Summertime is trying to sneak away. Last Wednesday was the last 8:00 p.m. sunset until next April. It’s not sneaking away quickly, though. We’ll have triple-digit heat for the next several days.
As we kick off a new month, it’s another big summer holiday weekend. With the big crowds here for the holiday, I know we have a lot of folks coming in for the weekend who may not be familiar with my official Grand Lake Bum Holiday Rules of Behavior, so here they are again: No fighting, no puking, no hitting on someone else’s date, no griping at overworked servers and bartenders, no bragging about how much money you have (or your parents have), no drunk driving, no public nudity (private nudity is okay), no yelling, no discussion of religion — and especially no politics!
As with all holiday weekends, you may have a little longer wait for a seat, a drink, or some food. Be nice to everyone who is working so you can play. Everyone is always understaffed for the influx of holiday weekend visitors. If everybody who’s coming to the lake over the holiday weekend would come visit every weekend, all the businesses could staff up for those giant crowds. So, keep in mind — if I get my drink before you do, it’s because I’m there every day all year long. Bartenders already know what I want — and they know I’ll be sitting on the same stool in December. So, maybe you should buy a house and a boat while you’re here and come join us for the party all year!
I guess Governor Stitt doesn’t want to give up being governor. He issued an executive order trying to call an election April 6, 2027 to give Oklahomans the chance to decide whether or not Oklahoma should have a new constitutional convention. I guess he wants to blame whomever is governor next April for the election outcome…because it won’t be him.
As a result of his tariff war with Canada, President Trump has signed an Executive Order renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Of course, he has no authority to do that, just like he had no authority to rename the Gulf of Mexico — but it has sparked more fun. Canadian officials have joked about renaming the Mississippi River — or renaming the United States as “South Canada” — or maybe renaming Lake Michigan as “Lake Obama.” At any rate, nobody will remember this in a year or two…just like we forgot all about the “Gulf of America.” Our maps and GPS systems can still navigate us along the coast of the “Gulf of Mexico.”
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, someone posted a pretty funny AI post of giant windmill turbines on the Grand Lake Shoreline with the caption, “Grand Lake considers installing giant fans to cool the lake.” I thought it was pretty funny until dozens of people started commenting on the post, opposing the “fan” installations and complaining about GRDA. You can’t fix stupid.
It’s not a new golf course — but it has new ownership and a new name. The Wyandotte Nation has purchased Peoria Ridge Golf Course in Miami from the Peoria Tribe; and it has a new name: Fire Ridge Golf Course. Fire away!
Grand Lake Bum Shout-Outs
Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Tessa Cook, Patricia Dunn, Marilyn Mlnarik, Cathy Storey, Michelle Deardorff, Stephanie Hollingshead, Trevor Randall, Wayne Moorhead, Dawn Faulconer, Delana Bentley, Kim Quillin, Mike Hamsher, Margo Hamsher, Ty Tyler, Kim Shearer, Ed Trumbull, Kenton Wheatley, Emi Baggett, Julie Benge, Amber Funderburk, Karla Ruth, and Kate Lindley.
Best Grand Lake Events This Week
There’s no shortage of action around the lake this holiday weekend. Aside from live music at virtually every venue on the lake, BullFest is Saturday at Wolf Creek Park in Grove (gates open 5:30 p.m., live music 6:30 p.m., bulls buck 7:30 p.m.). Jana Jae’s Fiddle Camp is also Friday and Saturday — evening events at Snider’s Camp and daytime events at Foundation Free Will Baptist Church. Saturday is the Grand River Dam Paddle below the Pensacola Dam (10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.); and Sunday afternoon is a Grove High School All-Class Reunion at the Grove Middle School (2:00 p.m.).
Randy Krehbiel's Random Factoid of the Week
In its early days, the Harley-Davidson racing team kept a live piglet as a mascot, which is why the company’s motorcycles became known as “hogs.”
Fun Fact of the Week
Is history repeating itself? When each player was 27 years and 190 days old, Russell Westbrook and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had scored the exact same number of points — 12,598.
Odd Fact of the Week
The open box of baking soda in your refrigerator is not science. It is a 1972 Arm & Hammer ad campaign built to sell a product sitting unused in millions of American pantries.
