June 29 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
Here we are at the biggest week of the year on Grand Lake – the one weekend of the year where the population of Grand Lake will equal the population of the third largest city in Oklahoma. I hope you have your house tidied up and your boat properly tested because you’re probably gonna have company this weekend – invited or not. There are approximately 20 different professional fireworks shows around the lake this weekend – 10 REALLY big shows, in addition to all the private individuals who THINK they are fireworks wizards; so, keep your pets inside, no matter where you live! Otherwise, you may find yourself among the group on social media next week trying to find your lost pets.
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With the big crowds here for the holiday, I know we have a lot of folks coming in for the weekend who may not be familiar with my official Grand Lake Bum Holiday Rules of Behavior, so here they are again: No fighting, no puking, no hitting on someone else’s date, no griping at overworked servers and bartenders, no bragging about how much money you have (or your parents have), no drunk driving, no public nudity (private nudity is okay), no yelling, no discussion of religion - and especially no politics!
As with all holiday weekends, you may have a little longer wait for a seat, a drink, or some food. Be nice to everyone who is working so you can play. Everyone is always understaffed for the influx of holiday weekend visitors. If everybody who’s coming to the lake over the holiday weekend would come to visit every weekend, all the businesses could staff up for those giant crowds. So, keep in mind - if I get my drink before you do, it’s because I’m there every day all year long. Bartenders already know what I want – and they know I’ll be sitting on the same stool in December. So, maybe you should buy a house and a boat while you’re here and come join us for the party all year!
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I’m delighted to report another gigantic Grand Lake fundraising success story. The May Lobsterfest, hosted by the amazing Grove Rotary Club at the Wolf Creek Expo, raised an astonishing $140,825 – all of which goes to support the unparalleled generosity of the Rotary Club as they support the most important programs in the Grand Lake community. (By the way, it was a great party, too – and the biggest lobsters I’ve seen in a long time!)
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Geography lesson of the day: during the recent G7 conference, President Trump commented to the Emir of Qatar that Qatar is so close to Iran, one could “walk right across the border.” However, it would take quite a miraculous walk. Qatar and Iran are separated by the Persian Gulf and share no land border. Is there someone we don’t know about who is walking on water in the middle east?
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Enjoy the fantastic holiday week at Grand Lake. Be patient, be nice, and be aware of what’s happening around you. Let’s all come out of this weekend with “fun” as our only memory!
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Janet Sheeler, Steve Coder, Alana Williams, Robin Segress, Velma Mullen, Cathy Witaczack, Beverly Oden, Dick Seybolt, Bob Beine, Alyson Aberle, Lisa Kucera, Shelly Thomas, Virginia Gibson, Rod Wadel, C.E. Dinsmore, Patsy Williams, Stephanie Young, Elaine Stansfield, Jack Doney – and the United States of America!
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: What a week of incredible celebrations at Grand Lake this weekend! The celebration begins Wednesday with fireworks in Vinita. Thursday night is “Thursday Trivia” at BOOM at The Regatta in Grove (6:30 p.m.). Friday night is the big Monkey Island Fireworks Show at Shangri-La, as well as Grove Fireworks at Wolf Creek Park in Grove, Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney, Horse Creek Fireworks, and Gran Tara Fireworks. Saturday is the big “America 250! American Family Traditions” celebration at Har-Ber Village with a day of Americana games and family fun (9:00-3:30). Farmers Market is open Saturday 8:00-1:00 on Grove’s Downtown Square; and Saturday Morning Market in Langley is open Saturday 9:00-12:00 next to Reasor’s. Saturday is also the annual “Toby Keith Day” Raft-Up in Woodard Hollow (12:00-4:00 p.m.). Saturday night is the always fabulous Duck Creek Fireworks Show, as well as Miami Fireworks, Blue Bluff Harbor Fireworks, and Jay Fireworks.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: English cartoonist James Gillray became known for drawing Napoleon Bonaparte as a raving diminutive version of himself – which is one reason Napoleon is remembered as short even though he was about average height for the time (about five-foot-six).
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In Greek mythology, the arrogant Narcissus is brought down by a reflecting pool. No further comment.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Joseph Strauss spent $130,000 on a safety net under the Golden Gate Bridge during construction – the most expensive safety device ever built for a bridge at the time. It saved 19 men who fell from the deck. Those survivors formed a club: the Halfway to Hell Club.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: They said technology would remove unnecessary work. Now I have sixty passwords, 23 verification codes and robots asking me to prove I’m not a robot.
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WORD FUN THIS WEEK: It’s tricky hiding a musical group in a sentence, but if I can do it, you too can do it.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Warning! When you drink vodka over ice, it can lead to kidney failure. When you drink rum over ice, it can cause liver damage. When you drink whiskey over ice, it can give you heart problems. When you drink gin over ice, it can affect your brain. Clearly, ice is really bad for you! Warn all your friends.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: There are these data centers that use minimal amounts of electricity and don’t need millions of gallons of water to cool them. They are called libraries.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: I misplaced Dwayne Johnson’s cutting tool for the origami workshop. I can’t believe I lost The Rock’s paper scissors.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Did anyone have “The OU Softball team won’t make the world series, but the OU baseball team will win it all” on their Bingo card?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: It may be illegal to use a cell phone while driving, but I guess it’s okay to use that giant iPad that’s built into the dash of cars these days.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If Dumocrats win the midterms, I will move out of this country and go live in Alaska.” – Kid Rock
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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Emmy-winning actress Lindsay Wagner, best known for her role as The Bionic Woman, turned 77 years old last week. David Clayton-Thomas, the incredible lead singer of the awesome band Blood, Sweat & Tears, died last week. He was 84.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: WOW! What a diverse lineup of great entertainment all around the lake this weekend. On Monkey Island, Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will be at Whitecap Wednesday night. Magen Faulconer starts the weekend music Wednesday night at South 125 Bar & Grill. Downbeat takes over Thursday night, followed by Ethan McCord Friday, Daniel Heelz Saturday, and Dustin Treiber Sunday. There’s karaoke with Sundown Entertainment at The Monkey Bar both Wednesday and Friday nights. There’s also karaoke with DJ Kyle Thursday night on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La (8:00-11:00), and he’s poolside at Shangri-La Friday from 11:00-5:00. Friday night, there’s live music by Ryan Graham Friday night at Doc’s (6:00-9:00) and DJ Brock is at Eddy’s – all just ahead of the giant Monkey Island Fireworks Show at Shangri-La Friday night. Saturday, there’s another full day of poolside entertainment at Shangri-La with DJ Kyle (11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.), and he will host an all-request Dance Party at The Anchor at 9:00 Saturday night. DJ Kyle is back poolside Sunday (11:00-5:00) and 5th Element will be on stage at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar for a special Sunday night show (8:00-11:00). Big Shots features Michael Thompson Thursday night and music selections by DJ Phluf Friday-Sunday nights. Randall George will be on stage Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon.
On South Grand Lake, Mike Barham & The Honky Tonk Prophets kick off the weekend Thursday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by One Night Stand Friday night. The Smith Brothers kick off midweek fun Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Ryan Graham is featured Thursday night at Mooney’s, followed by The Hydromatics Friday night, The Bison Band Saturday night; and a special matinee performance by The Erin Fitzgibbon Band Sunday (4:00). The Honkey Tonk Highway Band will perform at Scissortail Marina Friday night followed by Chris Bassett Saturday night and The Beaty Creek Band Sunday. Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will be on stage at Hookers at Cherokee Yacht Club Friday evening. Council Hill will provide the music Friday night at Ugly’s Grill & Bar for a nostalgic “Dad’s Rock Night” of music followed by Whiskey Poet Society Saturday, and Kennedy Fine Sunday; and the Jimmy Lee Jordan Band will be performing on the water Friday night at Lakeshore Bliss Resort.
In Grove, Majic J starts four nights of musical fun Thursday night at Cherokee Casino followed by The Brothers Moore Friday night, The Jimmy Lee Jordan Band Saturday night and Erin Fitzgibbon & COBE Sunday night.
Brett & Terri entertain Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino. Crash Funk Friday will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night followed by The Kurt Allen Band Saturday night.
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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.” Big Shots on Monkey Island is open Thursday-Sunday this week. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar is open extended hours on Sunday this week – open until 11;00 p.m. with live entertainment. 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: The new series Elle premieres Wednesday night on Prime Video. Disney Celebrates America: Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash airs Saturday night at 7:00 on ABC. The Great American Block Party airs on CBS Saturday at 7:00 and NBC will air Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, also Saturday at 7:00.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Minions & Monsters and Young Washington 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-Sunday, July 18-19 – IHRA Outlaw Drag Boat Series Battle on Wolf Creek at the Wolf Creek Park & Expo Center in Grove (8:00 a.m.-5:00 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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There are multiple FIFA World Cup games every day for the next few weeks. The United States team plays Bosnia-Herzegovina in the elimination round Wednesday at 7:00.
PGA Golfers are in Illinois at TPC Deere Run for the John Deere Classic. Coverage begins at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final round Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR drivers are in Joliet, Illinois this week for the eero 400 at Chicagoland. Coverage begins at 5:00 Sunday afternoon on TNT Sports.
Major League Baseball fans have a big holiday weekend. The Dodgers host San Diego Friday night and again Sunday night. The Yankees host the Twins Saturday at 12:30 and the Cardinals visit the Cubs Saturday night at 7:00.
WNBA games have lots of televised action. Dallas is at Connecticut Thursday night (7:00). Minnesota is at New York Friday at 6:30 followed by Chicago at Las Vegas at 9:00. Golden State is at Atlanta Saturday at noon – and Indiana is at Vegas to wrap up the weekend Sunday at 6:00.
If you haven’t been paying attention to professional tennis, now is the time. It’s Wimbledon Time! Coverage begins at 5:00 a.m. daily on ESPN, with ABC picking up the coverage Sunday morning at 11:00.
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Believe it or not, after all the endless rain we’ve had – it’s ending! The weather forecast for the holiday weekend looks absolutely perfect. We’ll have sunshine with light winds, and high temperatures in the mid-90s and lows in the mid-70s. There’s so much happening around the lake this weekend that you can’t possibly do it all – but you can try! 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
