February 17 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

I hope everyone enjoyed a fabulous Valentine holiday weekend! It’s the season of parties! You just have one more week to get ready for celebrating Mardi Gras – and the arrival of South Grand Lake’s “Welcome Back Weekend” festivities highlighted by the Cherokee Yacht Club “Welcome Back Poker Run” Saturday, March 1. Poker Run stops this year are Cherokee Yacht Club Ship Store, Arrowhead Yacht Club Ship Store, Cedar Port Marina, VIP Pizza, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. A bonus chip may be obtained at Arrowhead Boat Sales in Grove. Fortunately, the weather looks like it will be a lot better for the poker run than it’s going to be this weekend.

*****

In retrospect, I noticed that the people who hated this year’s Super Bowl halftime show are the same people who hated last year’s performance. And the year before. And the year before. Creeping old age is a terrible thing, isn’t it? Despite all the complaints, there is an interesting fact available: Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime show broke the record for the most watched halftime in history – 133.5 million viewers.

*****

Everybody seems to be fighting over what to call “The Gulf.” So many people were leaving 1-star reviews for the “Gulf of America” on Google Maps that Google blocked reviewes and deleted the 1-star reviews. It seems like a big fight over nothing. Maybe we should take a clue from Prince (or is that “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince?), and give the Gulf a big symbol. Since there would be no pronunciation, we could call it “The Gulf formerly known as The Gulf of Mexico.”

*****

Here’s a change for you.  President Trump says Elon Musk’s DOGE crew is planning to audit the IRS. Turnabout is fair play, right?

*****

We’re living in bizarre political times, for sure, when folks on both sides tend to go a little overboard. With President Trump reaching out to grab interest in every place from Gaza to Panama, Canada to Greenland, Congressman Buddy Carter (R-Georgia) wins the prize for being the most overboard in his support. He actually introduced legislation last week that would allow the President to enter negotiations to “purchase or otherwise acquire” the country of Greenland and rename it “Red, White and Blueland.” You can’t make this stuff up.

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Greg Pitcher, Rich Talley, Zach “Peach” Roach, Blake Keeton, Angelic Sanchez-Peetoom, Christine DeMier, Larry Haney, Jim Wyche, Todd Gayer, Bob Howard, Bill Oden, Ryan Stoner, Greg Hopeman, Andi McConn, Jennifer Bujold, Mike Williams, Travis Davidson, James Diver, Susan Faulkner, Winston Connor II, Jordyn Levings, and “Ugly John” Mullen.  

*****

BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday & Friday nights and Sunday afternoon are performances of “Persnickety” at Playmakers in Grove. Thursday is “Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Saturday afternoon is SINGO competition with Jason Morgan at The Anchor at Shangri-La (3:00-5:00). Saturday night is also “Free Movie Night” in the simulator bay at The Anchor – Ratatouille (6:00) and the Sh*tshow Comedy Show at Big Shots (7:30 p.m.).

*****

RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: For those of you who have been wondering, this could indeed be the year the Oklahoma Legislature legalizes the advertising of donkey milk.

*****

FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Shakira was banned from her school choir because her music teacher didn’t think she could sing and said she “sounded like a goat.” She has now won four Grammy Awards.

*****

ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Of the 102 people who sailed on the Mayflower, only 57 survived to celebrate the first Thanksgiving in 1621.

*****

BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Every woman’s dream is that her man will take her in his arms, throw her onto the bed, and clean the house while she sleeps.

*****

PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “Borrow or rob?” spelled backwards is still “Borrow or rob?”

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Absolutely no clothing or footwear is allowed in the Garden Center.

*****

BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: The people who invented the internet wouldn’t have ever gotten around to it if they had had the internet.

                                                                 *****

PUN OF THE WEEK: A recent study tried to pinpoint the effect alcohol had on walking. The results were staggering!

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How much deeper would oceans be if sponges didn’t live there?

*****

OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The biggest joke on mankind is that computers are now asking humans to prove that they aren’t robots.

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If you can’t convince them, confuse them.” – Harry S. Truman

*****

FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Singer/songwriter/actress Sheryl Crow turned 63 last week. Multiple Emmy Award winning actor James Spader (The Blacklist) turned 65.

*****

BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island Rockwell performs live Friday night at The Anchor at Shangri-La. DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar.

On South Grand Lake, Clint & Frank will be on stage Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill.

In Grove, The Downbeat starts the weekend musical fun at Cherokee Casino Friday night, followed by 90 lb. Wrench Saturday night. Encore performs Friday night 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.

At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, there is live music by Bobby DeGonia Saturday night followed by karaoke with DJ Kay. Blackhawk will perform in concert Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace, and 1994 provides the music Saturday night at Buffalo Run’s Backwoods Bar. Gin Blossoms will be in concert Friday night at Downstream Casino’s Pavilion. There are three nights of live music this week at Downstream’s Legends Sports Bar. The Cliff Boon Band will entertain Thursday night followed by The Juice Friday and Western Justice Saturday. Incongnito will entertain at Indigo Sky Casino Thursday night, followed by Sunset Circle Friday and The BakBeatz Saturday.

*****

DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La is closed for renovations until mid-March. Lunch and dinner service is offered daily with the all-new “Menu with an Italian Flair” at The Galley at The Anchor at Shangri-La. After being closed for renovations in January, Big Shots on Monkey Island is now open Friday & Saturday nights. Blind Swine and One-Eyed Monkey cafe on Monkey Island and Bradford Barbecue in Ketchum are all three closed until Spring. Duck Creek Liquor is now open at The Shops at Grand Meridian in Cleora.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: Zero Day and Avatar: The Last Airbender both debut Thursday on NETFLIX. Matlock also airs Thursday night at 8:00 on NBC. The 31st SAG Awards will air Sunday night at 7:00 on NETFLIX. Suits LA kicks off its first season Sunday night at 8:00 on NBC; and The Voice airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Ordinary Angels and Drive-Away Dolls both open in movie theaters this weekend.

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, Friday & Saturday – February 27-March 1 – Grove High School’s production of “Clue” at the High School Performing Arts Center (7:00 p.m. Thursday & Friday, 2:30 Saturday). Thursday, February 27 – South Grand Lake Chamber membership luncheon at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley featuring Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. (11:30 a.m.). Saturday-Sunday, March 1-2 – Welcome Back Weekend on South Grand and Monkey Island. Saturday, March 1 – C.O.W. Week Pickleball Mixer at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (10:00 a.m.). Saturday, March 1 – Cherokee Yacht Club Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run. Friday, March 7 – First Friday Wine Share at DK Home Accents in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 7-9 – Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show at the Craig County Community Building in Vinita. Wednesday, March 12 – C.O.W. Week’s “Grove’s Got Talent” show at the GHS Performing Arts Center (6:00 p.m.). Thursday, March 13 – South Grand Lake Foundation “Mardi Gras in March” at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley benefiting Ketchum Warriors Backpack Program (6:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 14-16 – Grove Home & Garden Show at the former Whoops location. Saturday, March 15 – South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Bootleggers Ball in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, March 20-23 – Big Meat Run at the Off-Road area at Disney. Saturday, March 22 – “Killer Keyz” Dueling Pianos return to Shangri-La for one-night show.

*****

The NBA is past the All-Star break, and back to regular action this week. The OKC Thunder are at Utah Friday night (8:30), then back in Minnesota of a rematch Sunday night at 8:30. The Timberwolves have to come to OKC the next night, (7:00). The Thunder are back on the road next Wednesday in Brooklyn (6:30).

There are some great college basketball games this week. Tennessee at Texas A&M (11:00), Mississippi State at OU (noon), OSU at Kansas (3:00), and Texas at South Carolina (7:30). Next week, OU hosts Kentucky Wednesday night at 8:30.

PGA golfers are south of the border this week for the Mexican Open at VidantaWorld. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Atlanta this weekend for the Ambetter Health 400. Coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on Fox.

*****

After another week of really rotten weather, the weekend ahead looks much better. By Saturday, we may have high temperatures that start with a “4” instead of a “1,” although we’ll still dip below freezing at night. And, since it IS Oklahoma, after all, we’ll be in the sixties by next week. Try to find a place to enjoy a cocktail or two and some great entertainment, but remember – wherever you decide to 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

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