May 8 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

FINALLY! We had a weekend of warm weather. Temperatures pushing 90 degrees certainly put the boaters on the lake. I was worrying about whether or not everyone had dewinterized their boat – but I guess there was nothing to worry about. They were all out over the past weekend. Most of the seasonal clubs and restaurants on the lake are now open. The last one on the list is Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina. Eddy’s opens May 19. Here comes summertime!     

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I hope you enjoyed celebrating Cinco de Mayo last weekend for everybody in Mexico…because they don’t celebrate it in Mexico. No, it’s NOT Mexican Independence Day.

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Mother’s Day is this Sunday – here are a few tips: Don’t make her get up early. Don’t make her get up at all, if she doesn’t want to. Don’t let her cook. Don’t let her do dishes. Don’t pick the restaurant. Let HER pick the restaurant. If you can’t be with her, call her – don’t text her.  If you have kids, bring ‘em to Mom’s. Don’t LEAVE them for Mom to watch. You’re welcome.

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I had a HUGE weekend. Between the opening of The Battlefield Golf Course at Shangri-La, the Cinco de Derby golf cart poker run on Monkey Island, Kentucky Derby parties, Cinco de Mayo parties, the sock-burning at Harbors View Marina, and the big Shangri-La/Nichols Marine Customer Appreciation Luau & Boat Show, I was afraid I maxed out my alcohol consumption capacity. For years, I have been urging people to “buy a drink for the guy next to you because it could be me.” Saturday, everybody I ran into did that! Fortunately, I woke up Sunday with a blood/alcohol content instead of an alcohol/blood content, so I was able to make it to the NBA Playoff showing at The Anchor. If you think the Grand Lake busy season doesn’t start until Memorial weekend, you’re missing half the fun!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to James Brock, Curt Landry, Darryl Gupton, Roger Cook, Beverly Funke, Lyn Goss, Josh McAffrey, Lorri Dyer, Pat McConn, Donna Altmiller, Joe Landon, Carrie Moore, Jerrod Neighbors, Sheryl Hicks, Kevin Brady, Chance Grubb, Nancy Adkisson, Maxine Duncan, Byron Long, Jodie Gallagher, Gary Cameron, Greg Mantia, and Gaylyn Haynes.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Thursday is the Grove Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon with featured speaker Jill McAbee (DCCSAN) at the Grove Community Center (noon). Thursday night is a Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La (6:00). Friday-Sunday celebrate Colonial American Frontiersman Days at Har-Ber Village. Saturday is Farmers’ Market Day on the Grove City Hall lawn (9:00-2:00), as well as the Cowskin Fire Department Car Show at Elk River Baptist Church (8:30-3:30). Sunday is Mother’s Day. Don’t forget your momma! The South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is Monday at Shangri-La Golf Club.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: McDonald’s restaurants in India do not serve beef.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The gravestone of Mel Blanc, the voice of dozens of cartoon characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn and the Tasmanian Devil, reads…”THAT’S ALL FOLKS!”

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The NFL suspended five players for “violating the league’s gambling policy.” In the meantime, the NFL is officially a partner with sportsbook betting sites Caesar’s Entertainment, DraftKings, FanDual, FoxBet, BetMGM, PointsBet, and WynnBET. Must be one of those “Do as I say….” deals.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK (posted during the coronation of King Charles III in Great Britain): 74-year-old man excited to get first job after years of living off his Mother.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: How many Lowe’s could Rob Lowe rob if Rob Lowe could rob Lowe’s?

