March 27 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

We were blessed with absolutely perfect weather for an overload of activities over the past weekend. Boats were out. Kids were everywhere. Golfers didn’t care that wet ground mandated “cart path only” play. Pickleballers filled every court. Golf carts came out of winter hiding. It was a fabulous weekend of sunshine and light winds – after a few days of seemingly endless rain. The weekend ahead looks like a repeat. Rain Friday. Perfection Saturday & Sunday. If you[re not at Grand Lake, you’re getting a late start on a fabulous season.

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I’m sure birds have an important purpose in the overall balance of Nature, but when they spend all their time crapping on my deck, my dock, and my boat, building nests in my grill, eating all the bait fish, and pulling up the grass on golf greens, it’s hard to find anything good about them.

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If you’re a parent, you don’t need to concern yourself anymore with what books your children can or cannot read. The Oklahoma State Board of Education has decided to take over that parenting duty from you.

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Just because enforcement is 100% impossible doesn’t mean there should be a law, right? Utah Governor Spencer Cox has signed a new law that prohibits kids under the age of 18 from using social media between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, and New Jersey – formerly pro-business states, are also considering similar legislation. Aside from the impossibility of enforcing such a law, how do they expect kids to do their homework? Most of ‘em don’t start working on it until after 10:30. NOTE: Surprise! Tech companies are expected to challenge the new law in court.

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If you need something to start a bar discussion (or argument), here you go: the Morning Consult organization conducted a nationwide poll of sports fans to determine the Greatest Athlete of All Time. The fans chose Michael Jordan overwhelmingly, followed by Tom Brady, Muhammad Ali, Babe Ruth, and Kobe Bryant.

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Talk about giving back! Superstar OSU alum Garth Brooks has announced he’ll do two concerts in Stillwater next month – one exclusively for OSU students on Friday, April 14, and another donors and OSU alumni Saturday, April 15. The two benefit concerts are fundraising events for the creation of a new scholarship program.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Gary Williams, Kathi Sikorski, Amanda Pelcher, Andy Stewart, Mikayla Callison, Magen Faulconer, Becky Sconyers, Anna Pickens, Bill Lopeman, Jamie Tate, Linda Wall, Diana Stephens, Erin Gayer, Meagan Stewart, Kacey Threet, Mike Kelly, Sam Walker, Tod Sanger, and Leta Reed.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Friday & Saturday, Buffalo Run Casino hosts the I-44 Classic Car Auction at Peoria Showplace – Friday at 5:00 and Saturday morning at 10:00. Saturday is the “Get Your Grove On” Christian Music Festival at Grove Community Center (11:00 a.m.) and the Miss Grove Pageant festivities are at the Grove Middle School Auditorium Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Saturday night is a fun Masquerade Murder Mystery Dinner at Cherokee Yacht Club (6:00). 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.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: In 1559, Swiss authorities exhumed the body of religious nonconformist David Joris three years after his death…and burned it.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: When you put the two words “the” and “IRS” together, it spells “theirs.”

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BEST HEADLINE OF THE WEEK: Man Survives Bank Failure Crisis by Not Having Any Money in the First Place

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I don’t really like the city parks. I want to join a country club so my kid doesn’t have to play with “those” kids, and I want the city parks system to pay for my membership. School Vouchers in a nutshell.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Tact is for people who aren’t witty enough to be sarcastic.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Spring is here. I’m so excited I wet my plants.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do fishermen on the shore cast toward the middle of the lake while fishermen in boats cast toward the shore?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so they know when they’re really in trouble.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The final episode of “The Beverly Hillbillies” aired during this week – 52 years ago. Actor William Shatner will forever be best remembered for his role as Captain James Kirk in the Star Trek franchise (although his role as Denny Crane in Boston Legal was my favorite). The iconic actor turned 92 last week.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Calling bigotry an opinion is like calling arsenic a flavor.” – Jack Cameron

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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. Clint Ingram performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Friday night is Karaoke Night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze – and there is always special entertainment and dancing on Saturday nights. DJ Kennedy brings Rockstar Karaoke to Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.  

On South Grand Lake, Rodney Frye will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at The Drunken Rooster, followed by House Party Saturday night. Wilkie Jay will provide the music at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill Saturday night.

In Grove, Dale & Gayle will be playing music at Goodfella’s Pizza in Grove Friday & Saturday from 5:00-8:00.  there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night by Playlist, and more karaoke Saturday. Libby Starks entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Midnight South Saturday night.

Michele Warren performs Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Damsel Friday night.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Bill and Marnie Pettit will be the final guest chefs of the year Wednesday at The Shebang. Bella Donna’s in Grove is now closed on both Mondays and Tuesdays. Blue Cat Bistro is now open Thursday-Tuesday at Har-Ber Village (8:00-3:00 – Sunday 10:00-3:00). Matt’s Place in Grove now opens daily at 6:00 a.m. Hero’s Deli is now open on Main Street in Grove. Sunday is All You Can Eat Catfish Day. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is open for the season (Friday 4-8, Saturday 11-8, Sunday 11-7). VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina, The Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove, and Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor are all now open, as well. Blind Swine on Duck Creek (Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina) is scheduled to open for the season on weekends Friday, April 14.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Faking It premiers Saturday on Paramount+. The 2023 CMT Music Awards air live Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS. The mini-series Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields also makes its debut Monday on HULU. The Voice airs Monday at 7:00 and Tuesday at 8:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, A Thousand and One, John Wick: Chapter 4, and A Good Person open in movie theaters this week. Murder Mystery 2 is available Friday on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Saturday, April 7-8 – Grove and Monkey Island Merchants’ Spring Open House. Saturday, April 8 – Langley Easter Egg Hunt at Langley City Park (11:00-1:00). Saturday, April 8 – Easter Egg Hunt at the Drunken Rooster (2:00). Saturday, April 8 – Jay Chamber of Commerce Easter Egg Hunt at Jay City Park (10:00 a.m.). Sunday, April 9 – Easter Egg Hunt at The Anchor at Shangri-La (2:00-3:00 p.m.). Friday, April 14 – Grove Chamber of Commerce “Eggs & Issues” legislative breakfast at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (8:00 a.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 – Earth Day Celebration at Grove Community Center (10-2). 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.). Friday, May 5 – Food Truck Friday at Grove Community Center. 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.). Tuesday, May 9 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Trivia Night at BOOM. Thursday, May 11 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon with featured speaker Jill McAbee (DCCSN) at the Grove Community Center (noon). Friday, May 12 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Spring Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge Golf Course.

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We’re getting down the the end of March Madness. The Women’s Final Four games are Friday night at 6:00 and 8:30 with the National Championship Final Sunday afternoon at 2:30. Final Four coverage for the men’s teams is Saturday at 5:00 and 7:30 with the National Championship Final Monday night at 8:00.

OU and OSU softball teams are in action this weekend. OU faces Texas for three games in a row – Friday at 6:00 at Hall of Fame Stadium in OKC, then Saturday & Sunday mornings at 11:00 in Norman. Friday’s game is on ESPN+. Saturday & Sunday games are on ESPN2. OSU is in San Antonio for a Saturday double-header with Incarnate Word before heading to Wichita Tuesday, but there is no TV coverage of the OSU games.

The OKC Thunder are in a battle for playoff contention. This week, they’re on the road Friday at Indiana (6:00) before coming home to host the Phoenix Suns again Sunday night at 6:00. They’re back on the road at Golden State Tuesday night (9:00) before the final two regular season games next week – Utah Thursday and Memphis Sunday.

In the PGA Golf world, it’s the last chance to qualify for The Masters. This weekend is the Valero Texas Open. Coverage from San Antonio begins Thursday & Friday at 2:00 and Saturday & Sunday mornings at 11:00 on the Golf Channel. NBC picks up the final two rounds Saturday at 1:30 and Sunday at noon.

For pro football fans, it’s the seventh week of XFL action. Seattle is at Arlington Friday night at 6:00. Saturday games include San Antonio at Las Vegas (2:00) and DC at Orlando (5:00). St. Louis will be at Houston Sunday afternoon at 1:00.

NASCAR drivers are in Richmond this week for the Toyota Owners 400. Coverage begins Sunday at 2:30 on FS1.

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Here comes April – and the weather shows it. We’ll start the weekend Friday with wind & rain, but Saturday will be sunny & 60. Sunday will be sunny & 70. Lows will be in the low 40s Friday & Saturday nights, but mid-50s Sunday night It should be a fantastic weekend for all the things happening around the lake. Get out and have some 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

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