May 29 Random Observations of the Grand Lake Bum

The Memorial Day holiday weekend was absolutely fantastic at Grand Lake. For the first time in a while, we had absolutely perfect weather all weekend – and what a crowd!! Boats, boats, boats – even the people who only use their boats three weekends a year were out there. Virtually every place was occupied, every hotel room was full, every available boat was rented (some of them were also purchased); and every golf course was crazy busy. The Honey Creek and Duck Creek fireworks were a nice touch to the holiday festivities – and it was fun to see the Sail Grand parasailing chutes in the sky! Kudos to everyone who picked Grand Lake as their holiday destination and treated each other with patience and respect. It was an awesome weekend!

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Now we are beginning a new month with lots of youth camps, sports camps, educational camps (like Camp Bandage), and plenty of special events and live entertainment options for the big kids, as well. As we move through the month, we’ll wrap everything up with the official dedication of The Battlefield par 3 course at Shangri-La, and roll right into an Independence Day weekend with loads of celebrations and unparalleled fireworks displays!

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The Oklahoma legislature officially ended its regular session, so we’re safe once again. Thankfully, we can also watch Public Television since one of the last moves by the legislature was to override the Governor’s veto of authorization for continued operation of OETA. For some reason, he thought “Clifford the Big Red Dog” was a threat to the thinking of our children – but thankfully, the legislature had better sense. I swear, the thinking of politicians gets stranger and stranger every year that goes by.

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I’m not sure what to call the Washington NFL Football team these days. After ditching the “Redskins” name, they went for more than a year calling themselves “The Washington Football Team” before coming up with the lame name “Commanders.” Now, even that name might not stick. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has denied their trademark application.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Jim Sellers, Shaun Tune, Andrew Doney, Margerete Schenke, Valerie Carter, Tiana Douglas, Hank Kraft, Julie McFerron, Chris Mullen, Donna Ferguson, Gordon Kucera, Kim Schoppa, Mary Jobst, and OU super-coach Patty Gasso.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Saturday morning is the weekly Farmer’s Market at the Grove City Hall lawn (9:00-2:00). Saturday is Lendonwood Gardens’ Annual Garden Party Fundraiser (5:30). Saturday is also Camp Bandage at Grand Lake RV Park (noon-4:00 p.m.), and the DCCSAN Glow Fore the Kids fundraising golf tournament at Patricia Island Country Club (5:00). Saturday night is also “NAPA Nights” at South Grand Lake Regional Airport.

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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: The average woman overpacks her suitcase by about double. A study of 2,000 women showed they need an average of 34 clothing items for a week-long trip, but will pack 60 “just in case.”

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: There are about 13 minerals that are essential for human life, and all of them can be found in wine. Coincidence? I think not.

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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: When you’re a child, you make funny faces at the mirror. When we become adults, the mirror gets even.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Don’t give up on your dreams. Go back to bed.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Let me tell you about my grandfather. He was a good man, a brave man. He had the heart of a lion and a lifetime ban from the zoo.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do you think the people who are paying $300 for a colon cleanse even know about Taco Bell’s $4.99 deal?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I know Peter Pan never wanted to grow up, but apparently there were lots of other people, as well. I see lots of cowboys and cowgirls…but no cowmen or cowwomen.  

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Two American musical icons had a birthday recently. Cher is now 77 and Stevie Nicks is 75. We lost superstar Tina Turner last week at the age of 83.

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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. Kevin Price performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar features Travis Kidd Saturday night. Terry Jordan entertains at The Summit Restaurant Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings. DJ K-Bandito hosts the musical fun at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze Friday & Saturday nights; and across the street, there’s karaoke on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday nights. DJ Kennedy brings Rockstar Karaoke fun to Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill starts the weekend entertainment on Thursday this week with Jamie Hooper. Ryan Graham performs Friday night at Mooney’s followed by Absher, Martin & White Saturday night. Downbeat entertains Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina. House Party will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at the Drunken Rooster.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music from Kevin Upshaw Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. Travis Kidd entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Porter Crossing Saturday night.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina is open 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 now offers all-you-can-eat fish fry Thursday evenings and all-you-can-eat fajitas Saturday evenings. Blue Cat Bistro is open at Har-Ber Village (Thursday-Sunday). Keagan’s Coffee is open at Littlefield Corner.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Lazarus Project airs Saturday night at 8:00 on TNT. The Idol premieres Sunday night at 8:00 on HBO. American Ninja Warrior returns Monday night at 7:00 on NBC. And Barmageddon is Monday night at 9:00 on USA.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and The Boogeyman open in movie theaters Friday. A Beautiful Life debuts Thursday on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: 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 and Dedication 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.). Friday, June 30 – Vinita Fireworks at Craig County Fairgrounds. Saturday, July 1 – Horse Creek Fireworks. Saturday, July 1 – Gran Tara Fireworks. 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. Monday, July 3 - Tuesday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks. Tuesday, July 1 – Jay Fireworks. Tuesday, July 4 – Miami Fireworks at Buffalo Run Casino. Friday-Saturday, July 8-9 – Kentucky Drag Boat Association races in Wolf Creek.

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Softball is a hot topic this time of year in Oklahoma. The Women’s College World Series gets underway in Oklahoma City Thursday with both OU and OSU among the nation’s top teams – and OU as a favorite to “three-peat” as National Champions. It all starts Thursday.

Now we’re playing for all the marbles in the NBA and the NHL, too. The NBA Championship series begins Thursday in a best-of-seven series. The NHL Stanley Cup competition is also down to two teams – finals start Saturday.

College baseball is starting the run to the College World Series, as well, with regional action this week, Friday-Monday.

NASCAR drivers are in Madison, Illinois this week for the Enjoy Illinois 300. Coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 2:30 on FS1.

PGA Golfers are in Dublin, Ohio this weekend for The Memorial. Coverage begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and 11:30 Saturday and Sunday mornings on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 1:30 Saturday & Sunday.

There’s some good pro baseball on TV this week, too. The Dodgers host the Yankees for a couple of games – Saturday and Sunday nights at 6:00. The Cubs are in San Diego Saturday night at 9:00; and Miami hosts Kansas City Monday evening at 5:30.

For pro football fans, regular season play continues for the USFL. Houston is at Pittsburgh Saturday morning at 11:00 followed by Philadelphia at Birmingham at 2:00. Sunday, Memphis is at New Jersey at noon and New Orleans hosts Michigan at 3:00.

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Weather looks great for the weekend ahead. Aside from a chance of scattered showers here and there, 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