June 1 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
Another beautiful Grand Lake weekend is in the books – and another incredibly successful party for an important cause is in the rearview mirror. Congratulations to the amazing Grove Rotary Club on the record-breaking success of their annual Lobsterfest held last Saturday for the first time at the fabulous new Wolf Creek Expo Center in Grove. It was another unbelievable display of Grand Lakers’ never-ending willingness to combine their love of a party with their generous demonstration of their love of our community. What a night!
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Some things are just so outrageous that you would think no one could make them up…but someone approved the bizarre idea of a UFC Fight on the White House Lawn next week. Nothing says “Happy 250th birthday, America” like a bare-knuckle street brawl at the White House. To add insult to injury, the weigh-in for the fight will be at the Lincoln Memorial.
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Things aren’t going well for President Trump’s big “America 250 Great American State Fair & Concert.” Organizers had listed nine bands who would perform at the “non-partisan” affair. When they found out it was not, in fact non-partisan, they began to drop like flies. Acts who canceled include Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, the Commodores, Vanilla Ice, Freedom Williams, C+C Music Factory, and Morris Day & the Time. That leaves only Flo Rida for the big concert. I think I’ll pass.
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In music news that is sort of related, Kid Rock announced that he will no longer play any music if Democrats win the U.S. House of Representatives in the midterm elections. I haven’t had a chance to see how much Democratic registration has increased since his announcement.
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A woman was arrested last week after posing as a Costco sample lady. She was passing out shots of tequila in tiny ketchup cups “to celebrate the weekend.” I never thought about getting a Costco membership, but I’m thinking it might be worth the investment.
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In Jackson, Mississippi, Terrence Coleman walked into a Waffle House kitchen like he worked there – so everyone assumed he did. He prepared meals for four months before his overzealous menu changes caught the attention of higher-ups who realized he had never applied, never gone through training, and, in fact, was never hired to work there. When authorities were called, he gave up peacefully saying only, “To be fair…ain’t nobody complain about the food.” Jackson area social media have named him “Chef Manifestation.” I’m actually confused as to why Waffle House fired him – how could they. He should have said, “You can’t fire me. I don’t work here!” With that kind of raw ambition, they should have promoted him!
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Things that make you go, “Hmmmm.” President Trump gave a speech last week saying no one wanted to join the military under President Biden. He made the speech to the graduating class at West Point – all of whom joined the military under President Biden.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Tiana Douglas, Cassie Hampton, Nick Bowers, Hank Kraft, Julie McFerron, Lance Locke, Chris Mullen, David Eimen, Donna Ferguson, Gordon Kucera, Hal Sisco, Kim Schoppa, Mary Jobst, Case Hampton, Don Davis, Clayton Shumaker, Dave Moore, and Matt Reed.
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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 month’s First Friday Wine Share is Friday at Classy & Sassy at Grand Meridian (6:00-7:30). Friday night is also “Pop Singo” competition with Crystal Ott at The Anchor (8:30). Saturday is the annual Fairy Festival at Lendonwood Gardens in Grove (11:00-4:00). Farmers Market is open Saturday 8:00-1:00 on Grove’s Downtown Square. Saturday Morning Market in Langley is open Saturday 9:00-12:00 next to Reasor’s. Monday is the Ketchum Girls Athletics Golf Tournament at The Coves (9:00 a.m. shotgun).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: On May 26, 1894, the notorious Indian Territory outlaw Craford Goldsby, also known as Cherokee Bill, and his cohorts robbed the T.H. Scales store in Wetumka. The take was 35 cents.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: M&M’s chocolate is named for the initials of its inventors, Mars and Murrie.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: A dog’s nose print is unique like a human fingerprint.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: My ex-girlfriend just told me she wants us to get back together again. MAN, I sure am lucky! I mean, first I win the lottery…and now THIS!
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WORD FUN THIS WEEK: I stopped trusting English when the teachers said, “Give her her pen” was correct, but “Give him him pen” was incorrect.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: 1. If this sign is on, we are open. 2. If this sign is on, we may be closed but forgot to turn the sign off. 3. If this sign is off, we are closed. 4. If this sign is off, we may be open but forgot to turn the sign on.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: I couldn’t get a taxi home, so I walked into a pizza shop & ordered a delivery to my address, then got in the car with the delivery driver.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Whoever came up with the word “dentures” missed a great opportunity to call them “substitooths.”
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do “customer service” helpline recordings require you to “Press 1 for English,” then put someone on the line who doesn’t speak it?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The next time anyone tells teachers they don’t deserve a raise because they “only” work 10 months of the year, remind them that members of Congress made $174,000 for working 88 days.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Honestly, if you put a room full of moms together with coffee and 3 uninterrupted hours, they could probably solve every major world problem before dinner.” – Dr. Joel Gator
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: She was perhaps the most iconic star of the last 100 years – and Marilyn Monroe, who died in 1962 at the age of 36, would have turned 100 years old this week. Fleetwood Mac superstar songstress Stevie Nicks turned 78 last week; and OU’s incomparable softball coach Patty Gasso turned 64 last week.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, there’s karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Wednesday and Friday nights at The Monkey Bar, followed by a live performance by Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday night. Scott Musick entertains Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill (7:00-9:00) while DJ K-Bandito provides the music at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar (8:00-11:00). Saturday night there’s Karaoke with Crystal Ott at The Anchor (6:00-9:00) and the Travis Kidd Band will be on stage at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar (8:00-11:00 p.m.). Southern Accents will perform live Saturday night at Big Shots. Lil’ Red & The Sidepiece also perform at Whitecap every Wednesday evening at 6:00.
On South Grand Lake, Lil’ Red & The Sidepiece will entertain Friday night at Juan Montez. Casey West, Trett Charles, and Garrett Brown will all be on stage Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by Bad Decisions Saturday night, and The Highway 69ers Sunday afternoon. The Vanessa Oxford Duo starts the weekend Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Ryan Graham Thursday, Jake Brake Friday night, Sierra Bravo Saturday night, and a special matinee performance by The Fitzgibbon Band Sunday (4:00).
In Grove, The Beaty Creek Band will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar followed by Magic J Saturday night.
Brett & Terri kick off the weekend Thursday at Indigo Sky Casino followed by The Vybes Friday, and Diversity Saturday. Phil McGarrah & Runnin’ on Empty will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night followed by The Libby Starks Band Saturday night; and Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West will feature Western Justice Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Our House BBQ in Grove now offers full table service. The Shebang has reopened under new ownership on Monkey Island. For those wondering about The Farmhouse (formerly The Artichoke) in Langley, they are planning an opening sometime in July.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The 79th Annual Tony Awards air live Sunday at 7:00 on CBS. American Ninja Warrior returns next Monday at 8:00 on NBC. America’s Got Talent returns next Tuesday at 7:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Masters of the Universe, Scary Movie 6, and Power Ballad debut in movie theaters this week.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Saturday, June 11-13 – American Heritage Music Festival and National Fiddle Contest at Har-Ber Village (9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, June 11-14 – Toes in the Grand Festival at Wolf Creek Park & Expo Center in Grove. Friday-Sunday, June 12-14 – Thunder on Wolf Creek Hydroplane Races. Friday, June 26 – Grove Chamber’s “Coffee & Conversations” breakfast with elected officials at the Grove Community Center (8:00 a.m.). Saturday, June 27 – Formula Boat Owners’ Rendezvous beginning at Honey Creek Landing Marina (11:00 a.m.). Friday, July 3 – Monkey Island Fireworks at Shangri-La. Friday, July 3 – Wolf Creek Fireworks at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Friday, July 3 – Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney. Saturday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks.
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In the world of sports, we’re down to just two teams still standing in the NBA. Sadly, the OKC Thunder is not one of them. The NBA Championship Finals Series featuring the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs starts Wednesday with games Friday, Monday, and Wednesday.
We’re down to just two teams in the NHL, as well. The Stanley Cup Championship series between Carolina and Las Vegas is on nights opposite the NBA schedule – Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday this week.
It’s an incredibly big week for college sports. The Women’s College World Series continues this week with the final two teams battling in the best-of-three Championship series Wednesday, Thursday, and, if necessary, Friday. Games are at 7:00 p.m. College baseball teams have regionals behind them and begin Super Regional play Friday, continuing through Monday to see who heads to Omaha for the College World Series which begins June 12.
PGA Golfers are in Dublin, Ohio this week The Memorial Tournament. Coverage begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and 11:30 Saturday & Sunday mornings on The Golf Channel. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 1:30 Saturday & Sunday.
We’re down to just 4 teams remaining in the UFL Football season. Semifinal games are Sunday at 2:00 and 5:00.
NASCAR drivers are in Michigan this week for the FireKeepers Casino 400. Coverage begins at 2:00 Sunday afternoon on Prime Video.
Baseball fans have a big weekend – especially Yankees fans. They host the Red Sox Saturday, and Sunday before traveling to Cleveland Monday & Tuesday.
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This is the time of year when the weather forecast is always about the same – and that’s true for the weekend ahead, as well. “scattered thunderstorms” language is still in the forecast, but we’ll have sunshine for the most part with high temperatures in the mid-80s and lows around 70. There’s plenty happening around the lake this weekend as we kick off a new month, so get out and enjoy it. 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 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)
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
Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove
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
