July 19 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Another great weekend of on-the-water music is in the books. If you missed Aquapalooza last Saturday, you missed a fabulous show – and a great turnout! Congratulations to the 360grandlake team for all their hard work putting together such a fun afternoon. I’m sure a few of the late hangers on got a little damp boating home, but the torrential rains were at least considerate enough to let a great afternoon of music and fun run its course before the sky opened Saturday night. Next up? Redneck Raft Out coming to Check-In Bay Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. Mark your calendar.

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We also got to show off all Grand Lake has to offer to state legislators from all over the state over the past weekend. Thanks to everyone who showed them a good time. It’s always to our benefit. Maybe they’ll even give up the wacko idea of selling GRDA for a while!

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Who knew there was such a thing as Major League WIFFLE® Ball? Yep. I saw it with my own eyes. The Oklahoma series MLW competition at The Anchor at Shangri-La last week was too much fun! Three games between a couple of professional teams, plus a chance to for youngsters to learn a little from the pros. Judging from the crowd response, I’m sure we have a new professional sport that will be on the field regularly, right here at Grand Lake! Go figure.

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This has to be the ultimate irony. Mike Lindell (the My Pillow guy) says August 13 is the day Donald Trump will be reinstated as President. Guess that else August 13 is….National Kool-Aid Day.  No, really. It’s the second Friday in August every year. You can’t make this stuff up.

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Last weekend, the major split in the Oklahoma Republican Party showed itself. The Republican State Committee Saturday rejected a motion to censure their own two sitting United States Senators and ask them to resign. But the vote was 112-93. Every few years, it seems like one or the other of the major political parties goes into cannibalistic mode and starts eating their own.

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If you’re gearing up for the Olympic Games which get underway Thursday, you may want to catch the newest sports. Several have been added to the summer games – baseball/softball, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate, and Sport Climbing (whatever that is).

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Congratulations are in order for Grand Lake’s own Toby Keith. It was announced over the weekend that he’ll be inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame this Fall. BTW, he also has a new album coming out this Fall – Peso in My Pocket. It’s his first studio album in six years! We’re proud to have him as a fixture at Grand Lake!

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Monkey Island Pub is open again following a week of closure for owners’ vacay. The Galley is now open Thursday-Monday at The Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La. The newly revitalized Cove Club is now open in Langley for breakfast, lunch & dinner Monday-Saturday and breakfast & lunch Sundays. 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: Thursday is the South Grand Lake Chamber monthly Membership Luncheon at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley. Thursday evening, the Grove Chamber of Commerce will hold a “Business After Hours” event at United Fidelity Funding Corp. Saturday is Farmers’ Market Day at the Grove Community Center (9:00-2:00). It’s a huge golf weekend at Shangri-La. The Junior Club Championship Tournament is scheduled Thursday & Friday, and the 2021 Club Championship Tournament is Saturday & 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, Mark Gibson entertains at Doc’s. DJ C-Dub provides the music Friday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar, followed by After Party 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 – the hottest dance club in the Four States. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine – and he’s back for more Karaoke & Cocktails Sunday night – 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, Franklin Birt performs Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney, followed by Dustin Pittsley Saturday night and a solo performance by Jamey Hooper late Sunday afternoon. 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. Mike Barham will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at Sharky’s; and Corey Timmons performs Saturday afternoon, followed by Stereo Type Saturday night.

In Grove, entertainment starts Thursday night at The Regatta with Brett & Terri. Friday night, KJ Flip will host the karaoke fun; and Saturday entertainment is Until Now.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Kenny Sweet & Company in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Runnin’ on Empty Friday night, and the Bobby DeGonia Band Saturday. Friday night, Retrorockerz entertain Friday night in Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Casino. House Party will take over Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, Encore provides the entertainment Friday night, followed by Morgan Squared Saturday night.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Cholula, in central Mexico, dates from several centuries before Christ and is thought to be the oldest continually occupied city in the western hemisphere.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Pandas basically only eat bamboo, which also happens to be incredibly hard to digest. That means that these adorable animals must eat about 30 pounds of the stuff each day to get enough nutrients – and they poop about four-fifths of that amount.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: News flash! No one is forcing you to be vaccinated. Honestly, we just hoped you were smart enough to do it.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: You are NOT almost there.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Don’t call me “honey” and expect it to soften the fact that you SHRUNK the KIDS!

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Shopping centers: if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen the mall.  

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: News flash! No one is forcing you to be vaccinated. Honestly, we just hoped you were smart enough to do it.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The fabulous Woodyfest event over the past weekend in Oklahoma reminds us of our aging roots. The legendary Woody Guthrie would have been 109. If that’s not shocking enough, his folk-singing son, Arlo Guthrie (Alice’s Restaurant) turned 74 last week.  Former Beatle drummer Ringo Starr also celebrated a birthday last week. He is 81.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Tricia Covel, Jack Kirkpatrick, Liz Poole, Dennis McCulla, Shawn Webb, Kent Jopling, David Poindexter, Cindy Dunavant, Randy Sullivan, Christina Riggs, Peggy Kiefer-Steed, Heather Lillard, Katie Merrill, Susie Kraft, Tim Carson, Dick Lillard, John Castelli, Darlene Flegler, Jeff Moll, Steve Grothjan, Karen Karr, Toni Stanley, Brandon Sharpe, Mims Talton III, Yana Livesay, Jim Conner, Doyle Junker, and Joe Allbaugh.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If your electric car runs out of power on the interstate, do you walk to a charging station and get a bucket of electricity?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: 2021 Olympic Summer Games coverage is live at 5:00 a.m. daily on NBC beginning Thursday with prime time coverage nightly at 7:00. Masters of the Universe: Revelation debuts on NETFLIX this week. Roswell New Mexico airs Monday night at 7:00 on CW.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Old and Snake Eyes open in theaters this week. Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans and Blood Red Sky are available on NETFLIX. Jolt is available on Prime Video and Broken Diamonds is on the rental market.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits in baseball. It took one afternoon on the golf course.” – Hank Aaron

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SAVE THE DATE: Sunday-Monday, August 1-2 – Shangri-La Invitational Golf Tournament. Friday, August 6 – Dock Shots at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, August 7 – Run a Monkey Tournament at Shangri-La. Sunday, August 8 – PGA Oakley Cup Tournament at Shangri-La. Friday, August 13 – Shangri-La Sunset Cruise (7:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, August 13-15 – Women’s Getaway Weekend at Shangri-La. Monday-Tuesday, August 16-17 WOGA Partnership Championship Tournament at Shangri-La. Friday, August 20 – Mary Moore Charity Event & Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. 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).

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SPORTS WATCH: Believe it or not, it’s time for the 2021 Olympics! Live coverage is on the various networks for NBC, plus Peacock. Nightly prime time coverage is on NBC.

The NBA is all about Milwaukee and Phoenix now, and the end is near. The Championship series continues with Phoenix at Milwaukee Tuesday night at 8:00. The series continues (if necessary) with game 7 Thursday at 8:00. Games are on ABC.

The PGA players who aren’t in Japan competing in the Olympics are back in the United States this week teeing off in the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota the day before the Olympics get underway. Coverage is on The Golf Channel beginning at 1:30 Thursday & Friday, and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.

There are some great MLB rivalries this week. The Red Sox host the Yankees Saturday at 3:00 followed by Tampa Bay at Cleveland at 6:00 (FS1). Sunday night, the Brewers host the White Sox at 6:00 on ESPN.

 NASCAR drivers are taking a little time off for the Olympics. They’ll be back on the track at Watkins Glen August 8.

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Weather for the weekend ahead will be more like something you would expect in Oklahoma in July – hot, sunny, and humid. We’ll have highs in the mid-90s and lows in the mid-70s. 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

Red’s Buffet & Ice Cream in Disney

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

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove