June 9 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Kudos to Grand Lake’s Jana Jae! The “Queen of Country Fiddle” hosted the American Heritage Music Festival and the National Fiddle Contest at Snider’s Campground and Har-Ber Village over the past weekend. We’re so lucky to have someone like Jana Jae on Grand Lake – with the capability of drawing incredible music talent from all over the United States. There were amazing musicians – but no one better than Jana herself!
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It’s a gigantic weekend this week at Wolf Creek Park in Grove this week. The “Toes in the Grand Festival” combines vendors, food, beverages, a carnival and boat races for four days of fun and entertainment. The carnival starts Thursday at 6:00 with additional sessions Friday at 6:00 and Saturday at both noon and 6:00. That’s the only part of the festivities that costs money. Thunder on Wolf Creek Boat Racing test runs are Friday from noon-5:00 with the actual races both Saturday & Sunday noon-5:00. There’s a Car, Bike & Truck Show Saturday from 7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – and a huge lineup of live entertainment both Friday & Saturday nights from 5:00-10:00 p.m. – PLUS lots of vendors and food trucks. It should be a fabulous weekend of great fun on Grand Lake!
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The much-anticipated opening of the new South Highway 125 Bar & Grill on Monkey Island (formerly Blind Swine) finally happened over the weekend. I went to Thursday night’s soft opening; but there wasn’t food that night. Only the bar was open for the soft opening, so I don’t remember much about it. Life is tough on Monkey Island where I live. It’s so small we don’t actually have an “Island Drunk.” We have to take turns.
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Last Thursday night, Oklahoma City was the most dominant city in the United States! Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series dominated ESPN and Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs covered ABC all night. There were more than 500 major network staffers filling OKC hotels & restaurants. The only downside was pricing brought on by crazy high demand. A friend of mine tried to fly from Dallas to OKC Thursday. The lowest fare he found was $830! Reserved parking places in lots near the Paycom Center were $80 – and up!
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Sunday is Father’s Day. If you want to present your dad with the perfect gift, clean his boat, fill it with fuel, stock the ice chest, then take him to the dock and stay on the shore while you push him out onto the lake for a leisurely and peaceful afternoon.
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Note of warning: if anyone tells me “yeah, but we needed the rain,” I’m gonna punch ‘em right in the mouth!
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: My biggest birthday wish goes out to the Oklahoma Governor who, without a doubt, did more to promote Grand Lake than any other Governor in history – even to the point of hosting a National Governors Conference at Shangri-La back in 1982 – and kept a Grand Lake home for decades. Happy birthday to former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh who turned 98 this week! Happy birthday wishes also go out this week to Grand Lakers Ron Young, Lindsay Shumaker, Amy Chapman, Lynn Bowker, Blair Philbrick, Amy Kennedy, Eddie Estes, Miranda Fields, Amy Zoellner, Kevin Dennis, and Kelly Rossman.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: It’s “Toes in the Grand Festival” week at Wolf Creek Park in Grove Thursday-Sunday including a Carnival Thursday-Saturday. Lots of music, food, vendors, and Thunder on Wolf Creek boat races. Thursday is Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Saturday is a fun Fly-In Breakfast at Grove Regional Airport with special guest YouTube sensation Dan “Probable Cause” Gryder (7:30-11:00 a.m.). Saturday night is the Home of Hope annual fundraising banquet (although, technically, it’s not at Grand Lake – it’s at Hard Rock in Catoosa). Next week, the State Amateur Golf Tournament is at Shangri-La. Competition begins Tuesday and continues through Thursday.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Formica was originally developed by Westinghouse as an electrical insulator to replace mica. Hence the name: “For-mica.”
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: It was 76 years ago this week that Mickey Mantle, having just graduated from Commerce High School, signed a contract with the New York Yankees when he was 17 years old for a reported $1,100 signing bonus and $140 per month.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: After his model failed to show up, James Whistler’s 67-year-old mother decided to pose as a last-minute replacement. Unable to stand for long, she took a sitting position. The resulting painting, now famously known as “Whistler’s Mother,” is worth $36 million.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I hate to brag, but someone called me a real asset today. They pronounced it “ass-hat,” but I’m pretty sure that’s just their accent.
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WORD FUN OF THE WEEK: Yes, English can be weird. It is possible to understand it through tough, thorough, thought, though.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: STOP! Please do not enter our hospital if you’re feeling unwell. Thank you for helping us to keep all our people safe.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: 85% of Americans don’t know how to do basic math. Thank God I’m part of the other 25%.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: I’m thinking I might ask to have my ashes stored in a glass urn. Remains to be seen.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What stops someone from just strolling into most hotels in America at breakfast hours and acting like they’re supposed to be there, getting a free continental breakfast and leaving?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: When people tell me, “You’re gonna regret that in the morning,” I sleep in until noon, because I’m a problem solver.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Tell people there’s an invisible man in the sky who created the universe, and the vast majority will believe you. Tell them the paint is wet, and they have to touch it to be sure.” – George Carlin
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: A couple of stars from much-loved iconic television series had birthdays last week. Who didn’t love “Leave it to Beaver”? Jerry Mathers, The Beaver, turned 77 last week. A similarly iconic series was M*A*S*H. Gary Burghoff, “Radar O’Reilly,” turned 82.
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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 Jesse Joice performs live Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Kevin Price & The Closers 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 Lil’ Red & Sidepiece Saturday night.
In Grove, there’s a TON of live music at the Toes in the Grand Festival Friday & Saturday evenings from 5:00-10:00 p.m. Friday entertainers include Garrick Fausett & the Revelry, The Erin Fitzgibbon Band, Swade Diablos, and the Zain Braden Band. Saturday evening’s line-up includes Zimmeroo, 6-Ft. Landing, Brad Absher & the Superials, and The Jason Young Band. Bobby D will provide the music Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by The Zane Grimes Band 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 Johnny Dale Roberts Trio will kick off the weekend Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by Robby VanVekoven & the Smokin’ Section Band Saturday night, and Trenton Tanner Sunday afternoon at 3:00. Ryan Graham starts the weekend music Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by The Terry Cooper Situation Friday night, Reverse Reaction Saturday night and Pullen Strings Sunday afternoon (4:00). Next week, Magen Faulconer will be at Mooney’s Wednesday evening for an early show (6:00 p.m.). Chase Wilson will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster in Cleora. Lil’ Red & COBE will be at Scissortail Marina Friday night.
In Miami, the Gaither Vocal Band will entertain at The Coleman Theatre Sunday night (6:00 p.m.).
There are three nights and one afternoon of music this week at Indigo Sky Casino. Jon Dooly starts the music Thursday night followed MoArk Mojo Friday, and Oreo Blue Saturday. Mr. & Mrs. Smith will entertain at Indigo Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Jeff Tatum & Palomino Moon entertain Saturday night in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West; and Broken Aces will be on stage at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar Saturday night. Lit and Fuel will both be on stage for a special performance at The Pavilion at Downstream Casino Friday night as part of their joint “Ignited We Stand 2025 Tour.”
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: South 125 Bar & Grill (formerly Blind Swine Monkey Island) opened over the past weekend. Patricia Island Country Club has opened “The Eagles Nest,” a new open-to-the-public restaurant. Drunken Rooster On the Water is now open at Honey Creek Landing Marina. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina, Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina, Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda, and Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Harbors View Marina are all open, as well.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Games 3, 4, and 5 of the NBA Championship Series (Oklahoma City Thunder & Indiana) air Wednesday, Friday, and Monday nights on ABC. The Chosen debuts Sunday night on Prime Video. Hazardous History with Henry Winkler airs Sunday night at 9:00 on The History Channel.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Next Sohee, Materialists, and How to Train Your Dragon all open in movie theaters this weekend.
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 21 – Rock the Dock Comeback Tour 2025 concert at Check-In Bay (12:00-5:00 p.m.). Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25 – Kids’ Camp at The Anchor at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Tuesday-Saturday, June 24-28 – High School Fishing World Final and National Championship Fishing Tournament on Grand Lake. Saturday, June 28 – Peanut Regatta from Grand Lake Sailing Club. Saturday, June 28 – Country Music Night at Big Shots (9:00 p.m.). Wednesday, July 3 – Vinita Fireworks at Craig County Fairgrounds. 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). Monday-Tuesday, July 14-15 – Racquet Club Kids’ 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.).
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It’s another really big week for sports fans. The NBA Championship series continues at Indiana Wednesday & Friday, and back in OKC Monday; and the NHL Stanley Cup Championship also continues this week with games scheduled Thursday, Saturday & Tuesday, as necessary.
It’s also a huge week for college baseball. The College World Series gets underway Friday with games at 1:00 and 6:00 daily through next Wednesday, The Championship series gets underway with the best-of-three series Saturday, June 21.
PGA Players are in Pennsylvania this week. Coverage of the U.S. Open begins early Thursday morning on USA Network. Coverage of the final three rounds is on NBC at noon Friday, and 11:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in Mexico City this week for the Viva Mexico 250. Coverage is exclusively on Prime Video again this week with coverage at 2:00 Sunday afternoon.
UFL football moves into the final Championship game Saturday night. The USFL Conference Champ faces the XFL Champ in St. Louis Saturday night at 7:00.
There are some fun Major League Baseball games this week, too. The Brewers host the Cardinals at 3:00 Saturday followed by the Yankees & Red Sox at 6:00. The Dodgers host the Giants Sunday at 6:00 and the Padres Tuesday at 9:00.
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We have the regular chance of scattered thunderstorms, mostly in the overnight hours, for the Father’s Day/Toes in the Grand weekend, but it’ll be really nice for the most part. High temperatures will finally be into the mid-80s with lows around 70. There’s an incredible line-up of really cool things happening around the lake this weekend, so get out and join the fun! 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
