May 10 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
I hope everybody enjoyed all the Cinco de Mayo festivities as much as I did last week. It’s so great to live in the United States where we can have such a day of celebration for a Mexican holiday that they don’t really celebrate in Mexico. I heard several toasts to “Mexican Independence Day.” Cinco de Mayo, of course, is NOT Mexican Independence Day (which is September 16). That’s why they don’t celebrate it in Mexico on May 5. Oh, well. There’s nothing wrong with a holiday that celebrates absolutely nothing but Tequila and Tacos, right?
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The arrival of May and the lifting of Covid-19 restriction in Oklahoma have certainly lit up the entertainment stages around Grand Lake. I counted twenty-three different musical performances coming up around the lake this weekend – and I undoubtedly missed some of them. It’s summertime play time at Grand Lake!
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Every year there seems to be another new fad that makes you go, “hmmm.” I’m really confused about the origins of a new fad I heard about today – ramen noodle baths. No, really. Google it. I can’t imagine who decided to try this out the first time. It doesn’t sound appealing to me, but I’ll say this – I am more likely to bathe in ramen noodles than eat them!
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There’s another behavioral change for all of us to note. If you’re like me, and have always referred to the Muscogee Creek Nation as the “Creek Nation,” we’re out of step again. The Native American tribe has now dropped “Creek” from it’s name; and will now be known only as the Muscogee Nation. That’ll take some getting used to.
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I saw a Facebook post the other day from the most out-of-touch-with-reality individual in our area. It was posted on the What’s Happening on Grand Lake Facebook page, and simply read: “Does anybody know anyone hiring bartenders?” The irony, of course, is that every single bar, club, and restaurant in the entire Grand Lake area is hiring bartenders. If you stop in someplace for a drink and your cocktail order makes you sound knowledgeable, they’ll probably try to hire you before you can finish your drink!
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The Oklahoma legislature continues to take on the critical problems facing our state. It looks like we’re going to have a new law that makes it a crime for you to honk your horn at a horse or anyone riding a bicycle. The senate, thankfully, removed a provision that would have also made it a crime to yell obscenities at them. Don’t you feel better now?
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A man in China bought a first class fully refundable ticket which gave him access to the airport’s VIP Lounge where high-rolling travelers can dine for free. The man rescheduled his first class ticket 300 times in one year to enjoy all the free meals. When the airline figured out his scheme and confronted him, he canceled the ticket and got a full refund. Entrepreneurship!
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I have a feeling the estimated $35 billion paid to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife may be in jeopardy as the ultimate settlement when the nation’s newest high-profile zillionaire divorce is finalized. Yep. Bill and Melinda Gates are divorcing. They have asked for privacy. We’ll see how that works out.
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Are you planning ahead to the 4th of July weekend yet? There are three fireworks shows on Grand Lake that night, but here’s another possibility to add to your list. Hank Williams, Jr. will be in concert at Buffalo Run Casino’s Outdoor Amphitheater Saturday night, July 3.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina opens this weekend. Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina and the new Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) are both open, as well. The Duck Creek Swine serves breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week, BTW. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is now open full-time (Thursday-Sunday), including breakfast service Saturday & Sunday mornings. Both the Balcony Bar at The Shebang and Big Shots Rhythm & Booze are now open for the season every Friday & Saturday night. Tuesday, Doc’s Bar & Grill now hosts the weekly “Craft Burgers & Booze Tuesday” special (5:00-9:00). Wednesday nights, Doc’s hosts a weekly Hooray Grill Steak Cook-out party on the patio, and Friday night is All-You-Can-Eat Rib Night. Saturday and Sunday Brunch is served to the public at Doc’s (9:00-2:00) and Sunday Brunch is available at Mulligans at Patricia Island (10:00-2:00).
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s another busy week at Grand Lake. The Grove Chamber Members’ Luncheon is at Grove Civic Center at noon Thursday. It’s a good place to find out more about the new “Anchor” activity park at Shangri-La. Director of Anchor Operation Lee Lawson will be the speaker. Saturday is a “Meet & Greet Your New Fire/Tornado Safety Trailer” from 11:00-2:00 at Grove’s Rotary Park. Free hot dogs! There’s a “Burning of the Masks” party at Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina Saturday evening. Saturday is a Fifties Pin-Up Costume Party at Monkey Island Pub; and Saturday night is also the Napa Nights fundraising gala at South Grand Lake Regional Airport. Next Tuesday, there is a Readers’ Theatre Workshop from 3:00-5:00 at Playmakers in Grove.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La this week. Friday night, Nick Whitaker provides the live entertainment at Doc’s. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons every Friday & Saturday night; and there’s dancing to great music across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine. Erin Fitzgibbon entertains early Friday night (6:00) followed by Travis Kidd late. Saturday night, The Faulconers entertain at the Swine, and KJ Flip will be back with Cocktails & Karaoke Sunday night. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit at Shangri-La; and Saturday night is Karaoke with Tim at the Fifties Pin-Up costume party at Monkey Island Pub.
In Grove, KJ Flip and Friends entertain at The Regatta Friday night; and DJ Gragg provides the tunes Saturday night.
