Grand Lake Bum

May 26 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

I hope everyone survived the big Memorial Day holiday weekend on Grand Lake – and I hope you found a dry spot when you needed one! We had more daytime dry weather than wet weather. Once again, it wasn’t the weather that hurt Grand Lake businesses – it was the panicky TV meteorologists and their forecasts that made viewers think it was going to rain every minute of the weekend, day and night. And yet, for much of the weekend, boaters boated, golfers golfed, pickleballers pickleballed, party animals partied and everyone who wasn’t scared away had a fabulous time. Naturally, with the holiday weekend behind us, there is not a single drop of rain in the forecast for the upcoming weekend. So, let’s all celebrate again – and wrap up the month of May with a bang!

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I spent the holiday weekend like most of my buddies – drinking. A concerned friend said, “You know, you won’t find happiness in the bottom of a bourbon bottle.” I said, “No kidding, because nobody’s happy when they’re out of bourbon!”

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The big holiday weekend did bring a grim reminder of one of the Grand Lake area’s biggest problems – irresponsible parents. I don’t blame the underage kids who are driving golf carts illegally in dangerous or forbidden places. I blame the parents who toss them the golf cart keys because they don’t want to be bothered with parental responsibility. I honestly don’t understand why parents would send their children into such dangerous situations. You wouldn’t give a 10-year-old your car keys…so why would you give them golf cart keys and send them into traffic? It is honestly Grand Lake’s biggest safety issue – especially on Monkey Island where I’m pretty sure there are more golf carts than automobiles. And, by the way, state law requires golf cart drivers to be at least 16 years old. Are any irresponsible parents listening?

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Did you auto racing fans see the newest tradition over the Memorial weekend? It was the newest holiday race – The first-ever Wienie 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You read that right. Six Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles, each themed after a regional hot dog, battled for wiener glory. The winner was the Slaw Dog. My theory is that it won because no one wanted to be close to it.

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NCAA Softball action moves on to the Women’s College World Series this week. OU Coach Patty Gasso did what everyone thought was impossible. After graduating 10 seniors off the team from last year, she built her team of newbies and babies into another powerhouse. They’re back in the WCWS for the ninth consecutive year. Good luck.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Crystal Campbell, Bill Hodge, Lori Magoulas, Linda Morrison, Ryburn McCullough, Arlene Seybolt, Brinda Russel, Ron Griffin, Adam Fuchs, Jim Sellers, Kathy DeLucco, Andrew Doney, Shaun Tune, Valerie Carter, Lacy Berryman, Tiana Douglas, and Nick Bowers.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday is Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Friday is the annual Grove Rotary Shrimpfest at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.); and Junior Golf Camp begins next week at Shangri-La – Monday-Wednesday (8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. daily). Sunday afternoon is a “Bikini Wash” at Pickles in Langley (bikes, cars, boats, golf carts – they’re not actually washing bikinis – they’re wearing the bikinis).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S FACTOID OF THE WEEK: During the 1971-72 NBA season, when Jerry West was 33 years old and considering retirement, his L.A. Lakers won 8 in a row with him in the lineup, lost three of five games he missed with an injury, then won 33 straight when he returned. West and the Lakers went on to win his first NBA Championship.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The tallest building in Oklahoma is Devon Tower in Oklahoma City, corporate headquarters for Devon Energy. Completed in 2012, the skyscraper has 50 floors, standing 844 feet tall.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: It’s illegal to sell a used mattress, but hotel guests will spend $200 per night and more to sleep on one.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Dear Men: When a woman says she’s running 5 minutes late, think 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter and both teams still have both of their timeouts. Hope this helps.

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NUMBER FUN OF THE WEEK: It started May 20 and continued Thursday, May 29…for 10 days, the dates were the same backwards or forwards: 5/20/25, 5/21/25, 5/22/25, etc.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Sportsplex Track: 1 lap=1/3 mile. 3 laps=1.2 miles.

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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: Tick warning! If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticks due to warm weather, and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around with your arms up…do NOT DO IT. This is a scam. I wish I had seen this yesterday. I feel so stupid.

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PUN OF THE WEEK: I’m writing a book about beer. I’m on my 4th draft.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: I saw a package of gummy worms labeled “no artificial flavoring.” Who buys gummy worms hoping their taste will be as much like real worms as possible?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Rabbits jump and they live for 8 years. Dogs run and they live for 15 years. Turtles do nothing and they live for 150 years. Choose wisely.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Never regret being a good person to the wrong people. Your kindness says everything about you. Their behavior says everything about them.” – Sefia

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Superstar singer/actress Cher turned 79 years old last week. George Wendt, the actor best known for playing Norm Peterson on the long-running sitcom "Cheers," died last week. He was 76.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s not as much live music around the lake as there was over the holiday weekend, but there’s plenty! On Monkey Island, Sundown Entertainment hosts Thursday night karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.) and Kevin Price performs live Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Torn will provide the music Saturday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar. Sundown Entertainment provides the entertainment Wednesday night, and DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar – and Becky Sparkman will be on stage Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, The James Muns Band will kick off the weekend Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by The Faulconers Saturday night, and Colton Kro Sunday afternoon at 3:00. DJ Lip will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster in Cleora. Michael Wayne performs both Friday & Saturday nights at Scissortail Marina.

In Grove, The Beer & Chicken Band will provide the music Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by Night Train Saturday night. There’s musical Bingo every Wednesday night and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon. 90 lb. Magic J featuring DJ Joe will be the Friday night entertainment at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday.

The Moms Unhinged comedy show will be at The Coleman Theatre in Miami Thursday night at 7:00. There are three nights of music this week at Indigo Sky Casino. TJ Scarlett starts the music Thursday night followed Chris Hyde Friday, and Bobby DeGonia Saturday.Ventriloquist & Comedian Marc Rubbén entertains Saturday night in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West. The Eli Young Band will be on stage Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace and RocKFiscH will entertain in the Backwoods Bar. There are three nights of music in Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar – Ty Ellis & the Flatliners Thursday night, Libby Starks Friday, and GenXers Saturday.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Drunken Rooster On the Water is now open at Honey Creek Landing Marina. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina, Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina, Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda, and Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Harbors View Marina are all open, as well. The Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel also now has extended summer hours – Sunday-Thursday 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – Friday & Saturday 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Juan Montez is now open until 9:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday nights.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Bob’s Burgers returns for a new season Thursday night at 7:00 on Fox. A new series, Duck Dynasty: The Revival airs Sunday night at 8:00 on A&E. American Ninja Warrior debuts a new season next Monday night at 7:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Bring Her Back and Karate Kid: Legends both open in movie theaters this weekend. Captain America: Brave New World is available on Disney+.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Saturday, June 5-7 – American Heritage Music Festival (Thursday night at Snider’s Campground/Friday & Saturday at Har-Ber Village). Friday, June 6 – Barkaritaville fundraiser for Second Chance Pet Rescue at Honey Creek Barbeque at Hilltop Inn & Suites in Grove (6:30-10:00 p.m.). Saturday, June 7 – Fairy Festival at Lendonwood Gardens. Monday, June 9 – South Grand Chamber Golf Tournament at Shangri-La (11:00 a.m.). Friday-Sunday, June 13-15 – Toes in the Grand Festival at Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, June 14 – Home of Hope Annual Banquet at Hard Rock in Catoosa (5:30 p.m.). Saturday, June 21 – Rock the Dock Comeback Tour 2025 concert at Check-In Bay (12:00-5:00 p.m.).

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It’s an incredible week for sports fans. Conference finals are well underway in the NBA (OKC-Minnesota and New York-Indiana) and in the NHL (Carolina-Florida and Dallas-Edmonton). League Championship Series in both sports begin next Thursday.

It’s also a huge week for college softball and baseball. It doesn’t get any bigger in the softball world. It’s time for the Women’s College World Series (Thursday-Monday). NCAA Regional Baseball tournaments are this week, too, Friday-Sunday).

PGA Players are in Dublin, Ohio this week. Coverage of The Memorial begins at 1 Thursday & Friday, 1:30 Saturday, and noon Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds of coverage at 4:30 Saturday and 1:30 Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Nashville for the Cracker Barrel 400. Coverage is exclusively on Prime Video again this week with coverage at 6:00 Sunday evening.

UFL football features four games in this final week of play. St. Louis is at DC Friday night (7:00). Houston is at Michigan Saturday at 2:00; and there are two games Sunday – San Antonio hosts Arlington at 11:00 and Birmingham is at Memphis at 2:00.

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Weather for the weekend ahead looks perfect. Light wind, partly cloudy skies, high temperatures in the low 80s and lows around 60. Sounds like the perfect way to roll into the month of June. There’s plenty to do this weekend, both outdoors and indoors, so get out and have some Grand Lake fun! 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.

Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)

Billy’s Burger Bar & More in Ketchum

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

BOOM in Grove (at Sailboat Bridge)

Bradford BBQ in Ketchum

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Casa Gutierrez in Gro

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s on Monkey Island

Chicken Coop west of Langley

Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)

Cove Club in Langley

Cregan’s Confections & Ice Cream (Ketchum)

Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Domino’s in Grove

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

Drift on Grand (at Sailboat Bridge in Grove)

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill (Cleora)

Drunken Rooster – on the Water (Grove)

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

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

Gambino’s Pizza in Ketchum

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Getaway Mercantile (north of Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove

Hero’s Deli in Grove

Hero’s Deli in Langley

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)

Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Legacy Eatery in Grove

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Bar on Monkey Island

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

Mosa Hibachi and Sushi in Grove

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

One-Eyed Monkey at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

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

Poppin’ on Grand in Cleora

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor

R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove

Raggedy’s in Grove

Rancho Viejo in Grove

Rise-N-Dine, Ketchum

River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)

Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

Scissortail Lounge at Scissortail Marina

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina

Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove

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 Artichoke Restaurant in Langley

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

VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove