Random Observations From The Grand Lake Bum

The Grand Lake Bum

May 6, 2024

Despite the gloomy forecast for the past weekend, and a little bit of rain, Grand Lakers were not deterred. The Art Festival & Food Truck Friday night festivities at Grove were awesome, I assume everybody got their socks burned to prepare for the summer, the Golf Cart Poker Run on Monkey Island seemed to have almost all the locals involved, the Pirate Poker Run on South Grand was great, the in-water boat show at Shangri-La Marina was great – and I survived the Shangri-La Marina/Nichols Marine Customer Appreciation Bash at Eddy’s. There was a lot of other activity over the weekend, but there wasn’t enough time for me to make it everywhere. Soooo… on to the next big weekend!

flyer for mothers day brunch at The Summit

Lots of people are happy that a celebration of “Naked Gardening Day” was among the events that slipped past me. If you remembered that last Saturday was “Naked Gardening Day,” I hope you made it through the day without going to jail.

flyer for murder mystery dinner at Shangri-La Resort hotel

This is probably the week to start taking extra caution on the water. All the loose lumber from the state of Kansas is headed our way. Be careful out there!

Cari Williams Grand Lake

This fall, old folks like me will no longer have to worry about having an ID handy in order to buy a drink. Governor Stitt signed a new law that says bartenders no longer have to check your idea if it’s obvious you’re old enough to buy booze. Representative Robert Manger of Oklahoma City authored the new law after a 90-year-old friend of his was unable to buy a beer because he didn’t have an ID. Don’t forget that ID this summer, though. The new law doesn’t go into effect until November.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Cherie Long, Charlie Swinton, Donna Belt, Heather Hurley, Pam Wyrick, Curt Landry, Darryl Gupton, Roger Cook, Beverly Funke, Lyn Goss, Lorri Dyer, Pat McConn, Donna Altmiller, Joe Landon, Carrie Moore, Jerrod Neighbors, Sheryl Hicks, Shari Bell, Chance Grubb, and Kevin Brady.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday is the Grove Chamber Monthly Membership Meeting to be held this month at Creekside Cabins, 62141 East 313 Road in Grove (12:00 p.m.). Thursday night is the weekly Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La (5:00 p.m.) and a special Nine-hole Scramble Golf Tournament at Shangri-La (5:00 p.m. shotgun). Saturday morning, start your day with your choice – Yoga or Zumba, or both! At 8:00 a.m. Laken Zimmerman offers Yoga on the lawn at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La. At 10:30 a.m., join Katy for the Zumba Fitness Dance Party at Big Shots. Saturday morning is also “Farmers Market” in downtown Grove (8:00 a.m.). Saturday afternoon is a Co-Ed Putting Clinic at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (3:00 p.m.) and SINGO competition with Jason Morgan at The Anchor (3:00-5:00). Saturday night is the annual South Grand Lake Chamber “Bootleggers’ Ball” at Shangri-La Resort (5:00 p.m.). Sunday is Mother’s Day. Don’t forget to be nice to Mom. Monday is the Modoc National Golf Scramble at Shangri-La Golf Club (10:00 a.m.), and Tuesday night is “Tuesday Trivia” with Jason Morgan at The Anchor (7:00 p.m.).  

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Marvin Lee Aday changed his name to Michael Lee Day. Either way, his initials were one of the reasons he became best known as Meat Loaf.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Taylor Swift songs hold 32 of the Billboard Top 100 slots – including ALL of the Top 14.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana is the longest bridge in the United States – 23.79 miles across Lake Pontchartrain. It’s also the longest continuous bridge over water in the world!

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I met a woman crying outside the mall yesterday and I asked her what was wrong. She said she lost $200, so I gave her $40 from the $200 I picked up at the entrance. When God blesses you, you must bless others.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: If you’re looking for a sign to drink tonight, this is it.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I pulled out a nose hair today just to see how bad it would hurt. Judging by my wife’s reaction, it hurts REALLY bad.

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PUN OF THE WEEK: A buddy of mine wrecked his new luxury car last week. He found out exactly how a Mercedes bends.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If vampires can’t see their reflection in a mirror, how do they always keep their hair looking so perfect?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If you think you’re having a bad day, just remember that the airport in Vienna has a counter for people who flew to Austria instead of Australia by mistake.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Nothing disturbs me more than the glorification of stupidity.” – Carl Sagan

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: There are lots of things to make us all feel old this week. The man, the myth, the legend – Willie Nelson turned 91 last week. Actor/comedian Jerry Seinfeld is 70. Actor, businessman, and former pro wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is celebrating his 52nd birthday. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary. Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Bongiovi are celebrating their 35th.  

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There is an incredible line-up of great live entertainment around the lake this weekend. On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend with Thursday Night Karaoke at the Shrimp Boil on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Friday night, R. Jay Smith entertains live at Doc’s. There is karaoke fun on The Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday nights. Saturday afternoon, Jason Morgan leads the SINGO competition at The Anchor from 3:00-5:00. The Sallisaw Drifters will perform Friday night and The Randy Ess Band will be live Saturday night at Blind Swine Monkey Island. Magen Faulconer will be on stage Friday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and DJ K-Bandito provides the musical fun Saturday night at Big Shots.

On South Grand, Tim Gillian performs at Blind Swine on Duck Creek Friday night followed by Randall George Saturday. Absher, Martin & White will be on stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by The Michelle Warren Duo Saturday night and a special Sunday afternoon performance (4:00 p.m.) by Magen FaulconerRagan Fletcher will headline Friday night fun at Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina followed by The Garrett Brown Band Saturday night. Glam R Us entertains Saturday night at the Drunken Rooster in Cleora.

In Grove, there are two nights of live music this week at Cherokee Casino featuring Audio Crush Friday night and Rusty Meyers Saturday. Analog Frogs entertain Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655.

Jon Dooly starts the weekend Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Bobby DeGonia Friday and Oreo Blue Saturday.

George Thorogood & The Destroyers will be live at Downstream Casino’s Pavilion Friday night; and Me Like Bees will be on stage Saturday night at Downstream’s Legends Sports Bar. Gusto’s Rockin’ Jazz Brats will be on stage at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar Saturday night. In Club 60 West at River Bend Casino, Western Justice entertains Saturday night, and there is late night karaoke with DJ Kay beginning at 11:00 Saturday night.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: A new restaurant, One Eyed Monkey, is now open for breakfast and lunch just west of Littlefield Corner (next to Family Dollar). There is a weekly Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on Doc’s Patio. Doc’s Bar & Grill and The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La both feature awesome Mother’s Day Brunch offerings Sunday. Blind Swine Duck Creek is now open Tuesday-Sunday (11:00 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. Friday-Sunday) featuring all-you-can-eat Crab Boils on Wednesday nights and all-you-can-eat Shrimp Boils Friday nights. Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina is now open for the season. Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill is now open 7 days a week (from 4:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon Friday-Sunday).

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BUM MUST-SEE TV:  Time 100: The World’s Most Influential People airs Sunday night at 9:00 on ABC. The Voice airs Monday at 7:00 on NBC. Jon Stewart hosts The Daily Show Monday night at 10:00 on The Comedy Channel. Best of the Tonight Show: Ten Years of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon airs next Tuesday night at 8:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Kingdom of Planet of the Apes, Tarot, and We Grown Now open in movie theaters Friday. Mother of the Bride is available Thursday on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, May 17 – PXG Fitting Day at Shangri-La Golf Club (12:00-3:30 p.m.). Friday, May 17 – Eddy’s Lakeside Bar opens for the season at Shangri-La Marina (4:00 p.m.). Friday & Saturday, May 17-18 – Lawn-a-thon family fun with inflatable games on the Anchor Lawn at Shangri-La (1:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 18 – PXG Fitting Day at Shangri-La Golf Club (11:00 a.m.-2:30). Saturday, May 18 – Sounds of Summer Car Show & Festival at Marina Del Rey Resort (1:00-6:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 18 – “Death of a Gangster” Murder Mystery Dinner in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 18 – O’Banion Band’s Summertime Kickoff at the Monkey Island Barn (6:00 p.m.). Friday, May 24 – Grand Opening of the Legacy of Liberty WW II Memorial Park at Shangri-La (10:00 a.m.). Saturday, May 25 – Ketchum Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry & Auction at the Ketchum Fire Station (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, May 25 – “Ugly 70’s Party” at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina celebrating the 50-year Anniversary for Ugly John’s (5:00 p.m.). Sunday, May 26 – Battlefield 1st Anniversary Scramble at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (1:00 p.m. shotgun). Monday, May 27 – Memorial Day celebration at Veterans Honor Plaza in Langley (10:00 a.m.). Friday, May 31 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Spring Scramble Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge Golf Course (8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. tee times). Saturday & Sunday, June 1-2 – Cherokee Casino Big Bass Bash. Monday-Wednesday, June 3-5 – Junior Players Academy at Shangri-La Golf Club (8:30 a.m. daily). Friday, June 7 – Barkaritaville Fundraiser benefiting Second Chance Pet Rescue at Honey Creek Barbeque at Hilltop Inn & Suites in Grove (6:30-10:00 p.m.) – music by Brett N’ Terri. Saturday, June 8 – Grand Lake YMCA Triathlon (7:00 a.m.). Saturday, June 8 – PING Fitting Day at Shangri-La Golf Club (9:00 a.m.-1:00). Monday-Wednesday, June 10-12 – Youth Tennis Camp at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (8:30 a.m.). Thursday-Sunday, June 27-28 – Grand Meridian RV Resort’s 7th Annual Grand Jam Music Fest.

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NBA Playoffs move into Round 2 this week. After Tuesday’s series opener, the OKC Thunder will host Dallas again Thursday at 8:30 before moving the series to Dallas for games Saturday at 2:30 and Monday at 8:30. They’ll be back in OKC for game 5 next Wednesday.

In the red-hot Big 12 Softball world, it’s tournament time. The Big 12 Conference Championship Tournament is this week with semifinals Friday at 5:00 and 7:30. The Championship game will be Saturday at 6:30.

PGA Golfers are split between Charlotte, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach South Carolina.  Coverage of the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte airs Thursday & Friday at 1:00 and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00. Coverage of the Myrtle Beach Classic is exclusively on The Golf Channel Thursday & Friday mornings at 8:30 and Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.

The UFL professional football season features two games Saturday and two more Sunday. Memphis and Arlington face off Saturday at noon, followed by St. Louis and Birmingham at 3:00. Sunday games include Michigan and D.C. at 11:00 a.m. and San Antonio and Houston at 2:00.

NASCAR drivers are at Darlington this week for the Goodyear 400. Coverage is on FS1 beginning Sunday afternoon at 2:00.

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Weather for the weekend ahead looks a little more predictable – and nicer than the past weekend. We’ll have sunshine for the most part, light winds, but temperatures will be a little lower than we might like at the lake – highs in the low to mid-70s, lows in the low to mid-50s. There’s a lot happening this weekend, so get out there and have some fun! Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might be me!

GRAND LAKE BUM

3 responses to “Random Observations From The Grand Lake Bum”

  1. Katrina Fausset Avatar
    Katrina Fausset

    I’ve been reading your column for over 20 years! You taught me what a “Tramp Stamp” back around 1999!! Love reading!!

  2. Judith Clement Avatar
    Judith Clement

    Love finding out what’s going on around The Grand. But mostly just love your musings!

  3. Marsha Razor Avatar
    Marsha Razor

    My week is not complete until I read what you have to say about upcoming events on Lady Grand and current events. Thank you for the chuckles too !

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