July 28 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Oh, my goodness, American Heartland Theme Park followers! If you need a little light summer reading, check out the 68-page federal lawsuit filed by investor Gene Bicknell last week against his previously “trusted” team of Larry Wilhite, Richard Silanskas, Jr., and Stephen Hedrick, claiming they bilked him out of $60 million before the project crashed. The lawsuit alleges they didn’t do it alone, though. It was with the assistance of spiritual advice from a mythical “Sister Catherine” and multiple messages from God himself! Note to readers: If God tells you to give all your money and authority to someone…get a second opinion. Mr. Bicknell finally got a second opinion – from a Tulsa law firm who also asked for a jury trial.
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That wasn’t the only scandal of the week, though. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is back in the news – this time for a little porn on his office TV that State School Board members happened to see during a meeting. Any teacher caught in such a situation would be fired on the spot, of course…but the legislature is going to “investigate.” The State Senate is seeking “clarification.” I’m not sure what that means. Maybe the porn pictures weren’t clear enough. By the way, if it’s not too much irony for you, Walters also “demanded” this week that the Supreme Court drop its order blocking his attempts to put Bibles in every classroom. I wasn’t aware that “demands” were something you could issue to the Supreme Court.
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The good news is that U.S. News & World Report has named Oklahoma City as the “Best Big City in the U.S. to Live In.” Apparently they’re targeting folks without kiddos, because Wallet Hub simultaneously ranked Oklahoma 50th in support of public education.
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Around Grand Lake, the news is better! Another great weekend is behind us with perfect weather for boating, golf, and partying all around the lake. Congratulations to Cigarette Midwest and Hi-Lift Marina for putting together a great Cigarette Freedom Run event over the weekend. The next big on-the-water event is “Woodstock on the Water” celebrating the 85th birthday of Grand Lake. Mark your calendars for overnight raft-up fun on Friday and a Saturday full of fun and live music coming up August 8-9 in Lawhead Hollow (Leon Russell Cove).
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Joe Allbaugh, JB Robison, Jay Cranke, Kiane Russell, Kenny Smith, John McCharen, Kirk Woford, Peggy Blair, Kim Brady, Tammy Botts Bolt, Cheryl Brecheisen, Mark Paden, Daniel Love, Kip Short, Jill McAbee, John Bond, Erin Bendel, Jennifer Eve Fish, Paula Harbuck, Shaleen Wheeler, Teresa Poindexter, Don Baxter, Connard Luper, Gerald Keeton, and Colby Fuser.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: This is the final weekend of “Savannah Sipping Society” live performances at Playmakers in Grove (Thursday & Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2:00). Friday is not only Food Truck Friday at Grove’s Downtown Square, but also the first big GHS Pep Rally of the year – “Ridgerunner Rally & Food Truck Friday” (5:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday morning is Farmers Market on the Downtown Square in Grove. The Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo gets underway in Vinita next Monday evening (August 4), continuing through Saturday (August 9).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Alaska Airlines is actually headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In 1956, IBM shipped a 5MB hard drive that weighed over 2,000 pounds. Yep, just 5 megabytes required a forklift and a cargo plane. Today, that’s not even one iPhone photo.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The total budget for Monty Python and the Holy Grail was $319,000, totally financed by Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Elton John, and Jethro Tull.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Never leave home without a kiss, a hug, and an “I love you.” Then remove the pet hair from your mouth as you walk to the car.
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WORD FUN OF THE WEEK: “Thesaurus” doesn’t have a synonym.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Parking Available in Empty Spaces Only
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: Some people were not put here to evolve. They are here to remind you what it looks like if you don’t.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Chinese takeout: $12. Tip: $3. Getting home and finding out they forgot part of your order: Riceless.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why are all the instruments searching for intelligent life pointed away from Earth?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Am I perfect? No. Do I at least try my best and keep a positive attitude? Also, no.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I choose a lazy person to do a hard job, because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.” – Bill Gates
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Just a few weeks after Black Sabbath’s farewell concert, lead singer & TV personality Ozzy Osbourne died last week. He was 76. Terry Bollea also died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest last week. You probably knew him better as the iconic wrestling star “Hulk Hogan.” He was 71 years old.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Sundown Entertainment hosts Thursday night karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.) and Colin Babb performs live Friday night at Doc’s. The Fabulous 2-Man Band will provide the music Saturday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar.
In Grove, The Swade Diablos will provide the music Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar followed by Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday night. Morgan Entertainment leads the karaoke fun at Boom at The Regatta Friday night and hosts Singo competition Tuesday. There’s musical Bingo every Wednesday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon; and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar.
On South Grand Lake, Scott Bartholomew will kick off the weekend Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by RocKFiscH Saturday night and Johnny Dale Roberts Sunday afternoon. Magen Faulconer and Dillon Leggett start the weekend music Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Jake Brake Saturday night, and Erin Fitzgibbon Sunday afternoon (4:00). Next Wednesday is Open Mic Night at Mooney’s. Thursday night, there’s karaoke with Morgan Entertainment at Blind Swine Duck Creek. Sunday afternoon from 3:00-6:00m, BandAva will perform at Blind Swine Duck Creek; and Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will be at Blind Swine next Tuesday evening. Chase Wilson entertains Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster in Cleora.
Bobby DeGonia will provide the music in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Road Hog Saloon is closed this week (vacation) and will reopen for breakfast Sunday morning. Rise-N-Dine in Ketchum is now serving dinner 5:00-10:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday and until 9:00 Sunday-Tuesday. Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill no longer serves brunch on Saturdays. They now open at noon. The kitchen is now open until 10:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday. Contrary to many rumors, Cosby’s Catfish is NOT closing. It is for sale, but will continue operations as usual until it sells.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Deadliest Catch returns with a new season Friday night at 7:00 on Discovery. King of the Hill returns with a new season on Hulu next Monday; and SEC Football: Any Given Saturday will be available on NETFLIX next Tuesday.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Bad Guys 2 and The Naked Gun both open in movie theaters Friday. Happy Gilmore 2 is available on NETFLIX.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Saturday, August 7-9 – Member-Guest Tournament Festivities at Shangri-La Resort. Friday, August 8 – Women’s 5K Fun Run beginning at Raggedy’s in Grove (7:30 p.m.). Friday-Saturday, August 8-9 – Woodstock on the Water in Lawhead Hollow (Leon Russell Cove) (raftout Friday night, concert Saturday 1:00-5:00). Friday, August 15 – Mary Moore Charity Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Resort. Friday-Sunday, August 15-17 – Back to School Bash Fun Run at the off-road area at Disney. Saturday, August 16 – Spirit Fair at Rustic and Rebellious in Grove (11:00-4:00). Thursday-Saturday, August 21-23 – Grove Pro Rodeo at Crosswired Cowboy Church (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, August 23 – 3rd Annual Battle of the Jeeps at the off-road area at Disney. Friday-Sunday, August 29-31 – Jana Jae Fiddle Camp. Friday-Monday, August 29-Sept. 1 – Labor Day Crawl at the off-road area at Disney. Saturday, August 30 – Bullfest at the Lake at Wolf Creek Park in Grove (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, August 30 – Grand River Dam Paddle competition below the Pensacola Dam. Monday, September 8 – Good Good Golf Battlefield Shootout at The Battlefield at Shangri-La followed by dinner with the Pros on Doc’s Patio at 7:00. Monday, September 8 – South Grand Lake Foundation “Fore the Kids” Golf Tournament at The Coves benefiting the Ketchum Warriors Backpack Program (9:00 a.m. shotgun).
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It’s the last week before the beginning of NFL Pre-season action, so the spotlight is once again on the WNBA and MLB regular season second half, NASCAR, and the PGA Tour this week.
The WNBA has several great games this week, including Minnesota at Las Vegas Saturday (2:00) and Indiana at Seattle Sunday (2:00).
On the PGA Tour, players are in Greensboro, North Carolina this week for the Wyndham Championship. Coverage begins Thursday & Friday at 2:00 and Saturday & Sunday at noon on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR drivers are at Iowa Speedway this week for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol. Coverage is on USA Sunday afternoon at 2:30.
There are some fun Major League Baseball games this week including Baltimore at the Chicaago Cubs Saturday (1:00) followed by Atlanta at Cincinnati (6:00). Detroit is at Philadelphia Sunday evening (6:00) and the Cubs host Cincinnati next Tuesday (7:00).
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Oddly enough, the first weekend of August will be a little cooler than the last weekend of July; but it’ll still be plenty warm. We’ll have highs in the mid-80s with lows around 70 before it heats up again next week. There are plenty of really fun things happening around the lake this weekend; so get out and enjoy the wonders of Grand! Remember, though, 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.
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)
Bradford BBQ in Ketchum
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Casa Gutierrez in Gro
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
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)
Cove Club in Langley
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
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
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
South 125 Bar & Grill on Monkey Island
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
