January 20 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

I’m sure there has been a time in my life when the weather was more miserable than it was over the past weekend, but if there was such a more miserable time, I’ve blocked it from my memory. I’m fairly certain we’re not finished with winter weather for the year, but I hope we’re finished with the worst of it.

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One place that was toasty warm Saturday night was the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La Resort. Both the temperature and the mood of the event were as warm as could be. Grand Lake native and longtime Broadway performer Ron Young presented his one-man show- “In the Limelight: 90 Years of the Broadway Music Man.” The audience was on an emotional rollercoaster - rolling with laughter and being caught unexpectedly with tears in their eyes. It was an absolutely fantastic evening of entertainment – and a fantastic crowd, as well. It was another special Grand Lake evening of off-the-charts entertainment – right in the middle of winter!

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Believe it or not, it’s already time to get geared up again for another big show. The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show begins next Monday, January 27 and runs through February 2. If you missed the Oklahoma Boat Expo, catch this show. There are three Grand Lake boat dealers and several Grand Lake businesses exhibiting in the show. Let’s show our support.

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If you have ever made the comment, “There oughta be a law about that,” the new record in the Oklahoma legislature may be partially your fault. Apparently, every time someone made that comment, an accommodating lawmaker filed a proposed new law. In all, a record 3,099 pieces of legislation have been filed for consideration in the upcoming legislative session which gets underway officially in a couple of weeks (February 3). That’s almost 21 proposed laws for every member of the legislature. They can’t possibly have that many good ideas. Some of the proposed laws are absolutely outrageous, of course, and will never be considered. But, you know what they say: We have a representative form of government; and even the foolish and outrageous citizens deserve representation – and they certainly have it!

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I hope you made it through a couple of days without TikTok. The popular social media platform was banned in the U.S. by a new law – and that ban happened Sunday. President Trump is allowed to give TikTok another 90 days to operate while trying to sell the company to American interests – and apparently he is going to do so. The clock is ticking, though. TikTok!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Doug Goss, Bootsey Torchia, Donna Palu, Richard Cannon, Ryan Rahhal, Randy Threet, Elaine Wyatt, Sherry Sherrell, Brad Williams, Danny Brumble, Paula Brumble, Bud Wyatt, Sarah Thompson, Cathy Weatherford, Tim Duit, Linda Athey, Terri Geary, and T.J. Barnow.

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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.) and Thursday is “Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Thursday is also the Grove Chamber Membership Luncheon at N.E. Tech in Grove (12:00 p.m.). Saturday night is a great show - “The Kornfield Friends”-Remembering Hee Haw Original Cast Members at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center (7:00 p.m.). Saturday night is also “Free Movie Night” in the simulator bay at The Anchor (6:00). There’s a big Sunday afternoon NFL Conference Championship Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (2:00 p.m.). Wednesday, January 29 – check out the hilarious “Mom’s Unhinged” comedy show at the Coleman Theatre in Miami (7:00 p.m.).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: George Washington's second inaugural address was only 135 words and remains the nation's shortest.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: A Helsinki-Toronto flight was loaded with 400 passengers and only 200 lunches. The airline made a mistake and the crew was in a difficult situation. However, an intelligent flight attendant came up with an idea. About 30 minutes after take-off, she announced: "Ladies and gentlemen, I don't know how this happened, but we have 400 passengers on board and only 200 lunches! Anyone who is kind enough to give up food for someone else will receive a free unlimited amount of wine throughout the flight.”

Her next announcement was made 6 hours later: "Ladies and Gentlemen, if anyone wants to change their mind, we still have 200 lunches available!"

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird in the world – in fact, it is the fastest animal in the world. Daily flights are at around 100 mph, but while hunting, they hit speeds of more than 300 mph.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Imagine how loud a centipede would be if it wore tiny flip-flops.

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PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “Are we not pure? “No, sir!” Panama’s moody Noriega brags. “It is garbage!” Irony dooms a man—a prisoner up to new era.” That entire paragraph reads exactly the same forwards or backwards.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: If you stand by the sea, it sounds like putting a shell to your ear.

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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: The Minnesota Vikings hate the Green Bay Packers so much they refused to win a Lombardi Trophy.

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PUN OF THE WEEK: The only meat inflation has not impacted is deer meat. It’s still a buck.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you actually identify a UFO, does that mean it just becomes an FO? What if it lands? Is it just an O?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: When I was in the bookstore the other day, I saw a book titled “How to Solve 50% of Your Problems.” So, I bought two.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Get at least eight hours of beauty sleep. Nine if you’re ugly.” – Betty White

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: “Mr. Baseball,” iconic baseball legend Bob Eucker died last week, ending an era of classic one-liners. He was 90 years old. Superstar Dolly Parton and her husband Carl Dean have been married for 58 years!

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar.

On South Grand Lake, Billy Hoffman-Sierra Bravo will perform Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill.

In Grove, Encore starts the weekend musical fun at Cherokee Casino Friday night, followed by Phil Vaught Saturday night. There’s karaoke every Wednesday night, CM Johnson will perform Friday night with a special guest from Branson, and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon. Jeff Tatum & The Palomino Band will be on stage at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 Friday night followed by Wilkie Jay Saturday night. Original cast members from the legendary TV show Hee Haw are featured Saturday night in “The Kornfield Friends” at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center (7:00 p.m.).

DC & The Night Marshals will entertain Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, Stonehorse will provide the live music Saturday night. Outlaws Reloaded will entertain at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Thursday night and The Bakbeats will perform Friday night; and The Ozark Mountain Daredevils will perform live at Downstream’s Pavilion Friday night. TJ Scarlett will entertain at Indigo Sky Casino Thursday night, followed by Mayday by Midnight Friday and MoArk Mojo Saturday.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Rise-N-Dine is a new restaurant now open in Ketchum (6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.). Big Shots on Monkey Island is closed for the remainder of January. 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: A new season of The Night Agent returns to NETFLIX Thursday. The rescheduled live telecast of The 2025 Critics Choice Awards airs Sunday night at 6:00 on E! and Peacock. The Bachelor returns to ABC for another season Monday night at 7:00. Ladies and Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music also airs at 7:00 Monday night on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Flight Risk, Presence, and Brave the Dark open in movie theaters this weekend.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 30 – Vinita Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at the Craig County Fairgrounds (6:00 p.m.). Wednesday, February 5 – Home of Hope Chocolate Affair at the Craig County Fairgrounds & Community Center in Vinita (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday, February 7 – First Friday Wine Share at Stone Restore Solutions in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Sunday, February 9 – Super Bowl Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (5:00 p.m.). Friday, February 14 – Valentine Gala in Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La including dinner, dancing, live music (6:00 p.m.). 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.). Friday-Sunday, March 7-9 – Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show at the Craig County Community Building in Vinita. 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.). Saturday, March 22 – “Killer Keyz” Dueling Pianos return to Shangri-La for a one-night show.

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In the college football world, we’re down to just two teams – Ohio State and Notre Dame. The CFP National Championship game is Monday night at 6:30 p.m.

The NFL is narrowing down to the two final teams. Conference Championship games are Sunday – NFC at 2:00 and AFC at 5:30. Winners of those games will be headed to the Super Bowl!

The NBA has a busy schedule. The OKC Thunder are finishing a back-to-back homestand as they host Dallas Thursday night (7:00) before heading west. They’re at Portland Sunday (5:00) and Golden State next Wednesday (9:00).

PGA players are at Torrey Pines in San Diego this weekend. Coverage of The Farmers Insurance Open begins at 2:00 Thursday-Friday and 1:30 Saturday & Sunday on The Golf Channel.

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After an absolutely bone-chilling miserable start to the week, the outlook for the weekend ahead is a little better. We’ll have high temperatures in the mid-40s for the most part – maybe up to the mid-50s on Saturday – and lows around freezing or a little below. If your “fun calendar” is marked for Sunday, I’d plan for indoor fun. It’s NFL Conference Championship weekend, 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