July 13 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
The final 2026 Independence Day weekend numbers are in. We have no idea how many hundreds of thousands of people enjoyed fireworks, entertainment, food, drinks, golf, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, swimming, sunbathing, and all the other great Grand Lake summer events; but we have information about who went boating. The GRDA Police report an astonishing 2,500 boats on the waters of Grand Lake on the 4th of July. At one particular time, 850 of them were in Duck Creek!
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After 4 years of ignoring legislation that passed the U.S. Senate unanimously in 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives has scheduled a vote on making Daylight Saving Time permanent. Since they waited so long, the bill will have to go back to the Senate if they approve it…but at least something’s happening. Thanks to legislation in Oklahoma by Senator Blake Stephens & Representative Scott Fetgatter, our state is ready. If congress approved the change, the Oklahoma law to adopt the permanent change is already in place. Hold your breath, tourism supporters!
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I guess it’s what happens when a community becomes known as a retirement community. Grove’s Downtown Merchants hosted a promotion over the weekend billed as a “Late Night Shopping Event.” It ended at 8:30.
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After this weekend, the world’s biggest futbol tournament will be in the rearview mirror, so can we finally get on with some real football? NFL preseason starts August 6 with the Panthers vs. Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game. Ironically, the first game of the American college football season isn’t even in the USA. It will be in Dublin, Ireland: North Carolina vs. TCU August 29.
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Did you watch any of the Scottish Open golf tournament over the past weekend? Great tournament – but golfers in the Grand Lake area must be proud. I know Scotland is a great home for golf and an important part of golf history – but that Renaissance Club course is one ugly golf course!
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Speaking of golf, Toby Keith (who would have turned 65 last week) no longer walks the golf course at Shangri-La and he no longer fishes the waters of Grand Lake or pops in with surprise appearances with local bands at Grand Lake bars. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. On America’s 250th birthday July 4, Toby’s “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue” was once again the #1 streamed song on Spotify.
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For all my life, I’ve heard politicians who don’t understand government telling us “government should be run like a business.” Finally, we are! Sell all the profitable pieces, gut the workforce, load it with debt & walk away rich while everyone else is left holding the bag. Venture capitalist politics.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Judy Florida, Lisa Pitts, Carolyn Frans, Claudia Suits, Jimmy Young, Pam Hart, Jay Fleming, Brooke Bolton, Angie Prideaux Jones, Joel McCorkle, Jason Eppler, Shine Carson, Charlie Apperson, Carolyn Cavins, Nick Humphrey, Joe Carter, Bill Flegler, Erin Davis, Bobby Stem, Rene Talley, Bob Sullivan, Wendy Long, Davis Hudiburg, and Tricia Covel!
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: The Grove Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala is Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino (6:00 p.m.). Thursday night is also “Thursday Trivia” at BOOM at The Regatta in Grove (6:30 p.m.). This week’s session of the “Shangri-La Practice Club,” an 8-week coaching series for golfers, is Friday at 4:00 p.m. Saturday is a fun evening of Night Golf at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (8:30 p.m.). Sunday afternoon is the opening performance of “A Wrinkle in Time” at Playmakers in Grove (2:00 p.m.); and next week is the Junior Players Academy at Shangri-La Golf Club (Monday-Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Names don’t ALWAYS count on the ballot. Back in 1966, Oklahomans elected John Rogers Secretary of State and John M. Rogers State Examiner and Inspector – but they turned down John N. Rogers’ bid for Labor Commissioner.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: There is a service called “Dark Secret” where, for $500, a mystery woman will show up at your funeral in a black limousine, cry in silence, then leave. This could cause absolute mayhem amongst family and friends.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: MacKenzie Scott gave more in 2025 than Musk, Page, Ellison, and her ex-husband, Jeff Bezos, have in their lifetimes – combined.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Sometimes, I tell people, “I hope your day is as pleasant as you are” and then watch their face as they try to determine if it was a compliment or not.
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WORD FUN THIS WEEK: I can’t remember how to write 1, 1,000, 51, 6, and 500 in Roman numerals. IM LIVID!
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Never buy flowers from a monk. Only you can prevent florist friars.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: You can have my fireworks when you pry them from my cold dead fingers, which are right over there by the sidewalk.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Just left the grocery store, and the kid bagging my stuff asked if I wanted paper or plastic. I told him I didn’t care and he could decide for me. He told me that I had to pick because baggers can’t be choosers.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Is a pig with laryngitis disgruntled?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: It’s so annoying when you want to break off a little square of chocolate and it snaps wrong, so you have to eat the other eight squares.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “In America, we spent a few weeks as a soccer nation and a few days as a team everyone else on earth hoped would lose. The beginning was worth it. The ending was unbearable.” – Jerry Brewer, The Athletic
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer best known for her hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” died last week. She was 75. Actress Louise Lasser, best known for her iconic role in the series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, also died last week at the age of 87. Multiple award-winning actor Kevin Bacon turned 68 last week. Two industry-changing musicians shared birthdays last week. One of the two remaining members of The Beatles, Ringo Starr, turned 86; and on the same day, legendary jazz trumpeter and longtime leader of The NBC Orchestra, Doc Severinsen turned 99. Last Friday was the anniversary of the first #1 hit by The Rolling Stones. “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” hit number one on the charts – sixty-one years ago!
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, there’s karaoke with Sundown Entertainment at The Monkey Bar both Wednesday and Friday nights, and live music by Willie Jay Saturday night. Friday night, there’s live music by Dillon Leggett at Doc’s (7:00-9:00) and Karaoke with DJ Kyle at The Anchor (9:00-11:00). DJ Kyle will entertain poolside at Shangri-La Resort Saturday (11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.); and The Hype is at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar Saturday night (8:00). Jimmy Lee & COBE will perform Sunday at Whitecap at The Landings Marina (4:00 p.m.). Magen Faulconer will be on stage at South 125 Bar & Grill next Monday; and Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will be at Whitecap next Wednesday (6:00).
On South Grand Lake, Jimmy Lee and COBE will entertain Thursday night at Juan Montez (6:00). The Emily Hollingshed Band kicks off the weekend Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by RocKFiscH Saturday night and Casey West Sunday afternoon. Nancy Raper kicks off midweek fun Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Dillon Leggett is featured Thursday night at Mooney’s, followed by Lil’ Red & Sidepiece Friday night, Wanda Watson Saturday night; and a special matinee performance by The Fitzgibbon Band Sunday (4:00). Magen Faulconer will be on stage at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Saturday night. Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will be performing Saturday at Blind Swine Duck Creek (6:00) and again next Tuesday with guest Tyler Pryor (6:00).
In Grove, Jimmy Lee & COBE will entertain at Food Truck Friday on the downtown square Friday at 6:00. Borrowed Money will be on stage at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 Friday night followed by Encore Saturday night. Soul Shaker will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino and The Chain Project takes over Saturday night.
Chris Hyde entertains Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Red Letters Friday night and KC & The Vibe Saturday. Left of Center will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night followed by The Downbeat Saturday night. Trapper Schoepp is featured in a free show at 7:00 Friday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Indoor Peoria Showplace followed by a great lineup of entertainment (Pat Green, Jason Boland & the Stragglers and The Great Divide) at Red Dirt on The Run Saturday night at the Outdoor Venue beginning at 5:00. Stonehorse is the featured entertainment Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The R-Bar in Grove has new ownership and a new name. The “Alpha Bar” is open 7 days a week. The new Juan Montez restaurant building is finished and open Wednesday-Sunday at Red Arrow Marina. Stuffn’s in Ketchum has a new operator – opening soon. Bobbers Café (north of Langley) is opening a new location in Bernice. South 125 Bar & Grill is now open six days a week – open at 4:00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday and 11:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The 2026 ESPY Awards air Wednesday night at 7:00 on ABC. The new series Ride or Die premieres Wednesday on Prime Video. Bill Maher: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor airs next Tuesday on Netflix.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Odyssey opens in movie theaters this week.
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, July 25 – Grand Jam On The Water Concert in Duck Creek. Saturday, July 25 – Battlefield Club Championship Tournament at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.). Saturday-Sunday, July 25-26 – Wolf Creek Vintage Market at Wolf Creek Expo in Grove (9:00-5:00 Saturday, 10:00-4:00 Sunday). Friday-Sunday, July 31-August 2 – Wolf Creek Expo Boat Show at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Monday-Wednesday, August 3-5 – Junior Golf Camp at Shangri-La Golf Club (8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.).
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Wimbledon tennis is now behind us and FIFA World Cup games are finally coming to a close, as well. The battle for third place will be Saturday afternoon at 4:00 – and the Championship Match is set for Sunday at 2:00.
PGA Golfers are split between two continents again this week. The (British) Open is this week, with coverage beginning early morning (3:00 a.m.) on USA Thursday & Friday and at 4:00 a.m. Saturday. NBC will pick up coverage at 6:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. There will be a recap broadcast of highlights on The Golf Channel at 5:00 Sunday afternoon. For those who aren’t playing in England, they will be in the Dominican Republic for the Corales Puntacana Championship. Coverage is exclusively on the Golf Channel at 11:00 a.m. Thursday-Saturday and 3:00 p.m. Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in North Carolina this week for the Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Coverage begins at 6:00 Sunday evening on TNT Sports.
Major League Baseball fans have a big weekend. The Dodgers & Yankees battle Friday (6:00), Saturday (7:00), and Sunday (6:20). If you’re not tired of the Dodgers by then, they’ll be facing the Phillies Monday (6:00) and Tuesday (5:30).
WNBA games have lots of televised action. New York is at Dallas Thursday night (8:00). Friday night, Seattle is at Indiana (6:30) and Phoenix hosts Connecticut (9:00). Indiana hosts New York Saturday (7:00). Sunday’s lineup includes L.A. at Dallas (noon), Chicago at Atlanta (3:00), and Connecticut at Phoenix (6:00).
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Weather for the upcoming Grand Lake weekend looks just as good as the weekend behind us. We’ll have sunshine with light winds along with high temperatures in the mid-90s and lows in the mid-70s. Get out and enjoy all Oklahoma’s #1 playground has to offer! 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.
Alpha Bar in Grove
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 Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
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
Eagle’s Nest at Patricia Island Country Club
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
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Legacy Eatery in Grove
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 Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor
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
Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort
Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
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
