Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum July 15

If you were among those who didn’t hang out at Grand Lake over the past weekend just because it was the weekend after a major holiday, you missed a LOT of fun! And what perfect weather for the Drag Boat National races on Wolf Creek, the Shangri-La Club Championship Tournament, and the Grand Opening weekend for The Monkey Bar on Monkey Island!

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This week is a great opportunity to spread the news of Grand Lake’s incredible offerings all across the State of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Society of Association Executives meets at Shangri-La this week with the top executives of all of our state’s top associations – and legislators from all corners of the state will be here this weekend for the Oklahoma Legislative Grand Lake Getaway and Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. It seems like not a week goes by without more and more people showing up to discover that Grand Lake is the region’s ultimate destination for year-round fun!

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Grand Lakers will be honoring our own this week, too. The Grove Area Chamber of Commerce hosts it’s annual Awards Gala this week, honoring businesses and individuals who have gone above and beyond to promote our area. We can never do too much to honor those who have dedicated their lives and careers to enhancing Oklahoma’s #1 playground!

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One of life’s great mysteries to me is the bizarre appointment scheduling at virtually every doctor’s office. Why do they tell me, “You have an appointment at 10:15 a.m. Please arrive fifteen minutes early” instead of simply telling me, “You have an appointment at 10:00 a.m.”?

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Joel McCorkle, Dan DeMier, Bill Flegler, Carlyn Cavins, Bailey Stanphill, Erin Davis, Bobby Stem, Joe Carter, Rene Talley, Dustin Brown, Tricia Covell, Jack Kirkpatrick, Dennis McCulla, Shawn Webb, David Poindexter, Cindy Dunavant, Kent Jopling, Randy Sullivan, Christina Riggs, and Peggy Kiefer-Steed.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday evening is a Shrimp Boil & Karaoke evening at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). The Oklahoma Legislative Grand Lake Retreat is this weekend with events Thursday-Sunday at Shangri-La. Friday is a PXG Fitting Day at Shangri-La (3:00-7:00 p.m.). Friday night is a Cobalt Cowboy Cookout at Cherokee Yacht Club for Cobalt Boat Owners (7:00 p.m.). Friday & Saturday is Lawn-a-Thon inflatable fun for the kids on The Anchor Lawn at Shangri-La. The Heartland Racing Midsummer Roundup runs Friday-Sunday at MidAmerica Outdoors; and Ruth live performances are both Friday & Saturday nights at the Scripture in Picture Amphitheater. There’s a Fish Fry at Blue Bluff Harbor Resort Saturday beginning at 5:00. Saturday is the Par 3 Club Championship at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (9:00 a.m.). Saturday is also a Splash Bash in Ketchum Cove with live music (1:00-5:00 p.m.), and a “Back to the 80s Party” at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina Saturday night. There’s also a “Full Moon Party” Saturday night at Blind Swine on Monkey Island. The production of Glorious opens Sunday at Playmakers in Grove (2:00 p.m.) and continues through August 4.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Canada didn’t have a national flag until 1965.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Ironically enough, the term used to define the “fear of long words” is Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: I guess we shouldn’t complain about the cost of speeding tickets around here. In Finland, fines for speeding are calculated based on the driver’s monthly income. Last year, a wealthy Finnish businessman was fined $129,400 – for speeding! 20 mph over the speed limit.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Pre-school rules and bar rules are the same: you pee your pants, you go home.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Campbell’s Condescend Tomato Soup 95 cents (no more challenging meal than hateful soup!)

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I married my wife for her looks, but not the ones she’s been giving me lately.  

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PUN OF THE WEEK: I got hit by a rental truck. It Hertz!

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How can you tell whether you have bird flu or swine flu? Does one require tweetment…and the other oinkment?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I don’t always walk the walk or even talk the talk. But if you ever need someone to drink the drink, I’m totally there for you.  

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “My religious beliefs prohibit me from obeying laws passed by Supreme Court justices who take bribes.” – Ben Wexler

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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Doc Severinsen, longtime leader of The NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, turned 97 years old last week. We lost fitness guru Richard Simmons last week at the age of 76.  If that doesn’t make you feel old enough, try this one from the other end of the spectrum – OKC Thunder superstar, multi-millionaire, NBA All-Star, Olympian, and likely 2025 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also had a birthday last week. He’s 26.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend at the Thursday Shrimp Boil & Karaoke at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar and DJ Kennedy hosts Rockstar Karaoke at Island Bar & Grill at The Landings. Friday night, RJ Smith entertains live at Doc’s. Whiskey 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. Rockwell will be on stage Saturday night at The Swine. Magen Faulconer entertains Friday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze followed by more musical fun with DJ Mo Saturday.

