April 5 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather on Easter Sunday. I hope you found all your eggs, but I hope you remembered not to put them all in one basket!

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Sunday’s beautiful weather brought on a new challenge for a lot of my pals. I know for sure that the peak season has arrived on Grand Lake. I’m also pretty sure that boat keys and golf cart keys were harder to find than Easter eggs! That’s the crowd I travel with, anyway.

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I had a fabulous time Easter “Eve.” I always love a party, as you know – and the South Grand Lake Chamber threw one heck of a party Saturday night. The Annual Bootleggers Ball at Shangri-La was a blast! The Chamber raised a lot of money for their great work…and, like I’ve always said, nobody knows how to support good causes like Grand Lakers. Eating, drinking, gambling, and spending money for fun things to raise money for important stuff. That’s how we roll! Congrats to the team at the South Grand Chamber and Shangri-La for putting together a really fun – and productive party!

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Oklahoma has hit the “re-boot” button. We have a new president at Oklahoma State University (Dr. Kayse Shrum) and a new men’s Basketball Head Coach at OU (Porter Moser – he’s coming from Loyola-Chicago, but it’s not clear if Sister Jean is part of the deal or not). Thankfully, OSU doesn’t need a new basketball coach – but OSU has to replace Cade Cunningham who is going pro and OU will have to replace Brady Manek who entered the transfer portal – and OU is still trying to replace Sherri Coale as women’s coach. Nothing’s easy, right?

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I’m glad April Fools Day is behind us for another year. Now, everything on the internet is true again.

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I think I have a chance at making it into the record books. The 20^th and final season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians is underway – and I’ve never seen an episode, yet. I think I can make the entire run!

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Grand Lake is getting a new Bar & Grill. Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill announced plans last week to build a new facility at Grand Meridian RV, Cabin & Tiny Home Resort on South Grand Lake. The first weekly “Shrimp Boil & Karaoke” night of the year at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La is set for Thursday, April 22. The Waterway Café at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina is now closed. Remodeling is underway for the second location of Blind Swine, which will open at Harbors View May 1. Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina also opens May 1, although VIP Pizza at Hammerhead is open on weekends.  Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is also open for the season on weekends. No weekend breakfast service yet at The Quarterdeck. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar has set 2021 opening day as May 14. Sunday Brunch is served to the public at Doc’s Bar & Grill (9:00-2:00) and Mulligans at Patricia Island (10:00-2:00). Summit Restaurant begins Sunday night open-to-the-public dinner service this week.

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK:  Friday morning at 10:30 is the South Grand Lake Regional Airport Runway Celebration. Monday, there is a Grove Chamber Business After Hours at The Parrot in Grove (5:00-6:30).

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Thursday Night Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La this week. Friday night, Caleb Fellenstein provides the live entertainment at Doc’s. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine. Erin Fitzgibbon entertains early Friday night (6:00) followed by The Down Beat late. Saturday night, Open Road will be at the Swine, and KJ Flip will be back with Cocktails & Karaoke Sunday night. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit at Shangri-La; and Saturday night is Karaoke with Tim at Monkey Island Pub.

In Grove, The Off Broadway Cabaret April fun kicks off at Playmakers Friday night at 7:30. Tom Teel will lead the sing-along of wine songs as you learn about wines from Jonathan Elmore, author of “The No $#!t Wine Book.”

On South Grand Lake, Scott Musick provides the Saturday night music at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Eastbound in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Encore Friday and Thomas Martinez Saturday. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar features music of 24 Karat Friday night and Time Machine Saturday. At Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar, The Shotgunbillys will be performing Friday night, and The Uncrowned Kings will be featured Saturday.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: In Japan, reaching first base on a swinging third strike that is not caught is called furinige, or "swing and escape."

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Americans spend $36 million every hour of every day at Wal-Mart.

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PHILOSOPHY OF THE WEEK: Just because it’s a bad idea doesn’t mean it won’t be a good time.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: It will be a great day when schools have all the money they need, and politicians have to sell chocolates to support their campaigns.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen at Popeye’s Fried Chicken): Now hiring smiling feces. (yes, spelling can be important)

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: My wife has totally changed since she became a vegan. It’s like I never knew herbivore.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Don’t expect me to stop if you’re broken down by the side of the road. You were offered an extended warranty, right?

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: John Astin, the talented actor who is perhaps best known for his role in The Addams Family TV series, celebrated his birthday over the weekend. He’s 91. Actress Shirley Jones, best known for her role in The Partridge Family, turned 87 over the weekend. The late Oklahoma music legend Leon Russell would have turned 79 last week. Famed American poet Maya Angelou died seven years ago. She would have turned 93 this week.  

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Steve Oden, Donnie Smith, Tiera Henry, Devon Miller, Pat Sheeler, Peggy Howard-Burgess, Bill Durick, Bill Schenke, Jerry Cookson, Bill Dalton, Jack Moore, Doug Frans, and Donny Boyle.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is there always enough asphalt for speed bumps, but never enough to fill potholes?  

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Rebel debuts Thursday night at 9:00 on ABC. The Voice airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC.  The Resident premieres Tuesday night at 7:00 followed by The Prodigal Son at 8:00, both on Fox

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: With Regal Theaters opening nationwide, more movies are turning up quickly. Godzilla vs. Kong and Voyagers are both in theaters this week. Us Kids is available for rent and The Man Who Sold His Skin is in virtual theaters. An excellent documentary, Our Towns, airs next Tuesday at 8:00 on HBO.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I recommend a law prohibiting all corporations from contributing to the campaign expenses of any party.” – Theodore Roosevelt

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, April 16 – Job Fair at First Christian Church in Langley (Noon-6:00). Thursday, April 22 – Grove Spring Job Fair (10:00-4:00) at the Grove Civic Center. Thursday, April 22 – First weekly “Shrimp Boil & Karaoke” of the year at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La (5:00-9:00). Saturday, April 24 – Wild for Spring opening of The Oasis (11:00-6:00). Saturday, May 1 – Opening of Blind Swine at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina. Thursday, May 13 – Grove Chamber Members Luncheon at Grove Civic Center. Friday, May 14 – Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens for the season at Shangri-La Marina. Wednesday, May 19 – Napa Nights at South Grand Lake Regional Airport. Friday, May 21 – South Grand Lake Chamber Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, May 22 – Mad Dog 2021 Critter Run bar crawl scavenger hunt on Monkey Island. Saturday, June 5 – Camp Bandage at Grand Lake RV Resort (noon-4:00). Wednesday-Thursday, June 9-10 – SLWGA Shangri-La Tee Da Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Thursday-Sunday, June 10-13 – Toes in the Grand Festival at Sniders Campground and Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, June 19 – Rock the Dock Concert at Check-In Bay (noon-5:00). Friday-Saturday, June 25-26 – Grand Jam Music Festival at Grand Meridian RV Park.

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SPORTS WATCH: Professional golf takes the spotlight this week for the biggest tournament of the year. It’s time for The Masters. ESPN has the coverage live from Augusta, Georgia beginning at 2:00 Thursday & Friday. CBS picks up the final two rounds with coverage at 2:00 Saturday and 1:00 Sunday.

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder are at home through the weekend. They host Detroit Monday (6:00), Charlotte Wednesday (7:00), and Philadelphia Saturday (8:00) before heading west next week to face Utah Tuesday (8:00) and Golden State Wednesday (8:00). All games are on Bally Sports Oklahoma.

NASCAR drivers are back on the track this week. They’ll be at Martinsville for some Saturday night prime time racing. Coverage of the Blue-Emu 500 begins at 6:30 Saturday night on Fox Sports 1.

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The weekend weather forecast for Grand Lake looks great. We’ll have a little breeze, but sunshine and high temperatures around 70 with lows in the mid-40s. Even a little warmer Sunday and into next week. Enjoy all that Grand Lake has to offer for the wonderful weekend. Remember, though, 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.

Ailey’s Café in Langley

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 Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

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

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

Marina’s Place at Littlefield Corner

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)

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

Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove

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)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

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 Pourhouse at The Regatta in Grove

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