April 7 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Thankfully we are finally rolling into a little nice weather instead of the monsoons we had for a few days last week. I thought we were going to have some boaters accidentally riding around on golf courses. When I saw the Shangri-La golf course last Saturday, I couldn’t help but think of that old movie “A River Runs Through It.” Fortunately, the precipitation seems to be gone for a while and temperatures are on the rise. Early next week, we should hit 80s for high temperatures. That’s more like it!
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I hope I can scrape up enough money for boat fuel and bourbon this summer. With all the tariff talk, the pushback from other countries, the higher prices and the record drop in the stock market, my accountant says there’s only one sure way to make certain I can afford to continue my lifestyle. He says if I’m willing to wear the mask, I still need someone to drive the getaway car.
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In his effort to encompass virtually every country in the world in his plan to charge tariffs, President Trump inadvertently included a series of Antarctic islands that are inhabited only by penguins. You just THOUGHT the price of chicken eggs was high. Wait until you see the price of penguin eggs now!
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The fight over stupid names is now in the courts. Buc-ee’s has filed a lawsuit against the Missouri travel stop Barc-ee’s for trademark infringement.
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Is this another “Hallmark Holiday?” I saw that one day last week was “National Love Your Grandkids Day.” Just curious. Are there days where grandparents DON’T love their grandkids?
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Pam Goodeyon, Alex Frost, Pat Sheeler, Angela Timberlake, Bill Durick, Bill Schenke, Jerry Cookson, Peggy Howard-Burgess, Frank Love, Bobby Hendren, Bill Dalton, Cindy Boevers, Sheri Price, Jack Moore, Doug Frans, Tripp Markwell, Melanie Athey, T.J. Phipps, Mark Poole, Vicki Howard, Tim Howson, and Natasha Wilcox.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday is a Job Fair at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.). Thursday night is the Spring Wine Dinner at the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Thursday is “Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. The rescheduled Cruise Night in Grove as well as Food Truck Friday at the Grove Community Center is this Friday night. Saturday is the big Que’n at the Lake Rib Cookoff competition at the Ketchum baseball field. Saturday is also the date for Vinita Aviators Airplane Rides, Sky Divers, and Easter Egg Drop at the Vinita Airport (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Saturday night is always “Free Movie Night” in the simulator bay at The Anchor. This week’s movie – The Rookie (6:00). Next Tuesday is a Grove Chamber Business After Hours at Honey Creek BBQ (5:00-6:30 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: No one named Marshall Tucker has ever belonged to The Marshall Tucker Band.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Back in 1972, superstar Billy Joel was frustrated by a failed record deal, a crumbling personal life, and the scars of a contract that had tied him to a label he loathed. He walked into the Executive Room, a small piano bar in Los Angeles, wearing a polyester suit and carrying more frustration than ambition. To survive, he took on the alias “Bill Martin” and played nightly at the dimly lit lounge, watching stories unfold around him. Those faces and stories became the backbone of the song that would define his career – “Piano Man.”
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Lou Pearlman, creator of the boy band ‘N Sync, worded his contract with the group so that he would be entitled to 90% of their earnings while the band members lived on a $35 per day allowance.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I think it’s funny that they’re now putting jokes on the back of bacon packages. Listen to this one – Serving Size: 2 Slices.
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PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “Cigar? Toss it in a can. It is so tragic” spelled backwards is still “Cigar? Toss it in a can. It is so tragic.”
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (at a bakery): Please use tongues to pick up pastries.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: My mother-in-law began reading “The Exorcist”. She said it was the most evil book she ever read. So evil, in fact, that she couldn’t finish it. She took it to the beach and threw it into the ocean off of a fishing pier. I went and bought another copy, ran the faucet over it, and left it in the night table drawer beside her bed. I’m going to hell.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Chinese takeout: $19.99. Gas to get there: $3.99. Getting home and realizing they forgot one of your containers: Riceless!
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Is there really such a thing as “boneless wings”? Wouldn’t that just be “chicken chunks”?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Never use a GPS when going to a cemetery. That’s not a good place to hear, “You’ve reached your destination.”
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “What you do makes a difference; and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: You know you’re getting older when you find that first gray hair…on your kid! Speaking of such things, “Slim Shady” is now “Grandpa Shady.” Rapper, songwriter & producer Eminem has been blessed with his first grandchild.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island Scott Musick performs live Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Lil’ Red & COBE will entertain Friday night at The Roadhog Saloon. DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar.
On South Grand Lake, Magen Faulconer will be on stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill (Mooney’s is closed Saturday night for a Private Event). Ashlynne Grey will perform live at Scissortail Marina Friday evening. The Bison will perform Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster. Lil’ Red and COBE will entertain Friday night at Juan Montez. The Faulconers will perform at the barbecue competition in Ketchum.
In Grove, Magic J Feat – DJ Joe starts the weekend musical fun at Cherokee Casino Friday night with Runnin’ on Empty taking over Saturday night. Stonehorse kicks off the weekend at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by The Blue Underground Saturday night. There’s karaoke every Wednesday night and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon.
Jon Dooly will entertain at Indigo Sky Casino Thursday night, followed by The Johnny Dale Roberts Band Friday and Encore Saturday. Bobby DeGonia will be on stage Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar. Travis Powell presents his Tribute to Elvis Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Event Center and Diversity entertains Saturday night in Club 60 West.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Doc’s Bar & Grill reopens this week (Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) featuring a new quick service American Hand-Held Classic format. The Road Hog Saloon now offers breakfast service Saturdays & Sundays 8:00-11:00 a.m. Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove now offers weekly Thursday Night Crab & Shrimp Boil Specials. Blind Swine on Duck Creek postponed opening for the season at Harbors View Marina to this Friday due to last week’s crappy weather. One Eyed Monkey at Copper Top Plaza at the entrance to Monkey Island, Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda, and VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina are all now open. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is being replaced by South 125 Bar & Grill opening in May.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Matlock airs Thursday night at 8:00 on CBS. The Voice airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Amateur, Drop and Warfare open in movie theaters this weekend.
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 19 – Langley Easter Egg Hunt (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m). Saturday, April 19 - Wheeling in Grand Lake event at the off-road area in Disney. Sunday, April 20 – Easter Brunch at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (11:00-5:00). Sunday, April 20 – Easter Egg Hunt at The Anchor at Shangri-La (12:00 p.m.). Saturday, April 26 – Hog Roast at Juan Montez Restaurant (1:00 p.m.). Friday, May 2 – Creative Alliance Arts Festival & Food Truck Friday on the Grove Community Center Lawn (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 3 – 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.). Saturday, May 3 – Nichols Marine/Shangri-La Marina Customer Appreciation Luau at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday-Sunday, May 3-4 – In-water Boat Show at Shangri-La Marina (10:00-5:00 Saturday, 10:00-4:00 Sunday). Friday, May 9 – Oyster Roast & Bonfire at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (5:00-8:00 p.m.). 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. 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.). Friday, May 30 – Grove Rotary Shrimpfest at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.)
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College Basketball wraps up Monday night with Houston and Florida in the NCAA Championship Game at 7:30.
Golf takes all the sports headlines this week. It’s finally time for The Masters at Augusta National. Coverage begins with the Par 3 Tournament Wednesday on ESPN (2:00 p.m.). Tournament coverage is at 2:00 Thursday & Friday on ESPN, continuing on Saturday & Sunday with coverage on Paramount+ at 11:00 a.m. and CBS at 1:00.
NBA regular season play is wrapping up this week. After hosting the Lakers Tuesday (7:00), the OKC Thunder wrap up regular season play on the road at Phoenix Wednesday (9:00), Utah Friday (8:30), and New Orleans Sunday afternoon (2:30). There are playoff play-in games next Tuesday-Friday with the 2025 NBA Playoffs getting underway next Saturday, April 19.
NASCAR drivers are at Bristol this weekend for the Food City 500. Coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on FS1.
There are some great college baseball & softball games being televised this week, too. OU and OSU college softball teams face off in Oklahoma City Wednesday (7:00) and OU travels to Alabama Saturday (3:00). Next week, OU and OSU baseball teams battle in a Bedlam match-up on Tuesday at 6:00.
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Fortunately, the weather for the weekend ahead is as different as night and day compared to the weather over the miserable weekend behind us. It’ll be a little breezy, but we’ll have sunshine and high temperatures in the 70s and lows in the 50s. By Sunday, we’ll be pushing 80 degrees with lows in the 60s. Lots more season venues are opening every week, so get out and have some Grand Lake 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
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
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
