April 21, 2025
I hope you enjoyed all the fabulous events over the past weekend…and Easter, too! I’m not belittling a legitimate holiday, but the beginning of the NBA Playoffs, national college gymnastics championship meets, softball, baseball, and hockey filled my holiday weekend so full I didn’t even make it to an Easter brunch!
At any rate, another holiday weekend is in the rearview mirror. Well, sort of. The weather forecast scared a few Easter Egg Hunt organizers who decided to postpone their hunts until the weekend ahead. The big Langley Easter Egg Hunt, for example, will be Saturday (11:00-1:00). Naturally, the predicted monsoons didn’t happen. Instead, we had an Easter weekend of gentle rain/mist at Grand Lake. Some of the egg hunts became egg hand-outs, and other hunts moved indoors – but I imagine kids had the most fun hunting eggs at the Grand Lake State Park in Bernice where organizers urged parents to dress their kids in boots and raincoats to slosh around in the mud looking for eggs. When I was a kid, that would have been my dream Easter!
I’m assuming several of my followers enjoyed a “dream Sunday” celebrating the dual holiday. It wasn’t just Easter – Sunday was also 4/20, the marijuana culture’s high holiday. I’m sure there were some unique celebrations around the lake on this special day which many Grand Lakers also know as “a day ending in Y.”
If weather kept you from having a fun Sunday over the past weekend, you have another chance in the weekend ahead. Head for Main Street Monkey Island (between The Shebang and Big Shots) for an official Monkey Island Sunday Funday with lots of fashions, fun, beverages, and outrageous fun that makes Monkey Island the legendary fun spot of Grand Lake. The fun starts at 11:00 Sunday morning.
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How ‘bout those Sooner women? Congratulations to the OU Women’s Gymnastics Team who were once again crowned as National Champions over the past weekend. The Men’s Gymnastics Team also had a fantastic year, finishing in the #3 spot in the nation. Gymnastics, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, golf – all the OU athletic department needs is a football team! Whoever thought we would be saying silly things like that? I still remember the great quote from former OU President Dr. George Lynn Cross who said one of his first priorities was to “build a university of which the football team can be proud.”
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Speaking of sports, I’ll say it again – the best job in all of sports is “fired coach.” The NBA’s Phoenix Suns fired coach Mike Budenholzer. If he decides to just take life easy and not get another coaching job, the Suns will have to pay him $10 million per year until 2029! Suns owner Mat Ishbia must have more money than hiring ability, because this is the third coach he’s fired since 2023. He still owed other fired coaches besides Budenholzer. He still owes Monty Williams $20 million and Frank Vogel $24 million. That’ $84 million he’ll be paying coaches to NOT WORK!
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As everyone who knows me is well aware, I think having a good time is really important. I’ve always had trouble proving my point, although I have never given up trying; but now there is an actual study that backs me up. A paper from researchers at Union College found that a fraternity membership lowered student GPA by about 0.25 points. But wait! The same study said that same membership actually raised future income by approximately 36%. My conclusion? If you want good grades, hit the books – but if you want a successful life, party on!
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Judy Dullea, Ron Stahl, Janet Bedford, Glo Reherman, Jeff Nix, Brandon Benge, Soohyun Jin, Cindy Estes, Judi Barber, John Lewis, Brad Putman, Mike Burnett, Brian Laughlin, Julie Morgan, Becki Farley, Mike McCown, Tom Haynes, Emily Tyrrell, and Robin Markwell.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday is the South Grand Lake Chamber monthly Membership Luncheon at GRDA Ecosystem Center in Langley (11:30 a.m.). Thursday evening is the Grove FFA Pie & Labor Auction at Crosswired Cowboy Church (6:00 p.m.). Karaoke is back at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Thursday night (6:00-9:00). Thursday is also “Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. The fabulous “Walk Through Time: Colonial Civil War Days” experience is at Har-Ber Village this weekend (Thursday-Sunday). Friday evening is a Whiskey & Steak preparation cooking demonstration at the Charles Davis Room at Shangri-La’s clubhouse (5:00 p.m.) followed by a special Steak & Whiskey Dinner at 6:00 Saturday. Friday & Saturday is a big Jug Fishing Contest at Blue Bluff Harbor. Due to rotten weather last weekend, Saturday morning will feature the rescheduled Langley Easter Egg Hunt (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Saturday is a Hog Roast at Juan Montez Restaurant (1:00 p.m.). Saturday is also Grand Lake Sailing Club’s Peanut Regatta (2:00 p.m.). Sunday is a big day on Monkey Island. It’s Sunday Funday on Main Street Monkey Island (between Shebang and Big Shots beginning at 11:00 a.m.) with cornhole, food, a fashion show, and a Mimosa & Bloody Mary bar, as well as a Cart & Car Wash fundraiser in Big Shots parking lot (12:00-4:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: In 1911, the Wyoming State Penitentiary fielded a baseball team called the Death Row All-Stars. As the name implies, the players all carried death sentences. Those who played well had their execution dates moved back. Those who didn’t, didn’t. (I’m not sure if that’s where “sudden death playoffs” got their name or not.)
