March 15 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

I hope you made it into Daylight Saving Time season Sunday morning. I tried to re-set my clocks when I got home at 2:00 Sunday morning, because I know that’s when the actual time change occurred. I must confess, though. I finally gave up and went to bed; and I was surprised how much easier the clock-setting task was when I got up.

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Last weekend’s start of Spring Break week was a little damp. With the lake level low, it was like Mother Nature looked down Friday and said, “Oh, no! It’s Spring Break time. I need to fill that thing up!” So, she tried to do the entire refill Friday night. It’s all good now, though. The weather for the weekend ahead looks much better! We’ll be celebrating the first day of Spring Saturday with plenty of sunshine!

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Last weekend’s “Glow Golf” event at Shangri-La was delayed because of the weather. I’m looking forward to trying that rescheduled nighttime golf event Saturday. I don’t know if playing in the dark will improve my game, but I’m pretty sure it can’t be any worse than my daytime game.

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Oklahoma City-based Sonic has reportedly authorized the sale of their popular flavored slushies with a little booze. In conjunction with COOP Ale Works, they will soon make Sonic Hard Seltzers available. Ironically, the booze-inclusive Sonic Seltzers will not be available at Sonic Drive-In Restaurants.

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ATTENTION SCHOOL TEACHERS! There is hope for significant improvement in your financial situation in life. Dan Jewett has been a science teacher for decades, most recently teaching Chemistry at Lakeside School in Seattle. Among his students are the children of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott. Apparently, the “chemistry” extended beyond the children. Last week, Dan and MacKenzie were married. I’m not sure what his net worth as a Chemistry teacher might be…but Ms. Scott’s net worth is estimated at $53 billion. Be nice to your students, teachers. And their parents.

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I will never forget a hilarious sign posting labor rates in a boat repair shop. It said, “Labor: $120 per hour. $150 if you watch. $175 if you help.” Now, the pandemic has brought on an equally innovative surcharge. Seaside Brewery on the Oregon coast enforces their mandatory mask policy this way, with a sign on their front door. “Masks required. NEW SURCHARGE: $50 if we have to explain why masks are required. $75 if we have to hear why you disagree.”

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I don’t remember a time when there were more embarrassing moments in both the Oklahoma State Legislature and the United States Congress, but this one takes the cake. Controversial U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) said the United States should not be sending financial aid to foreign countries – “Like Guam.” The Governor of Guam quickly offered to send her a history book explaining that Guam has been a U.S. Territory since 1898.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina and the Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda are now open for the season on weekends. No weekend breakfast service yet at The Quarterdeck. They open at 11:00 Saturday & Sunday. Blind Swine is now open Tuesday-Sunday from 4:00 p.m. Speaking of Blind Swine, they’re planning to open a second location May 1 at Harbors View Marina. Grand Lake Public House in Grove has discontinued lunch service. They now open at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. 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).

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK:  It’s time for the Big Meat Run at the off-road area below the Pensacola Dam in Disney. That event runs Friday-Sunday. Saturday is both the first official day of Spring – and Saturday night is the night of both the annual St. Patrick’s Day Party at Monkey Island Pub and the weather delayed “Glow Golf” nighttime golf at Shangri-La.

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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, Franklin Birt provides the live entertainment at Doc’s. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine followed by live music by The George Brothers Friday and Long Shot Saturday. Saturday night is the biggest party of the year at Monkey Island Pub, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Bagpipers will perform at 6:00 p.m. followed by DJ Robbie beginning at 9:00. There will also be Bagpipers entertaining at Sunday Brunch at Doc’s Bar & Grill.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Jon Dooly in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by The Tim Nowell Band Friday and The Chris Hyde Trio Saturday. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Brandon Butler provides the musical entertainment this week Friday night and Hudson Drive performs Saturday. At Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar, Morgan Squared will be performing Friday night, and Brett & Terri will be featured Saturday.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Oklahoma State University's "waving song" was adapted in 1908 from a Broadway show called "The Red Mill."

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 FUN FACT: Dr. James Munch, the government’s “official expert” on marijuana from 1938-1962, once testified in court, under oath, that he took two puffs of marijuana and turned into a bat.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: My tolerance for idiots is extremely low today.  I used to have some immunity built up, but obviously there is a new strain out there.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK Unfortunately, there is no lifeguard in the gene pool.  

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: No matter how bad your life is, it’s still not as bad as a person who sits around worrying about the gender of a plastic potato.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Did you know they won’t be making yardsticks any longer?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Those who actually believe taking the Covid-19 vaccination will change their DNA should see it as an opportunity.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Songwriting/singing/performing legend James Taylor, AKA Sweet Baby James, turned 73 over the weekend. The eternally young tough man Chuck Norris isn’t quite as young as he was. He turned 81 last week. We lost CBS News legend Roger Mudd over the past weekend. He was 93. And Actor Alan Hale, Jr., best known for his role as “Skipper” in the “Gilligan’s Island” television series, would have turned 100 years old last week. He died 31 years ago.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Candy Brasel, Linda Eller, Sheila Stogsdill, Carla Steckline, Dana Able, Bill Slepka, Richard Lippitt, Rusty Fleming, Tuesday Woods, Julie Londagin, Jan Smith, Paul Loving, Todd Segress, Jason Macer, and David Ogle.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Can fat people go skinny-dipping?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Clarice airs Friday night at 9:00 on CBS. 60 Minutes airs Sunday night at 6:00 on CBS. The Voice is back, airing Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:00 on NBC. Country Comfort is a new NETFLIX series available Friday. NCAA Tournament action airs daily Thursday-Monday on networks of ESPN.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: This week’s releases include limited theater releases of The Courier and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Zach Snyder’s Justice League is available on HBO Max.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I found the key to happiness. Stay away from idiots.” - Morgan Freeman

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, March 27 – Langley Easter Egg Hung at the Langley City Park and Library (11:00-1:00) sponsored by South Grand Lake Lions Club, First Christian Church of Langley and South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Saturday, April 3 – South Grand Chamber’s “Bootleggers’ Ball” at Shangri-La Resort. Thursday, April 22 – Grove Spring Job Fair (10:00-4:00) at the Grove Civic Center. Saturday, April 24 – Wild for Spring opening of The Oasis (11:00-6:00). Friday, May 14 – Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens for the season at Shangri-La Marina.

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SPORTS WATCH: March Madness is here in the college basketball world. “First Four” games are Thursday, followed by Round 1 of the tournament Friday & Saturday. Second Round games are scheduled for Sunday and Monday.

The NBA is back in full action. The OKC Thunder are on the road again - Tuesday in Chicago (7:00), Thursday in Atlanta (6:30), and Sunday afternoon at 1:00 in Houston; then Monday night at Minnesota (7:00) before returning home to host the Memphis Grizzlies next Wednesday (7:00). All games are on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

PGA players are in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida this for the Honda Classic. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel Thursday and Friday at 1:00, Saturday and Sunday at noon.  NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and noon Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Atlanta this week for Sunday’s running of the Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500. Coverage begins at 2:00 Sunday afternoon on Fox.

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Weekend weather looks like it might be a little damp, with a chance of showers most of the weekend. You never know, though. The weather gurus are only right about half the time. We’ll have high temperatures around pushing 60 and lows of about 40. It’s a great weekend to enjoy the comedy at Big Shots and live music at your favorite spot. 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