February 16 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
I trust everyone survived Friday the 13th okay. If it was a lucky day for you, you can look forward to another one next month. If it was unlucky for you…well, sorry. Buckle up for March 13.
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With Valentine’s Day in the rearview mirror, this week is also the official couples’ get-back-together week. All you guys who broke up with your significant others because you didn’t have the dough for Valentine’s gifts are in a temporary safe zone. It’s safe to make up and get back together.
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Among the many issues facing Winter Olympians is the issue of broken medals. It has happened a couple of times. The lanyards holding the medals have a required “break-away” feature to make sure the athletes don’t choke themselves. Unfortunately, when the lanyards break away, the medals fall. So far, two Gold Medals have broken, thereby breaking the hearts of the winning athletes, as well. That’s how life goes, I guess: one day you have gold – the next day you’re broke.
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Apparently there was plenty of enthusiasm for an unmentioned event at the Winter Olympics. Organizers had a supply of 10,000 free condoms for participants – but they ran out of condoms in just three days. You might say it was the one Olympic event that didn’t have enough “coverage.”
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Most everybody seems happy to see ICE leave Minnesota, but do you get the feeling we’re all getting a little jumpy in the U.S. these days? I’m sure you heard the air space surrounding the commercial airport in El Paso, Texas was closed, supposedly because of “Mexican Cartel Drones in the area.” Welp. The military pulled out their fancy new anti-drone equipment and fired away, successfully disabling what turned out to be….a party balloon. What a way to end a birthday party with a BANG, huh?
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It’s always a good reminder for us all to think about consequences before we act out of anger. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her traveling buddy Corey Lewandowski were zipping around the country in the new $70 million 737 Max you bought for her when they had to change planes for maintenance. The crew apparently forgot to move Noem’s personal blanket from one plane to the other. Lewandowski thought the oversight was so egregious, he ordered the Coast Guard Pilot fired on the spot. The pilot, however, was quickly rehired when it became obvious they had no one else to fly them home. All temper tantrums have consequences.
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Membership has its privileges. After winning The Masters three times and serving as an ambassador for the iconic Augusta National Golf Course for years, Gary Player asked to play one round at Augusta with his three grandsons; but since he’s not a member, the answer was “no.”
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Congratulations are in order for the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau and everyone involved in last week’s official opening of the Wolf Creek Expo Center in Grove. It opened with the Oklahoma Tackle, Hunting & Boat Show over the past weekend as the first event. This week, the Expo will host the Grove Chamber’s Home, Garden, & Travel Show. The new Expo is really amazing. It’s quite a feather in the cap for Grand Lake’s biggest little town!
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Heads-up for folks traveling to or from Monkey Island. Work on the causeway expansion on the bridge to Monkey Island is still ongoing, resulting in one-lane traffic with a traffic signal. This will likely last until May, so plan a little extra time in case you hit the red light every single time like I do.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Betty Anstne, Rich Talley, Christine DeMier, Zach “Peach” Roach, Blake Keeton, Larry Haney, Jim Wyche, Todd Gayer, Bob Howard, Bill Oden, Senator Tom Woods, Ryan Stoner, Ami O’Leary, Dave Kruse, Andi McConn, Mike Williams, James Diver, Jennifer Bujold, Susan Faulkner, and Winston Connor II.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Friday & Saturday is the Grove Home, Garden & Travel Show at the Wolf Creek Expo Center. Monday is the Northeast Oklahoma Board of Realtors General Membership Meeting at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.); and Monday begins Black History Week at Har-Ber Village.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Before Bruce Wayne, a batman was an officer’s servant in the British army.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In 2024, 2nd Lieutenant Madison Marsh became the first active service member to be crowned Miss America. She graduated the Air Force Academy with a degree in astrophysics.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: After losing his campaign for re-election to the presidency of the United States, John Quincy Adams ran for Congress from Massachusetts – and won. He served nine terms in Congress after his service as President. He is still the only former President to return to federal office. He suffered a stroke at his desk in the House of Representatives, and died in the Capitol building two days later.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: After her explosive testimony before a Congressional committee last week, someone should remind U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi that, while Richard Nixon never went to prison, his Attorney General did.
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WORD FUN THIS WEEK: “Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?” spelled backwards is still “Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: I believe in a better world where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: Drinking a large amount of water every day helps you avoid other people’s drama because you’re too busy in the restroom.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Finally, my winter fat is gone. Now I have spring rolls.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How many years is a panic attack supposed to last?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I’m trying to remember something I told myself to remember, but all I can remember is that I wasn’t supposed to forget it.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I don’t care how little your country is, you’ve got a right to run it like you want to. When the big nations quit meddling, then the world will have peace.” – Will Rogers
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: It has been 62 years since The Beatles made their USA debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Actor Robert Wagner (It Takes a Thief, Hart to Hart, NCIS) turned 96 years old last week; and legendary singer/songwriter/artist Carol King turned 84.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, The Monkey Bar features Thursday night live entertainment from Erin Fitzgibbon at The Monkey Bar and more Karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Friday night and live music from Magen Faulconer Saturday night. They also have Karaoke with Sundown Entertainment next Wednesday.
On South Grand Lake, Magen Faulconer will entertain Friday night at Pickles in Langley. Bobby DeGonia will be on Stage Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
In Grove, The Jimmy Lee Jordan Band entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar followed by The Beaty Creek Band Saturday night. Stonehorse takes the stage Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 and Big Smitty takes over Saturday night.
Incognito kicks off the weekend early with a Thursday night performance at Indigo Sky Casino. Red Letters take over Friday night, and South the Alarm wraps up the weekend music Saturday. Morgan Squared starts the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, followed by Mix Tape 918 Friday and Red Letters Saturday night. Matt Mason will be in concert Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace; and Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West will feature Diversity Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Our House BBQ is now open at Hilltop Inn in Grove (former location of Honey Creek BBQ). Red’s House BBQ is also now open in the Ketchum Eats Food Park. The Shebang Restaurant on Monkey Island is now offering Island delivery on Sunday evenings during the off-season.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Colyn Bessette airs Thursday night at 8:00 on FX. American Pickers returns to the History Channel Sunday night at 8:00, followed by the season premiere of Family Guy at 8:30 on Fox; and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver at 10:00 on HBO.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: GOAT, Crime 101, Wuthering Heights, and Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die all debut in movie theaters this week.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, February 26 – Grove Chamber Business After Hours at Tulsa Diamond House/ThirdART Collective in Grove (5:00-6:30 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, February 26-March 1 – Miami Little Theater presents “Barefoot in the Park” at the Coleman Theatre (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, February 28 – Sh*t Show (formerly Old Coots No Talent/Talent Show) at Big Shots (7:30 p.m.). Friday, March 6 – Season Opening Day for Har-Ber Village. Friday, March 6 – First Friday Wine Share at Blair Boutique & Consignment in Grove (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Friday, March 6 – Casino Night at MarineMax Grand Lake (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 6-8 – Welcome Back Weekend on Grand Lake. Friday-Sunday, March 6-8 – Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show at the Delaware County Fairgrounds Building in Jay. Saturday, March 7 – Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run. Saturday, March 7 – 2 Hip Chicks Roadshow at the Wolf Creek Expo in Grove (9:00-4:00). Sunday, March 8 – Daylight Saving Time returns! Tuesday, March 10 – Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La reopens for the 2026 season. Thursday, March 12 – Mardi Gras in March at the GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley, sponsored by the South Grand Lake Foundation and benefiting the Ketchum Warriors Scholarship and Backpack programs (6:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 20-22 – Sumner’s Big Meat Run at the Disney Offroad Area. Saturday, March 21 – Killer Keyz nationally acclaimed dueling pianos act at Shangri-La Resort (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 28 – GEFFE Gala at Shangri-La Resort (5:30 p.m.)
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In the world of sports, the 2026 Winter Olympics continue this week with daily coverage until they wrap up Sunday. Closing Ceremonies are Sunday afternoon at 1:30 on NBC.
The NBA is back in action following Sunday’s All-Star games. The OKC Thunder host Brooklyn Friday night (7:00) and Cleveland Sunday (noon) before hitting the road to face Toronto next Tuesday (6:30).
There’s some good college basketball on television this week. Kansas State is at Texas Tech Saturday at 1:30, with Colorado hosting OSU at 2:30, OU hosting Texas A&M at 7:30 and Iowa State at BYU at 9:30 Saturday night. The Kansas Jayhawks host Houston next Monday night at 8:00 and Kansas State is at Colorado next Wednesday (8:00). There’s some great Women’s basketball action on the tube this week, as well, starting with OU at Georgia Thursday afternoon at 5:30 and Texas at Arkansas at 6:30. The Arkansas girls are at Texas A&M Sunday afternoon at 2:00 with LSU hosting Missouri at 3:00. Kansas State is at Baylor next Monday night at 6:00.
PGA players are in Pacific Palisades, California this week. Coverage of The Genesis Invitational is on the Golf Channel beginning at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR fans are in Georgia this week for the Autotrader 400. Coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on Fox.
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After a few days of springlike weather with highs in the low 70s, we’re likely to see a 20-degree drop as the weekend arrives. Highs will be in the low 50s with low temperatures around 30 degrees this weekend. It’s still February – so these are still great temperatures, so get out of the house and join the fun! But remember, wherever you 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 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