On South Grand, Ronnie Pyle will provide the music at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney Friday night followed by Jamie Hooper Saturday. Bucky Hopwood & Brady Hoover will be at Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina Friday night and Mike Barham & the Honky Ton Prophets will be on stage Saturday night.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Jon Dooly in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Constant Chaos Friday and Travis Kidd Saturday. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar features music of Croy & Company Friday night and The ShotGunBillys Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar, Whatever Rocks will be performing Friday night followed by Reverse Reaction Saturday.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Edna Rae Gillooly won an Oscar for "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," a Tony for "Same Time, Next Year," and an Emmy for an episode of "Law & Order: SVU." In the mid-1950s, as Erica Dean, she was an "away we go" girl on the Jackie Gleason Show, and for more than a decade was billed on television and in movies as Ellen McRae. She was first credited as Ellen Burstyn in 1970's "Alex in Wonderland" with Donald Sutherland
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The rock band ZZ Top has had the same members without any changes since 1970. Fifty-one years!
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I have a 4 X 8 sheet of 5/8” thick plywood. Willing to trade for a 2018-2020 Corvette convertible with less than 10,000 miles and clean title. No low-ballers. I know what I have.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Just got 30 minutes of cardio trying to pick up an ice cube off the kitchen floor. (thanks to Linda Wall for sharing this one)
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: A vegan told me that people who sell meet are disgusting. I said the people who sell fruits and vegetables are grocer.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: “I just cleared out some space in the freezer” sounds much more productive than “I just polished off another pint of ice cream.”
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: “Take it Easy” was the first single from The Eagles – released 47 years ago! Bobby Unser, the only driver in history to win the Indianapolis 500 in three different decades, died last week. He was 87.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Lorri Dyer, Lyn Goss, Pat McConn, Donna Altmiller, Joe Landon, Carrie Moore, Shari Bell, Kevin Brady, Chance Grubb, Nancy Adkisson, Maxine Duncan, Michael Boesker, Gary Cameron, Greg Mantia, Gaylyn Haynes, Diane Williams, Vicki Stockwell, Gayle Larimore, and Justin Hicks.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If George is 73 and his girlfriend is 26, how much money does George have?
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards will be presented live on MTV Sunday night at 8:00. Good Witch also airs Sunday night at 8:00 on Hallmark.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Spiral: From the Book of Saw will be released in movie theaters nationwide this week, along with limited release of When Hitler Stole White Rabbit, Those Who Wish Me Dead (also available on HBO Max), and Georgetown (also available for rent).
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, May 20 – Grove Chamber Business After Hours at The Regatta. Friday, May 21 – South Grand Lake Chamber Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, May 22 – Mad Dog 2021 Critter Run bar crawl scavenger hunt on Monkey Island. Saturday, May 22 – Grand Opening Celebration at Marina Del Ray Resort (6:30). Monday, May 24 – Grove Chamber Trivia Night at The Regatta (6:00-8:00). Friday, May 28 – Grove Chamber Eggs & Issues Breakfast at Episcopal Church (8:00-9:15 a.m.). Saturday, May 29 – First Farmers Market of the Year at Grove Community Center. Saturday, June 5 – Camp Bandage at Grand Lake RV Resort (noon-4:00). Monday-Wednesday, June 7-9 – Youth Tennis Camp at Shangri-La. Wednesday-Thursday, June 9-10 – SLWGA Shangri-La Tee Da Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Thursday-Sunday, June 10-13 – Toes in the Grand Festival at Sniders Campground and Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, June 12 – Daisy Dukes of Hazzard Party at Sharky’s. Friday, June 18 – Grove Rotary Club Lobsterfest at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, June 19 – Rock the Dock Concert at Check-In Bay (noon-5:00). Monday-Wednesday, June 21-23 – Junior Players Academy at Shangri-La. Friday-Saturday, June 25-26 – Grand Jam Music Festival at Grand Meridian RV Park. Monday-Wednesday, June 28-30 – Youth Pickleball Camp at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 3 – Monkey Island Fireworks at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 3 – July 3rd Fireworks Celebration at Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, July 3 – Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney. Sunday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks. Sunday, July 4 – Miami Fireworks at Riverside Park.
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SPORTS WATCH: The PGA Tour heads to a new location for the AT&T Byron Nelson this week. They’ll be at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel at 2:30 Thursday, 1:30 Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
Horse Racing is back with another big event this weekend. The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, will air Saturday on NBC. Coverage starts at 3:30 with post time at approximately 5:45.
In the NBA, the OKC Thunder wrap up the season this week beginning Tuesday night at 9:00 at Sacramento before hosting the final two games in OKC – the Utah Jazz Friday at 7:00 and the L.A. Clippers Sunday. All games are on Bally Sports Oklahoma.
NASCAR drivers are in Dover Sunday afternoon for the Drydene 400. Coverage begins at 1:00 Sunday on Fox Sports 1.
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Weather for the weekend ahead looks really nice for lake life. We’ll have sunshine for the most part, with high temperatures pushing 80 and low around 60. With even more outdoor venues opening this weekend, there’s a lot happening indoors and outdoors. Enjoy all the fun stuff; but remember, 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)
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
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 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
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