February 2 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
It’s showtime again. Several Grand Lake businesses are hosting displays at the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at the SageNet Expo at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds. The show is open daily all this week, wrapping up just in time for the Super Bowl kick-off Sunday. That only leaves one show left on the calendar – the Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show set for March 6-8 at the Delaware County Fair Building in Jay.
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With the Super Bowl coming up Sunday night, I thought it would be appropriate to share a little Sooner pride. It was exactly 30 years ago that Barry Switzer coached the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory, making The King one of only three coaches who have led teams to both a College National Championship and a Super Bowl victory (the other two are Jimmy Johnson and Pete Carroll). That piece of trivia should earn you a few free beers Sunday night.
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Bill Belichick was skipped over on his first year of eligibility for the Football Hall of Fame, despite the fact he is the only NFL Coach to win six Super Bowls (with the New England Patriots – Chuck Noll with the Steelers is the closest behind him with four) and is the second-winningest coach in NFL history (second only to Don Shula). If the Hall of Fame committee sent him a notice, it would probably be a reversed message that used to be used by the Mafia – “It’s not business, Bill. It’s just personal.”
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It’s time for the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Despite strong objections from Italian officials, President Trump sent ICE agents to the event, supposedly to “protect our athletes.” I’m pretty sure the athletes already have protection, but I couldn’t help but wonder how the ICE agents are going to react when they get to Italy – “Holy COW, almost everyone here is a foreigner. We’d better get to work!”
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The First Lady’s documentary movie “Melania” made its debut to an underwhelming response last week. In fact, two-thirds of the film crew had asked that their names be left off of the movie credits. It’s the most names that have been redacted since the Epstein Files.
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The Oklahoma Legislature is back in session this week. Be careful when you tell your legislators, “There oughta be a law.” Obviously, every time someone says that, a legislator files a goofy proposed law. This year, a staggering 4,300 bills have been pre-filed for consideration in addition to another 1,300 left over from last year. Always remember the wisdom of Gideon J. Tucker back in 1866: “No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.”
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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 has resulted in one-lane traffic with a traffic signal (remember the fun with construction of the Bernice bridge?). 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 Lance Ledbetter, Leroy Bailey, Amber Forrest, Randy Hendrix, Kelly Long, Jade Jennings, Stacy Landon, Dave Moore, Lori Lillard Woodley, Christi King, Laura Goss, Beth Kruse, Lance Franczyk, Stan Noble, Steve Weatherford, Tom Bailey, Joe Farchione, Brandon Rascoe, Tonya Jurgensmeyer, Spencer Satterlee, and Ally Marney.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Tuesday night is “Tuesday Trivia” night with Lee Lawson at The Anchor at Shangri-La Resort. Thursday & Friday (7:30) and Sunday (2:00) are performances of “A Rock Sails By” at Playmakers in Grove. Sunday afternoon is a Jam Session with Becky Sparkman at The Monkey Bar on Monkey Island (2:00 p.m.) followed by a Super Bowl Party. There are also Super Bowl parties at The Anchor at Shangri-La, Hookers at Cherokee Yacht Club, Mulligans at Patricia Island Country Club, South 125 Bar & Grill, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. I’m sure there are others, but those are the ones that notified me.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Texas Senator Louis Wigfall proposed kidnapping President James Buchanan in early 1861 and installing Vice-President John C. Breckenridge, a pro-slavery southerner, as the chief executive as a means of forcing concessions on incoming president Abraham Lincoln.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Competitive art used to be an Olympic sport. Between 1912 and 1948, the international sporting event awarded medals for music, painting, sculpture, and architecture.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The deadliest maritime disaster in U.S. history occurred April 27, 1865, but you have probably never heard of it. The steamboat Sultana, designed to carry 376 passengers, was loaded with 2,200 Union POWs headed home after the Civil War. The boilers exploded and 1,195 people died (more than on the Titanic). You never heard of it because it happened the exact same week President Lincoln was assassinated and John Wilkes Booth was killed, so the newspapers barely mentioned it.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I will say that Greenland deploying their weather on us was an unanticipated first strike.
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WORD FUN OF THE WEEK If you have cats, you know they rule the roost! That’s why the word “homeowner” has the word “meow” in it.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK – AND I’M NOT EVEN KIDDING: when DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was Governor of South Dakota, this was actually her slogan for an anti-drug campaign: “METH. WE’RE ON IT.”
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: If every day is a gift, today was underwear.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Sheryl Crow and Russell Crowe walk into a bar. The bartender calls 911 and says, “I’d like to report an attempted murder.”
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When people cuss while speaking French, do they say “Pardon my English”?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: During the recent cold snap, it was proven that the experiment where you throw boiling water in the air and it becomes snow and ice only works outside. I know that now.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable Asylum to the virtuous & persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong.” – George Washington
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary major league baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan (aka “The Ryan Express”) turned 79 over the past weekend; and former NFL star and current NFL color commentator Cris Collinsworth turned 67.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Erin Fitzgibbon entertains at The Monkey Bar Thursday night (8:00). They also have karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Friday night, more live music from Robbi Bell Saturday night and an Open Jam with Becky Sparkman Sunday.
On South Grand Lake, Jesse Dean will entertain Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Andrew Live Saturday night.
In Grove, Phil Vaught entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar followed by Magic J Saturday night.
Brett N’ Terri kick off the weekend early with a Thursday night performance at Indigo Sky Casino. KC & The Vibe take over Friday night, and Dino D and the D Train Band wrap up the weekend music Saturday. Crash Funk starts the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, followed by Big Smitty Friday and Bobby DeGonia Saturday night. Sawyer Bown will entertain Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace while Mark Aldred performs in Buffalo Run’s Backwoods Bar; and Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West will feature Stonehorse 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. Burger Dude in Ketchum has moved from the Food Park to the old Meats, Eats & Sweets location down the street. The Anchor and The Galley Restaurant at Shangri-La are open seven days a week. 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: The Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony airs Friday night at 7:00 on NBC. Super Bowl LX kickoff is Sunday at 5:30 on NBC. A new season of Lincoln Lawyer is available Thursday on NETFLIX.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Solo Mio, The Moment and The Strangers-Chapter 3 all debut in movie theaters this week.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, February 12 – “Galentine’s Day Bash” at Grand River Abstract in Grove (5:00 p.m.). There is also a “Girls Night Out Galentine’s party at Grounded for Life Wellness in Grove (5:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, February 12-15 – Oklahoma Tackle, Hunting, and Boat Show at the new Wolf Creek Expo Center in Grove. Friday, February 13 – Couples Valentine Cooking Class at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, February 14 – Bluegrass Music Event by River Ridge Bluegrass Association in Grove Middle School Auditorium (The Roving Gambler Band – 5:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, February 14 – Surf & Turf Valentine special at The Summit at Shangri-La - $150 per couple (4:00-10:00 p.m.). Friday & Saturday, February 20-21 – Grove Home, Garden & Travel Show at the Wolf Creek Expo Center. Monday, February 23 – Northeast Oklahoma Board of Realtors General Membership Meeting at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Monday-Friday, February 23-27 – Black History Week at Har-Ber Village. 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-Sunday, March 6-8 – Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show at the Delaware County Fairgrounds Building in Jay. Sunday, March 8 – Daylight Saving Time returns! Tuesday, March 10 – Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La reopens for the 2026 season. 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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It’s Winter Olympics time! The 2026 Winter Olympics kick off Friday with daily coverage through February 22 on USA, NBC, CNBC and multiple streaming services. There’s a big time difference between here and Italy, but there are daily highlights at 7:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
The NFL competition is down to the final hurrah. After Tuesday night’s Pro Bowl fun, it’s all business Sunday – The Super Bowl kickoff is at 5:30 – Seattle vs. New England.
The NBA has a busy schedule this week. After hosting New Orleans Tuesday (7:00), the OKC Thunder travel to San Antonio to face the Spurs Wednesday (8:30). They’re back in OKC hosting Houston Saturday afternoon at 2:30 before hitting the road again to face the Lakers in L.A. Monday night (9:00), then on to Phoenix next Wednesday (8:00).
There’s some good college basketball on television this week. Missouri is at South Carolina Saturday at noon, Kansas State is at TCU at 1:00, Utah at Kansas at 1:30, OU at Vanderbilt at 2:30, and Tennessee at Kentucky at 7:30. Sunday, Texas Tech takes on West Virginia at noon. Monday night, Kansas hosts Arizona State at 8:00; and Tuesday night, LSU hosts Arkansas at 8:00. Missouri is at Texas A&M next Wednesday night at 8:00.
The PGA players are in Phoenix this week for the most fun tournament of the year. Coverage of The Waste Management Phoenix Open is on the Golf Channel beginning at 2:30 Thursday & Friday and 11:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR fans are getting geared up. There’s no racing this week, but folks are already planning for the big season kick-off in Daytona next week!
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Compared to the last couple of weekends, the weekend ahead looks like summertime. We’ll have sunshine with high temperatures pushing 60 degrees and lows in the mid-30s. By next week, we could be even warmer. It’s time to 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
