January 26, 2026
Well, I would classify the weather over the past few days as "discouraging." Either that or "disgusting." One hundred straight hours of below freezing temperatures is not my idea of a good time. It certainly wasn't a time to consider either boating or golf – but at least it was good for watching sporting events on TV. Did you make the panic run to the grocery store before the storm rolled in? It seems like most everyone did. I didn't make it to the grocery store, but I had plenty of wine, so all was well.
I was pretty scared over the bad weather weekend – not because of the snow, but because of something potentially far more dangerous. I finally figured out someone must have been using that voice-translation gadget on their phone to dictate a social media post, and the bots in the atmosphere misunderstood. Lake Center Baptist Church posted that they were canceling Sunday services because of "plunging windshields." YIKES! And I thought the worst possible weather event was "raining cats and dogs."
I was equally surprised to see that Grand Lake Casino closed on Sunday due to the weather. I didn't even know casinos had locks on their doors! I've never seen one closed before.
It's almost show time again. With the Tulsa Boat & RV Show and the OKC Boat & RV shows behind us, the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel show is just ahead – Monday, February 2-Sunday, February 8. I never have figured out why they want the final day of their show to compete with all the Super Bowl parties, but I guess that's none of my business.
I'm still trying to figure out the inner workings of President Trump's new "Board of Peace." He had 18 countries show up for his Board of Peace signing ceremony – but citizens from eight of those countries are banned from traveling to the United States because of Trump's travel bans – and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is supposedly on the "board," but couldn't go to the signing ceremonies because he's wanted for war crimes. That seems like a fun group of people to work with.
Heads-up for folks traveling to or from Monkey Island. Work on the causeway expansion on the bridge to Monkey Island has resulted in one-lane traffic with a traffic signal (remember the fun with construction of the Bernice bridge?). 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 Mark Witaczack, Jeff Young, T.J. Barnow, Barbie Henson, Terra Apperson, Karlye Kelsey, Kerry Farrell, Kevin Sanford, Michael Blackman, Jody Lorimor, Debbie Hardman, Wilma Battaglia, Katelin Jumper, Holly Weatherford, Vanessa Lillie, Norm Price, Justin Tesreau, Dave Rycroft, JoAnn Schaub, Tim Talley, Steve Hudiburg, Lynn Moore, Dianna McIntyre, Pete Moss, Dan Moore, Mark Blanchat, and Penny Humphrey.
Best Grand Lake Events This Week
Tuesday night is "Tuesday Trivia" night with Lee Lawson at The Anchor at Shangri-La Resort. Friday morning is the Grove Chamber of Commerce "Coffee & Conversation Legislative Event at Legacy Event Center in Grove (8:00 a.m.). Saturday is an Indoor Market at White Buffalo Lodge in Grove (9:00-2:00). Sunday, February 1 is the Opening matinee of "A Rock Sails By" at Playmakers in Grove (2:00 p.m.)
Randy Krehbiel's Random Factoid of the Week
If the U.S. House of Representatives grew at the same rate as the U.S. population, which was the founders' general idea, it would now have around 5,500 members.
Fun Fact of the Week
A blue whale's heart is so big a human could swim through its arteries.
Odd Fact of the Week
In 1829, an Englishman named James Smithson died with an unusual clause in his will. If his nephew died without heirs, his entire fortune would go to a country Smithson had never visited – the United States – to create an institution for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge." The nephew died childless. In 1846, that inheritance gave birth to the Smithsonian Institution – now the world's largest museum and research complex.
Best Facebook Post of the Week
President Trump says he won't attend next week's Super Bowl because "it's too far." By comparison, it's about half as far from Washington as Davos, Switzerland where he went last week. It's more likely that he's protesting planned performances by entertainers Green Day and Bad Bunny. In fact, he said, "I'm anti-them." Which is probably okay. I'm pretty sure they're "anti-him."
Word Fun of the Week
I've been waiting two weeks to say this: Miami…Hoosier daddy?
Best Sign Seen This Week
ICE PREVENTION OPERATIONS AHEAD (I guess that could be taken a couple of different ways these days)
Best Bluesky Post of the Week
An actual war hero and astronaut being demoted by a Fox News anchor with white supremacist tattoos and a drinking problem is damn near the perfect encapsulation of where we're at as a country.
Pun of the Week
A couple of cows were smoking a joint and playing cards. The steaks were pretty high.
Unanswered Question of the Week
If Star Trek goes where no one has ever gone before, why do they always find someone there when they arrive?
Observation of the Week
Some things I just don't understand. Imagine spending your entire life stockpiling supplies, weapons, and ammunition, fantasizing about fighting the federal government sending troops in against its own citizens, only to root for the government when the moment finally arrives.
"School creates employees; curiosity creates masters. A grade is just a measure of how well you can obey instructions. Do not confuse memorizing the map with knowing the territory."
— Mark TwainFeel-Old Moments of the Week
The "Golden Bear," perhaps the GOAT golfer, Jack Nicklaus turned 86 years old last week; and legendary singer Neil Diamond turned 85 (but he's still feeling so good, so good, so good).
Best Weekend Live Entertainment
On Monkey Island: Lee Lawson hosts Tuesday Trivia at The Anchor Tuesday night (7:00). Erin Fitzgibbon entertains at The Monkey Bar Tuesday night (9:00). They also have karaoke both Wednesday and Friday nights with Sundown Entertainment.
On South Grand Lake: Ryan Graham will entertain Friday night at Mooney's Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday night.
In Grove: Diversity will be on stage Friday night at Grand Lake Casino's Venue 655 followed by Swade Diablos Saturday night. Magic J entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove's 1897 Bar followed by The Downbeat Saturday night.
TJ Scarlett kicks off the weekend early with a Thursday night performance at Indigo Sky Casino. Sunset Circle takes over Friday night, and Nathan LaBee wraps up the weekend music Saturday. Retro Rockerz start the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino's Legends Sports Bar, followed by Western Justice Friday and Sound the Alarm Saturday night. The Bison will entertain Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino's Backwoods Bar; and Riverbend Casino's Club 60 West will feature Bob McBride Friday 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. Burger Dude in Ketchum has moved from the Food Park to the old Meats, Eats & Sweets location down the street. 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
Next Level Chef debuts Thursday night at 7:00 on Fox. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards air live Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS. Mel Brooks: Wonder Man is available this week on Disney+.
Bum Must-See Movies
Send Help, Iron Lung and The Moment all debut in movie theaters this week. The Wrecking Crew is available Thursday on Prime Video.
Save the Date
- February 2-8 – Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at the SageNet Center at Tulsa's Fairgrounds
- February 12-15 – Oklahoma Tackle, Hunting, and Boat Show at the new Wolf Creek Expo Center in Grove
- February 14 – Bluegrass Music Event by River Ridge Bluegrass Association in Grove Middle School Auditorium (The Roving Gambler Band – 5:00-8:00 p.m.)
- February 14 – Surf & Turf Valentine special at The Summit at Shangri-La - $150 per couple (4:00-10:00 p.m.)
- February 20-21 – Grove Home, Garden & Travel Show at the Wolf Creek Expo Center
- March 6-8 – Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show at the Delaware County Fairgrounds Building in Jay
The NBA has a busy schedule this week. After hosting New Orleans Tuesday (7:00), the OKC Thunder hit the road to face three tough opponents - Minnesota Thursday (8:30), Denver Sunday (8:30), and San Antonio next Wednesday (8:30).
There's some good college basketball on television this week. Colorado and Iowa State tip off Thursday night at 6:00. Saturday, OSU is at Utah at 5:00 and Arkansas hosts Kentucky at 5:30. Sunday afternoon, Iowa State is at Kansas State and Wichita State is at Tulsa, both at 1:00; and Illinois is at Nebraska at 3:00. Next Monday, Kansas is at Texas Tech at 8:00 – and next Wednesday, OSU hosts BYU and OU travels to Kentucky, both at 8:00 p.m.
The NFL competition is pretty much honorary this week while we await the Super Bowl. Next Tuesday is the Pro Bowl (7:00 p.m.)
The PGA players are in San Diego for a big tournament at Torrey Pines. Coverage of The Farmers Insurance Open 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 get their first fix of the year Sunday night with coverage of the Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Coverage is on Fox at 7:00. The really big stuff starts at Daytona in a couple of weeks.
The weekend ahead doesn't look quite as nasty as the one behind us, but it's still winter on Grand Lake. High temperatures will be in the 20s most of the weekend, with lows in the lower teens. It's "indoor time," so 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