July 10 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Boats, boats, and more boats. All weekend long there were boats in raft-ups, boats running up and down the lake, and boats filling courtesy slips at bars and restaurants – but the most amazing boats were the ones participating in the Wolf Creek Drag Boat Nationals over the weekend. Wow! What a show! Even so, there were boaters who made me shake my head as they complained because they couldn’t watch the drag boat races up close in their boat. What? Why would they want to be in the middle of a spot reserved for racing? I suppose those same people bitch when they can’t drive their car on the track during a NASCAR race!

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This weekend, there will be even more boats on the water. If you can’t find them Saturday afternoon, they’ll probably be anchored in Ketchum Cove near Willow Park Marina. It’s Aquapalooza time! Grand Lake’s ultimate on-the-water concert is Saturday beginning at 1:00. If you miss this big event, you’ll have to wait until Labor Day weekend when there’s another one – the giant two-day Boats, Beats & BBQ is scheduled for September 2-3 in Wolf Creek. Mark your calendar. (BTW, if you had the GLOC Performance Boat Challenge Poker Run on your calendar for July 29, that event has been canceled.)

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Best bet for someone who will never get out of prison? The gunman who killed 23 people in the El Paso Walmart attack in 2019. He could still face more punishment, but last week he was sentenced to 90 life sentences…to be served consecutively.

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When new laws are passed, you sometimes have to wonder what happened to make them necessary. Take, for example, Ohio’s new law allowing regulators to “exclude a person from participating in sports gaming in Ohio if the person has threatened violence or harm against players, coaches, or referees who are involved in a sporting event.” I guess gambling can be a violent sport in its own right!

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You can tell July is in full swing, because the Hallmark Channel is running non-stop Christmas movies. Walmart should have Christmas decorations out soon.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to John McFerron, Kelly Aberle, Kasidy Jeffers, Alan Kraft, Mindy Littlefield, Tina Whiteside, Dylan Hutson, Carol Fortner, John Moore, Jessica Moosmiller, John Michael Williams, Tony Russell, Melody Casper Carolyn Frans, Tevarhee Brackin, Lisa Pitts, Marquitta Jackson, Erik Altom, Judy Florida, Amanda Reed, Claudia Suits, Tammy Altman, Jimmy Young, Jay Fleming, Lori Mosler, Brooke Bolton, Angie Prideaux Jones, Joel McCorkle, Jason Eppler, Dan DeMier, Bill Flegler, Carolyn Cavins, Robert Parker, Sharon Burnett, Bailey Stanphill, Erin Davis, Bobby Stem, and Joseph H. Carter!

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. It’s another busy, busy weekend on Grand Lake. The Monkey Island 4- Ball Golf Tournament is Thursday-Saturday at Shangri-La Golf Club. The Annual Oklahoma Legislative Grand Lake Getaway is Friday & Saturday with the Legislative Golf Tournament Saturday at Shangri-La’s new Battlefield Golf Course. Friday night is the Grove Rotary Club “Shrimpfest” at Shangri-La Resort (5:30). Friday evening is the Aquapalooza VIP Party at Lighthouse Restaurant in Ketchum (6:00-9:00) and Aquapalooza Pre-Party at Sharky’s (9:00-Midnight). Saturday is the 2023 Aquapalooza on-the-water concert beginning at 1:00 in Ketchum Cove (Willow Park Marina), and the Grove Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association Car Show at Wolf Creek Park (8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Saturday is also Farmers’ Market at the Grove Community Center Lawn (9:00-2:00). Next Monday is the Grand Lake Newcomers Club “Movie Night” at Grove Cinema 7 (4:00 p.m.). Next Tuesday, the Newcomers Club will be at Boom at The Regatta for their July Meet & Eat (6:00).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Corgi comes from the Welsh for “dwarf dog.”

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: iPhones are more than 100,000 times more powerful than the computers used by NASA for the Apollo 11 moon landing.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: A scorpion is able to hold its breath for up to six days, can go a whole year without eating, can climb practically any surface, and glows in the dark.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: The cashier told me “Strip down facing me.” By the time I realized they meant the debit card, it was too late.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Wanted: Nude Dancers. Must have neat appearance and perform with dignity and modesty.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Camping: where you spend a small fortune to live like a homeless person.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I own two shirts and some neckwear that used to belong to a guy who was in The Mamas & The Papas. All the sleeves are brown, and the tie is grey.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If poison expires, is it more poisonous or is it no longer poisonous?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If you replace “W” with “T” in “What, Where and When,” you get the answer to each of them.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “For me, threads will always be clothes, and tweets will be sounds that birds make.” – Phil Van Stavern

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Actor Jamie Farr, best known for his role as Corporal Klinger on the TV series M*A*S*H, turned 89 years old last week. Snappy dresser, “Tonight Show” band leader and trumpeter extraordinaire Doc Severinsen is 96 years old. Beatles super-drummer Ringo Starr turned 83; and actor Mel Brooks turned 97. “Rock Around the Clock” was the first rock-n-roll record to reach #1…sixty-eight years ago.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off on Doc’s Patio Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun at the Thursday night Shrimp Boil. Scott Musick performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar features Whiskey Poet Society Saturday night. Terry Jordan entertains at The Summit Restaurant Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings. DJ K-Bandito hosts the weekend musical fun at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze Friday & Saturday nights featuring DJ Mo Friday night and Magen Faulconer live Saturday night this week; and across the street, there’s karaoke on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday nights. DJ Kennedy brings Rockstar Karaoke fun to Monkey Island Pub Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, Wilkie Jay kicks off the weekend Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill followed by The Barrett Lewis Band both Friday and Saturday nights. Magen Faulconer will handle the tunes Sunday afternoon at 4:30. RocKFiscH will entertain Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina for the big Aquapalooza pre-party, and South of Vertical will be on stage Saturday night. Sharky’s also features Jon Moody Sunday afternoon. The weekend musical fun always starts on Thursday nights with karaoke fun at The Drunken Rooster. This week, Glam will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at the Rooster followed by Jukebox Hero Saturday night. House Party will provide the music Saturday afternoon at Willow Park Marina in Ketchum Cove for the 2023 Aquapalooza Party beginning at 1:00.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music from Morgan Squared Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. Ce Ce & Company will entertain Friday night at R Bar. Midnight South entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Bobby DeGonia Saturday night. Brent Giddens will be at Cherokee Casino next Wednesday evening at 6:00.

In Miami, enjoy The Golden Sounds of The Platters Saturday night at the Coleman Theater (7:00 p.m.).

Jon Dooly kicks off the weekend Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Swade Diablos Friday night and Uncrowned Kings Saturday.

Stonehorse will provide the music Saturday night at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West. Casey Donahew will be in concert at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace Friday night.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Lee’s Resort Café is now open daily from 8:00-8:00. Two Chefs Chillin’ mobile food cart is now operating Saturday nights from 8:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. at Monkey Island Pub. The Galley at Shangri-La’s Anchor Activity Park now offers food service seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. Shebang is now serving Sunday Brunch (9:00-2:00).

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Two back-to-back episodes of What We Do In The Shadows air Thursday night at 9:00 on FX. The Lincoln Lawyer is available on NETFLIX. Season two of The Summer I Turned Pretty kicks off Friday on Prime Video.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Gray Matter is available on MAX and The Jewel Thief is on HULU, both on Thursday. Theater Camp opens in movie theaters Friday, joining Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, July 20 – Shangri-La Junior Club Championship Tournament. Thursday, July 20 – Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at Legacy Event Center (5:30). Friday & Saturday, July 21-22 – Rigs at the Run truck show at Buffalo Run Casino. Saturday & Sunday, July 22-23 – Shangri-La Club Championship Tournament. Saturday, July 22 – Benefit Concert for Dwayne George at Grand Meridian RV Park (5:00 p.m.). Saturday, July 29 – Benefit Bike Rally & Silent Auction for Jon & Tami Wilson at Monkey Island Pub (3:00). Saturday & Sunday, September 2-3 – Boats, Beats & BBQ Festival & Formula 1 Powerboat Racing at Wolf Creek Park in Grove.

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Professional tennis has the sports spotlight this weekend. It’s Wimbledon wrap-up weekend. Ladies’ Semifinals and the Mixed Doubles Championship are both Thursday. Men’s Semifinals are Friday. Ladies Singles Finals and Men’s Doubles Finals are both Saturday; and the Men’s Championship and Ladies Doubles Championships are both Sunday. All on the networks of ESPN/ABC beginning early in the mornings (7:00 or 8:00).

Professional Golfers are all around the globe this week. The Barbasol Championship is in Kentucky with coverage exclusively on the Golf Channel beginning at 3:00 Thursday-Sunday. The big kids are at the Genesis Scottish Open in Scotland (duh!). Coverage begins at 7:30 a.m. Thursday & Friday and 9:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel before CBS picks up the final two rounds.

NASCAR drivers are in New Hampshire this week for the Crayon 301. Coverage begins at 1:30 Sunday on USA network.

There’s some good pro baseball on TV this week, too, following the All-Star break. Cleveland is at Texas Saturday at 3:00 followed by the White Sox at Atlanta at 6:00. Houston is in L.A. to face the Angels Sunday at 6:00 – and Minnesota is at Seattle Monday night at 8:30.

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Since it’s July, the meteorologists seem obligated to put a “chance of thunderstorms” in every forecast for every day but, other than that, the weather for the weekend ahead looks great. Highs will be around 90 degrees with lows around 70 – and sunshine most of the time during the day. Let’s hope for great weather, because it’s a huge weekend for outdoor festivities. 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

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Blue Cat Bistro at Har-Ber Village

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

Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove

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

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

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

Hero’s Deli 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

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

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 Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

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