I must say – the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce outdid themselves with the most unique Grand Lake event I have seen in a long time. Their "Gilley's on Grand" event at Shangri-La Saturday night was one for the books. On top of their silent & live auction fundraising, a great band, and a fabulous dinner – they had competition riding a mechanical bull a la "Urban Cowboy" memories. I didn't get on the bull, but I had a great time making fun of the people who did.
Our Artemis II astronauts are safely home after their journey around the moon. I can't believe they spent all that money traveling more than half-a-million miles, circled around the moon – and didn't even land! That's like buying first class tickets to Paris, France for your entire family, then never bothering to check out the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or any of the great restaurants…just hanging around at the Paris airport, then coming back home.
Meanwhile, back here on earth, don't you love the new fuel prices? Airlines are trying to cover the cost with more fees. You can probably still afford to fly, but you may not be able to take much with you. Delta and Southwest have both boosted their baggage fees. It'll now cost you $45 for your first checked bag and $55 for a second. If you're planning on taking a third bag, you may want to re-pack. Delta's charge for a third checked bag is a whopping $200. If you have three bags to check, you might as well stay home.
We're going to have more football in Oklahoma. OKC Mayor David Holt announced that the United Football League will expand to Oklahoma City with play for Oklahoma's new professional football team slated to get underway in the Spring of 2028. I guess that means OU won't be our professional football team, anymore?
Proposed legislation never ceases to amaze me. In Illinois, Republican Representative Mary Miller has introduced a bill to ban strippers from performing in schools. Naturally, she couldn't come up with any instances where there has actually been a stripper in a school; but I guess we must make sure all those strippers don't start giving table dances in the school cafeteria at lunch time! I'm surprised no Oklahoma legislator has jumped on this bandwagon.
Oklahoma weather control tip! I know we all worry about April weather, but I have discovered a way to control it. Organizers of last Friday's "Cruise Night" in Grove saw the rain roll in Friday morning and saw the forecast for it to continue into the night. So…they canceled their event due to the weather – and JUST LIKE THAT the rain stopped and the skies cleared at 4:00 p.m. on the dot. So, if you want to improve weather conditions – just cancel your event. You're welcome.
Grand Lake Bum Shout-Outs
Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Mark Poole, Cheryl Klahr, Lenda Smith, Vicki Howard, Natasha Wilcox, Tim Howson, Dave Svedman, Liz Paden, Jason Faulconer, Jeff Spielmann, Don Bullard, Cheryl Koesler, Steve Long, Bruce May, Don Brown, Sarah Scott, Marsha McCorkle, Terry Hudgins, Larry Sanford, Cherie Blevins, Greg Bolton, Creed Littlefield, Gary Anstine, and Mark Wilburn.
Best Grand Lake Events This Week
Shangri-La Resort is holding a Job Fair Thursday at the resort's hotel (10:00-7:00). Thursday night is "Thursday Trivia" at BOOM at The Regatta in Grove (6:30 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday is "A Walk Through Time" (Civil War Days) at Har-Ber Village (9:30 a.m.), as well as a K.I.S.S. Camp Scrapbooking Event at Wolf Creek Expo Center (9:00 a.m.), also Thursday-Sunday. Saturday is Grove Chamber "Clean-Up Day" policing the area from Sailboat Bridge to downtown. Saturday is also the Bassmaster Team Trail Tournament at Wolf Creek (7:00 a.m.) and the River Ridge Bluegrass Association show at Grove Middle School Auditorium (doors at 5:00 p.m., show at 6:00 p.m., $5 admission).
Randy Krehbiel's Random Factoid of the Week
Japan is an archipelago of more than 14,000 islands, but the two largest account for more than 80% of the nation's total land mass.
Fun Fact of the Week
Through four years of high school basketball, a 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup competition, a college year playing at Gonzaga, and three years with the OKC Thunder, Chet Holmgren has never played on a team that finished below a No. 1 seed.
Odd Fact of the Week
When you wish upon a star, the star could actually be so far away that the light you are seeing is from something that died many years ago.
Best Facebook Post of the Week
I went to a movie theater yesterday and was buying popcorn, a drink, and some sweets. I said, "I'm ever so sorry, but all I have is a $50 bill." The lady said, "That's ok, you can put the sweets back."
Word Fun This Week
It's all about the pronunciation, right? I had just parked my car at the hospital when an attendant came up to me and said, "You can't park there. That's for badge holders only." I replied, "That's okay, I've got a bad shoulder."
Best Sign Seen This Week
Touching Electrical Wires Causes Instant Death. $200 Fine.
Best Bluesky Post of the Week
The hardest part of a limited two-week military action is the first several years.
Pun of the Week
To stop ants coming into your house, leave a saucer of milk outside. The adult ants drink it & it has an effect on ant reproduction. The young are born without toes so they can't climb into your cavity walls. This effect is called "lack toes in toddler ants".
Unanswered Question of the Week
Before cell phones, what did people do on the toilet?
Observation of the Week
Donald Trump has never won an election running against a man.
"It's hard for President Trump to make key decisions on Iran when he doesn't have enough intelligence."
– White House Press Secretary Karoline LeavittFeel-Old Moments of the Week
Emmy Award-winning actress, writer, and author Rhea Perlman (best remembered as Carla Tortelli on "Cheers") turned 78 last week. Jay North, who starred as Dennis Mitchell in the classic TV series "Dennis the Menace," died last week. He was 73.
Best Weekend Live Entertainment
On Monkey Island, The Monkey Bar features Music Bingo Wednesday night followed by live music with Erin Fitzgibbon Thursday, karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Friday night, and more live music from Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday night. Lil' Red and Sidepiece will be on stage at the Road Hog Saloon Friday night and South 125 Bar & Grill Saturday night.
On South Grand Lake, Wanda Watson will be on stage Friday night at Mooney's Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Dillon Leggett Saturday. There's Karaoke with John Saturday night at Pickles on the Lake in Langley.
In Grove, Robbi Bell will perform Friday night at Mulligans at Patricia Island Country Club. Erin Fitzgibbon will perform Friday night at Grand Lake Casino's Venue 655 followed by Lost Dogs Saturday. Whiskey Poet Society entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove's 1897 Bar followed by Brent Giddens Saturday night. There's karaoke with DJ Laid Back Larry Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon.
The Brothers Moore start the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino's Legends Sports Bar. The Hype takes over Friday night followed by The Bakbeatz Saturday. Ozark Mountain Dare Devils will be on stage Sunday Night at Downstream's Pavilion. The Kevin Currie Duo kicks off the weekend Thursday at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Swade Diablos Friday and Uncrowned Kings Saturday. DJ Mike with the Lights will entertain at Buffalo Run Casino's Backwoods Bar Friday night.
Dining & Drinking Update
The Shebang on Monkey Island is closed temporarily (new ownership). Blind Swine Duck Creek is now open weekends at Harbors View Marina – open at 4:00 Friday, 11:00 Saturday & Sunday. VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina, BOOM at The Regatta, The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda, and Big Shots Rhythm & Booze on Monkey Island are also now open for the season.
Bum Must-See TV
The hilarious new Balls Up is available Wednesday on Prime Video. A new documentary NOVA: Return to the Moon airs Wednesday night at 8:00 on PBS. A sports documentary Jerry West: The Logo is available Thursday on Prime Video. Funny AF With Kevin Hart debuts Monday on NETFLIX; and the new series Kevin premiers on Prime Video Monday.
Bum Must-See Movies
Lee Cronin's The Mummy and 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank debut in movie theaters this week.
Save the Date
- Thursday-Saturday, April 23-25 – Bassmaster Open Fishing Tournament at Wolf Creek (7:00 a.m.)
- Saturday, April 25 – Cleora Fire Department Golf Tournament at The Coves (10:00 a.m. shotgun)
- Sunday, April 26 – Anglers in Action Fishing Tournament at Wolf Creek Park (6:30 a.m.)
- Friday-Sunday, May 1-3 – Grove City Wide Garage Sales (7:00-5:00)
- Friday, May 1 – Food Truck Friday and Creative Alliance Art Splash at the Downtown Square in Grove
- Saturday, May 2 – Cinco de Poker Derby on Monkey Island
- Saturday, May 2 – Ian Munsick Concert at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (8:00 p.m.)
In the world of sports, it's playoff time in the NBA. The final six play-in games to complete the field of teams are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The official playoff action begins Saturday featuring the #1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder!
There's some fantastic softball on television this week, too. Wednesday night is Bedlam Softball at Devon Field in OKC as OU faces OSU at 8:00 (ESPN2). The Sooners host Arkansas Friday at 7:00 (ESPN2).
PGA Golfers are in Hilton Head this week. Coverage of the RBC Heritage begins on the Golf Channel at 1:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
UFL Football play begins Thursday with Louisville at Houston (7:00). Columbus hosts Dallas Friday (7:00). Saturday games feature St. Louis at DC (11:30) and Orlando at Birmingham (3:00).
There are some good MLB match-ups on TV this week, too. The Cardinals are in Houston Friday night at 7:00. Tampa Bay is at Pittsburgh Saturday afternoon (3:00) and Texas is at Seattle Saturday night (6:00). Sunday's featured game is San Diego at the L.A. Angels (3:00 p.m.). Monday night, Kansas City hosts Baltimore (6:30).
NASCAR drivers are in Kansas City this week. Coverage of the Advent Health 400 is Sunday at 1:00 on Fox.
After a week of 80-degree temperatures, it looks like we'll have a 15-degree temperature drop Saturday, but still pretty nice. We'll have highs in the mid-60s by Saturday, with lows in the mid-40s. It's April, of course, so there's always a chance of a shower or two. Don't let that slow down your Grand Lake partying. There's plenty of fun out there! But remember, wherever you party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM