March 9, 2026
I hope everyone had a great time welcoming Daylight Saving Time with another big "Welcome Back Weekend!" The weather was a little iffy Friday, a little scary Friday night, but Saturday & Sunday were great – just a little chilly. We weren't just welcoming the return of the weekenders and seasonal tourists, but we are ALWAYS happy to welcome back Daylight Saving Time which arrived on schedule Sunday morning. How are you enjoying those 7:00 p.m. sunsets? We're getting a little more than an extra minute of daylight each day between now and the Summer Solstice. Every minute counts!
With the time change, all the golfers are a lot happier because golf courses now have longer hours of play. Shangri-La courses are now open 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Boaters are a lot happier, as well. That daylight is totally wasted on civilized people when it comes early in the day! It's nice to have it back at a location where we can enjoy using it!
Yes, Tampa International Airport did post the following message on their X social media account: "We've had enough. It's time to ban pajamas at Tampa International Airport. After successfully banning Crocs…it's time to take on an even larger crisis: Pajamas. At. The. Airport. In the middle of the day." But, no, they weren't serious. It was just a little light-hearted jab. So, you're still safe to go directly from Walmart to the airport without changing clothes, even if you're headed to Tampa.
In case you're wondering why Oklahoma ranks almost last in education, you might want to take a look at teacher pay. Certified teachers are obviously going elsewhere. Oklahoma now has 3,809 folks teaching our students with "Emergency Certifications" from the State Board of Education.
You think a war halfway around the world doesn't impact you directly? Welp! Gas prices at my go-to station increased by 60 cents a gallon in four days. I checked Kelley Blue Book for my car's value, and it asked if the tank was full or empty.
With President Trump's nomination of U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin as the new Secretary of Homeland Security, Oklahoma is engaging in a wild game of "Political Musical Chairs." Congressman Kevin Hern would like to be the permanent replacement – but that would leave his seat open. No Republicans wanted to run against him, so now it's scramble time! Maybe Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell? Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado? Democrats are already off and running for Hern's seat with both Naomi Andrews and Adam Shell announcing their candidacy. What a mess!
Grand Lake Bum Shout-Outs
Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Ken MacLeod, Dan Dillingham, Anita McDonald, Carol Milanowski, Tim Langley, Roberta Arnold, Robin Rush, Myles Davidson, Kristy Gibbs, Cindy Niederee, Larry Battaglia, Gene McComb, Guy Hixenbaugh, Gary Quick, Ben Jackson, John Pellow, Sheila Stogsdill, Candy Brasel, and Linda Eller.
Best Grand Lake Events This Week
Thursday night is "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.). Thursday night is the season kick-off of "Thursday Trivia" at BOOM at The Regatta in Grove (6:30 p.m.). Friday is a day for golfers to get fitted with the right stuff for the season – it's PXG Club Fitting Day at the Shangri-La Golf Course Pro Shop (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Saturday is the 2nd Annual Oklahoma Catfish Tour at Grand Lake – the first in a series of five events. If you've never experienced it, registration starts at 5:00 a.m. Saturday at Honey Creek State Park, and the weigh-in is at 4:00 p.m. at the same location. Whittier Farms Spring Tack Sale is at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday).
Randy Krehbiel's Random Factoid of the Week
Although he usually went barefoot and wore ragged old cloths and a saucepan for a cap, John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, owned 1,200 acres in three states when he died in 1845.
Fun Fact of the Week
Oklahoma Softball is the first team to break 300 hits this season. When they reached 300 hits, there were only 13 total teams in the USA that had even 200 or more.
Odd Fact of the Week
Voyager 1 was launched in 1977 with less computing power than a digital watch. It is now 15 billion miles away and still talking to us.
Best Facebook Post of the Week
Facebook is like a fridge…when you're bored you keep opening and closing it every few minutes to see if there's anything good in it.
Word Fun This Week
It doesn't matter if you're the landlord or the tenant – no matter if you're paying the money or collecting the money, you both "rent the apartment."
Best Sign Seen This Week
Adulthood is saying, "But next week things will slow down a bit" over-and-over-and-over!
Best Bluesky Post of the Week
I received a wedding invitation. It said, "Your presence itself is a gift. We don't want any gifts at the wedding." I'm confused. Am I invited or not?
Pun of the Week
A recent study on the effects of marijuana on sea birds left no tern unstoned.
Unanswered Question of the Week
Does anyone else tell songs to "shut up" before you skip them?
Observation of the Week
President Trump said last week he holds the highest approval rating among current Presidents. Hmmm. Since we just have one current President, I guess he's right about that.
"The United States Congress is like male nipples. What are they there for?"
— Jon StewartFeel-Old Moments of the Week
Oklahoma native child-star-to-teen-star-to-superstar-director Ron Howard turned 72 last week – and iconic musician/philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi turned 64. Legendary rock & roll songwriter Neil Sedaka died last week. He was 86; and Quick-witted National Champion college football coach Lou Holtz also died last week. He was 89.
