Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum August 19

On the heels of a hot but otherwise perfect weekend on Grand Lake, what a week of nighttime boating! A rare supermoon blue moon full moon visible at Grand Lake for three nights. August evenings don’t get any better than that! I’m not sure about having such a legendary full moon during the Democratic National Convention, but Mother Nature has her ways, I guess.

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Interestingly enough, while the nation’s attention all focused on Democrats this week, Oklahoma’s focus was on a skirmish among Republicans. After more than one third of House Republicans signed a letter calling for an investigation of possible impeachment of State Superintendent Ryan Walters, Walters surprised everyone by calling for his own impeachment. He was perfectly safe in doing so, of course, because House Speaker Charles McCall had already vetoed such an idea – but at least Superintendent Walters finally said something the public school enthusiasts agreed with.

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Speaking of public education, it seems like all new laws have unintended consequences. For example, there’s a new law in Oklahoma that prohibits teachers from texting, emailing, or messaging any students without including the student’s parents in the communication. The intentions are good, I’m sure…but some teachers with children of their own don’t necessarily want to include relatives in a text to their kids reminding them to take out the trash; and teachers who are grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins or siblings of students certainly don’t want to include parents in messages to their own relatives, but that seems to be the law. Nothing’s easy.

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Enough about politics, though. Let’s focus on something Oklahomans really care about. College football season kicks off Saturday and there won’t be another Saturday without college football for the rest of the year. There! Isn’t that better?

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I’m so proud of Grand Lakers for continually stepping up for things that are important. Donors and bidders raised a ton of money to help cover outrageous cancer-fighting costs for Lori Mosler, Grand Laker, Arrowhead employee, and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Marina Association last Saturday at Sharky’s. This weekend, there is a poker run to raise money for longtime Grand Lakers Jason & Terrie Thomas whose home was destroyed by fire. We’re always looking for fun ways to lend a helping hand to those who need a little help – and Grand Lakers always come through! I’m so proud of our little lake community.

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Be sure your house is clean, your boat is washed, fueled & running – and your refrigerator is full. Company’s coming next week. It’s time to get ready for Labor Day Weekend!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Tyler Sourjohn, Jen Sullivan, Anna Stafford, Emilio Arizpe, Rallene May, Andy Bossler, Lawrence Schupp, Charlie Givens, Kaylea Hutson-Miller, Jim Burke, Landi Blosser, Larry Steckline, Everett Lees, Debbie Howell, Robine Blumenthal, Janice Wilburn, Jarrod Graham, Randy Krehbiel, Greg Gangas, Gretchen Casto, Malia Love, Jim Basgall, Jenean Perryman, Randy McAbee, and Gretchen Zumwalt.  

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Tuesday night is “Outdoor Movie Night” on the lawn at The Anchor at Shangri-La. The Greatest Showman begins at 9:00 p.m. Thursday is the monthly South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon at the GRDA Ecosystems Center (11:30 a.m.). Thursday evening is a special “Trivia Night” at The Regatta in Grove with 10% of proceeds benefiting the Grove Football Booster Club (6:00 p.m.). Thursday evening is also the weekly 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 & Saturday is the 2 Hip Chicks Traveling Roadshow at the Whoops Outlet location in Grove (12:00-6:00 p.m. Friday and 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Saturday) and the Grove Pro Rodeo at Crosswired Cowboy Church Arena (7:00 p.m. both nights). Saturday morning is Farmers Market on the lawn at the Grove Community Center. Saturday is also a Poker Run and special event at Sharky’s benefiting Jason & Terrie Thomas (first stop is The Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina – 11:00 a.m. Additional stops are Hi-Lift Marina, Cherokee Yacht Club, Harbors iew Marina, Grand Meridian, Cedar Port Marina, Thunder Bay Marina – check-in by 5:00 at Sharky’s – Live auction at 6:00). In Courthouse Hollow Saturday there is a Grove Rotary Club Raft-up party from 1:00-3:00. Sunday is the 71^st Annual Shotpouch Hog Fry in Eucha. Next Wednesday, the Magic Hunks “Most Wanted Tour” hits the R Bar Dance Hall and Saloon in Grove.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The first dice were the ankle bones of hoofed animals and had only four more or less flat sides, the other two sides being rounded. Thus, while today "bones" is slang for dice, originally the meaning was literal.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In 2007, Scotland spent six months of research and $162,972 to create a new slogan that would boost tourism. They came up with “Welcome to Scotland.” Sort of like Oklahoma, I guess: Imagine That!

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Sweden recycles so well that it imports garbage from Norway to fuel its waste-to-energy power plants.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Facebook is like a refrigerator. When you’re bored, you keep opening and closing it every few minutes to see if there’s anything good in it.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: In case of fire, please leave the building before posting on social media.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Sometimes I sit quietly and wonder why I’m not in a mental asylum. Then I take a good look around at everyone and realize…maybe I am!

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PUN OF THE WEEK: I just saw some red-breasted birds sitting in the sun eating ice cream. I think they were Baskin Robins.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do people who run marathons realize they don’t have to?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If you rip a hole in a net, you have less holes than you started with.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The difference between genius and stupidity is: genius has its limits.” – Albert Einstein

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: This week is the anniversary of the generation-changing Woodstock Music Festival – 55 years ago. There are a couple of landmark birthdays for famous show business “Roberts.” Robert De Niro turned 81 over the weekend and Robert Redford turned 88. Comedian, actor, writer, producer & musician Steve Martin turned 79 years old last week. EXCUUUUUUSE ME! Longtime “Hollywood Squares” host Peter Marshall died last week. He was 98 years old.  

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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. DJ Kennedy also entertains Friday night at The Monkey Bar. Friday night, Mark Gibson entertains live at Doc’s. Kevin Price & The Closers entertain 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. Daniel Chesser performs live Friday night at the Swine, followed by The Faulconers Saturday night and Erin Fitzgibbon next Tuesday. Ty Ellis & the Flatliners perform Friday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. DJ Kyle Bandito provides the late night music at Big Shots both Friday & Saturday nights. Saturday afternoon, The Struggle will perform in Courthouse Hollow at the Grove Rotary Club Raft-Up Party (1:00-3:00).

On South Grand, The Smith Brothers start the weekend Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Reverse Reaction Saturday night. The James Muns Trio headlines the Saturday night fun at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina. Ryan Graham will entertain Friday night at Blind Swine Duck Creek followed by Chris & Suzie Saturday night. RocKFiscH will perform live at The Drunken Rooster Saturday night. The Taylor Hunnicutt Band will perform along with Randall George Sunday evening at Grand Meridian RV, Cabin & Tiny Home Resort beginning at 6:00 p.m.

In Grove, Adam McCabe will be performing at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 Friday night. The Downbeat will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Travis Kidd Saturday night, and an early show by Brent Giddens next Wednesday at 6:00.

There are three nights of weekend music at Indigo Sky Casino. The Sweet Double Trio performs Thursday night, followed by the full Sweet Double Band Friday night and Thomas Martinez Saturday. Friday night is “Comedy Night” and The Randy Ess Band entertains Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar. Encore performs Thursday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar followed by Left of Center Friday night, and The George Brothers Saturday.

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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. Pineapple Bliss in Grove, Grand Lake Public House in Grove, Meats, Eats & Sweets in Ketchum and Changos Locos restaurant at Littlefield Corner are closed.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Democratic National Convention airs nightly through Thursday on most networks. The ‘90s Show begins streaming on NETFLIX Thursday. The inaugural 2024 broadcast of College Game Day from Dublin, Ireland Saturday morning at 8:00 on ESPN. Adam Sandler’s first stand-up comedy show in six years, Adam Sandler: Love You debuts next Tuesday on NETFLIX.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Forge, The Crow and Blink Twice all open in movie theaters this week.

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SAVE THE DATE: 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 – Cigarette Boat Owners’ Run beginning at the mouth of Woodard Hollow (10:00 a.m.). 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. Thursday-Sunday, September 19-22 – Pioneer Days Celebration at Har-Ber Village (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-noon Sunday). 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. Saturday, September 21 – Keels & Wheels classic car and boat show at Cherokee Yacht Club sponsored by Heartland Classics Boat Club (10 a.m.-3 p.m.). Friday-Saturday, September 27-28 -  Grove Merchants Fall Open House. Friday-Sunday, October 4-6 – Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Friday-Sunday, October 4-6 – “Killer Weekend” at Shangri-La Resort (Killer Keyz Dueling Pianos Friday, Member Appreciation Saturday, Courage Under Fire Classic golf tournament Sunday).

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It’s a big sports weekend ahead. It’s the final week of Preseason Play for the NFL. The Chiefs host Chicago Thursday night (7:20). Friday, Jacksonville is at Atlanta (6:00) and San Francisco is at Las Vegas (9:00). Saturday games include Pittsburgh at Detroit (noon), the L.A. Chargers at Dallas (3:00), the Jets hosting the Giants (6:30) and Cleveland at Seattle (9:00). Sunday, Tennessee is at New Orleans (1:00), Arizona is at Denver (3:30) and New England is at Washington (7:00). Next week, the NFL action gets underway for real. The first regular season game is next Thursday night with a huge rematch – Chiefs hosting the Ravens at 7:20 on NBC!

Believe it or not, college football gets underway for the 2024-25 season this week. The first game of the year sends Florida State to Georgia Tech Saturday morning at 11:00.

The WNBA is back in action with four televised games over the next few days. Las Vegas is at Chicago Sunday at 11:00 a.m. followed by Los Angeles at Dallas at 3:00. Next Tuesday, Dallas is at New York at 6:00 – and next Wednesday, Las Vegas hosts Minnesota at 8:30.

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

NASCAR drivers are in Daytona this weekend for some Saturday night Prime Time racing. Coverage of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 begins at 6:30 Saturday evening on NBC.

Major League Baseball has some big games, as well. Houston is at Baltimore Thursday at 6:15 and Sunday at 6:00. Monday at 6:00 and Tuesday at 6:20, the Astros are at Philadelphia. Next Wednesday, Miami is at Colorado (7:40).

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The weather for the weekend ahead looks absolutely perfect for outdoor fun. We’ll have sunshine with highs in the low 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

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