July 6 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
From Blue Bluff to the Pensacola Dam, Grove to Disney, Monkey Island to Duck Creek – if you didn’t catch an incredible 4th of July weekend fireworks display, you must have either been gone, or you forgot to look up. Saturday night’s storm dealt a blow to the Duck Creek show, which was delayed until Sunday night. It’s okay. It just gave us another night of pyrotechnics. The storm did not deter the West Bay folks on Monkey Island, though. They fired off their show Saturday night during the storm, along with a backdrop of an additional light show provided by Mother Nature. I hope everybody has their pets calmed down by now, although a handful of goofballs will probably still be shooting off fireworks for another couple of weeks.
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I noticed a drop in fuel prices over the holiday weekend. No, not at convenience stores. I wasn’t committed enough to face those lines. I’m talking about at the marinas on the lake. I never thought I would say, “This is great. I’m so glad prices are under five dollars a gallon now!”
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There’s always fabulous entertainment around Grand Lake, but I must say Tulsa outdid us all with Elvis tribute artist Cote Deonath recreating Elvis’ 1976 Bicentennial Concert at the Mabee Center Saturday night for the 50th anniversary of the performance. Same venue, same program, even a recreation of the exact outfit worn by the King back in 1976 when he recorded a live Bicentennial Show Album during his performance in Tulsa. I think the King would have been proud. It’s amazing how popular Elvis is to this day. He was only 42 years old when he died in 1977. He would have been 91 this year. Coincidentally, this week is also the anniversary of Elvis’ very first hit. “That’s All Right” was recorded July 5, 1954.
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In other important news of the week… Taylor & Travis finally tied the knot – that is, assuming a marriage officiated by Adam Sandler is actually legit; and Joey Chestnut did it again. He got permission from his parole officer to travel out of state to win another hot dog eating championship. This year’s total was only 66 hot dogs – ten less than his record.
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I’m delighted to report another incredible financial contribution as a result of another Grand Lake day and night of partying on Monkey Island. Toby Keith’s widow Tricia Covel was on hand at Shangri-La Resort over the holiday weekend to accept a $25,000 check from the Cinco de Poker Derby organizers. The Monkey Island-wide event was held in May with a record turnout. The donation was in support of the Toby Keith Foundation’s Kids Korral which houses families of children receiving cancer treatment. Tricia and Toby are, of course, co-founders of that fantastic charity.
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We didn’t get much of a break after the Primary Elections in Oklahoma before the campaigning cranked back up. Governor Kevin Stitt has now endorsed Mike Mazzei for Governor. There is no available polling yet to see how big of a boost that gave the campaigns of Gentner Drummond and Cyndi Munson.
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There is no bigger signal of “generational changing of the guard” than the Democratic Primary Election in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District. 29-year-old Melat Kiros defeated 15-term incumbent Congresswoman Diana DeGette. How’s this for timing? Congresswoman DeGette was first elected in 1997. Melat Kiros was born in 1997.
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Speaking of elections, there probably won’t be one more confusing to voters than the upcoming Republican U.S. Senate Primary in Alaska. A court just approved adding an opponent to the ticket to run against U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. His opponent’s name is….Dan Sullivan. It’s gonna be tough to look at polling and figure out who’s winning!
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Sheri Stoner, Curtis Daftari, Scott Verplank, Kerry Kimmons, A.J. Pickering, Trisha Buerge, Jaime Dobbins, Tom Avant, Bob Graper, Robin Purdie-Smith, Kelly Aberle, Rebecca O’Leary, Kasidy Jeffers, Alan Kraft, Lisa Dillingham, Mindy Littlefield, Dylan Hutson, John Moore, Patricia Hastings, Case Barnwell, and John Michael Williams!
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Junior Golf Camp wraps up at Shangri-La with the Junior Club Championship Tournament Thursday. There’s a PXG Club Fitting Day at Shangri-La Friday (12:00-6:00 p.m.); and for the bigger golfers, Saturday & Sunday are Club Championship days at Shangri-La. Thursday night is “Thursday Trivia” at BOOM at The Regatta in Grove (6:30 p.m.). The new “Shangri-La Practice Club,” an 8-week coaching series for golfers kicks off this week – Friday at 4:00 p.m.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: “Macaroni,” as used in Yankee Doodle, was 18th century slang for high fashion or extreme ostentation. High powdered wigs and coats festooned with polished buttons and decorations were “macaroni.” So the song lyric “stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni” was meant as a sarcastic commentary on the crudeness of colonials.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In 1969, Willie Nelson ran into a burning house to save his guitar and a pound of cannabis.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Burger King has the right to use its name throughout the entire United States, except for a 20-mile radius surrounding an unrelated restaurant also called Burger King in Mattoon, Illinois.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I’m now at the age where picking up a hottie at a club means buying a rotisserie chicken at Costco.
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WORD FUN THIS WEEK: “Consult” is a contronym meaning it means the exact opposite of itself depending how it’s used. If you “consult,” you could either be giving advice or asking for advice.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Bourbon goes in. Wisdom comes out.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: I’m starting meetings at my house for people who have OCD. I don’t have it. I’m just hoping they’ll take one look at my house and start cleaning.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: I saw a bunch of kids throwing Scrabble tiles at each other. It’s all fun & games until someone loses an i.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why can you train a dog to guard your home, but not your sandwich?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I just want to live in a world where I don’t think, “What the hell is wrong with people?” every time I leave someplace.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Wind is a finite resource and harnessing it would slow the winds down which would cause the temperature to go up.” - Congressman Joe Barton (R-Texas). You can’t fix stupid.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Deborah Ann Harry, cultural icon and former lead singer for the rock group Blondie, turned 81 over the past weekend. Victor Willis, front man for the legendary group Village People and co-author of the global smash hit YMCA, died last week. He was 74.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, COBE will be at The Monkey Bar for his debut at that venue Thursday night followed by karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Friday night, Becky Sparkman Saturday night and an Open Jam Session Sunday. There’s also karaoke with Tim Robinson Thursday night on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00). Friday night, there’s live music by Joseph Callery at Doc’s (7:00-9:00) and Whiskey Poet Society is at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar Saturday night. Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will entertain Saturday night at South 125 Bar & Grill.
On South Grand Lake, The Paul Roper Band kicks off the weekend Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by The Luke Adams Band Saturday night and Chris Lowther Sunday afternoon. James Muns kicks off midweek fun Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. The Chris Hyde Duo is featured Thursday night at Mooney’s, followed by The Bobby DeGonia Band Friday night, Michele Warren & Soupbone Saturday night; and a special matinee performance by The Vanessa Oxford Duo Sunday (4:00). COBE will be on stage at the grand piano keyboard Friday night at Cherokee Yacht Club. Jimmy Lee Jordan and COBE will be performing Sunday at Blind Swine Duck Creek.
In Grove, Western Justice will be on stage at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 Friday night followed by Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday night. Ty Ellis & The Flatliners will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino; and Swade Diablos take over Saturday night.
Jon Dooly entertains Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by The Lost Dogs Friday night and Encore Saturday. The Hype will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night followed by Hollywood Riot Saturday night. Third Eye Blind will be in concert Saturday night at Downstream’s Outdoor Venue. “Road to the Run Battle of the Bands” gets underway at 7:00 Friday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Indoor Peoria Showplace. Broken Aces are the featured entertainment Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove is closed. Owners say it’s “temporary while we evaluate the best path forward.” 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. For those wondering about The Farmhouse (formerly The Artichoke) in Langley, they are planning an opening sometime next month.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: It’s time for the reality show returns. Big Brother returns to CBS at 7:00 Thursday night and Celebrity Family Feud is back on ABC, also Thursday at 7:00. The new series The Five Star Weekend premieres Thursday on Peacock. Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro debuts next Monday at 7:00 on ABC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Moana, Evil Dead Burn and Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass debut in movie theaters this week.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, July 16 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala at Indigo Sky Casino (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, July 18 – Night Golf at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (8:30 p.m.). Saturday, July 25 – Grand Jam On The Water Concert in Duck Creek. 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.
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FIFA World Cup games continue for the next several days. It’s getting down to the nitty gritty now. The Championship match will be at 2:00 p.m. a week from Sunday (July 19).
PGA Golfers are split between two continents this week. The Scottish Open is this week, with coverage beginning early morning on The Golf Channel Thursday & Friday and at 9:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 11:00 Saturday & Sunday mornings. Players who didn’t make the trip to Scotland will be in Kentucky for the Isco Championship. Coverage begins at 3:00 p.m. Thursday-Sunday on the Golf Channel exclusively.
NASCAR drivers are in Georgia this week for the Quaker State 400 at Echopark. Coverage begins at 6:00 Sunday evening on TNT Sports.
Major League Baseball fans have a big weekend. The Cubs are in Baltimore Thursday (5:30). Saturday features the Red Sox at the Mets (3:00 p.m.) and the Cubs at Cincinnati (6:00). The Dodgers host Arizona Sunday afternoon at 3:00 in the last game before Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
WNBA games have lots of televised action with especially great games lined up for Sunday. New York is at Toronto (2:00), Chicago is at Dallas (6:00) and Indiana wraps up the weekend in Las Vegas Sunday night at 8:00.
For tennis fans, things are getting serious at Wimbledon! Women’s semifinals are Thursday (11:00 a.m.). Men’s semis are Friday (11:00). The Women’s Final is Saturday morning (10:00); and action wraps up Sunday with the Men’s Final at 11:00.
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Weather for the upcoming Grand Lake weekend looks just as good as the weekend behind us. We’ll have sunshine for the most part, with light winds, and 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.
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
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
Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Legacy Eatery in Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
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 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
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
