Welcome Back Weekend In Review by The Grand Lake Bum

Another “Welcome Back Weekend” is in the books and another party season at Grand Lake is officially underway (which may come as a slight surprise to those who never stopped the lake party all winter long). Mother Nature was pretty nice to Welcome Back boaters, although she was a little windy. Understandable, I guess. A lot of Grand Lakers I know are a little windy. Any-who – congratulations to some 300 players who participated in the Ice Breaker Poker Run. Rhonda Morris took the top prize with an Ace over four Jacks. John Cowan’s full house (Queens over 8s) took second place, and Warren Stickrod took third-place prize money with another full house (Jacks over 7s). If you missed the big parties, you missed a lot of fun, but that’s okay. We’ll throw another big party somewhere on the lake, oh…let’s say…every weekend!

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Of course, with the increase in fun, there is an increase in the forces trying to slow down the fun – and the law enforcement agencies had obviously beefed up their Grand Lake presence (and activity). I saw something this week that made me really glad the well-known “speed trap town” of Bernice doesn’t have a spotlight. In Fremont, California, just north of San Jose, they have a lot of “red light cameras” to photograph motorists running red lights so they can send them a ticket without having to actually do anything. They reported collected $190,000 per month more last year by adjusting the stoplights – shortening the length of the “yellow light” by two-thirds of a second. Jerks.

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There is another fantastic weekend just ahead.  Not only is it the weekend for the Grand Lake Boat Show at the Grove Civic Center (Thursday- Sunday), but Sunday is one of the best days of the entire year. It’s the day we return to Daylight Saving Time! Be sure to Spring the ol’ clock forward before you hit the sack Saturday night.

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Watching Discover Oklahoma this week, I thought they were going to be at Grand Lake next week, but my hearing failed me. I thought they said “We’ll see where a Princess gets hammered,” so naturally I assumed they would be sending a film crew our way. They’re not. Turns out they said, “We’ll see where a Princess gets pampered” – not hammered. Oh, well.

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86-year-old Doris Payne has been arrested in an Atlanta suburb – again. For shoplifting – again. Apparently, shoplifting is her lifelong career. In a 2013 documentary “Careerwise” she had, at that time, stolen more than $2 million in jewelry from high-end shops around the world. Regrets? “Nope,” she said, “except I regret getting caught.” Her lawyer says, aside from her “activities” she is a wonderful person with a lot of fun stories.  I’ll bet!

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Alvin Neal tried to rob a Wells Fargo Bank in San Diego. Actually, he did rob a Wells Fargo Bank in San Diego. His victory just didn’t last long since he agreed to the teller’s condition of cash by swiping his own personal ATM card. There wasn’t even a trial.

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Actually, though, Alvin wasn’t any dumber than the two guys who stole $1,200 from a tooth-jewelry business in St. Paul, Minnesota called Eastside Grillz. Apparently, it took them a while to get up their nerve to steal the money and take off running – despite the fact they had both already presented their ID – and one of them even left a mold of his teeth. You can’t fix stupid.

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Special note of advice to a young woman in Brisbane, Australia. If you’re going to eat your entire meal, then attempt to get a free dinner by putting one of your own hairs in the food… don’t do it in front of a security camera. Here’s your sign. By the way, would I give you the name of the restaurant that proved their case with security video? Absolutely. Casa Nostre.

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Veterinarians are well-known for their compassionate care. For example, I don’t think there is a single doctor of the human variety of animals who would have cared enough or been creative enough to come up with a solution that vets in London came up with for a tortoise named “Bert.” It seems the overly-prolific Bert had developed arthritis, resulting from excessive mounting. Instead of just congratulating him on being the ultimate ladies’ man and telling him to move on, the vets actually fitted a set of wheels on the back of his shell to ease stress in his legs. You go, Bert!

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LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Josh Davis): It’s probably not a good idea to tell the cop that the reason you drunkenly drove into someone’s house is because you swerved to miss a tree when the tree was actually the air freshener hanging from your rear view mirror.

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DINING & DRINKING BY WATER: VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina is now open for the season.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: I’d offer you a beer, but I only have 24.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to former Oklahoma First Lady Donna Nigh who celebrated with friends at Grand Lake over the past weekend, as well as Tiffany Holbrook, Ralph Richardson, Beverly Jones, Myles Davidson, Kara Keeton, Kristy Gibbs, Roberta Arnold, and Clint Walker.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  Why do “fat chance” and “slim chance” mean the same thing?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show runs Thursday-Sunday at the Grove Civic Center.Saturday is the big St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Monkey Island Pub (bagpipers will perform about 6:00). Sunday – WOO HOO – Daylight Saving Time!

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There are plenty of entertainment options around the lake this weekend, including Randy Lunsford performing through the weekend in the Burlesque Room at The Shebang on Monkey Island. Saturday night, along with Karaoke upstairs in the Balcony Bar Friday & Saturday (if it’s above 60 degrees), and dance music across the street at Big Shots. D.J. Robbie will follow the live Bagpipe Band opening the St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Monkey Island Pub – and there’s always live music Saturday nights at Road Hog Saloon.

On South Grand Lake, Reverse Reaction will be on stage at Pickles at The Lake.

Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well.  The Bobby D. Band will perform atop the 1897 Bar at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar Friday night, followed by Paralandra Saturday night. At Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, The Band DeLorean will perform Friday night. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill, 151 will perform both Friday & Saturday nights, then – at the Venue next Tuesday night  -  there will be a very intimate acoustic evening featuringPat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. At Downstream Casino, the weekend starts Thursday with a “Throwback Thursday Free Concert Series” featuring Divas on Fire. Friday night, Earl & Them will be on the stage at Downstream’s Legends Sports Bar, followed by Backroad Anthem Saturday. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursdaynight with music by Rocked N Loaded. Friday night, Leah & the Mojo Doctors will entertain, followed by The Uncrowned Kings Saturday night.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NBA action, March Madness, and PGA Golf are the Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La, Monkey Island Pub, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Road Hog Saloon, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: If you’re in the mood to be irritated by another nail-biting survivor-style reality show, the series premiere of Kicking and Screaming is Thursday night at 8:00 on Fox; and, if you watch The Vampire Diaries, the big finale is Fridaynight at 7:00 on CW.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIE: Kong: Skull Island

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Women may be the one group that grows more radical with age. One day, a group of gray-haired women may quietly take over the earth.” – Gloria Steinem

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday & Saturday, March 24-25 – Grove Area Merchants Association Spring Open House. Friday-Sunday, March 24-26 – Long John’s Big Meat Run on the rocks at Disney. Saturday, April 1 – GEFFE Gala (Grove Education Foundation for Excellence). Saturday, April 8 – South Grand Lake Chamber’s Bootleggers’ Ball at Cherokee Yacht Club.Sunday, April 16 – Easter Sunday Buffet at Shangri-La’s Summit Restaurant. Friday, May 5 – GRDA Lake Launch 2017.Saturday, May 6 – Burning of the Socks at Harbors View Marina.

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In the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder open Thursday night’s TNT Double-Header at 7:00 hosting the San Antonio Spurs at7:00. Phoenix hosts the Lakers in the nightcap. The Thunder stay home for a Saturday matinee hosting the Utah Jazz (2:00 on Fox Sports  Oklahoma), while the  Spurs head back to Texas where they’ll host the Golden State Warriors Saturday night at7:30 on ABC. Sunday’s games include Chicago at Boston (2:30 on ABC) and Cleveland at Houston (8:00 on ESPN). The Thunder return to the court Tuesday night in Boston, taking on the Celtics at 6:30 on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

It’s Tournament Championship Week for college basketball conferences, including the Big 12. If OU repeats its Saturday win over TCU with another one Wednesday night (6:00 on ESPNU), it gets the “privilege” of facing top seed Kansas (2:00 Thursdayon ESPN2).  OSU takes on Iowa State Thursday morning at 11:30 (ESPN2). Semi-finals are Friday (6:00 and 8:30 on ESPN or ESPN2). The Championship game is Saturday afternoon at 5:00 on ESPN.

The PGA Tour schedule returns stateside this week to Palm Harbor, Florida. Coverage of the Valspar Championship begins at1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel.

NASCAR are running around in the desert this weekend. Coverage of the Kobalt 400 from Las Vegas begins at 2:30 Sundayafternoon on Fox.

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Weekend weather ahead looks really nice. We may have a scattered shower or two Saturday, but otherwise – nice – with highs in the mid-70s Friday and upper 60s Saturday & Sunday. It’s perfect weather for a Grand Lake party weekend! Remember, though, wherever you decide to play, 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.

 

1909 in Downtown Grove

American Grill in Grove

Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)

Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley

Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)

Big Shots on Monkey Island (smoking upstairs—open Friday & Saturday nights)

Bobbers Café in Langley

Book ‘ems at South Wind Marina in Bernice

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island (smoking on the patios)

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café Italia on Monkey Island

Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)

Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and on Monkey Island

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Coffee Shelter in Ketchum

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

Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

Frosty & Edna’s (west of the dam in Langley)

Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lodge in Ketchum (smoking)

Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

Karrie's Kaboose in Vinita (smoking)

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Lakeside Bar & Grill in Grove at Sail Boat Bridge

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)

Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South

Book ‘ems Restaurant & Pub at South Wind Marina in Bernice

Pickles at the Lake in Langley

Pit Stop Café in Grove

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)

Raggedy’s in Grove

Rancho Viejo in Grove

Riggs & Company in Langley

Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island (smoking...but not at lunch)

Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)

Scooters in Langley (smoking)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora

Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)

The Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)

The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)

The Office on Monkey Island (smoking)

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

Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove

Wyandotte Nation Casino at Twin Bridges (smoking)