On South Grand, it’s Splash Bash weekend in Ketchum Cove with live music by Until Now from 1:00-5:00. Jamie Hooper starts the weekend early Thursday night (6:30) at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by The Michelle Warren Duo Friday night, The Wanda Watson Band with Barrett Lewis Saturday night, and a Sunday afternoon show (5:30) with Ryan Graham. Blind Swine on Duck Creek will feature music from Chris Matthews Friday night and Vince Turner Saturday. Rockwell headlines the Friday night fun at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by Empire Saturday night, and a Sunday afternoon show (4:30) by Ty Smith. Jump Suit Love provides the Saturday night musical entertainment at The Drunken Rooster.

In Grove, Jeff Tatum will be on stage Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655. Charlie’s Karaoke provides the entertainment Saturday night at Blue Bluff Harbor’s Fish Fry. There are two nights of live entertainment at Cherokee Casino Grove – Libby Starks Friday night and Reversing Radio Saturday.

In the Club 60 West at River Bend Casino, Western Justice will be live Saturday night, and there is late night karaoke with DJ Kay beginning at 11:00 Saturday night. There are two nights of music at Indigo Sky Casino – Dirty Saints Friday, and Damsel Saturday night. Billy Currington with special guest Kylie Morgan will perform at Buffalo Run Casino’s outdoor venue Saturday night while Left of Center entertains in the Backwoods Bar.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The Grand Creamery is now open in the Shops at Grand Meridian. Sharky’s is open Thursday night this week (6:00-11:00). The Monkey Bar (formerly Monkey Island Pub) is now open seven nights a week. Beau’s Market & Delicatessen and Fruity Patooties are now open at Grand Towne Center and Storage in Langley. Hero’s Deli is also now open in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Coverage of The Republican National Convention airs nightly on most networks, concluding Thursday night. A new game show, Press Your Luck premieres Thursday night at 7:00 on ABC. Tulsa King airs Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS. A new drama series, 61^st Street premiers Monday night at 8:00 on CW.  

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Twisters opens in movie theaters this week. Find Me Falling and Skywalkers: A Love Story are available this week on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, July 25 – Grand Lake Newcomers Club “New Newcomers Lunch” at Casa Gutierrez in Grove (11:30 a.m.). Thursday, July 25 – “Heroes Help” at the Shangri-La Shrimp Boil & Karaoke at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar benefiting DCCSAN (6:00 p.m.). Friday, July 26 – Midnight Bingo at The Anchor at Shangri-La (11:00 p.m.). Saturday, July 27 – Sharky’s Safari Scavenger Hunt at Sharky’s (pick up list beginning Friday at 5:00). Wednesday, July 31 – Movie Night on the Anchor Lawn - Holes (9:00 p.m.). Saturday, August 3 – Ketchum Booster Club Golf Scramble at The Coves (8:00 a.m.). Saturday, August 3 – Luau Dinner Party at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina (6:00 p.m.). Monday-Saturday, August 5-10 – Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in Vinita. Tuesday, August 6 – “Kidchella” musical fun with mocktails & dancing for the kids at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La. Wednesday-Saturday, August 7-10 – Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo at Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita. Saturday, August 10 – Luau Beach Party & Costume Contest at Sharky’s.

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Major League Baseball is in the All-Star Break, with regular season play resuming Saturday with some great rivalries. The Dodgers host the Red Sox Saturday at 6:15 and Sunday at 6:00. Next Wednesday, it’s the Subway Series – Mets at Yankees at 6:00.

It’s the final week of NBA Summer League play. The OKC Thunder wraps up league play hosting Phoenix Wednesday night. The final three games are Thursday – Indiana at Denver (3:30), Washington at Sacramento (6:00), and the Lakers at Cleveland (8:00).

PGA Players have a couple of options this week. The Open Championship is televised, but Americans will have to get up early to catch live action. Coverage begins at 3:00 a.m. Thursday & Friday on USA Network, and Saturday & Sunday at 6:00 a.m. on NBC. The Barracuda Championship is also being played at Lake Tahoe. Coverage begins at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel.

NASCAR drivers are at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend for The Brickyard 400. Coverage begins at 1:30 Sunday afternoon on NBC.

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It may not be possible to have a better late-July weekend weather forecast than the one we have this week – partly cloudy skies, light winds, highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-60s! We may have a shower or two, but probably not until Sunday morning. It’s a 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

Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

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

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