April 13 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
At least there is some consistency in the world. It rained on Easter. Maybe that’s our first sign that a return to normalcy somewhere on the horizon.
*****
In the meantime, Grand Lake looks like Memorial Weekend arrived on April 1 instead of May 23 this year. As nearly as I can tell, when non-essential businesses closed, schools closed, CDC guidelines called for social distancing, and the Governor ordered a “Safer at Home” declaration, half the people in OKC, Wichita, Tulsa, and Kansas City loaded up the family and headed for the lake. As nearly as I can tell, everyone who owns a home at Grand Lake has decided to do their self-quarantine efforts at the lake. A couple of 85-degree days with sunshine last week had more boats on the lake than I have seen since the flood waters of last year finally subsided on Labor Day.
*****
Please don’t do raft-ups, though, kids. Seriously. There is no way to resist bouncing from boat to boat to boat to visit with buddies. It’s irresistible. And really not smart. Gas is cheap. Just ride around. You can have fun, but stay away from other people. My guess is, the longer some of us ignore the social distancing rules, the longer they’ll be in place.
*****
I finally finished my face mask. It was a little extra effort to sew a hole in the middle so I could smoke. I was nervous about needing a hole large enough to drink through – but then I remembered straws are still legal in Oklahoma. So, it’s all good. It’s kind of like Halloween, though. I can’t recognize a lot of the people I see, so I guess that means they probably can’t recognize me, either. You can always get by with more shenanigans when nobody knows who you are.
*****
I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but a gambling buddy of mine said some of the casinos are now offering curbside pickup. Just call them, and they’ll come take your money right at your car.
*****
My biggest concern is that the ABLE Commission special permission for liquor stores to deliver spirits and restaurants to deliver beer & wine expires Friday. Since the Governor’s “Safer at Home” order extends through April 30, hopefully the ABLE Commission will do the same with their order. I’ve sure been able to tell that I normally do most of my alcohol consumption in bars. With all the bars closed, I’ve purchased a two-week home supply of bourbon three times this week.
*****
I guess there aren’t many people who want go to the top of the leadership heap and take on the state’s problems in these troubled days. Only 300 candidates filed for public office last week, compared to more than twice that many in 2018.
*****
Any update I write on the COVID-19 guidelines from CDC will probably be outdated by the time you read them – but there seems to be some understanding of what is most important to the largest segment of the American public. Advisors are now leaning toward a “rolling re-opening” next month, starting slowly with services most important to people – like hair salons.
*****
PUBLIC EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE: Rocklahoma, scheduled for it’s 14th year on Memorial Day weekend has been canceled for 2020.
*****
BEST EVENT OF THE WEEK: Daily Coronavirus briefings from Governor Stitt and President Trump. I’ve pretty much watched everything else on television – and those briefings are actually pretty entertaining sometimes. New drinking game: take a shot every time President Trump says, “We’ll see how it goes.”
*****
GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: To meet increasing demand from a bulging temporary population at Grand Lake, The Shebang, which normally opens at 4:00 p.m., is now opening at noon on Saturday and Sunday for curbside pick-up. Doc’s at Shangri-La is also offering curbside pickup of grocery packages.
*****
RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Actress Candice Bergen and her boyfriend at the time Terry Melcher lived in the house occupied by Roman Polanski and his wife Sharon Tate until shortly before Tate and four others were murdered there in 1969 by followers of Charles Manson. Manson knew Melcher and was angry at him for refusing to sign Manson to a record contract.
*****
PERFECT SOCIAL DISTANCING CELEBRATION: With the “Safer at Home” order still standing, Shangri-La members couldn’t throw a big birthday bash for Dr. Bill Durick’s 86th birthday, so they organized a golf cart parade past his house, pausing out front to sing “Happy Birthday.” Nice!
*****
BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Everybody is posting memes and talking about coming out of this quarantine with a new skill or side hustle. I’m just sitting here wondering how I never noticed there’s a turd in Saturday. (thanks to Pam Nutting for sharing this one)
*****
ODDEST IRONY OF THE WEEK: Supreme Court Justices voted remotely to deny Wisconsin voters the right to vote remotely. #oddcoronavirusthings
****
HOME SCHOOLING THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: All these people worrying about a baby boom in 9 months…two days of home schooling should nip that right in the bud!
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Where did the Terminator find toilet paper? “Aisle B, back.”
*****
ANOTHER GREAT SIGN SEEN AT KING’S WAY BAPTIST CHURCH: No toilet paper. Guess the roll was called up yonder.
*****
TWEET OF THE WEEK: I feel like I’m 16 again. Gas is cheap and I’m grounded.
*****
BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: eBay is so useless. I tried to look up lighters, and all they had was 13,749 matches.
*****
OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: How messed up is it that Cinco de Mayo finally falls on Taco Tuesday and will get messed up by a virus with the same name as a Mexican beer?
*****
SOCIAL MEDIA OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: People can be taught how to hate, and people can be taught how to spell. But apparently, it’s one or the other.
*****
FEEL OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The troubled Apollo 13 flight was 50 years ago – resulting in the eternally famous phrase: “Houston, we have a problem.” You may not think you knew Mort Drucker, but you’ve enjoyed his work for decades. The longtime contributor to “Mad Magazine,” known for his classic caricatures of politicians, actors, and other celebrities, died last week at the age of 91.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to John Desch, Ron Lay, Mark Poole, Vicki Howard, Dave Svedman, Tim Howson, Natasha Beaver, Bill Ballard, Liz Paden, Jason Faulconer, Jeff Spielmann, Don Bullard, Steve Long, Cheryl Koesler, Bobby Brewer, Sarah Scott, Larry Sanford, Jackie Moore, Greg Bolton, Creed Littlefield, Gary Anstine, and Boyd Ayer. Congratulations also to Representatives Josh West and Rusty Cornwell, neither of whom got opponents in last week’s filings for public office. Congratulations, too, to Steve Bashore who was the only candidate filing for the House of Representative seat in Ottawa County being vacated by the retirement of Representative Ben Loring.
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is there no mouse-flavored cat food?
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: One World: Together at Home airs Saturday night at 7:00 on all 3 major networks and many cable and social media outlets featuring a variety of stars. Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel host this special which will include performances by Lady Gaga, Elton John, Keith Urban, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and many others.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIE: Earth and Blood, Legacy in the Bones, and Sergio are available this weekend on NETFLIX.
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end; but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” – Sir Winston Churchill
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Friday, May 1 – Scheduled Season Opening for Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina. Friday, May 1 – Scheduled Season Opening for Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina. Friday-Sunday, May 1-3 – Scheduled Nichols Marine In-Water Boat Show at Shangri-La Marina. Saturday, May 2 – Scheduled Season Opening for Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda Harbor. Saturday, May 2 – 10th Annual Cedar Port Marina Scavenger Hunt benefiting the Ketchum Backpack Program. Friday, May 8 – Grove Chamber Golf Tournament at Patricia Island.
*****
SPORTS NON-WATCH: I hope golf fans are recovered from not watching the final round of The Masters on Easter Sunday. This year, instead of being an Easter tournament, we’ll enjoy The Masters as a Thanksgiving precursor – November 12-15. If football fans didn’t catch an XFL game before the season was cut short after only half its 2020 schedule last month, they probably won’t see one at all. Last Friday, the XFL laid off all its employees and closed their offices.
*****
It is April in Oklahoma, so there’s always a chance for a shower or two. The forecast for the weekend ahead calls for scattered thunderstorms now and then with high temperatures pushing 70 and lows around 50. Since the bars aren’t open, you can’t buy a drink for the guy next to you…but you can always pay ahead by ordering from your favorite restaurant or liquor store and leaving the surprise bottle for the next guy. It could be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM
Want more information on advertisers you see in the Grand Lake Bum? No problem. Just click on their ad and you will be connected to their web site. If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both www.GrandLakeNewsOnline.com and www.360grandlake.com, as well as Grand Times on Grand Lake, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing. E-mail or contact grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker.
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.
1909 in Downtown Grove
Ailey’s Café in Langley
Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café Italia on Monkey Island
Café Yum in Grove
Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)
Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
Henrie’s Grill in Grove
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)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Morrow’s Bar & Grill at Morrow’s Landing
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island (smoking...but not at lunch)
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Scooters in Langley (smoking)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)
The Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)
The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (smoking)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Water Side Bar & Grill in Grove
Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove
Comments:
Map It
Find a business near you.