Best Weekend Live Entertainment
On Monkey Island: The Monkey Bar features lots of live entertainment. Following karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Wednesday night, there will be live music by Erin Fitzgibbon Thursday night, followed by more karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Friday night and some fun Jukebox Match Saturday night; and Erin Fitzgibbon will return next Tuesday for a St. Patrick's Day performance. Robbi Bell will entertain Friday night at South 125 Bar & Grill.
On South Grand Lake: Lil' Red & Sidepiece will be on stage Saturday night at Juan Montez. John Hayes will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at Pickles at The Lake in Langley. Andrew Live will be on Stage Friday night at Mooney's Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Jacob Dement Saturday night. Next Tuesday, Magen Faulconer will be on stage at Mooney's to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
In Grove: Swade Diablos will be on stage Friday night at Grand Lake Casino's Venue 655 followed by Outlaws Reloaded Saturday night. Phil Vaught entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove's 1897 Bar followed by Soul Shaker Saturday night.
Jon Dooly kicks off the weekend early with a Thursday night performance at Indigo Sky Casino. The Travis Kidd Band takes over Friday night, and Encore wraps up the weekend music Saturday. Blue Underground starts the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino's Legends Sports Bar, followed by Oreo Blue Friday and Ty Ellis & The Flatliners Saturday night. Jon Lovitz will be in concert Saturday night at Downstream's Pavilion. At Buffalo Run Casino, DJ Mike with the Lights will entertain Friday night with 2 Weeks Notice taking over Saturday night at Backwoods Bar; and Riverbend Casino's Club 60 West will feature Lil' Red & Sidepiece Friday night followed by Hit The Breaks Saturday night.
Dining & Drinking Update
Doc's Bar & Grill at Shangri-La, VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina, and Big Shots Rhythm & Booze on Monkey Island are now open for the season; and BOOM at The Regatta reopens for the season Thursday. The One Eyed Monkey near Littlefield Corner is now open seven days a week 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m…and evening service Thursday-Saturday is coming soon. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda reopens for the season March 20. Also, watch for Los Garcias, a new Mexican Restaurant opening soon in the Ketchum Eats Food Park.
Bum Must-See TV
The new series Scarpetta debuts on Prime Video Wednesday night. Celebrity Jeopardy returns to ABC Friday night at 7:00. The new Taylor Sheridan series The Madison premiers Saturday on Paramount+; and The 98th Annual Academy Awards air live Sunday night at 6:00 on ABC.
Bum Must-See Movies
The Optimist, Reminders of Him, and Undertone debut in movie theaters this week.
Save the Date
- Friday-Sunday, March 20-22 – Sumner's Big Meat Run at the Disney Offroad Area
- Saturday, March 21 – WAAMI Chili Luncheon at Lake Center Baptist Church on Monkey Island (11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, March 21 – Killer Keyz nationally acclaimed dueling pianos act at Shangri-La Resort (7:00 p.m.)
- Friday-Saturday, March 27-28 – Grove Merchants Spring Open House
- Saturday, March 28 – GEFFE Gala at Shangri-La Resort (5:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, March 28 – "Midnight on Grand Masquerade Prom" at South 125 Bar & Grill (7:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, March 28 – Wine Dinner at Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.)
In the world of sports, the OKC Thunder are at home hosting Boston Thursday night at 8:30 and Minnesota Sunday at noon before hitting the road for another back-to-back – next Tuesday at 6:00 in Orlando and Wednesday at 6:30 in Brooklyn.
With the ladies having wrapped up their conference play, it's time for the guys to engage in Conference Tournament Championship competition. The Big 12 Tournament starts Tuesday and the SEC Tournament starts Wednesday. Big 12 semifinals are Friday at 6:00 and 8:30 with the Championship Game Saturday at 5:00. The SEC Tournament gets underway Wednesday with semifinal action Saturday at noon and 2:30, and the championship game Sunday at noon. NCAA March Madness Selection Sunday – determining who goes to "The Big Dance" – is next Sunday, March 15, at 5:00 on CBS.
PGA players are still in Florida this week. Coverage of The Players Championship from TPC Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach is on the Golf Channel beginning at noon Thursday & Friday. NBC picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 1:00 Saturday & noon Sunday.
NASCAR fans are in Las Vegas this week for the Pennzoil 400. Coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 3:00 on FS1.
It looks like we have a nice weekend coming up. High temperatures in the mid-70s Friday, low 70s Saturday, and mid-60s Sunday, with nighttime lows in the upper 40s. We'll have sunshine, for the most part, and winds only in the teens. It's a great weekend to get out and explore all that's happening around Grand Lake. But remember, wherever you party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM