May 22 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Here we go! Grab a tight hold and get a faraway look in your eye, as the bull riders say. It’s the first big summer holiday of the year. A lot of folks coming in for the weekend may not be familiar with my official Grand Lake Bum Holiday Rules of Behavior, so here they are again: No fighting, no puking, no hitting on someone else’s date, no griping at over-worked servers and bartenders, no bragging about how much money you have (or your parents have), no drunk driving, no public nudity (private nudity is okay), no yelling, no discussion of religion - and especially no politics! 

As with all holiday weekends, you may have a little longer wait for a seat, a drink, or some food. Be nice to everyone who is working so you can play. The population of Grand Lake over the next few days will be equal to the population of the state’s third largest city. Everyone is always understaffed for the influx of holiday weekend visitors. If everybody who’s coming to the lake over the holiday weekend would come every weekend, all the businesses could staff up for those giant crowds. If I get my drink before you do, it’s because I’m there every day all year long. Bartenders already know what I want – and they know I’ll be sitting on the same stool in December. So, maybe you should buy a house and a boat while you’re here and come join us for the party all year!

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Who says fraud doesn’t pay? Be careful when you get those phone calls asking for money to support law enforcement. The New York Times did an investigation that showed organizations claiming to represent fundraising for law enforcement raised $89 million; but their actual contributions to law enforcement totaled $826,904. Look at it like you should be looking at retail – keep it local!

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Just in time for the holiday weekend, there are More businesses to support the growing number of tourists and residents on Monkey Island. Keagan’s Coffee opens this week at Littlefield Corner by Dollar General – and Family Dollar/Dollar Tree also opens Thursday – also next to Dollar General (I never have figured that out).

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Enjoy your holiday weekend on Grand Lake! Every club has entertainment, every restaurant has specials – and every seasonal outdoor dining & drinking venue on the lake is open for the season. Enjoy!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Don Oden, Ann Turner, Pam Nutting, Todd Mlnarik, Cheryl Ayer, Brent Malone, Kelli Dyer, Mark Moore, Carla Howard, Jamie Flud, Keith Hawks, Lorri Burns-Bacon, Heather Duit, Ron Blaylock, Brooke Fuser, Gerald Neff, Brian Mitchell, Bill Hodge, Lori Magoulas, Arlene Seybolt, Brinda Russell, Kevin Holmes, and Ron Griffin.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Thursday is the Battlefield Charity Challenge Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club (Battlefield). Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina opens for the season Friday (4:00); and there is a Couples Mixer at The Battlefield at Shangri-La Friday evening (5:00). Saturday morning is Demo Day at Shangri-La Golf Club (9:00-1:00) introducing the new Ping G430. Saturday at 6:00 p.m. is also the fun “Dock Shots” competition at Shangri-La Golf Club. Watch for holiday weekend fireworks Saturday night at Honey Creek Landing Marina.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Although her parents were originally from the Pacific Northwest, singer and actress Michelle Phillips of the “Mamas and the Papas” spent much of her early life in Mexico and learned to read and write Spanish before learning to read and write English.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Billy Joel never sells tickets to the front rows of his concerts. Aside from wanting to beat the scalpers, he got tired of all the bored rich people staring up at him. So now, he sends his road crew out to bring down the fans from the worst seats so there’ll be “people in the front rows who are really happy to be there – real fans.”  

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover girl is…Martha Stewart. Age 81

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: If every time someone asks you to do something, you quietly gasp and whisper, “Like the prophecy foretold,” people stop asking you to do things.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Dance like no one is watching, but text and email like it will be read in court one day.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Live so that if your life were turned into a book, Florida would ban it.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: The green pepper couldn’t practice archery because it didn’t habanero.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Was the pole vault actually invented by a clumsy javelin thrower?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Everything will kill you, so choose something fun.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Who doesn’t regularly quote lines from old Cheech & Chong routines? Tommy Chong turns 85 this week. Iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan turns 82 – and actor/director/producer Clint Eastwood will be 93 next week.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “One of the most important reasons for studying history is that virtually every stupid idea that is in vogue today has been tried before and proved disastrous before, time and time again.” – Thomas Sowell

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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 fun at the Thursday night Shrimp Boil. Clint Ingram performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar features Downbeat Saturday night and Brett N’ Terri Sunday night. There’s a three-night Memorial Weekend Blowout of entertainment Friday-Sunday nights at Big Shots led by DJ K-Bandito; and across the street, there’s karaoke on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday, Saturday & Sunday. DJ Kennedy brings Rockstar Karaoke to Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, The Faulconers perform Friday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek. The Dax Perrier Band entertains Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by Mike Barham and the Honky Tonk Prophets Saturday, and KC Johns and Tim Baumgartner Sunday. Downbeat will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at the Drunken Rooster followed by Constant Chaos Saturday, and Stars Sunday night. The weekend entertainment line-up starts Thursday at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Brill in Disney with Clint Ingram on stage. Ryan Graham will provide the music at Mooney’s Friday night, followed by Matt Breitzke Saturday and Barrett Lewis Sunday.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night by Constant Chaos, and more karaoke Saturday. The Faulconers will provide the music Saturday afternoon at Honey Creek Landing Marina (4:30). The Brandon Butler Band entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Encore Saturday night.

Chris Hyde entertains Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Dino D and the D Train Band both Friday and Saturday nights. Friday night, Blue Oyster Cult will be in concert at the Pavilion at Buffalo Run Casino. Blues Doctors perform Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West. The Cleverlys will be on stage at Legends Sport Bar at Downstream Casino Saturday night.

The inaugural edition of “Jim Jam” is Sunday afternoon just outside of Wyandotte. Music begins at 2:00 with Backwood Country, Kevin Upshaw, Broken Aces, Morgan Squared, The Struggle, The Fabulous Hardcastle Brothers, Whisky Outlaws, Brad Bump, Blank Earth, Bobby DeGonia, Travis Kidd, Johnny Rose, Dale Fraze, and Western Justice.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina opens for the season Friday. Grand Lakers have two Shrimp Boil opportunities each week through the season – Thursday evening at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La, and Friday evenings at Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Harbors View Marina. Blind Swine Duck Creek also offers all-you-can-eat fajitas Saturday evenings. Blue Cat Bistro is open at Har-Ber Village (Thursday-Sunday). Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove is open Thursday-Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Keagan’s Coffee is open at Littlefield Corner.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: FUBAR premieres Thursday on NETFLIX. Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love airs Saturday night at 9:15 on HBO. The 2023 National Memorial Day Concert airs Sunday night at 7:00 on PBS; and America’s Got Talent returns Tuesday night at 7:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Kandahar, The Machine, About My Father, and The Little Mermaid all open in movie theaters Friday. Being Mary Tyler Moore debuts Friday night at 7:00 on HBO.

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 3 – Lendonwood Gardens’ Annual Garden Party Fundraiser (5:30). Saturday, June 3 – Camp Bandage at Grand Lake RV Park. Saturday, June 3 – DCCSAN Glow Fore the Kids fundraising golf tournament at Patricia Island Country Club (5:00). Saturday, June 3 – NAPA Nights at South Grand Lake Regional Airport. Thursday-Saturday, June 8-10 – American Heritage Music Festival – Thursday night at Snider’s Campground (7:00) and Friday & Saturday at Har-Ber Village. Friday, June 9 – Shangri-La Sunset Cruise from Shangri-La Marina (7:00 p.m.). Friday, June 9 – Barkaritaville fundraiser at Honey Creek Barbecue in Grove. Saturday, June 10 – Grand Lake Sailing Club open house celebrating 50 years (noon-3:00). Monday-Sunday, June 12-18 – Visions Off-Road at Mid-America Outdoors. Thursday-Sunday, June 15-18 – Toes in the Grand Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Thursday-Saturday, June 22-24 – 6^th Annual Grand Jam Music Fest at Grand Meridian RV Resort. Friday, June 30 – Grand Opening Festivities at The Battlefield Par 3 Course at Shangri-La (10:00 a.m.). Friday, June 30 – Glow Golf Challenge at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (9:00 p.m.). Sunday, July 2 – Monkey Island Fireworks. Monday, July 3 – Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney. Monday, July 3 – City of Grove Fireworks at Wolf Creek Park. Tuesday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks. Friday-Saturday, July 8-9 – Kentucky Drag Boat Association races in Wolf Creek.

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We’re narrowing things down in the NBA Playoffs. Play continues for the conference championships (Nuggets/Lakers and Celtics/Heat) this week with games every night through Monday, as necessary. The first game of the NBA Championship Finals is next Thursday, June 1.

The Indianapolis 500 is Sunday. Coverage begins at 10:00 a.m. on NBC.

NASCAR drivers are in Charlotte this week for the Coca-Cola 600. Coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 5:00 on Fox.

PGA Golfers are in Fort Worth this weekend for the Charles Schwab Challenge. Coverage begins at 3:00 Thursday & Friday, 1:00 Saturday, and 12:30 Sunday on ESPN. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 4:30 Saturday and 1:00 Sunday.

It’s NCAA Super Regional Tournament week in the college softball world. Coverage is exclusively on ESPN Friday-Sunday.

It’s also time for the college baseball Championship Tournaments. Finals will be Sunday – SEC Championship at 2:00 (ESPN2), Big 12 Championship at 5:00 (ESPNU).

There’s some good pro baseball on TV this week, too. Philadelphia is on the tube three times – at Atlanta Saturday at 3:00 and Sunday at 6:00, and again Tuesday night at the N.Y. Mets. St. Louis is at Cleveland Saturday night at 6:00. The White Sox host the Angels Monday at 7:00.

For pro football fans, regular season play continues for the USFL. Birmingham is at New Orleans Saturday at 3:00 followed by Philadelphia at Pittsburgh at 8:00. Sunday’s games feature Houston at Memphis at 1:30 and Michigan at New Jersey at 4:30.

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It wouldn’t be Memorial Weekend at Grand Lake if there wasn’t at least a little chance of rain. Fortunately, that’s the rain chance – a little. Maybe a few showers Friday and a slight chance Saturday morning. For the most part, though, we’ll have sunshine with a few clouds, high temperatures in the low-to-mid 80s and lows in the mid-to-upper 60s. It looks like a great weekend to enjoy all Grand Lake has to offer. Always 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

Blue Cat Bistro at Har-Ber Village

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

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

Hero’s Deli 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

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

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

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

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