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: It’s never too late to start exercising. That’s why I’m waiting until later.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: English is the only language where you recite in a play and play in a recital.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in our driveway while we lock all of our useless junk in the garage?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I’m not going to worry about drag queens unless I see one with an assault rifle.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State and advisor to multiple Presidents, will be 100 years old on Memorial Weekend.  The “Piano Man,” legendary singer/songwriter/musician Billy Joel, turns 74 this week.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “After I hit a home run, I had a habit of running the bases with my head down. I figured the pitcher already felt bad enough without me showing him up rounding the bases.” – Mickey Mantle

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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. Ryan Graham performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill for Cinco de Mayo fun Friday night. DJ K-Bandito provides the dance music Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots. DJ Kennedy brings Rockstar Karaoke to Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, The Hype entertains Saturday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina. Erin Fitzgibbon will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at the Drunken Rooster followed by Jump Suit Love Saturday night. Billy Hoffman & the Asphalt Cowboys will provide the music at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill Friday night. Barrett Lewis will be on stage Saturday night.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night by Jeff Tatum, and more karaoke Saturday. The Downbeat entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Three Dollar Rocket Saturday night.

Jon Dooly entertains Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Stonehorse Friday and Blacknote Band Saturday. Nathan Bryce performs Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: There are special Mother’s Day Brunch offerings Sunday at Doc’s, The Summit, Arrowhead Yacht Club, Bella Donna’s, and Drunken Rooster. The Summit at Shangri-La is now open for lunch seven days a week – and the Pool Bar is open (weather permitting) for members and guests at Shangri-La Resort. Blind Swine on Duck Creek is now open for their full summer schedule (closed Monday) at Harbors View Marina (Breakfast Saturday & Sunday). Mooney’s is now open at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays – only closed on Mondays. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is open for the season (Thursday-Sunday); and Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina is open for the season (Friday-Sunday).

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The 58^th Academy of Country Music Awards program will air live Thursday night at 7:00 on Prime Video. The final season of Fear the Walking Dead debuts Sunday night at 8:00 on AMC; and The Voice moves into the live rounds with only eight remaining contestants Monday at 7:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Firestarter and Love in Kilnerry open in movie theaters this week. Air is available beginning Friday on Prime Video.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, May 18 – Business After Hours at Apex Title in Langley (4:00-6:00). Friday, May 19 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Spring Scramble Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Grove (8:00 a.m.). Friday, May 19 – Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens at Shangri-La Marina (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 20 – Sounds of Summer Festival & Car Show at Marina Del Rey Resort (1:00-6:00). Tuesday, May 23 – Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at the new Woodshed in Langley (5:00). Thursday, May 25 – Battlefield Charity Challenge Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club (Battlefield). Saturday, June 3 – Lendonwood Gardens’ Annual Garden Party Fundraiser (5:30). Saturday, June 3 – Camp Bandage at Grand Lake RV Park. Saturday, June 3 – NAPA Nights at South Grand Lake Regional Airport. 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. 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. Tuesday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks.

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NBA Playoffs and NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are getting down to serious business this week. We’ll still be doing this for a while. Finals for both sports won’t be until early June. In the meantime, enjoy the playoffs.

PGA Golfers are in McKinney, Texas this weekend for the AT&T Byron Nelson. Coverage begins at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on The Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

LIV Golfers are in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma this week at Cedar Ridge. You’ll have to have the CW App to watch Friday’s play, but the CW Network will cover the final two rounds beginning Saturday & Sunday at noon.

It’s Championship Week #1 in the college softball world. The Big 12 Championship tournament runs Thursday-Saturday.  

For pro football fans, it’s National Championship week for the XFL. Bob Stoops’ Arlington Renegades will face the D.C. Defenders for the title at the Alamodome in San Antonio at 7:00 p.m. Saturday (ABC/ESPN). Regular season play continues for the USFL. Pittsburgh faces Michigan Saturday at 11:30 followed by Houston and Birmingham at 3:00. Sunday games include New Jersey at Philadelphia at 11:00 and Memphis at New Orleans at 2:00.

NASCAR drivers are at Darlington this week for the Goodyear 400. Coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on FS1.

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We may have a shower or two here and there on Mother’s Day weekend, but at least the wind will be a little lighter than it has been lately. High temperatures will be in the mid-80s with lows in the mid-60s. There is a lot of stuff happening at Grand Lake this weekend, so get out and have some fun – and take your Mom somewhere she loves on Sunday! 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

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

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

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