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The final round of The Masters golf tournament was the most watched golf telecast in seven years. Viewership was up 33% from last year and peaked at 19.543 million viewers.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: In the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the Joneses book a flight from Berlin to Athens on a commercial zeppelin in 1938. In actuality, “no ticket” would have been a problem for all the passengers since airship travel was no longer a thing due to the Hindenburg crash the year before.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Here’s an idea! If you’re cremated after you die, you can be put into an hourglass and continue to participate in family game night.
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PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “Campus motto: bottoms up, Mac” spelled backwards is still “Campus motto: bottoms up, Mac.”
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: The Woman Cleaned Your Butt! Mother’s Day Sale!
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: Wedding vows should include “Do you promise to always help him find his stuff that is right in front of him?” because you will be doing that forever.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Freddie Mercury, Venus Williams, and Bruno Mars walk into a bar. They didn’t planet that way.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When French people swear, do they say, “Pardon my English”?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Bars are very unique in the retail world. They are the only businesses that kick you out for buying too much of their product.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “No matter what they ever do to us, we must always act for the love of our people and the earth. We must not react out of hatred against those who have no sense.” – John Trudell
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: After 38 years on the program, the legendary Lee Corso will appear on College Game Day one more time (August 30). Then, he’s leaving the program and retiring for good. He’s 89 years old. Legendary TV game show host Wink Martindale (who also did one of the first recorded TV interviews with a young Elvis Presley) passed away last week at the age of 91.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Sundown Entertainment hosts Thursday night karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.) and Gavin Tucker performs live Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. There is Musical Bingo Wednesday nights, and DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar.
On South Grand Lake, Ryan Graham will be on stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill and Nick Sharp will entertain Saturday night. The Beaty Creek acoustic trio performs Friday night at Scissortail Marina and the full Beaty Creek Band will be on stage Saturday night. The Blues Doctors Band will entertain Saturday afternoon at the Hog Roast at Juan Montez. Reverse Reaction will perform Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster. Lil’ Red & COBE will perform Friday night at Blind Swine Duck Creek and Saturday night at Pickles in Langley.
In Grove, Carl Acuff, Jr. starts the weekend musical fun at Cherokee Casino Friday night with The Brandon Butler Band taking over Saturday night. Western Justice kicks off the weekend Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by Big Smitty 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.
Chris Hyde will be on stage at Indigo Sky Casino Thursday night, followed by Diversity Friday and Thomas Martinez Saturday. Marcus King will be on stage Friday night at Downstream Casino’s Pavilion. Great White and Slaughter will both be on stage Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace; and Bakbeatz will entertain at Buffalo Run’s Backwoods Bar Saturday night. Until Now entertains Saturday night in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Blind Swine Duck Creek at Harbors View Marina has been battling weather issues as they’ve tried to open for a full weekend each of the past three weeks – unsuccessfully. They’ll give it a go again this weekend. Rise-N-Dine Café in Ketchum now offers a $12 Breakfast Buffet on Saturday & Sunday (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). The bar has reopened with liquor service at The Shebang on Monkey Island. Bradford’s BBQ is now open for the summer at Ketchum Eats Park. Major remodeling is underway at the former Blind Swine on Monkey Island. The new “South Highway 125 Bar & Grill” is expected to open at the former Swine location in mid-May.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The comedy special Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life airs Saturday night at 9:00 on HBO. 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing airs Sunday night on the Food Network at 7:00. America’s Most Wanted: Missing Persons returns to Fox next Monday night at 7:00. The Voice also airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC. The NBA Playoffs, of course, air every single night!
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Accountant 2, Until Dawn, Winter Spring Summer or Fall, The Legend of Ochi, and Star Wars: Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith – 25th Anniversary all open in movie theaters this weekend.
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, May 2 – Creative Alliance Arts Festival & Food Truck Friday on the Grove Community Center Lawn (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday, May 2 – Toast & Tour – an evening of wine, music, home tours, and Monkey Island vibes at Monkey Island RV Resort (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 3 – Cinco de Poker Derby golf cart poker run on Monkey Island benefiting the Toby Keith Foundation’s Kids Korral and the Monkey Island Trail (11:00 a.m.). Saturday, May 3 – First weekly Farmers Market at the Grove Community Center Lawn (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 3 – Poker Run and “Island Vibes” costume contest benefiting the Ketchum Backpack Program with stops at Cedar Port, Cherokee Yacht Club, Arrowhead, Hammerhead (10:00 a.m.-5:00) with check-in at Sharky’s 6:30-7:30. Saturday, May 3 – “Garden Party” fundraiser at Lendonwood Gardens in Grove (5:30 p.m.). Saturday, May 3 – Nichols Marine/Shangri-La Marina Customer Appreciation Luau at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday-Sunday, May 3-4 – In-water Boat Show at Shangri-La Marina (10:00-5:00 Saturday, 10:00-4:00 Sunday). Sunday, May 4 – South Grand Lake Chamber Pickleball Mixer at The Anchor at Shangri-La (3:00 p.m.). Friday, May 9 – Oyster Roast & Bonfire at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday, May 9 – Chunking for Charity scramble golf tournament benefiting Abundant Hope at The Coves (9:00 a.m. Shotgun). Saturday, May 10 – Retail Market on the Grand Lawn at Shangri-La (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 10 – “Back to the Boats Food & Wine Festival on the Anchor Lawn at Shangri-La (4:00-10:00 p.m.). Sunday, May 11 – Farmers Market on the Grand Lawn at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Sunday, May 11 – Mother’s Day Brunch at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La. Friday, May 16 – Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens for the season at Shangri-La Marina. Friday, May 16 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Scramble Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge Golf Course (8:30 a.m.). Saturday, May 17 – Art in the Garden at Lendonwood Gardens in Grove (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Thursday, May 22 – 3rd Annual Modoc Nation Golf Scramble at Shangri-La (9:00 a.m.). Saturday, May 24 – Memorial Weekend Fireworks at Honey Creek Marina. Friday, May 30 – Grove Rotary Shrimpfest at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Monday-Wednesday, June 2-4 – Junior Golf Camp at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. daily). 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.). Sunday, June 7 – Fairy Festival at Lendonwood Gardens. Friday-Sunday, June 13-15 – Toes in the Grand Festival at Wolf Creek Park.
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Pro basketball is in the bright white spotlight with the NBA Playoffs underway. The OKC Thunder lead the ratings in the West. In the opening round they are facing the Memphis Grizzlies with Game 2 Tuesday at 6:30, Game 3 Thursday at 8:30, and Game 4 Saturday at 2:30. Hopefully, that’s all they’ll need in this first round – but if not, game 5 is scheduled next Monday.
PGA Players are in the Crescent City this week for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Coverage begins at 2:30 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.
NASCAR drivers are at Talladega for the Jack Link’s 500. Coverage begins at 2:00 Sunday afternoon on Fox.
There are some great college baseball & softball games being televised this week. OU’s baseball team is at Georgia Thursday night at 6:00 and again Saturday morning at 11:00. The tough Texas softball team comes to the Sooner State this week facing OSU Wednesday night at 7:00 before traveling to Norman for a series against the Sooners Friday at 5:00, Saturday at 11:00, and Sunday at 1:00. All the games are on ESPN networks.
Major League Baseball has some great televised games this week, too, including Texas at San Francisco Saturday at 3:00 and Houston at Kansas City Saturday at 6:00. Sunday night, the Phillies face the red hot Chicago Cubs at 6:00.
If you’re missing pro football, the UFL season is underway. Memphis faces Birmingham Friday (7:00). Michigan is at St. Louis Saturday (6:00); and there are two Sunday games – DC at Arlington at 11:00 a.m. and Houston at San Antonio at 2:00.
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As we peek at the weather forecast for the weekend ahead, it looks like spring usually looks. We may have a shower or two Friday & Sunday; but for the most part we’ll have partly cloudy skies with high temperatures in the mid 70s and lows in the upper 50s. There’s certainly no shortage of fun things to do, so get out and have some Grand Lake fun. Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM
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