March 10 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
It’s another HUGE weekend at Grand Lake. The Grove Home & Garden Show is this weekend and Saturday night is the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce annual Bootleggers Ball at Shangri-La. What a way to enjoy the first full weekend of Daylight Saving Time – and we’ll have a rare Blood Moon this week, too. I don’t know about combining a full moon with the Bootleggers Ball. Either one sounds wild enough!
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This weekend also kicks off Spring Break for the vast majority of Oklahoma students. Shangri-La Resort has a wide array of awesome events planned during their “Spring Break Land Cruise” Wednesday-Saturday next week. Once again, it’s the place to be!
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Speaking of Shangri-La, there was quite a hullabaloo at the resort over the past weekend. The Cowboys & Angels Coronation Fundraiser Gala featured the coronation of Nadalee Goedereis, 2025 Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Princess. Congratulations to a very special enterprising young lady – and thanks for the awesome party! (Thanks for the line dancing lessons, too…but my pals assure me I have no future in that endeavor.)
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If you’re vacationing this Spring Break in one of our National Parks, the words of Smokey the Bear were never more relevant: “Only you can prevent forest fires.” No, really. It’s only you, now. Everyone else has been fired.
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There may be a little common sense in the Oklahoma State legislature, after all. The first major deadline for consideration has passed…and out of the 3,044 pieces of legislation introduced, only 1,206 are still alive for consideration. 2,033 bills are dead…at least for this year. Unfortunately, HB 1223 is NOT dead. It should be. Representative Kevin West authored legislation to repeal last year’s hard-fought battle to put Oklahoma on permanent Daylight Saving Time once the U.S. Congress approves legislation to allow it. Kevin West wants to put Oklahoma on the tourism-devastating Standard Time permanently.
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I’m looking forward to enjoying some green beer for St. Patrick’s Day…but if you’re doing the same, don’t be scared when you have to make a bathroom run in the middle of the night. Green beer is fun going in, but remember, what goes in must come out.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Roberta Arnold, Myles Davidson, Kristy Gibbs, Clint Walker, Guy Hixenbaugh, Gene McComb, Gary Quick, John Pellow, Ben Jackson, Candy Brasel, Linda Eller, Sheila Stogsdill, and Carla Steckline.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Grand Lake happenings get more plentiful every week! Tuesday is the Grand Lake Newcomers Club meeting & lunch at the Grove Christian Center (10:00 a.m.). Wednesday is C.O.W. Week’s “Grove’s Got Talent” show at the GHS Performing Arts Center (6:00 p.m.). Thursday is the South Grand Lake Foundation “Mardi Gras in March” at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley benefiting Ketchum Warriors Backpack Program (6:00 p.m.). Thursday is also “Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. The Grove Home & Garden Show runs Friday-Sunday at the former Whoops location in Grove. Saturday is Grand Opening Day for Image Expo Salon and Grand Panache at Copper Top Plaza at the entrance to Monkey Island (11:00-3:00). Saturday night is the Annual South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Bootleggers Ball in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Saturday night is also “Free Movie Night” in the simulator bay at The Anchor – The Avengers (6:00). Spring Break for most students starts Saturday – and Grand Lake is the place to be!
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written by two guys in Brooklyn, New York.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: We all know Willie Nelson for his incredible music career, but he was an incredible high school athlete at Abbott High School – halfback on the football team, guard on the basketball team, and shortstop on the baseball team. He studied at Baylor University for two years before his music career took off so high that he left college to pursue an amazing career.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: In the movie “Titanic,” in order to discourage Rose from jumping, Jack tells her a story about him and his father ice-fishing in Lake Wissota, Wisconsin. The thing is, Lake Wissota didn’t exist when the Titanic sank. The lake was created in 1917 while the Titanic sank in 1912.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: As part of the Defense Department’s effort to purge DEI, they have included the Enola Gay among the photos marked for deletion. Enola Gay is the aircraft that dropped an atomic bomb on Japan in WW II. You would think the Defense Department would know that.
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PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “Borrow or rob?” spelled backwards is still “Borrow or rob?”
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: WARNING: To the thief who stole my anti-depressants – I hope you’re happy!
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: Wait until he hears about a whole orchestra full of Trans people from Siberia.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: My buddy took a job at a bakery. He really kneaded the dough.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When does it stop being partly cloudy and start being partly sunny?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Chances are, if it’s inappropriate and tasteless, I’ll find it completely hilarious.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear, and greed.” – Albert Einstein
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s ultra-private husband of nearly sixty years, died last week. He was 82. Dolly, by the way, is 79. Actor and martial arts champion Chuck Norris turns 85 this week; and award-winning actress & singer Liza Minnelli turns 79. And how about Barbie? The Barbie Doll was first introduced during this week back in 1959. It’s hard to believe…Barbie is 66 years old.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island Gavin Tucker performs live Friday night at The Anchor at Shangri-La. The Faulconers & COBE will entertain Friday night at Big Shots. DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar. Lil’ Red and COBE entertain Friday night at Road Hog Saloon.
On South Grand Lake, The Barrett Lewis Duo will be on stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill followed by Asphalt Cowboys Saturday night. Chase Wilson will perform Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster.
In Grove, The Beaty Creek Band starts the weekend musical fun at Cherokee Casino Friday night with Dead Metal Society taking over Saturday night. Eddie Valen performs both Friday and Saturday nights at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655. There’s karaoke every Wednesday night and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon.
Jon Dooly will entertain at Indigo Sky Casino Thursday night, followed by Dirty Saints Friday, and Damsel Saturday. RocKFiscH will perform Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar. Dale Watson will be in concert Friday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Event Center. Friday night, The Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami will feature Mike Walker & The CT Band featuring Tamar Dawn in a special “Conway Remembered” tribute to the late Conway Twitty.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: While the bar at The Shebang restaurant is closed, Big Shots is providing bar service Monday-Thursday from 4:00-10:00 p.m. Food is available from Shebang. Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda opens for the season this weekend. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La is closed for renovations. Lunch and dinner service is offered daily with the all-new “Menu with an Italian Flair” at The Galley at The Anchor at Shangri-La. VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina has reopened for the season – not Sharky’s, just VIP.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Matlock airs Thursday night at 8:00 on CBS and Grey’s Anatomy is back Thursday night at 9:00 on ABC. American Idol is back on ABC Sunday night at 7:00; and The Voice airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC. The iHeart Radio Music Awards also air Monday night at 7:00 on Fox.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Moana 2 will be available Wednesday on Disney+. Black Bag, Novocaine, and The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie all open in movie theaters this weekend.
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SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday-Sunday, March 19-22 – “Spring Break Land Cruise” events at Shangri-La Resort. Thursday-Saturday, March 20-22 – Kids Camp at The Anchor at Shangri-La (8:30-1:00 daily). Thursday-Sunday, March 20-23 – Big Meat Run at the Off-Road area at Disney. Thursday-Sunday, March 20-23 – Opening of America’s Outdoor Adventure Park (formerly Mid-America Outdoors). Saturday, March 22 – “Killer Keyz” Dueling Pianos return to Shangri-La for one-night show (7:00-10:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 29 – GEFFE Gala at Shangri-La Resort (5:30). Friday, April 4 – First Friday Wine Share at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Thursday, April 10 – Wine Dinner at the Summit Restasurant at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, April 12 – Que’n at the Lake Rib Cookoff competition at the Ketchum baseball field. Sunday, April 20 – Easter Brunch at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (11:00-5:00). Saturday-Sunday, May 3-4 – In-water Boat Show at Shangri-La Marina.
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College Basketball is at the forefront of the sports scene this week. With the Women’s Conference Tournaments behind us, the guys take the spotlight this week. The Big 12 Tournament starts Tuesday with OSU facing Cincinnati at 11:30. If the Cowboys win, they’ll face Iowa State in Round 2 Wednesday at 11;30. K-State plays Arizona State at 6:00 Tuesday and Kansas faces the UCF/Utah winner at 8:30 Wednesday. The tournament runs Tuesday-Saturday. Semi-final games are Friday at 6:00 and 8:30 with the Championship game Saturday at 5:00. The SEC Tournament is just a day later for each round with the first four games Wednesday and action continuing through Sunday. OU faces Georgia Wednesday night at 8:30 in the first round with the winner facing Kentucky in round 2 at 8:30 Thursday. The SEC semifinal games are Saturday at noon and 2:30 – with the Championship match-up Sunday at noon. Sunday is also NCAA tournament Selection Sunday for both men’s and women’s teams. NCAA tournament action begins next Tuesday.
There’s plenty of NBA action this week, too, as the regular season winds down. After hosting Denver Monday night and traveling to Boston Wednesday, the OKC Thunder are on the road at Detroit Saturday (6:00) and Milwaukee Sunday (8:00) before returning home to host Philadelphia next Wednesday (7:00).
PGA golfers are in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida this week for The Players Championship. Coverage begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and 11:00 Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 1:30 Saturday & Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in Las Vegas this weekend. Coverage of the Pennzoil 400 begins Sunday afternoon at 2:30 on FS1.
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Weekend weather looks like a great kickoff for Spring Break. Friday’s high temp at Grand Lake will be in the mid-70s. We’ll have highs around 60 and lows around 40 for the rest of the weekend, but we’ll have highs in the mid-70s to kick off the week next Monday. Get out and enjoy all the things Grand Lake has to offer. Remember, though, wherever you decide to 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
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)
Bradford BBQ in Ketchum
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
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
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
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
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
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
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
