February 3 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Admittedly, weather over the past weekend was more appropriate for being on the lake and on the golf course than at a trade show, but another great boat show is in the rearview mirror – along with another big golf show. The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show and the St. Louis Golf Show both ended Sunday. There’s just one of each remaining on the schedule. The Grand Lake Boat Show is Friday-Sunday, March 7-9 at the Craig County Fairgrounds Community Center in Vinita and the Kansas City Golf Show is Friday-Sunday, February 21-23 at the Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas. We’ve just about seen all the new options for the big 2025 summer season that’s just around the corner. The downside of last weekend’s gorgeous weather was that the damn groundhog saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. I’ve had enough! Do you have your calendar marked for the most important date of the year? March 9 is the return of Daylight Saving Time.
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The Oklahoma legislative session for 2025 is officially underway, so get a tight hold and a faraway look in your eye. There are some really wacky proposed laws among the 3,099 proposed laws that have been filed for consideration. State Superintendent Ryan Walters continues his never-ending attempts to steal the spotlight. If it wasn’t enough that he’s ordered millions of dollars of Bibles (that he could have gotten for free) and ordered them placed in classrooms…but he’s also trying to change history. He sent an edict to history teachers, urging them to teach that the Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf of America (despite all the maps and history books to the contrary). I thought, if we’re going to actually follow the true history, there is a better name. When the gulf was first named by the mapmakers back in the stone age, nobody in these parts was speaking any English, so it was called Golfo de Mexico and the spot where we all live was called Estados Unidos. How about a compromise? We could call it Golfo Estados Unidos y Mexico y Canada. We would be true to our history and actually have ALL of North America covered.
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It’s Super Bowl week – and the University of Oklahoma can’t lose! There are eight former OU players in this year’s Super Bowl – six OU alums on the Chiefs’ team and two playing for the Eagles. That’s the most of any college. BOOMER!
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Sales of cars & trucks should be fantastic for a few days – weeks, maybe. If you’re stocking up on groceries or buying a new vehicle, you probably should get it done now. New tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China go into effect this week. Economists are saying grocery & gas prices will go up. New car prices will likely increase $5,000 and truck prices by $10,000. I’m afraid to look too far ahead. I’m starting to get a little nostalgic. What’s the old saying? “The older we get, the better we were!”
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It’s a new year, by the way…a new LUNAR New Year, that is. This year is officially “The Year of the Snake.” Seriously. That is all.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Stacy Landon, Dave Moore, Lori Lillard, Christi King, Laura Goss, Beth Kruse, Lance Franczyk, Stan Noble, Steve Weatherford, Tom Bailey, Steve Brewer, Sandy Garrett, Martha Jennings-Troy, Ben Wolfe, Caryl Fowler, Joe Farchione, Tonya Jurgensmeyer, Spencer Satterlee, Ally Marney, Gene Duncan, Lynda Forrester, and Dan Miller.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Tuesday is “Tuesday Trivia Night with Lee Lawson” at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00 p.m.). Wednesday night is the Home of Hope Chocolate Affair at the Craig County Fairgrounds & Community Center in Vinita (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Thursday is Galentine’s Club Red Girls Night Out Party at New Life Spa in Grove (5:00 p.m.). Thursday is also “Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta, Mulligans at Patricia Island and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Friday is “First Friday Wine Share” at Stone Restore Solutions in Grove (6:00 p.m.). 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 – Monsters University (6:00). Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday with big parties at The Anchor at Shangri-La, Big Shots, Juan Montez, Cherokee Yacht Club, Boom at the Regatta, Mulligans at Patricia Island.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Etymologists are divided on whether Oologah, Oklahoma's name comes from the Cherokee words for "dark cloud" or "redhorse fish."
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: During his college years at OU, Dallas Cowboys receiver Cee Dee Lamb played with three quarterbacks – Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts, giving him arguably the best three years of quarterbacks for any receiver in history.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: A cereal box toy whistle could hack AT&T’s entire phone network in 1971. John Draper found the Cap’n Crunch whistle made a 2600 Hz tone – the exact sound that gave free phone calls.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I was told that after a vasectomy, I wouldn’t have kids anymore. Imagine my shock when I got home, and they were still there!
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PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “Oh no! Don Ho!” spelled backwards is still “Oh no! Don Ho!”
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Pool is open 24 hours. Do not enter the pool at any other time.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: One minute you’re wild and young and the next minute you’re getting excited about air fryers.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: I misplaced Dwayne Johnson’s cutting tool for the origami workshop. I can’t believe I lost the Rock’s Paper Scissors.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: After we experience the “future,” where does it go?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I’ve come to the conclusion that my memory is like an etch-a-sketch. I shake my head and forget everything.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “After a football game in Lima, Peru, five were killed. Up here we don’t kill our football players. We make coaches out of the smart ones and send the others to the Legislature.” - Will Rogers, January 5, 1931
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The original Magnum P.I, small-town Police Chief Jesse Stone, N.Y.C. Police Commissioner Frank Reagan – legendary actor Tom Selleck turned 80 years old last week. British singer Marianne Faithfull (“As Tears Go By”) died last week. She was 78 years old.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island Jesse Joice performs live Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar.
In Grove, The Brothers Moore start the weekend musical fun at Cherokee Casino Friday night, followed by The Swade Diablos Saturday night. Saturday night, Spring Street will perform as part of the River Ridge Bluegrass Assoc. schedule at the Grove Middle School Auditorium (6:00 p.m.). There’s karaoke every Wednesday night and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 didn’t have their entertainment updated in time for this week’s column.
At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, there is live music by Black Eyed Jack Saturday night followed by karaoke with DJ Kay. Stonehorse will entertain at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Thursday night followed by Blank Earth Friday and FM Live Saturday. Brett N’ Terri will entertain at Indigo Sky Casino Thursday night, followed by KC & The Vibe Friday and Thomas Martinez Saturday.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: J.J. Fisher will be the guest chef Wednesday night at The Shebang on Monkey Island. After being closed for renovations in January, Big Shots on Monkey Island reopens this weekend with a Sunday night Super Bowl Party. Rise-N-Dine is a new restaurant now open in Ketchum (6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.). Blind Swine and One-Eyed Monkey cafe on Monkey Island and Bradford Barbecue in Ketchum are all three closed until Spring. Grand Lake Kitchen at Har-Ber Village is open throughout the winter months.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Super Bowl Greatest Commercials will be on CBS Wednesday night at 8:00. NCIS: Sydney debuts Friday night at 7:00 on CBS. Comedian & actor Will Ferrell will be the featured guest on Sunday Today with Willie Geist Sunday morning at 7:00 on NBC. Super Bowl LIX kicks off Sunday at 5:30 on Fox. The Voice airs Monday night at 7:00.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Love Hurts and Heart Eyes both open in movie theaters this weekend.
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, February 14 – Valentine Gala in Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La including dinner, dancing, live music (6:00 p.m.). Friday, February 14 – Valentine for Kids at The Anchor at Shangri-La – snacks, card decorating, game cards - $20 (6:00-10:00 p.m.). Sunday, February 16 – Opening performance of Persnickety at Playmakers in Grove (additional performances February 20, 21, 23, 27, 28, and March 2). Saturday, February 22 – Sh*tshow Comedy Show at Big Shots (7:30 p.m.). Thursday, February 27 – South Grand Lake Chamber membership luncheon at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langle 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 – Cherokee Yacht Club Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run. 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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It’s Super Bowl Weekend. Pre-game coverage starts right now (whenever you’re reading this). The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will kick off Sunday at approximately 5:30.
The NBA has a busy schedule, too. The OKC Thunder are home for a while. They host Phoenix Wednesday (7:00) and Toronto Friday (7:00) before heading to Memphis for a Saturday night game (7:00); then they’re back to OKC to host New Orleans Monday (7:00) and Miami next Wednesday (7:00).
There are some great college basketball games this week. Saturday highlights include Tennessee at OU (11:00), Florida Atlantic at Tulsa (11:00), Kansas at Kansas State (1:00), Texas A&M at Missouri (2:30), and Alabama at Arkansas (7:00). Next Monday night, Baylor is at Houston (8:00). Next Wednesday, OSU is at TCU (6:00) and OU is at Missouri (8:00).
Are you ready for some major golf fun? This is the week. PGA players are at TPC Scottsdale this week for the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
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It’ll be tough to top last weekend’s weather, but we’ll give it a try – at least through Saturday. High temperatures under partly cloudy skies will be pushing 60 degrees Friday & Saturday with lows in the 40s. Unfortunately, winter returns Sunday with high temperatures in the mid-40s and lows dipping below freezing. It’s okay. We’re all going to be indoors Sunday night watching the Super Bowl at our favorite bar, anyway. Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might 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
