July 18 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

It was plenty hot, for sure – but everything else turned out fantastic for the highly anticipated Aquapalooza on-the-water concert & show over the past weekend. It turned out to be more than an afternoon concert, though. It actually put everybody in the mood to party all weekend – pre-event parties, VIP parties, post-event parties…even parties completely on the other side of the lake. It’s good that everybody spread the fun completely across the Grand Lake area, though because there were WAY TOO MANY LAKERS to gather in one section of the lake. Congratulations to the 360grandlake.com crew and everybody else who had a part in putting this great event together. Next such big event? Redneck Raft-Out Saturday of Labor Day Weekend in Check-In Bay. Mark your calendar.

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You may or may not be aware that NFL players are prohibited from being involved with commercials promoting consumption of alcoholic beverages. KC Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has conspired with Coors to get around that rule. He’s now promoting “Coors Light.” Wait. It’s an actual flashlight. Yes, it’s silver like a can of the popular beer. Yes, the logo is exactly the same. Yes, it comes in 12 and 16 oz. sizes. But, when he opens the lid, what pours out is not beer. It’s batteries. Hmmm. Walks like a duck. Quacks like a duck. We’ll have to wait and see how this works out, I guess.

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We have company coming this week. I always look forward to the Oklahoma Legislative Grand Lake Getaway Weekend each year. It gives legislators from around the state the opportunity to see all we contribute to the tourism, recreation, and economic development picture through GRDA and Grand Lake civic activities. Hopefully, that will keep away the frequently offered (but always foolish) idea of selling GRDA. The main problem with term limits is that all the new legislators think they have brilliant new ideas when, in fact, they just don’t have enough history to know which stupid ideas didn’t work in the past.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Tricia Covel, Jack Kirkpatrick, Liz Poole, Bobbie Callison, Dennis McCulla, Shawn Webb, David Poindexter, Kent Jopling, Cindy Dunavant, Randy Sullivan, Christina Riggs, Peggy Kiefer-Steed, Heather Lillard, Katie Merrill, Michelle Brauckmann, Susie Kraft, Tim Carson, Dick Lillard, Darlene Flegler, Toni Stanley, Steve Grothjan, Karen Karr, Brandon Sharpe, and Jeff Moll.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: It’s another busy Grand Lake week. The Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet is Thursday evening at Events on Third in Grove. Playmakers in Grove presents live performances of “Nunsense” Thursday & Friday evenings at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 2:00. Friday is the weekly wine tasting at Grove Royal Liquor beginning at 4:00. Friday is also a Couples Nine & Wine event at Shangri-La Golf Club at 5:30. This week is the annual Oklahoma Legislative Grand Lake Getaway Weekend with a variety of events around the lake including a dinner Friday evening and a golf tournament Saturday, both at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday & Sunday are also dates for the Shangri-La Club Championship Tournament, and next Tuesday is the Shangri-La Junior Club Championship Tournament. The summer Kids Sports Camp at The Anchor at Shangri-La is next Monday-Thursday.  

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Oklahoma State University’s Gallagher-Iba Arena was originally named the 4-H Club and Student Activity Building.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: A business building containers to store funeral ashes is a great way to urn a living.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I’ve ordered some German food over the internet. The sauerkraut has arrived, but the wurst is yet to come.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Don’t expect me to stop if you’re broken down by the side of the road. You were offered plenty of opportunities to extend your car warranty.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I found a recipe from Morocco for homemade dinner rolls. It called for fresh thyme, but mine was outdated. I used it, anyway. As I reminisce, I really like that old thyme Moroccan roll.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Did you know? When you walk through a door and forget why you’re there, it could be because you ran into an alien and he had to erase your memory so he could escape.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If you serve your kids frozen pizza or chicken nuggets for dinner, you are a terrible parent. I don’t care how busy you are. Find the time to microwave them.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: How old can you be and still portray action figures and adventure heroes? Well, Harrison Ford turned 80 last week. One of the greatest singers of our time also celebrated a birthday last week. Linda Ronstadt turned 76.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The door of a bigoted mind opens outwards so that the only result of the pressure of facts upon it is to close it more snugly.” – Ogden Nash

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke & Shrimp Boil with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Jacob Dement performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night; and Terry Jordan tickles the ivories both Friday and Saturday nights at The Summit. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar features Friday night entertainment by Whiskey Poet Society followed by Midas 13 Saturday night. Thursday and Tuesday nights are karaoke nights with DJ Mo at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, Erin Fitzgibbon entertains early both Wednesday and Friday night at the Swine. There is karaoke fun on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday nights while DJ K-Bandito provides the dance music both nights across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and Saturday is karaoke & line dancing with DJ Chris Kennedy at Monkey Island Pub.

On South Grand Lake, Dustin Moore leads the Thursday night karaoke fun at the Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill. Brent Giddens takes over entertainment Friday night followed by Jump Suit Love Saturday. Magen Faulconer performs Friday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek, and the Slide Bayou Band will be on stage on Duck Creek Swine Sunday afternoon at 1:00.

Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina opens the weekend entertainment Friday night with Crash Funk. Home Skillet entertains Saturday night, and James Muns will perform Sunday afternoon. Randy Steele will entertain Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Jake Flint Friday. Jake will return for a Sunday matinee performance beginning at 4:00. Ugly’s Grill & Bar now features karaoke entertainment with KJ Flip and DJ Sweet Daddy D every Friday night, and a special Saturday night performance this week by Jason Wood & the Highway 69ers.

In Grove, Twice as Nice Harpists provide the Friday night entertainment indoors at The Regatta while Backwood County performs on the rooftop. Lyle Parman will be on stage at Cherokee Casino Grove Friday night, followed by Encore Saturday night. There is karaoke Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music from Tim Nowell Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents James Neal in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features One for the Money, followed by Tim Nowell Saturday.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: In addition to their regular menu, Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La features “Seafood Theme Week” Wednesday-Thunder, offering Bang Bang Shrimp, Jerk Salmon, and Smoked Whitefish Dip. Shag’s Stacks & Pitchforks Food Truck is now at Marina Del Rey Resort every weekend. “Brunch & Bloody Marys” is a new offering at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, Saturday & Sunday mornings 9:00-Noon.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The fabulous Paul Newman/Joanne Woodward story The Last Movie Stars premieres as a six-part docu-series Thursday night on HBO Max. Secret Celebrity Renovation airs at 7:00 Friday night on CBS. Better Call Saul is back on AMC Monday night at 8:00.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Nope opens in movie theaters this week, joining Thor: Love and Thunder and Minions: The Rise of Gru will make room for them). The Last Movie Stars premiers Thursday on HBO Max and The Gray Man is available on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Saturday, July 29-30 – Route 66 Heritage Fest in downtown Miami. Friday & Saturday, August 5-6 – Run a Monkey Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, August 6 – Hot August Nights Float-Up Movie Night at Marina Del Rey Resort. Friday, August 12 – Mary Moore Charity Event & Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, August 13 – Cruise Night in Jay. Monday-Tuesday, August 15-16 – Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association Partnership Championship Tournament at Shangri-La. Wednesday-Saturday, August 24-27 – Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in Vinita. Friday-Sunday, August 26-28 – Women’s Weekend at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, September 3 – Redneck Raft-Out in Check In Bay. Thursday-Saturday, September 8-10 – Harvest Fest 2022 at Camp Copperhead in Spavinaw. Thursday, September 15 – 84^th REC Drive-Thru Event (3 p.m.)

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PGA golfers are in Minnesota this week for the 3M Open. Live coverage begins at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds Saturday and Sunday at 2:00.

NASCAR drivers are at Pocono this week for the M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400. Coverage begins at 2:00 Sunday afternoon on USA Network.

Following the All-Star break, there are some great Major League Baseball games televised this weekend. Houston is at Seattle Saturday afternoon at 3:00 followed by San Francisco at L.A. Dodgers at 6:00 and Texas at Oakland at 8:00. Sunday night, the Mets host San Diego at 6:00 before hosting the Yankees Tuesday night at 6:00.

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There are only three words in the weather forecast: hot, hot, hot. Weekend high temperatures will likely be three digits with sunshine and nighttime low temperatures in the mid 70s. It’s gonna be a warm one, but there’s plenty of action around the lake. Remember, though, no matter where 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

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

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

Cafeteria at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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 on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor

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)

Forage in downtown Grove & The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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

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)

Monkey Island RV Resort

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

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)

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 (smoking...but not at lunch)

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 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

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove