April 13 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum

I must say – the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce outdid themselves with the most unique Grand Lake event I have seen in a long time. Their “Gilley’s on Grand” event at Shangri-La Saturday night was one for the books. On top of their silent & live auction fundraising, a great band, and a fabulous dinner – they had competition riding a mechanical bull a la “Urban Cowboy” memories. I didn’t get on the bull, but I had a great time making fun of the people who did. What a fun event! Like I always say – Grand Lakers are always up for important fundraising events if they include a great party! And THAT was a great party!

*****

Our Artemis II astronauts are safely home after their journey around the moon. I can’t believe they spent all that money traveling more than half-a-million miles, circled around the moon – and didn’t even land! That’s like buying first class tickets to Paris, France for your entire family, then never bothering to check out the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or any of the great restaurants…just hanging around at the Paris airport, then coming back home. No word yet on whether or not they spotted “Alice” while checking out the moon.

*****

Meanwhile, back here on earth, don’t you love the new fuel prices? Airlines are trying to cover the cost with more fees. You can probably still afford to fly, but you may not be able to take much with you. Delta and Southwest have both boosted their baggage fees. It’ll now cost you $45 for your first checked bag and $55 for a second. If you’re planning on taking a third bag, you may want to re-pack. Deta’s charge for a third checked bag is a whopping $200. If you have three bags, that’s $280. It might be cheaper to just buy an extra seat for your luggage!

*****

We’re going to have more football in Oklahoma. OKC Mayor David Holt announced that the United Football League will expand to Oklahoma City with play for Oklahoma’s new professional football team slated to get underway in the Spring of 2028. I guess that means OU won’t be our professional football team, anymore?

*****

Proposed legislation never ceases to amaze me. In Illinois, Republican Representative Mary Miller has introduced a bill to ban strippers from performing in schools. Naturally, she couldn’t come up with any instances where there has actually been a stripper in a school; but I guess we must make sure all those strippers don’t start giving table dances in the school cafeteria at lunch time! I’m surprised no Oklahoma legislator has jumped on this bandwagon.

*****

Oklahoma weather control tip! I know we all worry about April weather, but I have discovered a way to control it. Organizers of last Friday’s “Cruise Night” in Grove saw the rain roll in Friday morning and saw the forecast for it to continue into the night. So…they canceled their event due to the weather – and JUST LIKE THAT the rain stopped and the skies cleared at 4:00 p.m. on the dot. So, if you want to improve weather conditions – just cancel your event. You’re welcome.

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Mark Poole, Cheryl Klahr, Lenda Smith, Vicki Howard, Natasha Wilcox, Tim Howson, Dave Svedman, Liz Paden, Jason Faulconer, Jeff Spielmann, Don Bullard, Cheryl Koesler, Steve Long, Bruce May, Don Brown, Sarah Scott, Marsha McCorkle, Terry Hudgins, Larry Sanford, Cherie Blevins, Greg Bolton, Creed Littlefield, Gary Anstine, and Mark Wilburn.

*****

BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Shangri-La Resort is holding a Job Fair Thursday at the resort’s hotel (10:00-7:00). Thursday night is “Thursday Trivia” at BOOM at The Regatta in Grove (6:30 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday is “A Walk Through Time” (Civil War Days) at Har-Ber Village (9:30 a.m.), as well as a K.I.S.S. Camp Scrapbooking Event at Wolf Creek Expo Center (9:00 a.m.), also Thursday-Sunday. Saturday is Grove Chamber “Clean-Up Day” policing the area from Sailboat Bridge to the Outrigger Motel (9:00 a.m.). Saturday is also the rescheduled Second Chance Thrift Shop Garage Sale benefiting the Second Chance Pet Rescue (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Second Chance in Grove), as well as a High Tea – “Hats Off to the Stage” at Playmakers in Grove Saturday afternoon (3:00 p.m.); and there is a celebration of the 97th birthday of Miami’s incredible Coleman Theatre Beautiful Saturday (10:00-3:00) at The Coleman Store, next door to the theatre.

*****

RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Japan is an archipelago of more than 14,000 islands, but the two largest account for more than 80% of the nation’s total land mass.

*****

FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Through four years of high school basketball, a 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup competition, a college year playing at Gonzaga, and three years with the OKC Thunder, Chet Holmgren has never played on a team that finished below a No. 1 seed.

*****

ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: When you wish upon a star, the star could actually be so far away that the light you are seeing is from something that died many years ago.

*****

BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I went to a movie theater yesterday and was buying popcorn, a drink, and some sweets. I said, “I’m ever so sorry, but all I have is a $50 bill.” The lady said, “That’s ok, you can put the sweets back.”

*****

WORD FUN THIS WEEK: It’s all about the pronunciation, right? I had just parked my car at the hospital when an attendant came up to me and said, “You can’t park there. That’s for badge holders only.” I replied, “That’s okay, I’ve got a bad shoulder.”

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Touching Electrical Wires Causes Instant Death. $200 Fine.

*****

BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: The hardest part of a limited two-week military action is the first several years.

*****

PUN OF THE WEEK: To stop ants coming into your house, leave a saucer of milk outside. The adult ants drink it & it has an effect on ant reproduction. The young are born without toes so they can’t climb into your cavity walls. This effect is called “lack toes in toddler ants”.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Before cell phones, what did people do on the toilet?

*****

OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Donald Trump has never won an election running against a man.

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It’s hard for President Trump to make key decisions on Iran when he doesn’t have enough intelligence.” – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

*****

FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK Emmy Award-winning actress, writer, and author Rhea Perlman (best remembered as Carla Tortelli on “Cheers”) turned 78 last week. Jay North, who starred as Dennis Mitchell in the classic TV series “Dennis the Menace,” died last week. He was 73.

*****

BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, The Monkey Bar features Music Bingo Wednesday night followed by live music with Erin Fitzgibbon Thursday, karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Friday night, and more live music from Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday night. Lil’ Red and Sidepiece will be on stage at the Road Hog Saloon Friday night and South 125 Bar & Grill Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, Wanda Watson will be on stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Dillon Leggett Saturday. There’s Karaoke with John Saturday night at Pickles on the Lake in Langley.

In Grove, Robbi Bell will perform Friday night at Mulligans at Patricia Island Country Club. Erin Fitzgibbon will perform Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by Lost Dogs Saturday. Whiskey Poet Society entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar followed by Brent Giddens Saturday night. There’s karaoke with DJ Laid Back Larry Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon.

The Brothers Moore start the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar. The Hype takes over Friday night followed by The Bakbeatz Saturday. Ozark Mountain Dare Devils will be on stage Sunday Night at Downstream’s Pavilion. The Kevin Currie Duo kicks off the weekend Thursday at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Swade Diablos Friday and Uncrowned Kings Saturday. DJ Mike with the Lights will entertain at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar Friday night followed by Brad Hemphill Saturday night; and Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West will feature Diversity Saturday night.

*****

DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The Shebang on Monkey Island is closed temporarily (new ownership). Blind Swine Duck Creek is now open weekends at Harbors View Marina – open at 4:00 Friday, 11:00 Saturday & Sunday. VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina, BOOM at The Regatta, The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda, and Big Shots Rhythm & Booze on Monkey Island are also now open for the season.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: The hilarious new Balls Up is available Wednesday on Prime Video. A new documentary NOVA: Return to the Moon airs Wednesday night at 8:00 on PBS. A sports documentary Jerry West: The Logo is available Thursday on Prime Video. Funny AF With Kevin Hart debuts Monday on NETFLIX; and the new series Kevin premiers on Prime Video Monday.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Lee Cronin’s The Mummy and 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank debut in movie theaters this week.

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Saturday, April 23-25 – Bassmaster Open Fishing Tournament at Wolf Creek (7:00 a.m.). Saturday, April 25 – Cleora Fire Department Golf Tournament at The Coves (10:00 a.m. shotgun). Sunday, April 26 – Anglers in Action Fishing Tournament at Wolf Creek Park (6:30 a.m.). Friday-Sunday, May 1-3 – Grove City Wide Garage Sales (7:00-5:00). Friday, May 1 – Food Truck Friday and Creative Alliance Art Splash at the Downtown Square in Grove. Saturday, May 2 – Farmers Market at Grove’s Downtown Square (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 2 – Ian Munsick Concert at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (8:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 9 – Nichols Marine & Shangri-La Marina Customer Appreciation Luau at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday, May 15 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Quail Run Golf Course (12:00 p.m.). Friday, May 15 – Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens for the season at Shangri-La (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 16 – Art in the Garden event at Lendonwood Gardens in Grove (9:00 a.m.-04:00 p.m.). Friday-Monday, May 22-25 – Memorial Day Run Rock Crawling at the Disney Off-Road Area (6:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 23 – Memorial Weekend Fireworks Show at Honey Creek Landing Marina. Monday, May 25 – Memorial Day Celebration & Veterans’ Appreciation Day at Har-Ber Village (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 30 – Grove Rotary Club Lobsterfest at Wolf Creek Expo Center (5:30-9:00 p.m.)

*****

In the world of sports, it’s playoff time in the NBA. The final six play-in games to complete the field of teams are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The official playoff action begins Saturday featuring the #1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder!

There’s some fantastic softball on television this week, too. Wednesday night is Bedlam Softball at Devon Field in OKC as OU faces OSU at 8:00 (ESPN2). The Sooners host Arkansas Friday at 7:00 (ESPN2).

PGA Golfers are in Hilton Head this week. Coverage of the RBC Heritage begins on the Golf Channel at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

UFL Football play begins Thursday with Louisville at Houston (7:00). Columbus hosts Dallas Friday (7:00). Saturday games feature St. Louis at DC (11:30) and Orlando at Birmingham (3:00).

There are some good MLB match-ups on TV this week, too. The Cardinals are in Houston Friday night at 7:00. Tampa Bay is at Pittsburgh Saturday afternoon (3:00) and Texas is at Seattle Saturday night (6:00). Sunday’s featured game is San Diego at the L.A. Angels (3:00 p.m.). Monday night, Kansas City hosts Baltimore (6:30).

NASCAR drivers are in Kansas City this week. Coverage of the Advent Health 400 is Sunday at 1:00 on Fox.

*****

After a week of 80-degree temperatures, it looks like we’ll have a 15-degree temperature drop Saturday, but still pretty nice. We’ll have highs in the mid-60s by Saturday, with lows in the mid-40s. It’s April, of course, so there’s always a chance of a shower or two. Don’t let that slow down your Grand Lake partying. There’s plenty of fun out there! But remember, wherever you party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!

GRAND LAKE BUM

If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both  Grand Lake Living and www.360grandlake.com, the cost is only$50 a week and the list of readers continues to grow.  E-mail grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker newspaper.

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)

Billy’s Burger Bar & More in Ketchum

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

BOOM at The Regatta (at Sailboat Bridge)

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Casa Gutierrez in Gro

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanellas 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)

Cregan’s Confections & Ice Cream (Ketchum)

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

Domino’s in Grove

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

Drift at the Regatta (at Sailboat Bridge in Grove)

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill (Cleora)

Drunken Rooster – on the Water (Grove)

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

Gambino’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

Hero’s Deli in Grove

Hero’s Deli in Langley

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

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

Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina

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 Garcia’s 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

Our House BBQ in Grove

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

Poppin’ on Grand in Cleora

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor

R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove

Raggedy’s in Grove

Rancho Viejo in Grove

Rise-N-Dine, Ketchum

River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)

Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island

Roberts Bar & Restaurant in Langley

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

Scissortail Lounge at Scissortail Marina

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina

South 125 Bar & Grill on Monkey Island

Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove

Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

The Artichoke Restaurant in Langley

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