Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum July 8

Another incredible 4^th of July weekend celebration is in the Grand Lake history book. Fireworks displays all over the lake were absolutely awe-inspiring – and live entertainment was off the charts. It seemed like everybody who owns a boat was on the water, and those who don’t own a boat either rented one, chartered one or bought one. All my boat sales pals were crazy busy and my real estate sales buddies were, too. I think everybody has finally hit YOLO mode!

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Personally, I had a terrific holiday weekend. I did a lot of things I haven’t done in a while – and maybe I tried to do too many of those things in one weekend. Monday morning, my body said, “Please don’t do that to me again.”

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Maybe my worst experience of the holiday weekend was when I was forced to go to Walmart. Wow! I think it would be a real money-maker if Walmart added an upper level observation deck with a full bar.

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If you’re looking for an addition to your list of “Top Ten Stupid Ways to Waste Government Money,” add the Oklahoma City Airport Trust to your list. They are actually considering changing the name of the iconic “Will Rogers World Airport” because they paid for a survey that reported not all the passengers were using the full name of the airport. So – we’re going to drop the age-old name of an airport that was named after Oklahoma’s #1 favorite son? There’s more. They’re planning to pay yet another outside firm to help them think up a name. SMH

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I discovered this week that I’m good at multitasking. I’ve been doing it for a long time, but I just realized what it was called. I always thought it was called “doing something else until you recalled what you were doing in the first place.”

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Seth Ray, Jaime Dobbins, AJ Pickering, Bob Graper, Mandy O’Banion, Tami Wilson, Tom Avant, John McFerron, Kelly Aberle, Kasidy Jeffers, Alan Kraft, Dylan Hutson, John Moore, Mindy Littlefield, Tina Whiteside, John Michael Williams, Tony Russell, Carolyn Frans, Tevarhee Brackin, Lisa Pitts, Marquitta Jackson, Erik Altom, Judy Floridaq, Amanda Reed, Claudia Suits, Jimmy Young, Lori Mosler, Jay Fleming, Angie Prideaux Jones, and Brooke Bolton.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday is the Junior Club Championship Tournament at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.). Thursday evening is a Shrimp Boil & Karaoke evening on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Thursday evening is also an Anchors Away Paint Party at Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum (6:00 p.m.). Wolf Creek Drag Boat Nationals are this weekend – Saturday & Sunday at Wolf Creek Park (8:00 a.m. Saturday & 10:00 a.m. Sunday). Friday & Saturday is Lawn-a-Thon inflatable fun for the kids on The Anchor Lawn at Shangri-La. Friday night is Midnight Bingo with Jason Morgan at The Anchor (11:00 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday is the two-day Club Championship Tournament at Shangri-La.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Annie Oakley is believed to have taught around 15,000 women how to shoot through self defense classes.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The son “Take it Easy” was started by Jackson Brown who had broken down in Winslow, Arizona in 1970. He had the verse “standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see,” but was stuck there. He never finished the song until one day Glenn Frey helped him with the second verse, “it’s a girl my Lord in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me.” Jackson Brown credited Glenn Frey with co-songwriter credits and gifted the song to the Eagles. It became the first song on their first album and one of their biggest hits.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Just two weeks after winning the NBA Championship, the owners of the Boston Celtics have put the team up for sale. You might as well sell at the top, right? The team is valued at $4.7 billion. The current ownership purchased the team in 2002 for $360 million.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Anyone who says their wedding day was the best day of their life has obviously never had two candy bars fall down at once from a vending machine.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (on a tombstone): Here Lies (NOT “lays”) Billee Woody Robbins Reed, English Teacher

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: My favorite exercise is a cross between a lunge and a crunch. I call it “lunch.”

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PUN OF THE WEEK: In Ohio, the town of Engagement is between Dayton and Marion.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Does anybody know how many animals we had to ride before we discovered that horses were cool with it?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I miss that part of 2020 when it was illegal for anyone to come near me.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then, we met.” – Rodney Dangerfield

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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Actor Tom Cruise turned 62 last week; and legendary Beatles drummer Ringo Starr turned 84 years old Sunday.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend at the Thursday Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La and DJ Kennedy hosts Rockstar Karaoke at Island Bar & Grill at The Landings. Friday night, Kevin Price entertains live at Doc’s. Torn 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. Gusto Dave Jackson will be on stage Friday night at The Swine, followed by Mixtape 918 Live Saturday. Wilkie Jay entertains Friday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze followed by more musical fun with DJ K-Bandito Saturday. Jason Faulconer brings Lil Red’s One Man Band to Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina Saturday night.

On South Grand, Magen Faulconer will be on stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by The Barrett Lewis Band Saturday night, and a Sunday afternoon show (5:30) with Erin Fitzgibbon. Blind Swine on Duck Creek will feature music from Jesse Joice Friday night and Randall George Saturday. Robbi Bell headlines the Friday night fun at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by a Sunday afternoon show (4:30) by Colton Cro. DJ Oreo will be at Hookers at Cherokee Yacht Club Friday followed by The Randy Ess Band Saturday.

In Grove, Stonehorse will be on stage Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655. There are two nights of live entertainment at Cherokee Casino Grove – Brett n’ Terri Friday night and The Cliff Boone Band Saturday.

In the Club 60 Event Center at River Bend Casino, Creedence Coolwater Revival entertains Saturday night while Until Now entertains at Club 60 West, and there is late night karaoke with DJ Kay beginning at 11:00 Saturday night. There are three nights of music at Indigo Sky Casino – Jon Dooly Thursday, Chris Hyde Friday, and The Downbeat Saturday night. The Down Low will perform at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar Saturday night.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The Café at Indian Hills Marina will be closed until next Tuesday (family event). The Monkey Bar (formerly Monkey Island Pub) is now open seven nights a week. Fruity Patooties is now open at Grand Towne Center and Storage in Langley. Hero’s Deli is also now open in Langley, and Bradford BBQ is now open in Ketchum.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The 2024 ESPY Awards will air Thursday night at 7:00 on ABC. Impractical Jokers returns for its 11^th season Thursday night at 9:00 on TBS.  The broadcast premier of Season 1 of Tulsa King begins airing Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Long Legs, Fly Me to the Moon, and Touch open in movie theaters this week. Quad Gods is available on MAX and Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black is out on Prime Video.

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, July 19 – PXG Fitting Day at Shangri-La. Friday, July 19 – Cobalt Cowboy Cookout at Cherokee Yacht Club for Cobalt Boat Owners (7:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, July 19-21 – Heartland Racing Midsummer Roundup at MidAmerica Outdoors. Saturday, July 20 – Par 3 Club Championship at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (9:00 a.m.). Saturday, July 20 – “Back to the 80s Party” at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina. Saturday, July 20 - Sip & Sail Sunset Cruise from Shangri-La Marina (7:30-9:30 p.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.). Wednesday, July 31 – Movie Night on the Anchor Lawn - Holes (9:00 p.m.). Saturday, August 3 – Luau Dinner Party at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina (6:00 p.m.). 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.

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It’s a big week for tennis. Wimbledon wraps up this week with Women’s Semi-Finals Thursday, Men’s Semifinals Friday, Women’s Final and Men’s Doubles Final Saturday, and Men’s Final and Women’s Doubles Final Sunday.

PGA Players have a couple of options this week. The Scottish Open will be televised beginning at 9:30 Thursday-Sunday on the Golf Channel and 11:00 Saturday & Sunday mornings on CBS. The ISCO Championship is in Kentucky with coverage beginning Thursday-Sunday at 3:30 on theGolf Channel.

NASCAR drivers are in Pocono this weekend for The Great American Getaway. Coverage begins at 1:30 Sunday afternoon on USA.

There’s a great rivalry match in Major League Baseball this weekend with the Yankees traveling to Baltimore at 3:00 Saturday afternoon, just ahead of the All-Star break. The MLB All-Star Game is next Tuesday at 7:00.

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The weather forecast looks great for the weekend ahead. We’ll be back up into the mid-90s for high temperatures with plenty of sunshine – and lows in the lower 70s. Get out there and enjoy the post-holiday options for Grand Lake 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