July 20 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
Unbelievably, the U.S. House of Representatives was true to their word. They voted on the “Sunshine Protection Act” last week – and approved it overwhelming (308-117). The bill now goes to the Senate. If they approve, Oklahoma’s existing law will mean permanent Daylight Saving Time and we’ll have lots more evening leisure time in the sunlight year-round! Eighteen other states have already joined Oklahoma in pre-approval of DST including Texas, Colorado, and Louisiana. The Senate approved similar legislation unanimously in 2022, but they’ll have to vote again. Perhaps they should keep in mind that President Trump supports the idea – and the original author of the proposal was Secretary of State Marco Rubio back when he was still in the Senate. Let’s do this!
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We should really appreciate Grand Lake more than we do. The GRDA management has been very good to Grand Lakers. Consider this latest news headline: “Lake Travis in Austin is Expected to Fill 100% for the First Time in 7 Years.” We certainly never have that problem!
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Did you receive a mail notification to go online and fill out a “mandatory” census questionnaire? Since it’s not even time for a census, I’m not sure why I got it, but I made the mistake of going online and filling it out. I’m not sure what the federal government is doing with that information, but beginning the day after I completed the form, I began getting a barrage of spam phone calls and text messages trying to do everything from selling me products to loaning me money and, of course, offering me an extended warranty on my car and plenty of money to pay off my student loans and credit cards. Things that make you go, “hmmm,” and think twice about filling out government questionnaires.
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Have you been watching the school districts across the state change their schedules to comply with a new state law. Legislators in their “wisdom” passed legislation requiring longer recess periods and additional time spent in the classroom. Most school districts were so close to hitting those “new” goals that they didn’t even add any days to the school schedule. I couldn’t help but laugh at the significant number of schools that came into compliance by adding one minute – ONE MINUTE to each school day to comply with the newly required total hours of education. Your tax dollars at work. I’m sure glad the legislature is focused on such important stuff.
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Elections get stranger and stranger. Now, it turns out former State Senator Marty Quinn doesn’t exactly match the requirements for residency to run for State Insurance Commissioner. Oddly enough, he’s been giving permission to run despite falling short of the required residency time because he had a homestead exemption and he voted – in Arkansas! He’s still on the ballot, though. He’s in a Republican runoff with Grand Lake native Bob Sullivan. That’s probably all we Grand Lakers need to know.
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So, are Presidential pardons for sale or not? If so, how much do they cost? Rapper Boosie Badazz claims he paid $600,000 to a “connected” Washington lobbying firm in a failed attempt to buy a Presidential pardon. They assured him he had one – but it must not have been enough, because he never got it. Now he’s suing for a refund because his payoff didn’t work.
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What’s wrong with this picture? You and I have been paying higher prices for months due to tariffs. Once the courts declared the tariffs illegal, the feds had to refund the money. In June, they refunded $49.1 billion…not to consumers, of course, but to the businesses that charged us the higher prices. A nice windfall for the businesses, I guess…but when do you and I get our money back?
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers David Poindexter, Shawn Webb, Connie DuBois, Dennis McCulla, Cindy Dunavant, Kent Jopling, Randy Rullivan, Bob Kalsu, Peggy Kiefer-Steed, Mike Fowler, Heather Lillard, Michelle Brackmann, Susie Kraft, Emily York, Tim Carson, John Castelli, Dick Lillard, Jeff Moll, David McCrorey, Brandon Sharpe, Jim Conner, Dennis Geary, Lee Lawson, Mims Talton, Yana Livesay, Justin Barrett, Kim Burke, Jeff Martin, and Thatcher Smalley.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday night is “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. Friday night is a “pre-party” at Blind Swine Duck Creek for Saturday’s big Grand Jam On The Water Concert in Duck Creek (noon Saturday). Saturday is Arrowhead Boat Sales Customer Appreciation Day at Arrowhead with evening poolside festivities at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday is also the Battlefield Club Championship Tournament at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.). The fun Wolf Creek Vintage Market is at Wolf Creek Expo in Grove Saturday & Sunday (9:00-5:00 Saturday, 10:00-4:00 Sunday). There are live performances of “A Wrinkle in Time” at Playmakers in Grove Thursday & Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (2:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The origin of hot dog sausages is disputed between Frankfurt, Germany and Vienna, Austria. Thus, we have “franks” and “wieners.”
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: At age 90, Dalai Lama won his first Grammy. It’s never too late to make history.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The Netherlands has developed an innovative road made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Designed to snap together like Lego bricks, these eco-friendly roads are built to last three times longer than traditional asphalt.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: We went swimming yesterday. My husband went to pee in the deep end. The lifeguard noticed and blew his whistle. My husband was so surprised he almost fell in.
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WORD FUN THIS WEEK: Prison is just one word to you, but for some people, it’s a whole sentence.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: The last car that parked here is still missing.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: They might not have thought this through. If you fly from the newly named Donald Trump airport to Sioux City, your tiket will say DJT-SUX.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Are you sweating while putting gas in your car, then feeling sick when paying for it? You may have the dreaded carownervirus.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If the U.S. Mail is secure enough to receive your photo ID, social security card, your debit and credit cards, your stimulus checks, and your tax returns, why isn’t it not safe enough for voting?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I never thought I’d be the kind of person who would wake up early in the morning to exercise. I was right.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolutely power corrupts absolutely!” – Lord Acton
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Longtime Jeopardy! TV announcer Johnny Gilbert turned 98 last week. We lost Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker. Best known for her role as the Pigeon Lady in “Home Alone,” last week. She was 81.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, there’s karaoke with Tim Robinson Thursday night on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00) and live music by Dustin Chadwell at Doc’s Bar & Grill. DJ Kyle hosts Singo fun at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar Friday night (9:00-11:00) and the Kevin Price Band at Eddy’s Saturday night (8:00-11:00) while Magen Faulconer performs at The Anchor (8:00-11:00). There’s karaoke with Sundown Entertainment at The Monkey Bar Friday night and live music by Robbi Bell Saturday night. Dillon Leggett will next Tuesday at Whitecap at The Landings Marina. Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will be at Whitecap next Wednesday (6:00).
On South Grand Lake, Jackson Glasby kicks off midweek fun Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Jesse Dean is featured Thursday night at Mooney’s, followed by Magen Faulconer with Clint & Frank Friday night, Jake Brake Saturday night; and a special matinee performance by The Smith Brothers Sunday (4:00). DJ Nate Nelson kicks off the weekend Friday night at 7:00 at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by The Downbeat at 8:00. The Jake Karlik Band takes the Sharky’s stage Saturday night and Brent Giddens performs Sunday afternoon (3:00). Lickitty Split will make a rare appearance Friday night at Blind Swine for a “Grand Slam Concert” pre-party (6:00). The Grand Slam fun starts on the water at Harbor’s View Marina at noon Saturday featuring the Covington Creek Band, KC Johns, and Taylor Hunnicutt as well as a tribute to the troops featuring Ava Grace performing the National Anthem. Magen Faulconer will join Lil’ Red & Sidepiece next Tuesday evening at Blind Swine (6:00).
In Grove, Lost Dogs will be on stage at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 Friday night followed by DeWayne Bowman Saturday night. Mixtape 918 will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino and Encore takes over Saturday night.
Michele Warren entertains Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Uncrowned Kings Friday night and Thomas Martinez Saturday. The Blue Underground will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night followed by The Tribute Kings Saturday night. Bobby DeGonia 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.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Who Wants to be a Millionaire returns to ABC Wednesday night at 7:00. The WNBA All-Star Game airs Saturday night at 7:30 on ABC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Kevin Hart’s new movie 72 Hours will be available on Netflix Friday.
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SAVE THE DATE: 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.). Friday, August 14 – Mary Moore Charity Event & Golf Tournament at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.). Monday-Tuesday, August 17-18 – Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association Four-Ball Partnership Tournament at Shangri-La. Thursday, August 27 – Member-Member/Member-Guest Golf Tournament at Shangri-La.
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In the sports world, we’ve hit that mid-summer lull. With Wimbledon, the World Cup, and the NBA Summer League competition behind us, we’re watching baseball, NASCAR, PGA Golf and WNBA Basketball.
It’s a big week for the WNBA, by the way, highlighted by the All-Star Game Saturday night at 7:30 (ABC). The regular season gets back on track next week with Indiana traveling to Seattle Tuesday night at 8:30 (ESPN).
PGA Golfers are in Minnesota this week for the 3M Open. Coverage from Twin Cities TPC begins at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on The Golf Channel. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR drivers are at the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend as racing returns to Sunday afternoon. Coverage of the Brickyard 400 begins at 1:00 Sunday on TNT.
Major League Baseball fans have some good ones on the schedule. Kansas City is at Detroit Thursday at 5:30. The Mets host the Dodgers Saturday at 6:15, the Phillies host the Yankees Sunday at 6:20, and the Cubs are in St. Louis next Tuesday night at 6:45.
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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 but it’s gonna be hot – not as hot as the record high 120-degree record set in Alva back in 1936, but hot. High temperatures will be in the mid—to-upper-90s and lows in the mid-to-upper 70s. Get out and enjoy all Oklahoma’s #1 playground has to offer! If you’re headed to the Grand Jam on-the-water concert Saturday, stay hydrated! And 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
