April 24 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Every week seems to get bigger and better at Grand Lake this time of year. There was so much happening around the lake over the past weekend that I couldn’t make it to all the things I REALLY wanted to be a part of. I tried. I dropped in to as many events as I could, drank as much as I could – and still didn’t complete the full circuit., but I’ll tell you this: the Bootleggers’ Ball is still a ton of fun – and The Old Bulldog Band is still fabulous! If you’re not having fun at Grand Lake, you’re not trying.

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Grand Lake may soon set a record for the number of people exposed to our little paradise in a single day. YouTuber Mark Rober spent the weekend at Shangri-La Resort shooting a video with Major League Wiffle Ball players to unveil his latest invention. If you don’t know Mark Rober, you don’t pay attention to YouTube. He is quite literally a YouTube legend, winning five Webby Awards last year alone, including “Webby Film and Video Person of the Year.” So, how does that impact Grand Lake? Rober has an unbelievable 24 million subscribers to his YouTube channel.

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It’s the “hit-and-miss” time of year for outdoor bars & restaurants at Grand Lake. Some venues were so encouraged by the upper-70 degree temperatures over the past couple of weeks that they decided to open for the season – only to be faced with closing early each night because of temperatures falling to freezing. You can’t trust April in Oklahoma! It won’t be long, though. By mid-May, we’ll shove those low temperatures out the door!

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I know all the OU fans were focused on the Spring Football game over the past weekend but, in the meantime, OU has another #1 pick in the professional draft. Congrats to Alex Storako. The outstanding OU Softball pitcher was picked #1 in the Women’s Fast Pitch national draft. And we’ll still get to watch her. She was drafted by the OKC Spark.

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Speaking of OU – while everyone was talking football, the Softball girls were sweeping a three-game series with Baylor and didn’t allow a single run in the entire series. Jalen Hurts, in the meantime, was making history, as well. The former OU quarterback signed a five-year extension to his contract with the Philadelphia Eagles for $255 million making him the highest paid player in NFL history!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Soohyun Jin, Cindy Estes, Judi Barber, Mike Burnett, Brad Putman, John Lewis, Mike McCown, Becki Farley, Julie Morgan, Tom Haynes, Emily Tyrrell, Robin Markwell, Nancy Brandwein, Connie King, Steve Davis, Lori Stanphill, Dick Lane, Gregg Lorimor, Chad Borin, Terry Jordan, Carla Lillie, and Charlie Wallace.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. As we wrap up another month, the fun continues to roll at Grand Lake. This weekend is the final run of the live performances of “You Make My Frame Shake” at Playmakers in Grove (7:30 Thurs-Saturday, 2:00 Sunday). Friday is this year’s first weekly “Yellow Rabbit Run Horse Race” at Shangri-La Golf Club (5:00 p.m.); and Saturday is the Annual 5K Dam Run/Walk benefiting Grand Lake Fireworks. Registration kicks off the day at the State Park in Disney (8:30 a.m.).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: A group of penguins in the water is called a raft, but on land that same group is a waddle.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Sunset is finally arriving after 8:00 p.m. It will continue to remain in the 8:00 o’clock hour until August 26. Enjoy!

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: If you think baseball is still the “great American pastime,” you might be mistaken. This week’s NFL draft will have more television viewers than the 2022 World Series.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Sorry to hear about Kid Rock. Nothing happened. I’m just always sorry to hear about Kid Rock.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Some days you’re the windshield. Some days you’re the bug.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I went to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Anonymous, my ass! I knew everyone there!

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: The rule says “I before E, except after C.” Actually, though, that has been disproven by science.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do we limit “happy” to an hour?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Always make sure someone in a relationship has good credit. That’s why they’re called SIGNIFICANT other: sign/if/I/cant.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Former Oklahoma Governor, U.S. Senator and Oklahoma University President David Boren celebrated his 82^nd birthday over the weekend. Television comedic icon Carol Burnett turns 90 years old this week. Legendary pop singer Karen Carpenter died 40 years ago. She would have been 73 years old.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Everyone you meet always asks if you have a career, are married, or own a house; as if life was some kind of a grocery list. But nobody ever asks if you are happy.” – Heath Ledger

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off at Doc’s Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun. JR Neal performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Friday night karaoke/open mic night at Big Shots and DJ K-Bandito provides the Saturday night dance music. DJ Kennedy brings Rockstar Karaoke to Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, Rodney Frye will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at the Drunken Rooster followed by Downbeat Saturday night. The Smith Brothers will provide the music at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill Saturday night.

In Grove, Dale and Gayle will be at Blue Bluff Harbor Saturday night. There is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night by Encore, and more karaoke Saturday. House Party entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Borrowed Money Saturday night.

Sunset Circle entertains Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Wilkie J and Tony T  Friday and Thomas Martinez Saturday. Black Note provides the music Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Bella Donna’s is the first Grove restaurant ever named to the “America’s Best Restaurants” list. Bradford BBQ is now serving food at the new Woodshed in Langley. Casa Guiterrez in Grove is moving into the old Charlie’s Chicken space soon. Blind Swine on Duck Creek is now open Thursday-Sunday at Harbors View Marina. Mooney’s is now open at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays – only closed on Mondays. Bella Donna’s in Grove is now closed on both Mondays and Tuesdays. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is open for the season (Thursday-Sunday).

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: NFL Draft early round coverage begins Thursday night at 7:00 and continues Friday night on ABC. Roy Wood, Jr. will headline the White House Correspondents Dinner Saturday night on CNN and C-Span.  Bruce Springsteen will be the featured guest this week on CBS Sunday Morning at 8:00 a.m. The new series Fatal Attraction is available Sunday on Paramount+. The Voice is getting serious as knock-out rounds continue Monday at 7:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, and Big George Foreman open in movie theaters this week.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, May 4 – First Thursday night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke of the season on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La (6:00). Friday, May 5 – The Battlefield Par 3 Course officially opens at Shangri-La Golf Club. Friday, May 5 – Food Truck Friday at Grove Community Center. Friday, May 5 – Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina opens for the season. Friday-Sunday, May 5-7 – In-Water Boat Show at Shangri-La Marina. Saturday, May 6 – Golf Cart Poker Run on Monkey Island benefiting the Monkey Island Trail. Saturday, May 6 – Burning of the Socks at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 6 – Nichols Marine/Shangri-La Marina Customer Appreciation Luau (5:00 p.m.). Tuesday, May 9 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Trivia Night at BOOM. Thursday, May 11 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon with featured speaker Jill McAbee (DCCSN) at the Grove Community Center (noon). Friday, May 12 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Spring Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge Golf Course. Saturday, May 13 – Cowskin Fire Department Car Show at Elk River Baptist Church (8:30-3:30). Friday, May 19 – Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens at Shangri-La Marina (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 20 – Sounds of Summer Festival & Car Show at Marina Del Rey Resort (1:00-6:00).

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NBA Playoffs and NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs continue non-stop this week. We’re going to be doing this for a while. Finals for both sports won’t be until early June. In the meantime, enjoy the playoffs.

I left Puerto Vallarta a week too early. PGA Golfers are there this weekend for the Mexico Open at Vidanta. Coverage begins at 9:00 Thursday & Friday mornings and 1:30 Saturday & Sunday on The Golf Channel. Peacock is also streaming the entire tournament.

It’s a busy week for college softball just a week ahead of Bedlam. Kansas is at OU for a three-game series, Friday at 6:00, Saturday at 2:00, and Sunday at 1:00, all on ESPN+. The OSU Softball girls have a trio of games at Texas Tech Friday-Sunday, but there is no TV coverage.

Major League Baseball has some good televised match-ups this week. The Cubs are at Miami Saturday at 3:00 and the Dodgers host the Cardinals at 8:00. Sunday night Philadelphia is at Houston at 6:00. Monday night, it’s the Giants at Houston at 7:00 – and Toronto is in Boston Tuesday night at 6:00.

For pro football fans, there are so many games you would think it was September. In the XFL, it’s Division Championship weekend with the South Division Championship game at 6:00 Saturday and the North Division Championship Sunday at 2:00. The USFL is in action, too, with New Orleans at Birmingham Saturday at 11:30 followed by Houston at Memphis at 6:00. Sunday games include Pittsburgh at Philadelphia at 11:00 and New Jersey at Michigan at 3:00.

If your football love is limited to the NFL, it’s Draft Week. Coverage of the early NFL Draft rounds is Thursday night at 7:00 and Friday night at 8:00.  

NASCAR drivers are in Dover this week for the Wurth 400. Coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 1:00 on FS1.

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It’s still going to be a little cool this weekend with highs around 60 and lows in the mid-40s, but we start a warming trend Sunday when we should hit a sunny 65 – and our future looks warmer every day. There is a lot happening at Grand Lake this weekend, so get out and have some fun! Always 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

Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley

Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove

Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)

Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina

Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)

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)

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

Casa Gutierrez in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove

Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)

Cove Club in Langley

Danny’s Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing

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 Restaurant in Grove

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill

E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Flower Bar in Grove

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek

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

Lester’s Third Street Diner in 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 Island RV Resort

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney

Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Monkey Island Trail Rides

Monkey Island Winery

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

Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley

Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove

Pit Stop Café in Grove

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)

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

River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)

Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

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 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 (smoking)

VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)

Water Side Bar & Grill in Grove

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove