March 1 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Welcome Back to Grand Lake. One week after low temperatures were below zero, folks were lined up to get their boats dewinterized to take advantage of mid-60 temperatures last weekend. It’s probably a good thing. This weekend’s weather looks good, too – and it’s “Welcome Back Weekend,” complete with a poker run Saturday and the Grand Lake Boat Show all weekend. There are fishing tournaments, lots of live entertainment, and a big 50s & 60s Sock Hop Saturday night at Big Shots. The official first day of spring is still two weeks away, but it looks like it’s already well underway at Grand Lake! Prepare to extend your daytime fun. Daylight Saving Time returns next week!

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Speaking of Daylight Saving Time, Representative Kevin West (R-Moore) has re-introduced tired old legislation to do away with Daylight Saving Time in Oklahoma. I can’t think if a bigger kick in the head for Grand Lake tourism where additional afternoon daylight time on the water is a big boost for our economy. If he’s too lazy to change his clock twice a year, a better solution would be to have Daylight Saving Time year-round (although that requires permission from the U.S. Congress). Life is confusing enough without the time of day being different in Miami or Grove than it is in Joplin. Our legislators need to find a more productive way to spend their time – and your money.

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There are a few certain signs of the season change at the lake, and I can report the first official sign of better weather ahead. While I was enjoying a beverage on my balcony over the past weekend, I was joined by a couple of dozen Lady Bugs – and one pesky fly. I don’t know where or how they survived the February weather – but they’re here!

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The biggest new Grand Lake attraction in decades should be open before Memorial Day. The opening of the new $10.5 million indoor/outdoor activity center – “The Anchor” – at Shangri-La Resort is planned for sometime in May. If you haven’t seen the construction progress, it’s quite an incredible thing to see. Grand Lake has yet another new major tourism attraction right around the corner!

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It looks like our Oklahoma priorities haven’t changed recently. The reputable 24/7wallst.com website reports that Oklahoma has the seventh worst performing schools in the country. On the other hand, USA Today last week named Gathering Place in Tulsa as the Best City Park in the United States. We may not care if we’re smart, but we want to make damn sure we have fun!

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American politics this year is nothing if not absolutely fascinating. The best fiction writers in the world couldn’t come up with this. The QAnon wackos who were confused as to why Joe Biden was inaugurated as President instead of Donald Trump had a big setback when that happened, but I don’t know what will happen to them after this week. Their anonymous leader “Q” has them all fired up for the actual inauguration of Trump as President this week. It reminds me of an old Will Rogers quote: “I don’t make jokes. I just watch government and report the facts.”

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Things that make you go “hmmm.” Apparently confused about which branch of government does what – and the difference between state and federal government, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a bill last week allowing the state legislature to declare federal laws and Executive Orders unconstitutional. What was the great line in the old Esurance commercial? “That’s not how it works. That’s not how ANY of this works!”

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The Oklahoma City metro area must be growing. They’re getting another area code. If you see that 572 area code popping up on your phone, don’t worry. It’s not a new trick-dial from India checking on your automobile warranty. It’s the newest OKC area code. Toby Keith may have to get another cap to go with his famed “405” cap.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Blind Swine is now open Tuesday-Sunday from 4:00 p.m. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is now open Friday-Sunday. Grand Lake Public House in Grove has discontinued lunch service. They now open at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Another new venue is open at Shangri-La Resort – The Monkey Grind Coffee shop in the resort hotel is now open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m., proudly serving Starbucks® coffee. Doc’s Bar & Grill features Prime Rib Thursday night and all-you-can-eat ribs Friday night. The Road Hog Saloon now offers breakfast service Wednesday-Sunday. 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). Peggy Howard-Burgess will be the featured Guest Chef at The Shebang Wednesday, March 10.

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK:  Wow! What a week of fun! Cherokee Casino Grove has reopened following their closure to reduce power usage during the recent threat of outages. Wednesday (6:00-8:00) is the drive-through Home of Hope Chocolate Affair on Safari. That is also the first night of a six-week Wednesday night Texas Hold ‘em Tournament at Blind Swine.

The Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show is at the Grove Civic Center Thursday-Sunday. The MLF College Fishing National Championship is underway out of Wolf Creek Park through Friday. This week is the year’s inaugural “First Friday Wine Share” at Rustic Rehab in Grove.

“Welcome Back Weekend” has officially arrived. The Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run, by land or by Grand is Saturday beginning at 10:00. Poker Run stops are Arrowhead, Cherokee, Hammerhead, Cedar Port, and Mooney’s. Saturday is also the Anglers in Action tournament in Wolf Creek.

Saturday night is the big “Pisces Rock Sock Hop” at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze on Monkey Island. The party begins at 6:00. Be sure to wear your 50s/60s costume and those white socks!  Saturday, March 6 – Anglers in Action (Wolf Creek).

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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, Clint Ingram provides the live entertainment at Doc’s. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine.

On South Grand, there are two nights of great Welcome Back Weekend entertainment at Mooney’s Sunset Bary & Grill.  The Barrett Lewis Band will be on stage Friday night, followed by Dustin Pittsley Saturday night.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Brett & Terri in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Travis Kidd Friday and The Rumor Saturday. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Aces Wild provides the musical entertainment this week both Friday and Saturday nights. At Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar, The Brandon Butler Band will be performing Friday night, and Whiskey Poet Society will be featured Saturday.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The daughter of Grigori Rasputin, the so-called Mad Monk, immigrated to the U.S. after the Russian Revolution and became a lion tamer.

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QUARANTINE TIP: I just cleaned my kitchen floor using only my feet and some baby wipes, without spilling my cocktail…if anybody needs a life coach.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: That awkward moment when a nap becomes sleep and you wake up confused about what year you’re in.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (actually seen on a pizza box): Open box before eating pizza.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: What doesn’t kill you gives you a set of unhealthy coping mechanisms and a dark sense of humor.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Did you hear about the cannibal who passed his brother in the woods?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I’ve started investing in stocks: beef, chicken, and vegetable...one day I hope to be a bouillonaire.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The iconic American poet, painter, social activist and publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti died last week – just a month short of his 102^nd birthday. Beatle George Harrison’s birthday was last week. He would have been 78 years old. It’s hard to believe he died 20 years ago.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Curtis Kahle, Jim Brown, Tom Workman, Ross Gray, Bradley Jumper, Tara Smith, Mike Schwers, Lisa Cookson, Tammy Pameticky, Debia Feldman, Cindy Morrison, Jenny Lee, Leigh Thompson, Kim Davenport, and Tiffany Holbrook.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do we wait until night to call it a day?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News is available Thursday on Paramount+. The 2021 Critics Choice Awards ceremony airs live Sunday night at 7:00 on CW. Season 10 of The Walking Dead also premieres Sunday night at 8:00 on AMC. The new series Good Girls debuts Sunday night at 9:00 on NBC. The Voice is back for another season Monday & Tuesday nights at 7:00, also on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: There are some good new movie releases this week. Raya and the Last Dragon premieres in movie theaters and (for an additional charge) on Disney+. Coming 2 America is available on Prime Video; and The Devil Below is available for rent.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn’t work and they get elected and prove it.” – P.J. O’Rourke

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday March 12 (7:30) and Sunday, March 14 (2:00) – only two live performances of the comedy “Slow Food” at Playmakers in Grove. Saturday, March 13 -Glow Golf at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, March 13 – St. Patrick’s Day Comedy Show at Big Shots on Monkey Island. Sunday, March 14 – First day of Daylight Saving Time. Friday-Sunday, March 19-21 – Big Meat Run at the offroad area below the Pensacola Dam in Disney. Saturday, March 20 – Official First Day of Spring. Saturday, March 20 – St. Patrick’s Day Party at Monkey Island Pub.  Saturday, April 3 – South Grand Chamber’s “Bootleggers’ Ball” at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, April 24 – Wild for Spring opening of The Oasis (11:00-6:00).

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SPORTS WATCH: The NBA regular season wraps up the first half of the season topped off by the All-Star Game Sunday. The OKC Thunder are in Dallas Wednesday night (7:30) and San Antonio Thursday (8:00) before the break. Both games are on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

Sunday’s all-star action begins on TNT at 5:30 with the Skills Competition followed by the All-Star Game at 7:00. The popular Slam-Dunk Competition will be held at halftime.

In college hoops, there are a few make-up games before next week’s Big XII Tournament (March 10).  Wednesday night, Texas is at OU and OSU is at Baylor. Saturday, OSU is on the road at West Virginia.

PGA players are in Orlando this week for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  Coverage is on The Golf Channel beginning at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and 11:30 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 1:30 Saturday & Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Las Vegas this week for Sunday’s running of the Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube. Coverage begins at 2:30 Sunday afternoon on Fox.

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Welcome Back Weekend weather looks perfect for the Spring Season kick-off. We’ll have partly cloudy skies, high temperatures around 60 and lows of about 40. It’s time to get outside and play again. There’s plenty happening this weekend, so plan your agenda. 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

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