29 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

The weather couldn’t have been better for boating, golf and other outdoor activities over the past weekend. It’s a good thing. Friends came in from at least two countries to make sure my pal Kenny Smith adequately celebrated his 70^th birthday. There might have been some alcohol involved.

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Aquapalooza, Splash Bash, now the Harbors View Marina Raft-Up. If Woodard Hollow, Party Cove, Dripping Springs, and Courthouse Hollow aren’t providing enough accommodations for you to party adequately as you drift along, it seems like someone is always making raft-up opportunities a little more special.  This week is no different. Head for Duck Creek Saturday afternoon. It should be great fun (with great music) on the waters in front of Harbors View Marina. By the way, be sure your calendar is marked for August 31 – Labor Day Weekend. That’s the big Redneck Raftout at Check-In Bay. It’s just more of the year-round fun you can always find at Grand Lake!

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If you’re going to try to steal American elections, go big or go home. A Russian oligarch has purchased ByteGrid LLC, the company which handles Maryland’s voter registration data base and candidate management operations. It brings new meaning to the phrase “buying elections.”

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If you are a thief and you are a millennial, be careful what you steal. In Florida, 25-year-old Jaelyn Alexander carjacked a man in Orlando, and thought he had a clean getaway. That is until he looked down where the automatic transmission should have been and was instead confronted with the equivalent of a cryptex for every person under the age of forty. A manual stick shift. He’s in jail now. It was an easy catch for the cops. If you’re going to steal a car, be sure it’s one you know how to drive.

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You hear a lot of stories about how profitable the newly-approved medical marijuana business is in Oklahoma – but apparently it wasn’t profitable enough for one dispensary owner. Jeffrey Peregrino, owner of “Left-Handed Okies Dispensary” in Spiro was arrested for selling meth to undercover agents at his medical marijuana dispensary. Medical meth?  Nope. Not yet, anyway.

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DINING & DRINKING BY WATER UPDATE: Congratulations to Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La for being named by the Oklahoma Department of Tourism & Recreation as one of “Oklahoma’s Eleven Perfect Dining Patios.” Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney is now only “21-and-over.” They no longer have an outdoor dining area to serve food to people under 21 years of age.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The opening guitar riff to Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer" was created and performed by Fred Carter Jr., whose long career stretched from a USO troupe that included Larry Hagman in the early 1950s to stints with artists ranging from Bob Dylan and Joan Baez to Slim Whitman and Johnny Horton to Waylon Jennings, Levon Helm and Booker T. Jones of Booker T. and the MGs.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I just watched my dog chase his tail for five minutes and thought, “Wow, dogs are really easily entertained.” Then I realized…I just watched my dog chase his tail for five minutes.

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BEST RESPONSE OF THE WEEK: Dude asked me if I had an extra cigarette. I looked in my pack. Nope, no extra…bought 20, smoked 5, 15 left.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: The heat index is between OMG and WTF.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: My first job was at an orange juice factory, but I got canned. I couldn’t concentrate.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Nine months before I was born, I went to a party with my Dad and left with my Mom.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: One of the weirder things about being an adult is having a favorite stove top burner. Yet nobody talks about it.

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BEST (FAKE) HEADLINE SEEN THIS WEEK: Queen Elizabeth Moving to Canada.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Were you a “Leave it to Beaver” fan? “Eddie Haskell” is now 76. “Wally Cleaver” is 74. “The Beaver” is 71. If that’s not enough, Mick Jagger turned 76 last week. Need more? This year’s high school graduates were born in 2001.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Kenny Smith, Kane Russell, Kelly Rush, Nancy Bradley, John McCharen, Kirk Woford, Peggy Blair, Kim Brady, Tammy Botts, Amy Regan, Cheryl Brecheisen, Mark Paden, Daniel Love, John Bond, Jennifer Eve Fish, Paula Harbuck, Teresa Poindexter, Bob Abraham, Don Baxter, Connard Luper, Gerald Keeton, and Sue Naylor.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What do batteries run on?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday night is the Cave Karaoke & Shrimp Boil at Shangri-La Resort on Doc’s Patio (6:00-9:00). Friday & Saturday nights at 7:00 – and Sunday afternoon at 2:00 are special performances of “Musings in the Wing” at Playmakers in Grove. Friday night is a special performance by Josh Roberts at Monkey Island Pub. Saturday afternoon is the Harbors View Raft-Up in front of the marina at the back of Duck Creek. Entertainment by Lickitty Split and Magen Faulconer & the Jam Boys (1:00-5:00).  

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s great entertainment all around the lake this weekend. On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan will kick off the weekend at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La Thursday at 6:00 with DJ and karaoke fun combined with the weekly Thursday night Shrimp Boil. Josh Roberts will entertain in a special performance Friday night at Monkey Island Pub, followed by Zeke Daniels Saturday night; and The Hitmen will entertain Saturday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang is open Friday and Saturday nights for karaoke fun and there’s great dance music featuring DJ $way right across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze Friday & Saturday nights. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night followed by DJ Deeko. Sunday nights are Open Jam Sessions for musicians at the Swine. Tuesday is DJ fun with Deeko and Wednesday nights, Erin Fitzgibbon is back for karaoke fun. At Littlefield Corner, there’s always great live music Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon.

On South Grand Lake, Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina features music by J.J. Taylor and Bourbon Highway Band Friday night followed by Radio Nation Band Saturday. Enjoy karaoke with KJ Flip Sunday afternoon at Sharky’s (2:00-7:00). Saturday afternoon is the Harbors View Marina raft-out in Duck Creek with music by Lickitty Split and Magen Faulconer & the Jam Boys.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of The Pumpkin Hollow Band Friday night, followed by House Party Saturday.  At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke, and Bobby DeGonia will be on stage at Bordertown Friday night followed by Runnin’ on Empty Saturday.  At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, Stonehorse perform live Friday night and DJ 5Star Entertainment will provide the music Saturday. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill there is live DJ action every Friday & Saturday night at 10:00. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Brett & Terri perform both Thursday and Friday nights in the Echo Bar, followed by Phil Vaught Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The second Democratic Presidential Debate airs in two segments – Tuesday and Wednesday, both at 8:00 on CNN. Living Grand on Grand Lake airs at 7:30 on RSU-TV. The movie Otherhood is available this week on NETFLIX. CMA Fest airs Sunday night at 7:00 on ABC.Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation airs Tuesday night at 8:00 on PBS; and the series premiere of BH90210 debuts next Wednesday night at 8:00 on Fox.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIE: Disney’s Christopher Robin, The Spy Who Dumped Me and The Darkest Minds

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “White House occupants come and go. They are just like diapers. They should be changed often – and for the same reason.” – Paul Harvey

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, August 8 – Hot Dog Feed & Cash Bar fundraiser for Turkey Ford Schools at Blind Swine (6:00-8:00). Friday, August 9 – Mary Moore Charity Golf Tournament & Silent Auction at Shangri-La. Friday-Sunday, August 9-11 – Thunder on Wolf Creek boat races. Saturday, August 10 – The Golden Sound of The Platters at the Coleman Theater in Miami. Saturday, August 10 – Woodstock on the Water raft-up and concert in Lawhead Hollow (Leon Russell Cove). Saturday, August 10 – Luau Party at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Friday, August 16 – Greater Grand Lake Open Golf Tournament at The Coves (8:00 a.m.). Saturday, August 17 – Toga Party at Monkey Island Pub. Wednesday-Saturday, August 28-31 – Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in Vinita. Saturday, August 31 – Redneck Raftout in Check-In Bay. Sunday, September 1 – Toby Keith performs at Buffalo Run Casino. Saturday, September 14 – Shangri-La Member Appreciation Party. Thursday, September 19 – South Grand Chamber Business After Hours at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (5:00-7:00). Saturday, September 21 – REC Day at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, September 21 – Sunset Dam 5K Run from Summerside Park in Disney (registration starts at 2:00).

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If it’s August, it must be football season. No, really. The NFL Hall of Fame Game is Thursday night in Canton, Ohio. Denver and Atlanta face off at 7:00 p.m. on NBC.

Players on the PGA Tour are in Greensboro, North Carolina this weekend for The Wyndham Championship. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are at Watkins Glen International this week for some Sunday afternoon fun. Coverage of GoBowling at The Glen is Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on NBCSN.

There’s some good Major League Baseball action on the tube this weekend. Saturday, the Yankees host the Red Sox at noon and the L.A. Angels are in Cleveland at 6:00, both on Fox Sports 1. The Yankees & Red Sox meet again Sunday night at 6:00 on ESPN. The Cubs host Milwaukee Sunday afternoon at 1:00 (TBS) and Oakland Monday night at 7:00 (ESPN).  

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The weather for the weekend ahead looks good again this week! Light winds, lots of sunshine, highs in the upper 80s and lows in the upper 60s. Get out and have a fabulous time.  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.

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

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 (smoking)

Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove

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

Henrie’s Grill 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

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

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.)

Morrow’s Bar & Grill at Morrow’s Landing

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

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)

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 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