February 24 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
South Grand Lake will be hoppin’ this weekend as party animals and boaters celebrate “Welcome Back Weekend.” It looks like great weather for the festivities highlighted by the Cherokee Yacht Club “Welcome Back Poker Run” Saturday. Poker Run stops this year are the Cherokee Yacht Club Ship Store, the 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 (although I wouldn’t recommend trying to get that bonus chip if you’re doing the Poker Run by boat). Festivities for the celebration are all based at Cherokee Yacht Club.
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Back in the old days the weather used to be really unpredictable for the first weekend in March. Terry Frost is the originator of the “Welcome Back” celebration, back when he owned Cherokee Yacht Club. His pals used to warn him that the first weekend of March could be cold, rainy, even snowy and icy – but he would not be deterred, always saying he “had faith.” I’ve been amazed over the years since that the weather always seemed to clear up and be nice for the boaters participating in the Poke Run. Judging from the weather forecast this weekend, Joe Harwood must have inherited that “faith” because it still seems to be working!
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With all the snow, ice, and cold temperatures over the past weekend, it’s good that Grand Lake’s biggest party was an indoor party! Congratulations to Big Shots Rhythm & Booze owners Shelby & Kira McDonald for bringing back the outrageous fun of the Larry & Joyce Duke era with Saturday night’s Sh*tshow. What a fun night! It’s good to know that Grand Lakers still don’t take ourselves too seriously. Hardly anybody escaped the harpoons that were thrown by performers that night. If you missed it, you missed a good one!
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I’m thinking of starting a new business. According to news reports, the price of eggs has gotten so high that folks are buying their own chickens. Oddly enough, folks who can’t afford to buy either eggs or chicken are now renting chickens. No, really. This is a real thing. It could be an entirely new twist for folks with those big chicken farms. How about “Rent-a-Chicken?” I think I could be onto something here.
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With the official arrival of the baseball season, there are changes in the game. I’m talking about the New York Yankees. They have finally joined the 21st century and lifted their ban on beards for players. James Harden will no longer have an exclusive on that “Fear the Beard” line.
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A company called Alef Aeronautics claims to have finally developed a flying car. I did a little research on how long that “flying car” promise has been around. The first prediction I could find was that flying cars would be a real thing in 1967. We’re a little past that date now, but Alef claims they’re going to start manufacturing “a road-legal passenger car capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight” next year. We’ll see. They’ve already done some successful testing and they are taking pre-orders. If you want to get in line, the price tag is $300,000.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Leta Carson, Pete Regan, Cherie Trevathan, Gary Sisco, Bob Rush, Glenna Whitehead, Debbie Totty, Don White, Joyce Maxson, Taylor Brandwein, Mary Lou Manley, Diane McPeters, Dee Snyder, Kristin Woolery, Tom Workman, and Jim Brown.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday, Friday & Saturday are featured presentations of Grove High School’s production of “Clue” at the High School Performing Arts Center (7:00 p.m. Thursday & Friday, 2:30 Saturday). Thursday is the South Grand Lake Chamber membership luncheon at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langle featuring Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. (11:30 a.m.). The final performances of “Persnikety” at Playmakers in Grove are Thursday & Friday nights and Sunday afternoon. Thursday is “Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Saturday-Sunday are Welcome Back Weekend festivities on South Grand Lake. The Cherokee Yacht Club “Welcome Back Poker Run” is Saturday with stops at CYC Ship Store, AYC Ship Store, VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina, Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, and Cedar Port Marina with a “bonus chip” stop at AYC Grove. Saturday is also a C.O.W. Week Pickleball Mixer at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (10:00 a.m.), and 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 – Iron Man (6:00) and a Mardi Gras dinner & costume party at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Bologna gets its name from Bologna, Italy. Oddly enough, in Bologna, Italy, bologna is called Mortadella.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: University of Oklahoma softball ticket sales total $2.6 million. That’s $600,000 more than OU Men’s and Women’s basketball ticket sales combined.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Jonathan, a tortoise hatched around 1832 is the world’s oldest known living land animal, age 192 years.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Dr. Oz says rubbing coffee grounds on your naked body prevents cellulite. Since the cops are here now, apparently you can’t do it at Starbucks.
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PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “Madam, in Eden, I’m Adam” spelled backwards is still “Madam, in Eden, I’m Adam.”
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: WARNING: Laxatives and sleeping pills should not be taken together.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: The Institute of Unfinished Research has concluded that 6 out of 10 people
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PUN OF THE WEEK: I just found out my countertops are slate. I’ve been taking them for granite this whole time.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When someone starts talking to you, is it rude to poke them in the forehead and say “Skip Intro”?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I have one cup of coffee each morning just to start the day off right. The other ones are to keep me out of jail, help me form sentences, and fuel my razor-sharp wit.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The only reason people do not know much is because they do not care to know. They are incurious. Incuriosity is the oddest and most foolish failing there is.” – Stephen Fry
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Our favorite actors continue to age. Viggo Mortensen will be 67 when he reprises his role as Aragorn in the new “Lord of the Rings” film. Orlando Bloom will be 49 when he returns as Legolas, and Sir Ian McKellen will be 87 when he returns as Gandalf.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island Ryan Graham 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, The Barrett Lewis Band will be on stage Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Glam R Us will perform Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster.
In Grove, Soul Shaker starts the weekend musical fun at Cherokee Casino Friday night. The Beer & Chicken Band performs Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655. 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 karaoke with DJ Kay Friday evening, and live music Saturday evening, followed by more karaoke at 11:00. There are three bands in two nights this week at Downstream’s Legends Sports Bar. Left of Center will entertain Thursday night followed by both Pug Johnson and The Libby Starks Band Friday night. Mr. & Mrs. Smith will entertain at Indigo Sky Casino Thursday night, followed by The Blue Underground Friday.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina opens for the season this week – Thursday at 11:00 a.m. 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. Blind Swine and One-Eyed Monkey cafe on Monkey Island and Bradford Barbecue in Ketchum are all three closed until Spring.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Matlock airs Thursday night at 8:00 on NBC. The 97th Academy Awards will be televised live at 6:00 Sunday evening on ABC; and The Voice airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Last Breath, A Sloth Story and The Legend of Ochi all open in movie theaters this weekend.
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SAVE THE DATE: 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.
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There’s plenty of NBA action this week. The OKC Thunder host Minnesota Monday night before traveling to Brooklyn Wednesday. They’re in Atlanta Friday, and San Antonio Sunday before returning home to host Houston Monday; then it’s back on the road to Memphis next Wednesday.
There are some great college basketball games this week. OU hosts Kentucky Wednesday night at 8:00. Saturday games include Arkansas at South Carolina (12:00), Texas Tech at Kansas (1:00), OU at Ole Miss (1:00), OSU at Baylor (7:00). Next week, Kansas is at Houston Monday night (8:00), Arkansas is at Vanderbilt Tuesday (9:00); and OSU is at UCF while OU hosts Missouri and Kansas State is at Cincinnati, all next Wednesday.
PGA golfers are in Palm Gardens, Florida this weekend at PGA National. Coverage of the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches begins on the Golf Channel at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in Austin this weekend for a little road racing action. Coverage of the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix begins Sunday afternoon at 2:30 on Fox.
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This week’s beautiful weather continues into the weekend. Following Friday high temperatures in the mid-60s, we’ll have highs around 60 degrees all weekend, with lows around 40. It’s a great way to start a new month! Get out and enjoy some fabulous spring preview days, 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
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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
