August 2 Random Observations of the Grand Lake Bum

Indoors was the only place to cool off over the past weekend. August arrived! It was so hot you couldn’t even cool off by jumping in the lake. The 94-degree water didn’t provide much relief from the 98-degree air. This weekend looks a little cooler. Only 90 degree air!

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It may be hot, but aside from all the great entertainment available around the lake this weekend, we’re back on the water for another concert in Leon Russell Cove Saturday afternoon. Woodstock on the Water kicks off the month of August. We’ll kick off the month of September with another one – Redneck Raft Out.

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There is a new type of movie war. Not movie against movie – but star vs. studio. Scarlett Johansson has filed a lawsuit against Disney claiming that they seriously reduced her potential take on the Black Widow movie by simultaneously releasing in theaters and on Disney+. She claims much of her potential income was tied to box office receipts, and releasing it on Disney+ would hurt that income. Disney claims selling the movie for $30 on Disney+ will actually enhance her income. By the way, she has already been paid $20 million for her starring role. Follow the money. In other news, OU and UT are headed for the SEC.

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Congratulations to Owasso’s Patrick Callan who made us all proud with his successful Olympic debut swimming for Team USA. The 12-time Bishop Kelley State Champion has some Grand Lake ties you may not be aware of. His grandparents are Pack and Jill St. Clair, longtime Grand Lakers and founders of Cobalt Boats.

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Chesapeake Arena in Oklahoma City is no more. From now on, it is officially “Paycom Center.” That will undoubtedly require some getting used to, especially for NBA announcers. No more events at “The Peake.” Now I guess they’ll be at “The Pay.” That’s at least appropriate, if nothing else.

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I’ve lived my entire life not being offended by “no shoes, no shirt, no service;” so why would I be offended by “no mask, no service?”

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Staff shortages are taking a toll. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now closed Sunday & Monday. Sugar Shack at Lee’s Resort now closes at 3:00 Sunday and remains closed Monday. The Cove Club in Langley is now closed on Tuesdays. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar operation at Shangri-La has temporarily moved to Doc’s Patio (just across the parking lot) – open Friday, Saturday & Sunday. On the other hand, Monkey Island Pub has re-opened and Charlie’s Chicken in Grove has re-opened, but will be drive-thru only until the Fall. Grand Lake Casino has restored operation of table games.The Galley is now open Thursday-Monday at The Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La. Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) has breakfast service Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Doc’s Bar & Grill, Road Hog Saloon, and Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda offer Saturday & Sunday breakfast.

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Friday evening is the Grove Block Party (5:00-9:00) at the Community Center. Friday at 5:00 is the always-fun Dock Shots competition at Shangri-La Golf Club. Friday evening is the all-night raft-up for Woodstock on the Water in Leon Russell Cove (Lawhead Hollow) followed by the on-the-water concert Saturday 1:00-5:00. Saturday is also the infamous Run a Monkey Tournament at Shangri-La, followed by the PGA Oakley Cup Tournament Sunday.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Franklin Birt entertains indoors at Doc’s. DJ Matt provides the music Friday night on the patio at Doc’s, followed by Reverse Reaction Saturday. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons Friday & Saturday nights; and just across the street, there’s great dance music Friday & Saturday nights featuring DJ K-Bandito at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine – and there’s always live entertainment Friday & Saturday nights at the Swine. Erin Fitzgibbon will perform Friday night at 6:00 at the Swine/Monkey Island – and Saturday night is great dancing and singing at Monkey Island Pub -  Karaoke with Tim.

On South Grand, Ronnie Pyle performs Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney, followed by Recommended Dose Saturday night and an early performance Sunday by Jake Flint (5:00-8:00). Erin Fitzgibbon entertains every Thursday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) and KJ Flip leads the musical fun every Wednesday night. The Faulconer Duo will be on stage at Blind Swine Duck Creek Saturday night, followed by a Sunday solo show by Magen Faulconer. House Party will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina.The 2021 Woodstock on the Water concert featuring the Barrett Lewis Band is Saturday afternoon (1:00-5:00) in Leon Russell Cove.

In Grove, Clint Walker entertains at the Grove Block Party (5:00-9:00) at the Grove Community Center. Live entertainment starts Friday night at The Regatta with Karaoke with KJ Flip followed by The Rick Cook Band Saturday night.

Friday night, Granger Smith, featuring Earl Dibbles, Jr. performs at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace. Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Brett & Terri in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Stonehorse Friday night, and The Thomas Martinez Band Saturday. At Cherokee Casino Grove, Brent Giddens provides the entertainment Friday night, followed by Stonehorse Saturday night.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: "Sloe-eyed" and "sloe gin" are derived from the name of a small, dark, oval plum used to make the latter and to describe a certain color and shape of the former.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In the 1980s, A&W tried to compete with the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder by selling a 1/3 pound burger at a lower cost. The product failed because most customers thought the 1/3 pound burger was bigger. (this is why I don’t argue with people online)

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Do you remember, before the internet, it was thought that the cause of collective stupidity was a lack of access to information? Well…it wasn’t that.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: The same people who think climate change isn’t real think professional wrestling is.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: We’re going to have to wrap the vaccine in cheese, aren’t we?

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: If a drummer comes out of retirement, are there repercussions?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If you’re paying $3.00 for a bottle of Smart Water, it isn’t working.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Joseph Michael “Dusty” Hill died last week. He was 72 years old and had been the bass player and secondary lead vocalist for the legendary band ZZ Top for 52 years. The Chicks released their hit “Wide Open Spaces” 23 years ago. The MTV television network made its debut 40 years ago this week.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to John Bond, Erin Burgess Bendel, Jennifer Eve Fish, Paula Harbuck, Teresa Poindexter, Bob Abraham, Don Baxter, Gerald Keeton, Sue Naylor, Jack Adkisson, Lori Gray, Linda McCulla, Sandy Kirkpatrick, JoAnn Brice, Kari Filson, Mary Stallings, Steve Bashore, and Carol Richardville.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is the Norwegian Women’s Beach Handball Olympic team being fined for wanting to cover up parts of their bodies while we’re still expelling girls from school for exposing their shoulders?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The second season of Departure is available Thursday on Peacock. Mr. Corman debuts Friday on Apple TV+. The L Word: Generation Q airs on Showtime Sunday at 9:00 (streaming Friday); and a new remake of the old series Fantasy Island premieres next Tuesday at 8:00 on Fox.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: 6:45 makes its theater premiere this week, along with The Suicide Squad which will also be available on HBO Max). Beckett and Pray Away are both available on NETFLIX this week.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I choose a lazy person to do a hard job, because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.” - Bill Gates

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, August 13 – Shangri-La Sunset Cruise (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, August 14 – Cruise Night in Jay. Monday-Tuesday, August 16-17 WOGA Partnership Championship Tournament at Shangri-La. Thursday, August 19 – Bedlam Blood Drive at Shangri-La Resort Hotel 11:30-3:15 (donors will be given their choice of OU or OSU tee shirt). Friday, August 20 – Mary Moore Charity Event & Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Sunday, August 22 – Couples Mixer at Shangri-La (9:00 a.m.). Friday-Saturday, September 3-4 – Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival (Snider’s Campground & Grove Civic Center). Saturday, September 4 – Redneck Raft Out at Check-In Bay (12:00-5:00). Friday, September 10 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Patricia Island (1:30 Shotgun). Saturday, September 18 – REC Day Drive-Thru Event (Grove, Miami, Vinita, Pryor).

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SPORTS WATCH: Wall to wall 2021 Olympics live coverage continues this week on the various networks of NBC, plus Peacock. Nightly prime time coverage is on NBC, wrapping up with closing ceremonies Sunday night at 7:00.

Did you say NFL Football? Yep. Believe it or not, it’s time. The first pre-season game is this week with the Steelers hosting the Cowboys in the Hall of Fame Game Thursday night at 7:00 on Fox.

The PGA Tour is back in a big way with two tournaments this week. Coverage of the Barracuda Championship from Tahoe is exclusively on The Golf Channel. Coverage of the WGC St. Jude Invitational from TPC Southwind in Memphis is on the Golf Channel Thursday-Sunday, with CBS picking up the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday afternoons.

There are some great MLB rivalries this week. Atlanta is at St. Louis Thursday at 7:00 on ESPN. The Phillies host the Mets Saturday at 3:00, followed by Arizona at San Diego at 7:00, both on FS1. The Cubs host the White Sox is a big crosstown battle Sunday night at 6:00 on ESPN.

NASCAR drivers are back on the track this week, too, at Watkins Glen for the Go Bowling at the Glen. Coverage is on NBCSN beginning at 2:00 Sunday afternoon.

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The weather will be a little cooler this weekend – but not much. We’ll have highs around 90 (instead of around 100) and lows in the mid-70s all weekend. Get in the water – or get in the air conditioning. 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.

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 Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

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)

Cove Club in Langley

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

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 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 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

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)

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 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

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove