Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum August 12

The season’s last on-the-water concert is over. Woodstock on the Water for 2024 was great fun for all the boaters who showed up in Leon Russell Cove for the two-day event. Those who had the most fun showed up for the overnight raft-up. One (obviously) novice boater was worried about going, telling me he didn’t want to sleep on a raft. We may still have a little educating to do for the new kids on the lake.

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The last weekend before the start of school drew big crowds to the lake, but I hope everyone brought the appropriate clothing. It’s the first time I remember wearing a sweatshirt on Grand Lake in August! What a nice break. Last Saturday’s weather was especially perfect. Boaters were thrilled. Golfers were thrilled. Hikers were thrilled. Weather was absolutely perfect for everyone except sailboaters who didn’t have any breeze…and maybe some personal watercraft riders who may have been a little chilly. On second thought, don’t worry about the PWC riders. They never seem to notice the temperature – of either the air OR the water!

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I’ll admit to being caught up in Olympic fever for the past couple of weeks. It was a little different, though. It seems a little strange to have everybody in the world gather up for the most popular sports of summertime – with no baseball and no softball. That won’t happen again in 2028 with the Olympic games in Los Angeles. Best of all, the 2028 Olympic Softball competition won’t actually be in Los Angeles. It will actually be held in the official home of USA softball – Oklahoma City.

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We may not have had baseball or softball in the Olympics, but we did have rock-climbing, skateboarding and break dancing. Sorry, not break dancing – breaking. I’ll admit to being a little surprised by the breaking competition. It was more like a gymnastics floor exercise than actual dancing. By the way, if you thought the USA had a lock on great dancers, you’re mistaken. The best USA could do in the breaking competition was a Men’s Bronze Medal for Victor Montalvo. Canada picked up the gold and France got the silver in the men’s breaking competition. Top women break dancers were from Japan, Lithuania and China.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Candi Bullard, Savannah Brown, Matt Pinnell, Sandye Berga, Cheryl Dalton, Alisha DiMaggio, Lynda Fleming, Mariel McGehee, Debi Saied, Mike Hegeman, Debra Putman, Haley Vaughn, Joe Eve, Brianna Hensley, and Tim Hicks.  

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday is a Grove Chamber Business After Hours at White Buffalo Lodge in Grove (5:00-6:30). Thursday evening is also Shrimp Boil & Karaoke evening on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.) and a Crab Legs & Karaoke at Island Bar & Grill at The Landings. Friday is the 18^th Annual Mary Moore Charity Event & Golf Tournament at Shangri-La, benefiting Special Olympics through the Home of Hope. Saturday morning is Farmers Market on the lawn at the Grove Community Center. Saturday is a benefit at Sharky’s for sweet Lori Mosler, Arrowhead staffer and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Marinas Association. Saturday is also a Couples Mixer at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (5:00 p.m.); and next Tuesday is Movie Night on the Lawn at The Anchor at Shangri-La – The Greatest Showman (9:00 p.m.).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: A game called faro, not poker, was the most popular form of card gambling in the Old West.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: We have great places to grab a quick snack or beverage. Newsweek Magazine has named the most popular convenience stores in America. QuikTrip and Love’s Travel Stops were both in the Top 5 – just behind Texas-based Buc-ee’s and the east coast chain Wawa.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Your nose and ears never stop growing. (Sorry to bring you the bad news.)

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I’m so glad I met all of you at this point in my life. There’s no chance my mother would have let me play with you guys growing up.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Somebody’s therapist knows all about you.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Karma is only a bitch if you are. 

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PUN OF THE WEEK: Always make sure someone in the relationship has good credit. That’s why it’s called “SIGNIFICANT other.” Sign/if/I/can’t.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If the sign says, “Fine for Parking,” does that mean it’s okay to park there?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Be sure your garage is locked at night before going to bed. You wouldn’t want someone stealing all the stuff you’ve been trying to get rid of for years.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Keith Richards once got a turtle for his birthday. He asked, “How old will it get?” They told him, “About 300 years.” He said, “Now you see why I’m against it. You get attached to such an animal, and then it dies.”

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The incredibly talented actor Dustin Hoffman turned 87 last week. Two more of television’s most iconic legends are still at it. Dick Van Dyke is 98. Carol Burnett is 91. Sadly, we lost one of the true legends of golf last week. Chi Chi Rodriguez, the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame, died at the age of 88.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend at the Thursday Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on the patio of Doc’s Bar & Grill and DJ Kennedy hosts Rockstar Karaoke at Island Bar & Grill at The Landings. Friday night, Ryan Graham entertains live at Doc’s. Whisky Poet Society entertains at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar Saturday night. There is karaoke fun on The Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday nights. Wednesday night is “Cocktails & Karaoke” night at Blind Swine and Thursday night is DJ Night at the Swine Monkey Island location. Recommended Dose performs live Saturday night at the Swine’s “Full Moon Party,” and Erin Fitzgibbon next Tuesday. Robbi Bell performs Friday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Big Shots is closed Saturday night until 10:00 p.m. for a private party. DJ Kyle Bandito provides the late night music at Big Shots both Friday & Saturday nights.

On South Grand, Jamey Hooper starts the weekend early Thursday night (6:30) at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Wilkie Jay Friday night, Clint & Frank Saturday night, and a Sunday afternoon show (5:30) with Barrett Lewis. Laron Simpson headlines the Friday night fun at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by a Sunday afternoon show (4:30) by Dustin Treiber. Daniel Chester will entertain Friday night at Blind Swine Duck Creek followed by Lil’ Red & Cobe Bell Saturday night. Reverse Reaction will perform live at The Drunken Rooster Saturday night.

Jake Clark will be performing at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 Friday night. Three Dollar Rocket will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by 90 Lb. Wrench Saturday night.

There are three nights of weekend music at Indigo Sky Casino. Adam McCabe performs Thursday night, followed by Travis Kidd Friday night and Derryl Perry Saturday. Friday night is “Comedy Night” and Until Now entertains Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Prime at the Pool at Marina Del Rey Resort is now open seven days a week. The new Gambino’s Pizza location is now open in Ketchum. The Monkey Bar (formerly Monkey Island Pub) and The Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina are both now open seven nights a week. Pineapple Bliss in Grove is now closed for the season. Meats, Eats & Sweets in Ketchum and Changos Locos restaurant at Littlefield Corner are closed.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Chimp Crazy airs Sunday night at 9:00 on HBO. The new series The Anonymous debuts Monday night at 10:00 on USA Network.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Alien: Romulus and Ryan’s World The Move: Titan Universe Adventure both open in movie theaters this week. The Union is available Friday on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Saturday, August 23-24 – 2 Hip Chicks Traveling Roadshow at the Whoops Outlet location in Grove (12:00-6:00 p.m. Friday & Saturdasy, August 23-24 – Grove Pro Rodeo. Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Saturday). Saturday, August 24 – Poker Run and special event at Sharky’s benefiting Jason & Terrie Thomas. Wednesday, August 28 – Magic Hunks “Most Wanted Tour” at R Bar Dance Hall and Saloon. Friday, August 30 – OU-Temple Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Friday & Saturday, August 30-31 – Bullfest at The Lake 2024 at Wolf Creek Park in Grove (gates open at 4:00 p..m.). Friday- Sunday, August 30-September 1 – Jana Jae’s Fiddle Camp & Music Fest (Snider’s Campground and Freewill Baptist Church in Grove). Saturday, August 31 – OSU-South Dakota State Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (1:00 pm.). Saturday, August 31 – Grand River Dam Paddle (GRDP) on the river below Pensacola Dam. Monday, September 9 – South Grand Lake Foundation “Fore the Kids” golf tournament at The Coves benefiting the Ketchum Backpack Program (9:00 a.m. shotgun). Thursday-Friday, September 12-13 – Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s “Luau on the Green” and Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Friday, September 20 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Patricia Island Country Club (1:30 shotgun). Saturday September 21 – World’s Largest Calf Fry & BBQ Festival at the Will Rogers Rodeo Grounds in Vinita.

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The Olympics are over, but the NFL Preseason is underway – week 2. New England hosts Philadelphia Thursday at 6:00 and there are four games Saturday – Minnesota at Washington at noon, Detroit at Kansas City at 3:00, Buffalo at Pittsburgh at 6:00, and Dallas at Las Vegas at 9:00. Sunday night, Green Bay is at Denver and San Francisco hosts New Orleans, both at 7:00.

The WNBA is back in action with seven televised games over the next few days. If you’re on Caitlin Clark watch, Indiana hosts Phoenix at 6:30 Friday and Seattle Sunday at 2:30.

PGA players are in Memphis this week for the FedEx St. Jude Championship Coverage begins Thursday & Friday at 1:00, Saturday at noon & Sunday morning at 11:00 on the Golf Channel. NBC picks up the final two rounds Saturday at 2:00 & Sunday at 1:00.

NASCAR drivers are in Michigan this weekend. Coverage of the Firekeepers Casino 400 begins at 2:30 Sunday afternoon on USA network.

Major League Baseball coverage highlights some good games this week. Minnesota is at Texas Thursday night (7:00), The Cardinals host the Dodgers Saturday (6:00), the Yankees are at Detroit Sunday (6:00), Minnesota takes on San Diego Monday (8:30), Philadelphia is at Atlanta next Tuesday (6:20), and Milwaukee is at St. Louis next Wednesday (6:30).

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After unseasonably mild weather over the past weekend, summer returns to the weekend ahead. We’ll have sunshine for the most part, with highs in the mid-90s and lows around 70. It’s another busy weekend on Grand Lake, so get out there and have some summer fun! Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might 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.

Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, 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)

Bradford BBQ in Ketchum

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Casa Gutierrez in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s on Monkey Island

Chicken Coop west of Langley

Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)

Cove Club in Langley

Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

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

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Fruity Patooties at Grand Towne Center in Langley

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

Gambine’s Pizza in Ketchum

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Getaway Mercantile (north of 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

Hero’s Deli in Langley

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

Legacy Eatery in Grove

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Bar on Monkey Island

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

Mosa Hibachi and Sushi in Grove

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

One-Eyed Monkey at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

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

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

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

VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove