February 23 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
The Grove Chamber is to be congratulated on another incredibly successful Grove Home, Garden & Travel Show – and the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau is to be equally congratulated on the successful back-to-back events that marked the Grand Opening of the awesome new Wolf Creek Expo Center in Grove. It’s a Grand Lake game changer, for sure!
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The Winter Olympics are over, and the USA won the most Golf Medals the country has ever won in the winter games. Canada may have the edge in leadership, trade, health care, education, and happy citizens, but by golly, the best hockey teams are stamped “USA!”
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Sometimes it’s better to ignore a mistake and move on, rather than try to apologize and correct yourself. When Olympian Mikaela Shiffrin dropped an F-bomb during a live “Today Show” segment, she tried to quickly correct it: “Sh*t,” she said, “I’m so sorry.”
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How does this sound for the name of an NFL team: the Hammond Bears? The state of Indiana is nearing final agreement with ownership of the Chicago Bears to build their new zillion dollar stadium in Hammond, Indiana instead of Chicago, Illinois. The stadium would actually be built in the Wolf Lake area in Hammond. It doesn’t exactly have the same ring to it as “Chicago Bears,” but I think “Wolf Lake Bears” sounds like a tougher team than the “Hammond Bears.” Who knows? Probably nothing will change. After all, we still have the New York Giants and New York Jets, even though they’re not in New York at all. They both play their home games in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has outlawed the President’s tariffs, Costco, Prada, BYD, and Goodyear have already filed lawsuits demanding tariff refunds, but what do you and I do about getting back the $175 billion dollars back that we overpaid for everything?
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the British former royalist formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his links to Jeffrey Epstein. He had already been stripped of his right to be called a prince and was kicked out of his house by his brother, the King. I’m not certain about the rumors that he’s planning to move to the U.S. where pedophiles aren’t treated so badly, but I did run across a little history. The last time a senior British Royal was arrested was almost 400 years ago during the reign of King Charles I. He was arrested, tried, convicted and beheaded in 1649. In the current reign of King Charles III, the penalty probably won’t be quite as drastic.
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Who says candidates can’t personally benefit from political campaign contributions? Remember the “My Pillow” guy? Mike Lindell has raised about $356,000 in his campaign for Governor in Minnesota…but he has spent $187,000 of his campaign war chest buying copies of a book. His book. A self-published memoir. He’ll probably spend the rest of his campaign money buying pillows to cushion his political fall.
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Among the critically important issues being considered by the legislature this year is an important proposal to require strippers to get licenses from the ABLE Commission (which normally regulates alcohol sales, not naked body parts) – AND to require them to show proof of U.S. Citizenship. I had no idea we were so endangered by an influx of unlicensed, undocumented strippers looking to earn a buck (one folded American bill at a time).
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Does anyone know how much 50 grams is? A Swedish study shows people who eat 50 grams of cheese daily have a lower risk of developing dementia, but I don’t know when to stop. If I ever knew how much 50 grams is…I forgot. If the study is accurate, I guess I’ll just keep eating until I remember.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Jerry Captain, David Hansen, “Ugly John” Mullen, Jordyn Levings, Leta Carson, Chris Ferguson, Cherrie Trevathan, Pete Regan, Bob Rush, Glenna Whitehead, Dillon Kehrwald, Debbie Totty, Don’t White, Shawn Klahr, Taylor Brandwein, David Brauckmann, Mary Lou Manley, Diane McPeteres, Dee Snyder, Curtis Kahle, Pat Simpson, and Kristin Zumwalt Woolery.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday is a Grove Chamber Business After Hours at Tulsa Diamond House/ThirdART Collective in Grove (5:00-6:30 p.m.). There’s great live theater in Miami Thursday- Sunday – Miami Little Theater presents “Barefoot in the Park” at the Coleman Theatre (7:00 p.m.). Saturday is a great Indoor Market at White Buffalo Lodge (9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.). Saturday night is the return of the Sh*t Show (formerly Old Coots No Talent/Talent Show) at Big Shots (7:30 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: George Gershwin’s first published song was “When You Want ‘Em, You Can’t Get ‘Em, When You’ve Got ‘Em, You Don’t Want ‘Em.” He was 17 years old and earned 50 cents for it.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: ESPN has ranked the “Best 100 College Quarterbacks” of the 2000’s. Six OU quarterbacks are on the list: Landry Jones (46), Jason White (39), Jalen Hurts (29), Sam Bradford (16), Kyler Murray (7) and…Baker Mayfield the No. 1 college football quarterback.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Mikaela Shiffrin is both the youngest (18 in 2014) and oldest (30 in 2026) U.S. woman to win Alpine Winter Olympics Gold.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Oh sure, when mermaids lay around in the water they’re “majestic.” But when I do it, I’m “drunk” and “no longer welcome at the aquarium.”
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WORD FUN THIS WEEK: What do you call those things you blow on your birthday and make a wish? Breathalyzer?
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Start drinking now! Get your bad decisions out of the way early.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: New Rule: If it’s safe to mail tax refunds, social security checks, stimulus checks, draft registrations, prescription drugs, passports, and driver’s licenses, then it’s safe to vote by mail.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: On a recent jungle trip, a friend of mine saw a lizard on his hind legs telling jokes. He told a local tribesman, “That lizard is really funny.” The tribesman replied, “That’s not a lizard. That’s a stand-up chameleon.”
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If methadone is free to addicts because they have a disease, why is chemo not free for cancer patients?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If you fill a pinata with ketchup, you will never have to host a children’s birthday party ever again.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “So I’m allowed to destroy the country, but I can’t charge them a little fee. How ridiculous is that?” – Donald J. Trump
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: We lost two great ones last week. Civil Rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson passed away at the age 84 and iconic actor Robert Duvall died at 95. Retired NBA Champion and current sports analyst Charles Barkley and NBA superstar and potential GOAT Michael Jordan both turned 63.
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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 Jukebox Match Saturday night. Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will entertain at South 125 Bar & Grill Saturday night.
On South Grand Lake, Lil’ Red & Sidepiece are at Juan Montez Friday night. Jacob Dement will be on Stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Dillon Leggett Saturday night.
In Grove, Soul Shaker entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar followed by Travis Kidd Saturday night. Western Justice takes the stage Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 and Bobby DeGonia takes over Saturday night.
Adam McCabe kicks off the weekend early with a Thursday night performance at Indigo Sky Casino. The BakBeatz take over Friday night, and Uncrowned Kings wrap up the weekend music Saturday. Left of Center starts the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, followed by Outlaws Reloaded Friday and Mayday by Midnight Saturday night. The Fabulous 2-Man Band will be on stage Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar; and Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West will feature Jeff Tatum & the Palomino Moon Band Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Watch for Los Garcias, a new Mexican Restaurant opening soon in the Ketchum Eats Food Park. Doc’s Bar & Grill reopens for the season at Shangri-La March 10. BOOM at The Regatta reopens for the season March 12.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Voice is finally back with their “Battle of the Champions” kicking off Monday night at 8:00 with special additional shows Wednesday & Thursday nights at 7:00 on NBC. Matlock returns for a new season Thursday night at 8:00 on CBS. Sheriff Country returns to CBS Friday night at 7:00, followed by the season premiere of Fire Country at 8:00 and Boston Blue at 9:00.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Revenant, Scream 7, and Baz Luhrmann’s EPIC: Elvis Presley in Concert all debut in movie theaters this week.
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SAVE THE DATE: 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.). Saturday, March 28 – “Midnight on Grand Masquerade Prom” at South 125 Bar & Grill (7:00 p.m.).
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In the world of sports, the OKC Thunder are back at work. After hosting Denver Friday night at 8:30, they hit the road for games in Dallas (Sunday at 7:00), Chicago (Tuesday at 7:00) and New York (Wednesday at 6:00).
There’s some good college basketball on television this week. Kansas is at Arizona Saturday at 3:00 followed by OU at LSU at 5:00, and TCU at Kansas State at 5:30. Iowa State is at Arizona Monday at 8:00, and OU hosts Missouri Tuesday at 6:00 followed by Kansas at Arizona State at 8:00.
There are some excellent women’s games on the tube this week, too. Tennessee is at LSU Thursday at 5:00 followed by Arkansas at TCU at 6:00 and Georgia at Texas at 9:00. OSU hosts Kansas Saturday at 5:00, and OU is at Missouri Sunday at 3:00.
PGA players are in Florida this week. Coverage of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches is on the Golf Channel beginning at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up coverage of the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR fans are in Austin this week for some racing that turns in more than one direction. Coverage of the DuraMax Grand Prix begins Sunday afternoon at 2:30 on Fox.
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It looks like we’ll wrap up the month of February with fabulous weather. Weekend high temperatures Friday & Saturday will be pushing 70 degrees with lows in the mid-40s until the bottom drops out again Saturday night. Sunday highs will only make it to the mid 50s. Be sure to get out and celebrate the end of our coldest month this weekend. 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
