April 28 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Thank goodness GRDA has been working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prevent serious flooding at the lake due to recent overwhelming rains. Let’s hope any more significant rain coming our way is south of us instead of north of us. Be careful out there. The lake level is coming down, but there is still some serious debris in the lake. Keep an eye out!
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There’s good news, though. With the arrival of May we have a big in-water boat show this weekend (Shangri-La Marina), the season’s first Poker Run, Customer Appreciation parties, and more bars & restaurants are opening – Blind Swine on Duck Creek last week, Sharky’s this weekend, South Highway 125 and Drunken Rooster on the Water (Grove) very soon! If you still believe Grand Lake has a “season,” this is it!
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This week’s “Entrepreneurial Enterprise” award goes to the factory in China which printed 100,000 T-Shirts and sold them all – in the United States. The Chinese-manufactured shirts were printed with this message: Boycott China! They sold all the shirts in the USA, but they all carry the little tag inside that says, “Made in China.”
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They say “you get what you pay for.” If that’s true, I hope State Superintendent Ryan Walters is getting some really great work out of Matt Mohler, his new Chief of Staff. He’s been on the job two months – and has already been paid $76,050 by the State Department of Education. That should be plenty, because KFOR Television reported that he is also still on the full-time payroll of a Florida firm. It’s great work if you can get it, I guess!
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It hasn’t been a great week overall for Superintendent Walters, The State Supreme Court also blocked his plans to buy 55,000 Bibles and put them in classrooms – and blocked his plans to change the social studies curriculum to include religious training. What religion, you ask? Well, his, of course.
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My crusade against overpriced, overrated bottled water (i.e. all bottled water) got a boost last week. A new study released last week confirmed what I have said all along: “Over 64% of bottled water sold in the U.S. is just filtered tap water. Even top brands like Aquafina and Dasani source their water from municipal supplies.”
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How ‘bout that OKC Thunder? Not the weather. The NBA team! In the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Thunder swept the Memphis Grizzlies in four games – and have a chance to recuperate for a few days while the Clippers & Nuggets battle it out to see who will be the next Thunder victim!
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Nancy Brandwein, Dick Lane, Lori Stanphill, Gregg Lorimor, Carla Lillie, Chad Borin, Terry Jordan, Wes Stringer, Charlie Wallace, Michael Garner, Susie Brian, Barbara Barnes, Brenda Sheffield, Brent Beyers, Dean Strimple, Paula Sanford, Micheal Bergstrom, Janie Tipton, Randy DuBois, Anita Cole, and Pam Borin.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: If you think the season isn’t already underway in full at Grand Lake, you haven’t checked out all the events happening this week! Karaoke is back at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Thursday night (6:00-9:00). Thursday is also Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Friday is the Creative Alliance Arts Festival & Food Truck Friday on the Grove Community Center Lawn (5:00-8:00 p.m.) and, on Monkey Island, a fun Toast & Tour – an evening of wine, music, home tours, and Monkey Island vibes at Monkey Island RV Resort (6:00 p.m.). Saturday is the annual Cinco de Poker Derby golf cart poker run on Monkey Island benefiting the Toby Keith Foundation’s Kids Korral and the Monkey Island Trail (11:00 a.m.) and a Poker Run and “Island Vibes” costume contest benefiting the Ketchum Backpack Program with stops at Cedar Port, Cherokee Yacht Club, Arrowhead, Hammerhead (10:00 a.m.-5:00) with check-in at Sharky’s 6:30-7:30. In Grove, Saturday is the First weekly Farmers Market at the Grove Community Center Lawn (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) and the big “Garden Party” fundraiser at Lendonwood Gardens (5:30 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, there is an In-water Boat Show at Shangri-La Marina (10:00-5:00 Saturday, 10:00-4:00 Sunday); and Saturday evening is the annual Nichols Marine/Shangri-La Marina Customer Appreciation Luau at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Sunday afternoon is the South Grand Lake Chamber Pickleball Mixer at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (3:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Opened in 1968, the current Madison Square Garden is 22 years older than any other National Basketball Association arena.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: A London family turned a 250 year old Chinese vase into a DIY lamp. If not for the drilled hole in the bottom, the lamp would have been worth $250,000. Now it’s probably worth $250.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Most expensive shirt? The basketball jersey worn by the late Kobe Bryant in his NBA debut game sold at Sotheby’s Auction last week for $7 million!
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I helped my neighbor out this morning and she said to me, “I could MARRY you.” I couldn’t believe it. You do something nice for someone and then they threaten to ruin your life in return.
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PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “Poor Dan is in a droop” spelled backwards is still “Poor Dan is in a droop.”
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BEST LABEL SEEN THIS WEEK: Open box before eating pizza.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: An “apple a day” is BS. Apples are dangerous! Just look at Eve, Snow White, Blackberry, or any pig at a Luau!
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks. So, I guess too much sodium is a salt with a deadly weapon.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If the No. 2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still No. 2?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Chocolate is God’s apology for Brussels sprouts.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If you don’t draft me, I will not be your quarterback. Based on everything I’ve learned, if your team doesn’t pick me, and another team does…then I’m gonna play for that team. Not yours. Unless, of course, that team cuts me. Or trades me to you in the future. In which case, I might play for your team…eventually. But not at first. So consider this your final warning about that.” – Shedeur Sanders, former Colorado Quarterback (He was finally taken by the Cleveland Browns as the 144th overall pick making him the 4th quarterback the Browns have added in the current offseason along with Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.)
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Veteran actor Al Pacino turned 85 over the weekend. Legendary singer, songwriter, actress, producer, director Barbra Streisand turned 83 last week and fellow megastar Carol Burnett turned 92. Iconic actor Jack Nicholson had a birthday last week, too. He’s 88 years old. Rock n’ Roll superstar guitarist Peter Frampton turned 75 the same day.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Sundown Entertainment hosts Thursday night karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.) and Jesse Joice performs live Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Three Dollar Rocket will provide the music at the Nichols Marine/Shangri-La Marina Customer Appreciation Luau Saturday evening at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar. Contraband will perform Friday night at the “Toast & Tour” evening at Monkey Island RV Resort. There is Musical Bingo Wednesday nights, and DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar – and the Beatty Creek Duo will be on stage Saturday night.
On South Grand Lake, Dillon Leggett will kick off the season Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by Reverse Reaction Saturday night, and Mike Barham Sunday afternoon at 3:00. Megan Faulconer will be on stage Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney; and Glam R Us will perform Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster in Cleora. Lil’ Red & COBE will entertain Saturday night at Water’s Edge Resort.
In Grove, There’s musical Bingo every Wednesday night and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon. Soul Shaker will be the Friday night entertainment at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by The Cliff Boone Band Saturday.
Stonehorse entertains Saturday night in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West. I’m assuming Buffalo Run, Grand Lake Casino, and Downstream all have entertainment – but apparently they can’t deal with changing months on their websites in time for my deadline, so they had nothing posted for this weekend.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Sharky’s opens this weekend for the season at Hammerhead Marina. Blind Swine on Duck Creek is now open at Harbors View Marina. Rise-N-Dine Café in Ketchum now offers a $12 Breakfast Buffet on Saturday & Sunday (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Major remodeling is underway at the former Blind Swine on Monkey Island. The new “South Highway 125 Bar & Grill” is expected to open at the former Swine location in mid-May. One-Eyed Monkey at Copper Top Plaza at the entrance to Monkey Island has new ownership. Stop by & check ‘em out.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Celebrity Wheel of Fortune returns Wednesday night at 7:00 on ABC followed by Jeopardy! Masters at 8:00. Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld will be available Sunday on Disney+.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Thunderbolt opens in movie theaters this weekend.
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, May 9 – Oyster Roast & Bonfire at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday, May 9 – Chunking for Charity scramble golf tournament benefiting Abundant Hope at The Coves (9:00 a.m. Shotgun). Saturday, May 10 - Retail Market on the Grand Lawn at Shangri-La (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 10 – “Back to the Boats Food & Wine Festival on the Anchor Lawn at Shangri-La (4:00-10:00 p.m.). Sunday, May 11 – Farmers Market on the Grand Lawn at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Sunday, May 11 – Mother’s Day Brunch at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La. Friday, May 16 – Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens for the season at Shangri-La Marina. Friday, May 16 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Scramble Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge Golf Course (8:30 a.m.). Saturday, May 17 – Art in the Garden at Lendonwood Gardens in Grove (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Thursday, May 22 – 3rd Annual Modoc Nation Golf Scramble at Shangri-La (9:00 a.m.). Thursday, May 22 – Grand Lake Business Networking at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 24 – Memorial Weekend Fireworks at Honey Creek Marina. Friday, May 30 – Grove Rotary Shrimpfest at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Monday-Wednesday, June 2-4 – Junior Golf Camp at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. daily). Thursday-Saturday, June 5-7 – American Heritage Music Festival (Thursday night at Snider’s Campground/Friday & Saturday at Har-Ber Village). Friday, June 6 – Barkaritaville fundraiser for Second Chance Pet Rescue at Honey Creek Barbeque at Hilltop Inn & Suites in Grove (6:30-10:00 p.m.). Saturday, June 7 – Fairy Festival at Lendonwood Gardens. Monday, June 9 – South Grand Chamber Golf Tournament at Shangri-La (11:00 a.m.). Friday-Sunday, June 13-15 – Toes in the Grand Festival at Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, June 14 – Home of Hope Annual Banquet at Hard Rock in Catoosa (5:30 p.m.).
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NBA Playoffs are dominating the TV channels this week as Round 1 of the playoffs wraps up with games continuing daily as necessary until the Round 2 contestants are decided for play beginning next week.
Horse racing steals the spotlight this week, though, with the biggest day of the year. It’s Kentucky Derby time. Coverage on NBC begins at 1:30 Saturday with post time for the Derby at 5:57 p.m.
PGA Players are in McKinney, Texas this week for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Coverage from TPC Craig Ranch begins at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR drivers are also in Texas this weekend. Coverage of the Wurth 400 from Texas Motor Speedway begins at 2:30 Sunday afternoon on FS1.
There are some great college softball games being televised this week as SEC rivalries heat up before the conference tournament next week. The OU girls are on the road at Florida with games Thursday & Friday at 5:00 and Saturday at 2:00.
Major League Baseball has some great televised games this week, too, including Minnesota at Boston Saturday at 3:00 followed by Kansas City at Baltimore at 6:00. Sunday night, the Braves host the Dodgers at 6:00.
UFL football features four games this week. Arlington faces St. Louis Friday (7:00). Memphis is at Houston Saturday (11:00); and there are two Sunday games – DC at Michigan at 11:00 a.m. and San Antonio at Birmingham at 3:00.
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Weather for the first weekend of May looks really nice. There may be a shower or two Sunday morning, but otherwise we’ll have sunshine with light winds, highs in the mid-70s and lows in the mid-50s. It’s an incredibly busy week on Grand Lake, so get out and have some fun. Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, 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.
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 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 Gro
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
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)
Honey Creek BBQ in Grove (south of Honey Creek bridge)
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 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
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
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
Rise-N-Dine, Ketchum
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
Scissortail Lounge at Scissortail Marina
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina
Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove
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 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