Best Facebook Post of the Week
I saw a bumper sticker that said “I’m a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like a animal.” Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the roads!
Word Fun This Week
Just found out there’s no popcorn in popcorn shrimp. Guess there’s no reason to try pot roast.
Best Sign Seen This Week
Anyone caught exiting through this door will be asked to leave!
Best Bluesky Post of the Week
It appears that, if you want to live longer, you have to give up all the things that make you want to live longer.
Pun of the Week
My 4-year-old grand-nephew can’t say “please” in Spanish. I mean, isn’t that poor for four?
Unanswered Question of the Week
What if they aren’t stars at all, but holes poked in the top of the container so we can breathe?
Observation of the Week
I’ll bet the YMCA dance is a lot harder to do in Chinese.
Quote of the Week
“I know this sounds corny and cringey and naïve and whatever, but Dolly Parton felt like America when it was trying to be the place it promised to be.”
– Mark DruckerFeel-Old Moments of the Week
The Queen of Country Music is gone. We lost megastar Dolly Parton last week at the age of 80. We also lost longtime TV star and singer Shelley Fabares last week. She was 82 years old; and former President Bill Clinton turned 80 years old this month.
Best Weekend Live Entertainment
On Monkey Island, Tim Robinson kicks off the weekend Thursday night with karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Scott Musick will be on stage at Doc’s Friday night (6:00–9:00) followed by Motown & Disco hits with a DJ Saturday night. Classic Rock is on tap Friday night with DJ Kyle at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar followed by live music from The Kevin Price Band Saturday night. Eddy’s wraps up the 2026 season Sunday night with 80s, 90s, and 2000s Hits (8:30 p.m.). There’s Music Bingo with DJ Kyle Sunday night at The Anchor (9:00 p.m.). There’s karaoke with Sundown Entertainment at The Monkey Bar Friday night followed by live music from Zimmeroo Saturday night. Terry Jordan will be at the keyboard Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at The Summit at Shangri-La. Robbi Bell will be at The Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda Friday night followed by Dustin Treiber Saturday and a matinee performance Sunday by Magen Faulconer (12:00–3:00). Magen Faulconer will also perform at South 125 Bar & Grill to wrap up the weekend Monday night.
On South Grand Lake, Travis Kidd kicks off weekend fun Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. The Hydramatics are featured Friday night at Mooney’s, followed by Michele Warren & Soupbone Saturday night, and a special Monday afternoon Labor Day performance by the Smith Brothers (2:00 p.m.). RocKFiscH will entertain Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina followed by Empire Saturday night and Brent Giddens & The Mechanics Sunday night.
In Grove, Paralandra will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino. Ty Ellis & the Flatliners take over Saturday night followed by Michael J Sunday night (6:00). Laid-Back Larry hosts karaoke Saturday night at Alpha Bar.
Brett & Terri start the weekend music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Dino D and the D Train Band Friday. Members Only will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night followed by Hollywood Riot Saturday night. Confederate Railroad will be in concert Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s outdoor venue and comedian Rodney Carrington will entertain Saturday night at Buffalo Run’s Indoor Peoria Showplace. Blues Doctors are the featured entertainers Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.
Dining & Drinking Update
Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove has announced they are closed permanently. The “Back Bar” has now reopened at South 125 Bar & Grill — and they are also offering a late-night menu 9:00 p.m.–midnight Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Sunday is the final day of the season at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar and Monday is the season’s final day at Sharky’s. BOOM at The Regatta in Grove is now closed for the season (Drift is still open). Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney is now closed on Tuesdays. The former “Stuff’ns Café” in Ketchum is now open 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Monday–Saturday — Bella’s on Grand.
Bum Must-See TV
Megan Moroney will be the featured guest on Sunday Today at 7:00 Sunday morning on NBC. Robert De Niro will be featured on CBS Sunday Morning at 8:00. The Marlow Murder Club premieres Sunday night at 7:00 on PBS followed by Marble Hall Murders at 8:00. A new series, The Producer, debuts Friday on HBO Max.
Bum Must-See Movies
Fall 2: Deadpoint, The Runner, Onslaught, By Any Means, Cars: 20th Anniversary, and Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass all open in theaters this week.
Save the Date
- Friday, September 11 – Food Truck Friday at Grove’s Downtown Square (5:00–9:00 p.m.)
- Friday, September 11 – Cruisin’ Main Car Event cruising from the Downtown Square in Grove (5:00 p.m.)
- Friday, September 11 – “Around the World” Cabaret at Playmakers in Grove (7:30 p.m.)
- Friday & Saturday, September 11–12 – Grove Merchants Fall Open House
- Saturday, September 12 – Grand Lake Fest Cruise, Cook & Cash with indoor car show at Wolf Creek Expo
- Saturday, September 12 – Dam J.A.M. Bicycle Tour beginning on the Pensacola Dam (6:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, September 12 – World’s Largest Calf Fry in Vinita (3:00–6:00 p.m.)
- Wednesday, September 16 – Meet & Greet with Cyndi Munson at Grove Community Center (4:00–5:30 p.m.)
- Thursday, September 17 – Northeast Board of Realtors Charity Golf Tournament at The Coves (9:00 a.m. shotgun)
- Thursday, September 17 – Grove Chamber “Business After Hours” at Grand River Abstract in Grove (5:00–6:30 p.m.)
- Thursday–Saturday, September 17–19 – Born & Raised Music Festival at Rockin’ Red Dirt Ranch in Pryor
- Saturday, September 19 – Touch-A-Truck fun truck examination for kids benefiting Toys for Tots at First Christian Church in Grove (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, September 19 – Barkaritaville dinner & auction at Patricia Island Country Club benefiting Second Chance Pet Rescue
- Sunday, September 20 – Grand Lake World Peace Gathering at the Lendonwood Gardens’ Pavilion in Grove (4:00–5:30 p.m.)
- Monday, September 21 – South Grand Lake Foundation’s Darrel Hicks Memorial “Fore the Kids” Golf Tournament at The Coves, benefiting the Ketchum Warriors Backpack Program (8:00 a.m.)
- Tuesday, September 22 – “State of the Region” luncheon honoring Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell at Wolf Creek Expo (12:00 p.m.)
- Thursday, September 24 – Grove Area Chamber Fall Golf Tournament at Patricia Island Country Club (1:30 p.m. shotgun)
- Saturday, September 26 – A Taste of Grand on the Integris Grove Hospital grounds (6:00 p.m.)
We’re getting serious about college football this week! OU hosts UTEP Friday night at 7:00 and OSU travels to Tulsa Saturday afternoon at 2:45. Other games of interest include Long Island at Kansas and Fresno State at USC Friday night. Saturday games include East Carolina at Alabama (11:00), Northern Alabama at Arkansas (3:15), and Clemson at LSU (6:30). Notre Dame hosts Wisconsin Sunday night and SMU is at Florida State Monday night.
We have a weekend off from NFL action as they prepare for the kickoff of the regular season. The first game of the year is next Wednesday, September 9 — New England at Seattle.
WNBA players are off this week, taking a break to make way for the FIBA World Cup competition in Berlin. The USA faces China Friday morning at 7:15 before taking on Italy Sunday afternoon (1:45) and Czechia next Monday afternoon (1:45).
It’s a big couple of weeks for professional tennis. The U.S. Open is underway with matches every day on ESPN and ESPN2. Sunday begins Round of 16 coverage followed by quarterfinal action next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Major League Baseball fans have some good ones on the schedule. The Orioles host the Red Sox Thursday night. The Yankees travel to San Diego Saturday night, and the Cardinals are in San Francisco Monday night.
NASCAR drivers are at Darlington this week for Sunday afternoon action. Coverage of the Cook Out Southern 500 starts at 4:00 Sunday afternoon on USA. Indy Car drivers are in California for the Grand Prix of Monterey Sunday afternoon at 1:30.
PGA golfers have a couple of weeks off before continuing FedEx Cup competition in Asheville.
The holiday weekend is going to be a sizzler — all weekend. We’ll have sunshine and high temperatures hovering around triple digits and lows around 75. There’s plenty of Labor Day fun all around the lake — so get out there and have 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
