March 13 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

It’s hard to imagine a better March week at Grand Lake. Daylight Saving Time is here, so our extra daylight is finally at the end of the day where we can use it – and we’ll put it to good use. We’re wrapping up Spring Break week as we enjoy all the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show, COW Week Day at The Anchor Charity Fundraising fun – and kicking off next week with the first official day of Spring. It’s a hard week to beat!

*****

Congratulations and our beer-drinking thanks to State Representative Steve Bashore (R-Miami). He gained approval in the House of Representatives for his legislation legalizing the sale of buckets of beer. I’ll bet you didn’t even know that was illegal, did you? Oklahoma’s liquor laws! Sheesh!

*****

Oklahomans overwhelmingly voted down the legalization of recreational marijuana in an incredibly low turnout election last week, but I guess it’s because everybody who wants marijuana already has access. Fun numbers – only 217,000 people voted “yes” to legalize more access to marijuana, but almost 400,000 Oklahomans already have medical marijuana cards and another 100,000 reported using marijuana without medical cards. Oklahoma has more dispensaries than any other state. I guess folks weren’t motivated to support legalizing something they already have.

*****

If the Oklahoma legislature continues its foolishness, I’m just trying to think of all the performers who would be banned for performing in drag: Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Milton Berle, The Three Stooges, Jack Lemon, Tony Curtis, Jamie Farr, David Bowie, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Dennis Rodman, The Rolling Stones, Flip Wilson, John Travolta, Dustin Hoffman, Kurt Cobain, Harry Styles, Prince, Brad Pitt, Elton John, Wesley Snipes, Nathan Lane, Eddie Murphy, Christopher Walken, Barney Rubble & Fred Flintstone…I’m afraid I’m going to run out of room here. I hope all the guys singing and dancing while wearing kilts for St. Patrick’s Day parties don’t get caught in the definition of performing in drag. By the way, I wonder if this proposed ban on cross-dressing goes both ways? If so, I’m gonna need to get some jeans and long-tailed sport shirts back. If not, may there’ll be another sex discrimination lawsuit – filed by guys!

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Janie Gibbs, Guy Hixenbaugh, Gene McComb, Gary Quick, John Pellow, Candy Brasel, Sheila Stogsdill, Linda Eller, Mo Washington, Carla Steckline, Dana Able, Bill Slepka, Brad Parrish, Richard Lippitt, Erin Fitzgibbon, Terri Hinrichs, Troy Hinrichs, Tuesday Woods, and Rusty Fleming.

*****

BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. It’s Grand Lake Boat and Sport Show weekend Friday-Sunday at the Craig County Community Center in Vinita. Friday evening there are St. Patrick’s Parties at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina, Mooney’s in Disney, and the Drunken Rooster. Saturday is a Celtic Festival at Har-Ber Village (9:00-3:00) and a St. Patrick’s Day Party at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday is COW (Change Our World) Day at The Anchor charity competition at Shangri-La. Next Wednesday, March 22, is the annual Home of Hope Chocolate Affair at the Craig County Community Center in Vinita (6:00-8:00 p.m.). The Anchor at Shangri-La now offers Half-Price Wednesdays featuring half-price arcade and virtual reality games all day each Wednesday through April 5.

*****

RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The Maxwell Motor Co., which later became Chrysler, was known for marketing to women. In 1914, its flagship Manhattan showroom featured a woman tearing down and reassembling an engine in a display window.

*****

FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Back in the day, we didn’t have cup holders in our cars. We had to hold our beer between our legs and drive.

*****

ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr was also a mathematician and inventor – and the woman behind frequency hopping technology that led to today’s Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth.

*****

BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…I remind myself that you can’t always trust Google Maps.

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Adam & Eve were the first people to not read the Apple terms & conditions.

*****

BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I’m doing crunches twice a day now. Captain in the morning, Nestle’s in the afternoon.

                                                       *****

BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I asked a supermarket worker where they kept the canned peaches. He said, “I’ll see,” and walked away. I asked another and he also said, “I’ll see,” and walked away. In the end, I gave up and found them myself….in Aisle C.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Is the person who sketches suspects for the police department a con artist?

*****

OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Remember, the only thing standing between you and your dreams is your appearance, lack of talent, and general personality.

*****

FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Multiple Olympic track and field Gold Medal winner Jackie Joyner-Kersee, named by Sports Illustrated as the Greatest Female Athlete of All-Time, turned 61 this week. Crosby, Still, Nash & Young release their first album, Déjà vu, during this week – 52 years ago. Love’s Travel Stops founder, philanthropist, and great Grand Laker Tom Love died last week. He was 85.

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Hey, all! Just found out I’m “woke.” All this time, I just thought I was good at history.” – Jon Stewart

*****

BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off at Doc’s Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke and Singo competition. Gusto Dave Jackson performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night, and Rick Ewing provides bagpipe entertainment at Doc’s Sunday morning. Friday night is a Live Music Jam at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze – and there is always special entertainment and dancing on Saturday nights. Rick Ewing will lead the musical bagpipe St. Patrick’s Party fun at Monkey Island Pub Saturday night beginning at 6:00 followed by DJ Kennedy with Rockstar Karaoke at 9:00.  

On South Grand, there’s a karaoke party Thursday night, and live music from Brent Giddens Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster. At Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, Royal Hellions will provide the St. Patrick’s Day entertainment Friday night.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night by Broken Aces, and more karaoke Saturday. Stonehorse entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Reversing Radio Saturday night.

TJ Scarlett will provide the music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by The Rumor Friday and Diversity Saturday. Saturday Tyler Farr competition live at Peoria Showplace at Buffalo Run Casino. Friday night, the Pawns & Kings Tour arrives at Downstream Casino’s Pavilion featuring Alter Bridge with Mammoth WVH and Pistols at Dawn.

*****

GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Friday through Sunday, Doc’s Bar & Grill will offer a St. Patrick’s Irish menu along with featured holiday drink specials. Prime Meats, Eats & Sweets in Ketchum, VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina, The Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove, Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor, Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina, and Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove are all now open. Bella Donna’s in Grove is offering all-you-can-eat Peel & Eat Shrimp Sundays at 3:00 p.m. The Cove Club in Langley no longer serves breakfast on Saturday (open at 11:00), but they still serve Sunday breakfast.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: Lucky Hank debuts Sunday at 8:00 on AMC. The Voice is back – Monday & Tuesday nights at 7:00 on NBC. Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with David Letterman is available Friday on Disney+.

****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Shazam! Fury of the God, A Snowy Day in Oakland, and Champion are all in movie theaters this week. Boston Strangler is available Friday on HULU.

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, March 23 – South Grand Lake Foundation’s “Mardi Gras in March” fundraiser at the Dreamcatcher Event Center in Langley (6:00 p.m.). Friday, March 24 – Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda opens weekends (Friday 4-8, Saturday 11-8, Sunday 11-7). Saturday, March 25 – Spring Fling Market with 2 Hip Chicks Traveling Roadshow at Whoops Surplus building in Grove (9:00-4:00). Saturday, March 25 – “Almost Midnight Madness” pickleball tournament at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (7:00-11:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 25 – Jay Education Foundation presents Dinner Theater & Silent Auction at Bulldog Arena in Jay (5:30 p.m.). Saturday, April 1 – Get Your Grove On Christian Music Festival at Grove Community Center (11:00 a.m.). Saturday, April 8 – Langley Easter Egg Hunt at Langley City Park (11:00-1:00). Sunday, April 9 – Easter Egg Hunt at The Anchor at Shangri-La (2:00-3:00 p.m.). Saturday, April 15 – Second Chance Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt & Auction at The Shebang benefiting Second Chance Pet Rescue (11:00 a.m.). Friday-Saturday, April 21-22 – Grand Lake Youth Art Show at the Grove Community Center (10-6 Friday, 10-4 Saturday). Saturday, April 22 – South Grand Lake Chamber Bootleggers Ball & Murder Mystery at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.). Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23 – Spring Open Pickleball Tournament at The Racquet Club at Shangri-La. Friday, April 24 – Modoc Nation Golf Scramble at Shangri-La Golf Club (11:00 a.m.). Friday, April 28 – Season’s first weekly “Yellow Rabbit Run Horse Race” at Shangri-La Golf Club (5:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 6 – Burning of the Socks at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 6 – Nichols Marine/Shangri-La Marina Customer Appreciation Luau (5:00 p.m.).

*****

March Madness is here! The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments start rolling through the brackets this week with LOTS of games every day!

OU and OSU softball teams are in action this weekend. OSU is at home hosting three games – Arizona State Friday at 6:00, Central Florida Saturday at 5:00 and again Sunday at 12:30, and North Texas next Wednesday at 6:00. The Sooners Face Weber State (4:00) and Northwestern (6:30) Friday. Saturday, it’s Weber State again at 4:00 followed by Auburn at 6:30. OU faces Auburn again Sunday at 12:30.

The OKC Thunder face a tough schedule this weekend. They’re at Toronto Thursday (6:30) before coming home to host Phoenix Sunday afternoon (2:30). They’re back on the road Tuesday facing the L.A. Clippers (9:30).

In the PGA Golf world, it’s time for The Valspar Championship. Live coverage from Palm Harbor, Florida begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel, and 2:00 Saturday and 1:00 Sunday on NBC.

For pro football fans, it’s the fifth week of XFL action. Houston is at Seattle Thursday (8:00) to kick off the week. DC is at St. Louis Saturday (6:00) and Orlando is at Las Vegas (9:00). Arlington is at San Antonio Sunday night at 9:00.

NASCAR drivers are in Atlanta this week for the Ambetter Health 400. Coverage gets underway Sunday at 2:00 on Fox. 

*****

We should have sunshine for the last weekend of Spring Break, but it’s gonna be a little cool. Highs will be in the upper 40s with lows around 30. There’s plenty happening this week, though, both indoors and outdoors. Get out and have some St. Patrick’s Day 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

Want more information on advertisers you see in the Grand Lake Bum?  No problem.  Just click on their ad and you will be connected to their website.  If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both  Grand Lake Living and www.360grandlake.com, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing.  E-mail or contact grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker newspaper.

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

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

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

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

Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina

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 (smoking)

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Flower Bar in Grove

Forage in downtown Grove & The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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

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

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

Monkey Island RV Resort

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

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 (smoking...but not at lunch)

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 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