March 16 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
Just when we thought springtime had arrived, the bottom fell out of the temperature controls Sunday afternoon with a 45-degree temperature drop to remind us it’s still winter. It’s okay, though. Sunday night is for indoor drinking, anyway. Mother Nature is working on the issue and assures us that by the time the first official day of Spring arrives this weekend, we’ll have sunshine and high temperatures in the 80s. It’s all good.
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Congratulations are in order for the South Grand Lake Foundation for organizing and hosting another blockbuster “Mardi Gras in March” event last week. They raised a pile of money for the Ketchum schools scholarship and backpack programs. At Grand Lake, we do love a big party for a great cause. Another one is in the books!
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Have you filled out your bracket for March Madness basketball? If you have wondered if sports betting has actually become “a thing,” the answer is “WOW!” The American Gaming Association estimates Americans will wager $3.3 BILLION on the men’s & women’s NCAA Tournament games.
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The State Senate apparently thinks local school board members aren’t smart enough to monitor their school libraries. The Senate last week approved a proposed law prohibiting books in school libraries from containing books about sex or books containing nudity. With the state government in charge, I can’t imagine what the pressure from the prudes will bring about. We probably won’t have any world history books because, you know, those statues of naked people! I’m wondering if we should start worrying about books containing information about birds or bees. Kids might be smart enough to connect the two, you know.
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In the meantime, the Oklahoma House passed legislation that would basically ban Pride Month. I had no idea the legislature could outlaw pride.
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Potential candidates to replace U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin are dropping like flies. I imagine it’s because, when announcing his candidacy, First District Congressman Kevin Hern made it clear that, while he has almost $2 million in his campaign account, he’s willing to pour in another $5 million of his own money. Pretty soon there won’t be any reason for folks who aren’t multi-millionaires to even offer themselves for public service. However, you may rest assured that, if I ever have a spare $5 million, I will NOT spend it to buy a $174,000-a-year job. It makes me a little suspicious that anyone would.
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Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Michigan), has introduced the “No Getting Rich in Congress Act” which would prohibit the President, Vice-President, members of Congress, and their families from investing in stocks, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and futures as well as adding restrictions on the speaking fees, honoraria, and payments for serving on corporate boards. This is such a great idea, a proposal that would control corruption, an idea that creates the transparency everyone claims to support, and a law that would, as the name of the proposed law states, provide for “No Getting Rich in Congress.” This is such an important and logical proposal for the times in which we live, that I predict the legislation will be killed in committee and never see the light of day.
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Okay, I understand insisting on loyalty…but shoes? President Trump apparently doesn’t like the shoes his top guys are wearing, so he guessed at their shoe sizes and bought his favorite Florsheim shoes for his favorite lieutenants – Vice President Vance, Defense Secretary Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Lutnik, and Secretary of State Rubio. He didn’t guess all the sizes correctly, but there was apparently so much pressure to please the President that everyone wore their new shoes, anyway. Unfortunately, cameras caught the fact that Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s new shoes were at least two sizes too big for him, resulting in criticism of his wearing clown shows. Google it. I’m not making this up. As Will Rogers famously said, “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Carla Steckline, Mike Mullins, Dana Able, Brad Parish, Richard Lippitt, Erin Fitzgibbon, Rusty Fleming, Julie Londagin, Bobby Boorigie, Jan Smith, Paul Loving, David Ogle, Jason Macer, Todd Segress, Helen Oden, Ryan Dalton, Donnetta Kerr, and Clayton Baker.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Wednesday night is Trivia Night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove (8:00 p.m.). Thursday night is “Thursday Trivia” at BOOM at The Regatta in Grove (6:30 p.m.). Sumner’s Big Meat Run at the Disney Offroad Area runs Friday-Sunday. Saturday, there is a WAAMI Chili Luncheon at Lake Center Baptist Church on Monkey Island (11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.). Saturday night is the big Killer Keyz nationally acclaimed dueling pianos show at Shangri-La Resort (7:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: In 1313, 54 nude French dancers were hired to entertain the court of King Edward II of England.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, sold a majority stake in her company for $1.2 billion and celebrated with her 750 staff members by giving each employee two first-class airline tickets to anywhere in the world, plus $10,000 cash.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: U.S. military forces spent an estimated $779 million – about 0.1% of the entire 2026 U.S. defense budget – during the opening 24 hours of the war in Iran.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Strange new trend at the office. People putting names on food in the company fridge. Today I had a tuna sandwich named Linda.
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WORD FUN THIS WEEK: “Light” is one of the many interesting, but confusing, words in the English language. It can help you see in the dark, act as the opposite of “heavy,” or be a way to make your fireworks more interesting.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Alcoholic Beverages Must Be Consumed in the Airport
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: If you’re sitting in public and a stranger takes the seat next to you, just stare straight ahead and say, “Did you bring the money?
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PUN OF THE WEEK: I stayed up all night trying to figure out where the sun goes. Then, it dawned on me.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is the word “phonetic” not spelled the way it sounds?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: A two income household is literally the best; so whatever you do in this life, make sure your partner has two jobs.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Your wife is not your best friend. Your dog is. Lock the two in the back of a trunk, come back two hours later and see which one is happy to see you.” – Lou Holtz
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Actor/Director Billy Crystal turned 78 years old over the weekend; but that’s only the beginning of celebrity birthdays to make us all feel old this week. Superstar actors’ birthdays this week include Kurt Russell (75), Queen Latifah (56), Bruce Willis (71), and Glenn Close (79). The award-winner of the week, though, is perpetual screen star William Shatner. He’ll turn 95 Sunday.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, The Monkey Bar features lots of live entertainment. Tuesday night, Erin Fitzgibbon entertains at The Monkey Bar to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Friday night is karaoke with Sundown Entertainment at The Monkey Bar, followed by more live music featuring Magen Faulconer Saturday night. Magen Faulconer will also entertain Friday night at South 125 Bar & Grill. The nationally acclaimed dueling piano act Killer Keyz will perform Saturday night at Shangri-La Resort’s Roosevelt Ballroom.
On South Grand Lake, Magen Faulconer helps celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Tuesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Jesse Dean will be on stage at Mooney’s Thursday night followed by Jon Bullard Friday and Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday. Chris Bassett will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at Pickles at The Lake in Langley.
In Grove, Borrowed Money will be on stage Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by Encore Saturday night. MixTape 918 entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar followed by The Chain Project Saturday night.
A&E Music kicks off the weekend early with a Thursday night performance at Indigo Sky Casino. The Chris Hyde Band takes over Friday night, and Diversity wraps up the weekend music Saturday. The Chain Project starts the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, followed by Asphalt Cowboys Friday and Monica in the Middle Saturday night. Adam McCabe will entertain at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar Saturday night; and Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West will feature DeWayne Bowman & the Swingin’ West Band Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The Shebang on Monkey Island is temporarily closed for repairs. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La, VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina, BOOM at The Regatta, and Big Shots Rhythm & Booze on Monkey Island are now open for the season. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda reopens for the season Friday. Also, watch for Los Garcias, a new Mexican Restaurant opening soon in the Ketchum Eats Food Park, and Whitecap Dining Dock & Cocktails coming to The Landings Marina. The former Artichoke in Langley will reopen under new ownership in mid-April as The Farm House.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Matlock airs Thursday night at 8:00 on CBS. The sports documentary Meal Ticket is available Thursday on Prime Video. The Bachelorette returns to ABC Sunday night at 7:00. The third and final season of The Comeback returns Sunday night on HBO; and The Voice airs Monday night at 8:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Project Hail Mary, Do Not Enter, Whitney Springs, and Ready or Not 2: Here I Come all debut in movie theaters this week.
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Saturday, March 27-28 – Grove Merchants Spring Open House. Saturday, March 28 – Sock Burning Party at Ugly’s at Thunder Bay Marina (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 28 – GEFFE Gala at Shangri-La Resort (5:30 p.m.). Saturday, March 28 – “Midnight on Grand Masquerade Prom” at South 125 Bar & Grill (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 28 – Wine Dinner at Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, April 4 – C.O.W. Week Golf Tournament at The Coves (1:00 p.m.). Wednesday, April 8 – First Responders Appreciation Dinner at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (5:00-7:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, April 16-19 – A Walk Through Time (Civil War Days) at Har-Ber Village (9:30 a.m.)
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In the world of sports, the OKC Thunder are beginning a tough final stretch – 5 road games in 9 days. After back-to-back games at Orlando (Tuesday) and Brooklyn (Wednesday) they travel to Washington for a Saturday afternoon battle (4:00), then on to Philadelphia for a Monday match-up (6:00), and on to Boston next Wednesday night (6:30).
In the college basketball world, March Madness has arrived! First Four games kick off the madness with round one games beginning Thursday & Friday for the guys and Friday & Saturday for the ladies. Round 2 action is set for Saturday & Sunday (men) and Sunday & Monday (women).
PGA players are still in Florida this week. Coverage of The Valspar Championship from Palm Harbor is on the Golf Channel beginning at 1 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
NASCAR fans are in South Carolina this week. Coverage of the Goodyear 400 from Darlington begins Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on FS1.
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Weather for the final weekend of Spring Break looks fabulous. Friday’s high temperature will be pushing 90 degrees. Saturday & Sunday will be sunny with light winds and high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s with lows around 50. What an awesome weekend to get out and explore all that’s happening around Grand Lake. 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
