May 18 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum

Here we go, boys & girls. It’s the first big holiday weekend of the year at Oklahoma’s favorite playground! 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 every weekend, all the businesses could staff up for those giant crowds. 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 prepared properly for the Memorial Weekend holiday. I spent last week in Panama City Beach, Florida – so I don’t have to worry about running out of money or getting a terrible sunburn this weekend. I already have those things out of the way!

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By the way, the news in Oklahoma isn’t nearly as interesting as the news in Florida. I caught this big story on a local TV station while I was there: “Florida woman detained after attempting to ride a shopping cart down I-95 at 3:00 a.m. with a sail fashioned from a shower curtain.” Hmm. Maybe we Okies just don’t know how to have fun.

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 There’s great news for folks visiting Monkey Island this holiday weekend. The irritating stop light on the causeway bridge to access the Island is gone and the traffic is back to two-lane travel. During the time the bridge was one lane, I passed that way 86 times and hit that stop light right a total of…two times.

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The Oklahoma legislature adjourned Sine Die last Thursday without finishing their work. The Senate didn’t work for over a week before adjourning two weeks early, leaving almost 200 bills languishing on the Senate Floor awaiting their action. They didn’t even override Governor Stitt’s veto of funding for OETA. I’m not sure exactly what they have against Big Bird. Pundit Gideon J. Tucker was right: “No man’s life, liberty, and property are safe while the legislature is in session.”

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I guess we all realize now why this month is called May. It may rain. It may snow. It may be 80 degrees or it may be 30 degrees. Fortunately, it looks like the “80 degrees” may be on the holiday weekend calendar.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: A big shout-out goes to organizers of the Cinco de Poker Derby Fundraising Party on Monkey Island. They had a $40,000 goal – and raised $53,500! They’ll be cutting checks to WAAMI for the pedestrian trail maintenance, the VFW post in Grove, and the Toby Keith Foundation for Kids Korral. Amazing! Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Randy Hess, Debbie Hess, Marilyn Conner, Laura Barnes, Jordon Nichols, Paula Silzer, Ellen Fleming, Kevin Blumenthal, Vicki Graper, Edward Gibbs, Ashton Gilmore, Kolin Williams, Jim Richie, Ivan Rocourt, Mel Martin, Ron Tipton, Ann Turner, Pam Nutting, Todd Mlnarik, Cassandra Graham, Brent Malone, Kelli Dyer, Keith Hawks, Brooke Fuser, Heather Duit, Allison Counts, Ron Blaylock, and Gabby Wallace.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Tuesday at noon the Grove Chamber hosts a State of the Region Education luncheon at the GHS Performing Arts Center. Featured speaker will be Doug Brown, new Grove Superintendent of Schools. Thursday evening is a Grove Chamber Business After Hours at Triad Eye Institute (5:00-6:30 p.m.). Thursday night is also “Thursday Trivia” at BOOM at The Regatta in Grove (6:30 p.m.). Friday morning is a special tribute to veterans at the Legacy of Liberty WW II Memorial Park at Shangri-La (10:00 a.m.-noon). Friday-Monday is the Memorial Day Run Rock Crawling at the Disney Off-Road Area (6:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). Saturday morning is a “Peanut Regatta” sailing out of Grand Lake Sailing Club at 10:00 a.m. Saturday night there is a Memorial Weekend Fireworks Show at Honey Creek Landing Marina. Monday is a Memorial Day Celebration & Veterans’ Appreciation Day at Har-Ber Village (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) and there will also be a special Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Honor Park in Langley at 10:00 a.m.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Witnesses say Sequoyah, creator of the Cherokee alphabet, died in 1843 in Coahuila, Mexico while attempting to contact Cherokee bands in Mexico. His burial place is unknown.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: WKY Radio’s first University of Oklahoma Football play-by-play announcer was Walter Cronkite.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Congress has a 20% approval rating, but a 90% re-election rate. People would obviously rather complain about a problem than fix it.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Taco Bell is the only place you can still get gas for $1.39.

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WORD FUN THIS WEEK: If someone asked you to spell “wonton” backwards and you said, “not now,” you would be right!

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: “I’m sorry” and “I apologize” mean the same thing – except at a funeral.

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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: The Wizard of Oz turned 86 years old recently. If Dorothy were to encounter men with no heart, no brains, and no courage today, she wouldn’t be in Oz. She would be in D.C.

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PUN OF THE WEEK: Someone claimed to have invented a thought-controlled air freshener. It sounds ridiculous, but it makes scents when you think about it.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What if black college athletes refused to sign to schools in states that gerrymandered congressional districts to exclude black representation?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: You know that voice in the back of your head that tells you not to do something? Mine bets me five dollars I can’t.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I went to play golf to try and shoot my age, but shot my weight instead.” – Bob Hope

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Music icon Stevie Wonder just turned 76. Comedian & talk show host Stephen Colbert, whose final show airs this week, turned 62 just eight days before his final program. At least he can get Social Security.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: It’s a huge holiday weekend of great Grand Lake area entertainment. On Monkey Island, there is karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Wednesday night at the Monkey Bar, followed by live music by Erin Fitzgibbon Thursday night, more karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Friday night, and more live music from Dustin Treiber Saturday night. There’s a jam-packed schedule at Shangri-La Resort beginning with Friday Night Family Karaoke at The Anchor (6:00 p.m.) and poolside music by the Beaty Creek Duo (6:30-8:30) and Joseph Callery live at Doc’s Bar & Grill (7:00-9:00). DJ Brock will entertain Friday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar, and there is more karaoke at The Anchor from 10:00-midnight. Saturday night Joey Holt entertains at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar and there is a Silent Disco Dance Party in the Dome at The Anchor at 9:30. Sunday entertainment at Shangri-La includes DJ Brock at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar and two shows by Jared Deck – 6:30 poolside and 9:45 at The Anchor. Lickitty Split will be on stage Friday night at South 125 Bar & Grill; and Randall George performs at The Road Hog Saloon Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, Jake & the Idols will be on stage Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by Empire Saturday night, and Reverse Reaction Sunday night. Chris Hyde starts the weekend Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by The Fitzgibbon Band Thursday, Wanda Watson Friday night and special matinee performances by Magen Faulconer Sunday (4:00) and The Smith Brothers Monday (2:00). Glam R Us will be on stage at Drunken Rooster Saturday night, followed by Whiskey Poet Society Sunday night; and Lil’ Red & The Sidepiece will be at Blind Swine Duck Creek Saturday night.

In Grove, Robbi Bell will be on stage at Mulligans at Patricia Island Country Club Friday night. Big Smitty provides the musical entertainment Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by Western Justice Saturday night. Mother Road Sons will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar followed by The Beaty Creek Band Saturday night and Magic J Sunday.

Jamey Johnson will be in concert Friday night at Downstream Casino’s Pavilion. Stonehorse starts the music Friday night at Downstream’s Legends Sports Bar. D’ Elegantz takes over Saturday. Michelle Warren kicks off the weekend Thursday at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Dino D and the D Train Band Friday; and Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West will feature The Blue Underground Saturday night.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Most outdoor bars & restaurants that are normally only open Friday-Sunday are open Friday-Monday this week for the Memorial Day celebration. Blind Swine Duck Creek at Harbors View Marina, Whitecap at The Landings Marina, Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina, The Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda, and Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina are all open for the season.

The Shebang has reopened under new ownership on Monkey Island.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Forever Young: A Grammy Salute to Rod Stewart airs Tuesday night at 7:00 on CBS. Thursday night is the final broadcast of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (10:30 on CBS). The 52nd American Music Awards program airs live next Monday at 7:00 on CBS. The first three (of 20) episodes of the documentary series WW II With Tom Hanks air next Monday night at 7:00 on The History Channel.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Passenger, I Love Boosters, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Corporate Retreat debut in movie theaters this week. Jack Ryan: Ghost War is available Wednesday on Prime Video.

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, May 30 – Grove Rotary Club Lobsterfest at Wolf Creek Expo Center (5:30-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, June 6 – Fairy Festival at Lendonwood Gardens in Grove (11:00-4:00). Thursday-Saturday, June 11-13 – American Heritage Music Festival and National Fiddle Contest at Har-Ber Village (9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, June 11-14 – Toes in the Grand Festival at Wolf Creek Park & Expo Center in Grove. Friday-Sunday, June 12-14 – Thunder on Wolf Creek Hydroplane Races.

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In the world of sports, it’s down to four NBA teams left standing – and now it’s Conference Championship time! Western Conference finals for the OKC Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday this week. Eastern Conference final games are set for Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Monday.

It’s a big week for auto racing, too. Sunday is the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500. Pre-race coverage on Fox starts at 9:00 a.m. with race time set for 11:45 Sunday morning.

There are some great WNBA matchups this week. Golden State is at Indiana Friday (6:30), Minnesota is at Chicago Saturday at noon, and L.A. is in Las Vegas at 7:00. Dallas travels to New York Sunday for a 2:30 game

In the college softball world, it’s time for the Road to the Women’s College World Series. Super Regionals are set for Thursday-Sunday this holiday weekend. The Women’s College World Series in OKC begins May 28.

PGA Golfers are in McKinney, Texas this week for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Coverage begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday the Golf Channel and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

UFL Football play kicks off Friday night at 7:00 this week with Orlando hosting DC. Columbus hosts Birmingham Saturday at 2:00. There are two games Sunday – Dallas is at Louisville at 3:00 and Houston hosts St. Louis at 6:00.

There are some good Major League Baseball match-ups on TV this weekend, too. Minnesota is at Boston Friday night at 6:00. Saturday afternoon, Seattle is at Kansas City (3:00) followed by St. Louis at Cincinnati (6:15). The Yankees are in Kansas City Monday afternoon (2:30).

NASCAR drivers are in Charlotte this week. Coverage of the Coca Cola 600 is Sunday at 5:00 on Prime Video.

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Weather for the holiday weekend ahead looks good, especially since it’s May. We’ll have sunshine for the most part with high temperatures in the low-80s and lows in the mid-60s.  Of course there is the obligatory chance of scattered thundershowers because….well, you know…because it’s Memorial Weekend. There's plenty happening! Get out and enjoy 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