June 23 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Summer is here – officially! According to the calendar, it arrived with high temperatures beginning with a “9” last Friday on what is typically referred to as “the longest day of the year.” That’s not true, by the way. I stayed up all day and all night just to make certain. Sure enough, it was the same length as all the other days – 24 hours. FYI.
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For the second consecutive weekend, there is a concert on the water Saturday. Despite the outrageous wind, last weekend’s Rock the Dock concert in Check-In Bay drew lots of spectators who were as anxious to get on the water as they were to hear great music – and they did both! This weekend is no different. The much anticipated Grand Jam in Duck Creek (in front of Harbors View Marina) is Saturday from noon ‘til 6:00. Let’s hope for a little less water and a little less breeze!
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Grand Jam isn’t the only event signaling a really busy week on the waters of Grand Lake, though. The High School Fishing World Final and National Championship Fishing Tournament has the lake covered with high school fishing competitors this week. The tournament runs through Saturday, which is the final day. Also on Saturday, amidst the hundreds of boats full of high-schoolers, the Grand Lake Sailing Club hosts a Peanut Regatta with a bunch of sailboats. What could possibly go wrong?
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Some people are just a lot quicker and better than others with responses to others who complain about things without thinking them through. One of my favorites is a flight attendant for British Airways who received a complaint from a woman who said she was not comfortable with the lack of blinds in a Boeing 747 first class restroom that had a window. “Madam,” said the flight attendant, “If someone is clinging to the side of this aircraft at 35,000 feet, they’ve earned the view.”
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How did that old Beach Boys song go? “Bomb, bomb, bomb…bomb, bomb Iran.” Was that it?
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Jason Benson, Rob Stallings, Angella Johnson, Joe Zaloudek, Terri Fowler, Vic Bird, Dallas Sorrels, Bobbie Owens, Larry Sanders, Tonya Moorhead, John Jameson, and Dandy Risman.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Monday-Wednesday is “Kids’ Camp” at The Anchor at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Tuesday is the kick-off of the five-day High School Fishing World Final and National Championship Fishing Tournament on Grand Lake. Thursday is Trivia Night” at BOOM at The Regatta. Friday & Saturday, there is “Lawn-a-Thon” inflatable fun for the kids on The Anchor Lawn at Shangri-La (11:00-5:00). Saturday is another Peanut Regatta from Grand Lake Sailing Club and the big Grand Jam on-the-water concert at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina in Duck Creek (12:00-6:00 p.m.). Saturday night is Country Music Night at Big Shots (9:00 p.m.). Next Wednesday, the holiday fun begins with Vinita Fireworks at Craig County Fairgrounds.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Although best remembered as a silversmith (and his midnight ride), Paul Revere also practiced dentistry and fashioned false teeth from various materials.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The King Ranch in Texas covers 825,000 acres. It is larger than Rhode Island.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: William Wrigley, Jr. sold soaps in 1891, offering buyers baking powder as an incentive. The baking powder became more popular, so he started selling it, offering gum as an incentive. But the gum was even more popular, so he started selling that. In 1893, he launched Juicy Fruit Gum.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Some people drink deeply from the well of knowledge. Others just rinse and spit.
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WORD FUN OF THE WEEK: “Sugar” is the only word in the English language where “su-“ makes a “sh” sound. At least, I’m pretty sure that’s right.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen on the door of a family-owned diner): Sorry, CLOSED. Jack punched Alex because he found out Alex was messing around with Janice, even though Jack and Janice are broke up. Anyway, Alex’ tooth went into the chili, so we can’t open till we find it, ‘cause we can’t throw away all that chili. Sorry, again.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if that means ketchup is a smoothie.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: What happens when a microscope crashes into a telescope? They kaleidoscope!
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why has someone from Earth won all 71 “Miss Universe” titles? No one from anywhere else in the universe has ever won.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If you can’t think of a word, just say, “I forgot the English word for it.” That way, people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you never know if they’re genuine.” – Abraham Lincoln
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Superstar actress Meryl Streep turned 76 years old Sunday; and the music legend, Sir Paul McCartney, has turned 83. How ‘bout THIS for feeling old? The terrifying movie “Jaws” was released 50 years ago this week!
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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 Scott Musick performs live Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Downbeat will provide the music Saturday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar. There’s musical Bingo fun with Sundown Entertainment Wednesday night at The Monkey Bar, and DJ Kennedy with Rockstar Entertainment leads the singing Friday night followed by live music from Robbi Bell Saturday night. Saturday night is “Country Night” at Big Shots on Monkey Island with live music by The Southern Accents Band.
In Grove, The Blue Underground will provide the music Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by Blues Doctors Saturday night. Carl Acuff, Jr. will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar followed by Runnin’ on Empty Saturday night. There’s musical Bingo every Wednesday night and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon.
On South Grand Lake, The Paul Roper Band will kick off the weekend Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by The Steel Roses Band with Travis Bond Saturday night and Brent Giddens Sunday afternoon. Robbie Bell starts the weekend music Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by B and Ava Thursday night, Hi Fidelics Friday night, The Faulconers Saturday night and The Smith Brothers Band Sunday afternoon (4:00). The Jesse Joice Trio will entertain at Blind Swine Duck Creek Friday night – and Saturday is a really big line-up at the Grand Jam on-the-water concert at Blind Swine Duck Creek/Harbors View Marina (noon-6:00) including Lickitty Split, Randall George & Friends, and Damsel. Mixtape 918 will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster in Cleora; and The Hype will perform at Hookers at Cherokee Yacht Club Saturday.
There are three nights and one afternoon of music this week at Indigo Sky Casino. TJ Scarlett starts the music Thursday night followed The New Waves Friday, and Paralandra Saturday. Michelle Warren will entertain at Indigo Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Left of Center entertains Saturday night in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West; and there are three nights of live entertainment at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar – The Brothers Moore Thursday night, Bobby DeGonia Friday night, and Coyote Claw Saturday. Cole Swindell will also be in concert Friday night at Downstream’s Pavilion with opening act Easton Corbin. Saturday night is XFN Xtreme Fight Night #402 at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace; and Mark Aldred will entertain at Buffalo Run’s Backwoods Bar Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Friday night is the 1st Anniversary party at The Monkey Bar on Monkey Island with food by Cristobal’s Tamales. South 125 Bar & Grill (formerly Blind Swine Monkey Island), Drunken Rooster on the Water in Grove, Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina, Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina, the Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda Resort, and Blind Swine Duck Creek at Harbor’s View Marina are all open for the season.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The 2025 NBA Draft airs live Wednesday night at 7:00 on ABC and ESPN. The Country Music Association’s CMA Fest airs Thursday night at 7:00 on ABC; and the new sci-fi drama series Nautilus debuts Sunday night at 8:00 on AMC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: F1, M3GAN 2.0, and Sorry, Baby all open in movie theaters this weekend.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, July 3 – Grove Fireworks at Wolf Creek. Friday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks. Friday, July 4 – Huckleberry Fireworks in Jay. Friday, July 4 – Miami Fireworks at Buffalo Run Casino. Saturday, July 5 – Monkey Island Fireworks at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 5 – Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney. Saturday, July 5 – Blue Bluff Harbor Fireworks. Saturday, July 5 – Horse Creek Fireworks near the unfinished bridge. Monday-Wednesday, July 7-9 – Junior Golf Camp at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. daily). Thursday & Friday, July 10-11 – “A Grand Adventure” youth camp at the GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center in Langley (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Friday, July 11 – Wolf Creek National Boat Races “Show n’ Shine” event on the Grove Community Center lawn (5:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, July 12-13 – Wolf Creek Nationals Boat Races at Wolf Creek Park (8:00-5:00). Monday-Tuesday, July 14-15 – Racquet Club Kids’ Tennis & Pickleball Camp at The Anchor at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.-noon). Thursday, July 17 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, July 17-20 – Oklahoma Legislative Grand Lake Getaway at Shangri-La.
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With the champions all decided in pro basketball & hockey, and college softball & baseball, it’s a little easier to focus on golf, NASCAR, the WNBA & pro baseball.
PGA Players are in Detroit this week. Coverage of the Rocket Classic begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in Atlanta this week for the Quaker State 400. Coverage is exclusively on TNT Sports with coverage at 6:00 Sunday evening.
WNBA coverage is focused on Sunday’s match-up between Chicago and Los Angeles at 3:00 Sunday afternoon.
There are some fun Major League Baseball games this week. Seattle is at Texas Saturday at 3:00 followed by the Cubs & Astros at 6:00. Minnesota travels to Detroit Sunday night at 6:00.
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Summertime arrives both on the calendar and on the weather map this weekend. We’ll have sunshine with high temperatures pushing 90 and lows in the mid-70s. There’s an incredible line-up of really cool things happening around the lake this weekend, so get out and enjoy the first official weekend of summer! 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
Chickanella’s 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
