February 9, 2026
Happy "National Relationship Break-Up Week." It's an American tradition. With the rising cost of flowers, chocolates, spa treatments, jewelry, lingerie, fancy dinners, and vacations, this is the week when one partner tends to end a relationship in advance of Valentine's Day, primarily to avoid the cost of the holiday that is rapidly surpassing Christmas as the "most expensive gift-giving holiday." Don't worry. Apologies will be offered and relationships will be back in place by next week sometime.
Super Bowl LX is in the history books. I hope your team won. I'm sure the Patriots and Seahawks felt a little left out with most of the Super Bowl pre-game fighting centering around Bad Bunny and Kid Rock. What in the world are we going to fill social media with now that we don't have a half-time show to argue about?
The biggest boat & rv shows are all behind us now, too, with the wrap-up Sunday night of the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show. Grand Lake dealers and businesses were well represented in both Tulsa shows, the Oklahoma City show, and the Dallas show. Now, we move on to golf shows. Shangri-La Resort will be spreading the Grand Lake story at golf shows in Kansas City this month and Dallas next month. Folks from the colder states up north aren't afraid of our week of winter, either. Shangri-La has already booked golf groups from Iowa & Minnesota.Grand Lake isn't a secret anymore!
Speaking of Minnesota, white citizens in Minneapolis are putting Mexican flags on their cars so ICE agents waste time pulling them over. They're calling it "ICE fishing."
Winter Olympics are killing daytime activity around the lake. It isn't that easy for everybody to get to work feeling perky when they've been awake watching Olympics from midnight-8:00 a.m. I have to watch, though. Otherwise, I can't be a spoiler for all my pals waiting to watch the highlights at 7:00 the next evening.
We're lucky serious winter weather doesn't last long in Oklahoma. After snow and ice blanketed most of the state for a week, southern Oklahoma hit 80 degrees on February 6. Sunset this week comes after 6 o'clock for the first time in a while – and in a month, sunset will be pushing 7:30! It's time to start thinking about dewinterizing your boats and making sure you have tee times. Daylight Saving Time returns March 8!
After Pope Leo cited scripture urging compassion for migrants, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson posted a 1,300-work essay of disagreement. Note to Speaker Johnson: topping the list of "stupid things to do" is trying to correct the Pope's knowledge of The Bible.
It's election year in Oklahoma – and I'm sure you're already getting tired of the commercials with Primary Elections still four months away. If you still think an average middle-class person can win elective office, here's what you're up against. There is no legal limit to how much of his or her own money a candidate can contribute to their own campaign. So far, three Republican candidates for Governor in Oklahoma have given their own campaigns $7,600,000 (Mike Mazzei $3 million, Charles McCall $.2.6 million, Chip Keating $2 million)…and it's just February.
Heads-up for folks traveling to or from Monkey Island. Work on the causeway expansion on the bridge to Monkey Island continues, resulting in one-lane traffic with a traffic signal. This will likely last until May, so plan a little extra time in case you hit the red light every single time like I do.
Grand Lake Bum Shout-Outs
Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Larry Burns, Gene Duncan, Lynda Forrester, Dan Miller, Jim Lee, Dustin Able, Brad Coston, Frank Klaus, Lindsay McCown, Betty Dennis, Lance Funderburk, Alivia Schmidt, Mike Flanagan, Sandy Pellow, Lisette Coston, Candy DiPasquale, Judy Glanz, Mark Moore, and Rachel McCorkle.
Best Grand Lake Events This Week
Thursday is a "Galentine's Day Bash" at Grand River Abstract in Grove (5:00 p.m. and another "Girls Night Out Galentine's party at Grounded for Life Wellness in Grove (5:00 p.m.). The Wolf Creek Expo opens for the first time this week with the Oklahoma Tackle, Hunting, and Boat Show Thursday-Sunday. Friday is a Couples Valentine Cooking Class at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.). Saturday night is a Surf & Turf Valentine special at The Summit at Shangri-La - $150 per couple (4:00-10:00 p.m.).
Randy Krehbiel's Random Factoid of the Week
"Limelight" was originally a theater term referring to the illumination of a pre-electric device called a Drummond light that burned calcium oxide, better known as quicklime.
Fun Fact of the Week
The oldest bar in Oklahoma is Eischen's Bar in Okarche. It was first established in 1986 by Peter Eischen.
Odd Fact of the Week
With nearly 800 languages spoken, New York City is one of the most linguistically diverse places on Earth.
Best Facebook Post of the Week
As a kid, I remember watching "Wizard of Oz" and thinking "How could anyone talk if they didn't have a brain?" Then I got social media.
Word Fun for the Valentine Week
"Won't lovers revolt now?" spelled backwards is still "Won't lovers revolt now?"
Best Sign Seen This Week (displayed in a paint store)
Husbands choosing paint colors must have a signed note from their wife.
Best Bluesky Post of the Week
Closing the Kennedy Center after everyone has canceled is like quitting your job after you've been fired.
Pun of the Week
Is it possible to take a skin graft from your buttocks and transplant it on to someone who isn't family? Arse skin for a friend.
Unanswered Question of the Week
Has anyone tried unplugging the United States and plugging it back in?
Observation of the Week
If we lie to the government, it is a felony…but if the government lies to us, it's just politics.
"English is not my first language. But it's okay. It's not America's first language, either."
— Bad BunnyFeel-Old Moments of the Week
Iconic actor Alan Alda, most famous for his portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce in the TV series M*A*S*H, turned 90 years old last week; and the legendary Oprah Winfrey turned 72. It has been 67 years since three rock & roll legends died in a plane crash – Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. To this day, that date in 1959 is revered as "the day the music died."
Best Weekend Live Entertainment
On Monkey Island: Wednesday night is Karaoke with Sundown Entertainment followed by Thursday night live entertainment from Erin Fitzgibbon at The Monkey Bar and more Karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Friday night. They also have music bingo next Wednesday. Terry Jordan will entertain both Friday and Saturday nights at The Summit Restaurant. Magen Faulconer will be on stage Saturday night at South 125 Bar & Grill.
On South Grand Lake: Magen Faulconer will entertain Friday night at Mooney's Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday night. Lil' Red & Sidepiece will perform Saturday night at Scissortail Marina.
In Grove: There is live theater Thursday & Friday (7:30) and Sunday (2:00) - the final performances of A Rock Sails By at Playmakers in Grove. The Downbeat Duo entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove's 1897 Bar followed by 90 LB. Wrench Saturday night. Eddie Valen takes the stage Friday night at Grand Lake Casino's Venue 655 and the Midwestern Playboys take over Saturday night. The Roving Gambler Band will perform Saturday night (5:00-8:00 p.m.) at the Grove Middle School Auditorium as part of the Bluegrass Music Event by River Ridge Bluegrass Association; and Rancho Viejo in Grove will have a special Karaoke Night Saturday (5:30-8:30 p.m.).
"Willamae" will be the featured entertainer Saturday night (6:00 p.m.) at the Chicks n Chaps event at Cherokee Nation Health Center in Vinita.
Jon Dooly kicks off the weekend early with a Thursday night performance at Indigo Sky Casino. Big Smitty takes over Friday night, and Damsel wraps up the weekend music Saturday. Analog Frogs start the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino's Legends Sports Bar, followed by Stonehorse Friday and FM Live Saturday night. DJ Mike with the Lights entertains Friday night in Buffalo Run Casino's Backwoods Bar; and Outlaws ReLoaded take the stage Saturday. Riverbend Casino's Club 60 West will feature Finn Again Saturday night.
Dining & Drinking Update
Our House BBQ is now open at Hilltop Inn in Grove (former location of Honey Creek BBQ). Red's House BBQ is also now open in the Ketchum Eats Food Park. The Anchor and The Galley Restaurant at Shangri-La are open seven days a week. The Shebang Restaurant on Monkey Island is now offering Island delivery on Sunday evenings during the off-season.
Bum Must-See TV
Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Colyn Bessette airs Thursday night at 8:00 on FX. American Pickers returns to the History Channel Sunday night at 8:00, followed by the season premiere of Family Guy at 8:30 on Fox; and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver at 10:00 on HBO.
Bum Must-See Movies
GOAT, Crime 101, Wuthering Heights, and Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die all debut in movie theaters this week.
Save the Date
- February 20-21 – Grove Home, Garden & Travel Show at the Wolf Creek Expo Center
- Monday, February 23 – Northeast Oklahoma Board of Realtors General Membership Meeting at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.)
- February 23-27 – Black History Week at Har-Ber Village
- Thursday, February 26 – Grove Chamber Business After Hours at Tulsa Diamond House/ThirdART Collective in Grove (5:00-6:30 p.m.)
- February 26-March 1 – Miami Little Theater presents "Barefoot in the Park" at the Coleman Theatre (7:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, February 28 – Sh*t Show (formerly Old Coots No Talent/Talent Show) at Big Shots (7:30 p.m.)
- Friday, March 6 – Season Opening Day for Har-Ber Village
- Friday, March 6 – First Friday Wine Share at Blair Boutique & Consignment in Grove (6:00-7:30 p.m.)
- March 6-8 – Welcome Back Weekend on Grand Lake
- March 6-8 – Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show at the Delaware County Fairgrounds Building in Jay
- Sunday, March 8 – Daylight Saving Time returns!
- Tuesday, March 10 – Doc's Bar & Grill at Shangri-La reopens for the 2026 season
- Thursday, March 12 – Mardi Gras in March at the GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley, sponsored by the South Grand Lake Foundation and benefiting the Ketchum Warriors Scholarship and Backpack programs (6:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, March 21 – Killer Keyz nationally acclaimed dueling pianos act at Shangri-La Resort (7:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, March 28 – GEFFE Gala at Shangri-La Resort (5:30 p.m.)
The 2026 Winter Olympics continue this week with daily (or should I say "nightly"?) coverage through February 22 on USA, NBC, CNBC and multiple streaming services. There's a big time difference between here and Italy, but there are daily highlights at 7:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
The NBA has a busy schedule this week heading into the All-Star break. After Wednesday night's game in Phoenix (8:00), the OKC Thunder are back home the very next night hosting Milwaukee (6:00) in their final game before the All-Star Break. Friday night, the Thunder's Ajay Mitchell will be in the Rising Stars competition – if he's off the injured list (8:00). Sunday is the All-Star Game which will include the Thunder's Chet Holmgren. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, unfortunately, will be unable to play due to an injury, even though he was named as an All-Star starter.
There's some good college basketball on television this week. OSU hosts TCU at 11:00 Saturday morning, Kansas is at Iowa State at noon, and OU hosts Georgia at 2:30. There are some great women's games televised this week, too. South Carolina is at LSU Saturday night at 7:30. Sunday afternoon, Kansas State is at Iowa State (1:00), Texas is at Tennessee (2:00), and OU is at Alabama (3:00). OSU's Cowgirls host Utah Monday at 1:00; and Mississippi State is at Arkansas Monday night at 6:30.
The PGA players are in Pebble Beach this week. Coverage of The Pebble Beach Pro-Am is on the Golf Channel beginning at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR fans are fired up for the big season kick-off. Thursday night starts the fun with the America 250 Florida Duels beginning at 6:00 on FS1. Sunday is the biggie, of course. Coverage of the Daytona 500 begins at 1:30 on Fox.
We're stealing another week away from winter this week. Weekend highs will be around 60 degrees with lows around 40 – although it may cool down a few degrees with some rain on Valentine's Day. Either way, it's time to get out of the house and join the fun! But remember, wherever you party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM