July 5 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Our reward for putting up with monsoon season in June was perfect weather for the 4^th of July holiday weekend. The two weeks of storms gave way to sunshine and mild temperatures on Friday – and the perfect weather continued throughout the record-breaking holiday weekend. A dozen fireworks shows, air shows, flyovers, raftouts, and Shangri-La’s dedication of the USS Oklahoma Memorial and Grand Opening of The Anchor Activity Park all came off without a hitch. There were lots and lots and lots of people at Grand Lake, to be sure; but for the most part, it was a peaceful, enjoyable, fun and memorable celebration of America’s 245^th birthday. Congratulations to us all!

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With Independence Day behind us, dogs can come back outside and we can populate social media pages with something besides the endless questions about when and where all the fireworks displays are being held. Obviously, people don’t actually read any information that is posted on every conceivable site. They just post their own questions. You haven’t been able to pull up any social media site without seeing all the fireworks schedules – but there were sure lots of folks who never read them. They just asked – and asked and asked. When? Where? What time? That “what time” question is always the funniest to me. What time are fireworks? Duh! Same time as always. At dark. Any-who…enough of my complaining. The holiday is behind us. Within another three or four weeks, all the die-hards will be finished shooting off their personal fireworks.

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America’s birthday wasn’t the only holiday last week, though. It was also Bobby Bonilla Day. I want his job! New York Mets fans are well aware of the fact that on July 1, we celebrated another “Bobby Bonilla Day,” – the date every year that the Mets write him a check for $1,193,248.20. They’ve been doing that since 2011 and will continue doing it every year through 2035 (when Bobby will be 72). It all started in 2000 when the Mets decided to buy out Bonilla’s remaining $5.9 million contract. They didn’t want to pay him the full amount right then, though, because they had a bunch of money invested with Bernie Madoff and were going to make a zillion dollars – so they structured a settlement to pay him out over 25 years at 8 percent interest. Of course, Bernie went down the rabbit hole and to prison and they never made any money, but the deal with Bobby Bonilla stuck. So, that $5.9 million buyout will cost the Mets almost $30 million. That’s probably as smart a move as their decision to invest with Madoff. Happy Bobby Bonilla Day. If he can’t struggle by on that annual amount, there’s always J.G. Wentworth – 877-CASH-NOW!

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It seems like the lake is as busy on Wednesdays this summer as it normally is on Saturdays. Relax this weekend and catch your breath. The next major event is just two weeks away – Aquapalooza Grand Lake – July 17 at the back of Duck Creek – Grand Lake RV Resort.

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GRDA still reports some Blue Green Algae in the Horse Creek area, but it didn’t seem to impact holiday visitors. GRDA also reiterates that “the overwhelming majority of Grand Lake” shows no signs of BGA. If you’re not an experienced Grand Lake boater, it’s probably smart to avoid the shallow Horse Creek area, anyway. There are 45,000 surface acres from which to choose.

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I guess we know how country superstar Toby Keith spent 2020 when the Coronavirus stopped his concert tours. Apparently he was improving his golf game. Last Friday, he and Lance Ledbetter beat 30 other teams to win the Independence Day Alternate Shot Horse Race competition at Shangri-La Golf Club. By the way, happy birthday to Toby. He hits the big six-oh Thursday.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: The newly revitalized Cove Club is now open in Langley for breakfast, lunch & dinner Monday-Saturday and breakfast & lunch Sundays. Mr. Shing Chinese Restaurant has now re-opened in Langley. The Galley is now open at The Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La. QuickQue BBQ Shack is now open Wednesday-Sunday from 11:00-8:00 at Monkey Island RV Park. Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) has breakfast service Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Doc’s Bar & Grill, Road Hog Saloon, and Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda both offer a Saturday & Sunday breakfast.

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Friday is the South Grand Lake Chamber Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club; and the Grand Lake Summer Expo runs Friday & Saturday at the Grove Civic Center. Farmers Market is open Saturday morning at the Grove Community Center.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Jacob Dement entertains at Doc’s. DJ Matt provides the music Friday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar, followed by Whiskey Poet Society Saturday. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons Thursday through Sunday; and just across the street, there’s great dance music Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze – the hottest dance club in the Four States. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine – and he’s back for more Karaoke & Cocktails Sunday night – and there’s always live entertainment Friday & Saturday nights at the Swine. Erin Fitzgibbon will perform Friday night at 6:00 at the Swine/Monkey Island – and Saturday night is great dancing and singing at Monkey Island Pub -  Karaoke with Tim.

On South Grand, Joe Mack performs Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney, followed by The Zigs Saturday night. Erin Fitzgibbon entertains every Thursday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) and KJ Flip leads the musical fun every Wednesday night. The Faulconer Duo will be at Blind Swine on Duck Creek Sunday. The Faulconer Band will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina.

In Grove, entertainment starts Thursday night at The Regatta with Cory Lee. Friday night, KJ Flip will host the karaoke fun. Saturday night Brett & Terri will perform upstairs while Shandee Layne is on stage downstairs.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Low Compatibility in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Torn Friday and Whisky Outlaws Saturday. Friday night, Croy & Company entertains Friday night in Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Casino. The George Brothers will take over Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, The Uncrowned Kings provide the entertainment Friday night, followed by Jesse Joice Saturday night.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Residents of Accident, Maryland are known as Accidentals.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Darius Rucker says he has lots of fans who have no idea he was in Hootie & the Blowfish.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Whatever you do today, do it with the confidence of a 4-year-old in a Batman T-shirt.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Life is not a fairy tale. If you lose your shoe at midnight, you’re drunk!

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Don’t come to me for advice. We’ll end up drunk.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: When a cougar gets so old she needs a hearing aid, she becomes a Def Leppard.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I’m putting myself in time out until I can play nice with others. This might take a while.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: One time Presidential candidate Donald Rumsfeld who held the distinction of being both the youngest Secretary of Defense and the oldest Secretary of Defense through his two terms, died last week. He was 88. Iconic broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite died 12 years ago this month. Today, he would have been 104 years old.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Jack Doney, Rod Wadel, Arlita Raby, Toby Keith, Sheri Stoner, Terry Jones, Kerry Kimmons, Kelly Whitehead, Jaime Dobbins, Bob Graper, Mandy O’Banion, Boatman Sam Hoskin, Tami Wilson, Jon Wilson, John McFerron, Kelly Aberle, Kasidy Jeffers, Carol Fortner, Dylan Hutson, Tina Tolleson, and John Moore.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: I saw a promotion for a “free gift.” I thought that was odd. Aren’t all gifts free?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The 2021 ESPY Awards will be televised Saturday night at 7:00 on ABC. Wellington Paranormal makes its American debut Sunday night at 8:00 on CW. The mini-series The White Lotus begins Sunday night at 8:00 on HBO.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Black Widow is in theaters this week – and is also available on Disney+. Fear Street Part Two: 1978 is available on NETFLIX.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.” – George Carlin

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, July 15 – Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at Big Shots. Friday, July 16 – Shangri-La Sunset Cruise from Shangri-La Marina. Saturday, July 17 – Aquapalooza Grand Lake. Monday-Wednesday, July 19-21 – Junior Skills Camp at Shangri-La Golf Club. Thursday, July 22 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at United Fidelity Funding Corp. Thursday-Friday, July 22-23 – Junior Club Championship Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday-Sunday, July 24-25 – Club Championship Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Sunday-Monday, August 1-2 – Shangri-La Invitational Golf Tournament.

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SPORTS WATCH: We’re down to the final two teams in the NBA. I’m sure network executives are cranky because there is no team from either coast in the finals – but it’s all about Milwaukee and Phoenix now. Maybe Chris Paul will finally get that ring! It’s NBA Championship week. Games are all on ABC.

The PGA players are at TPC Deere Run in Illinois this week for the John Deere Classic. Coverage begins on The Golf Channel at 3:00 Thursday & Friday, noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

It’s one of the biggest weeks of the year for tennis. Wimbledon is underway. Semi-finals are Thursday. Women’s finals are Saturday – and the Men’s finals are Sunday – all on ESPN. Live coverage starts about 8:00 each morning.

We’re headed for the All-Star game in MLB. Final pre-break games this week include the Cubs hosting the Cardinals Saturday at 6:00 (Fox) and the Yankees at Houston Saturday at 1:00 (TBS). The All-Star Game is next Tuesday at 6:00 on ESPN.

 NASCAR drivers are in Atlanta this week for the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart. Coverage begins at 2:30 Sunday on NBCSN.

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We’ll kick off the weekend with a little heat Friday – highs in the low 90s – before cooling a tad Saturday & Sunday with highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-60s. It looks like good weather for a wind-down-from-the-holiday weekend. It should be a beautiful – and busy weekend at the lake. Wherever you 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.

Ailey’s Café in Langley

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 Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove

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

Cove Club in Langley

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

Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina

Domino’s in Grove

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

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 Public House in Grove

Hatfield’s Saloon 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

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

Marina’s Place at Littlefield Corner

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

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

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

Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove

Pit Stop Café in Grove

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)

Raggedy’s in Grove

Rancho Viejo in Grove

Red’s Buffet & Ice Cream in Disney

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)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

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 Pourhouse at The Regatta in Grove

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