June 14, 2021
What an absolutely incredible weekend we all enjoyed at Grand Lake over the past weekend. If you didn’t know better, you would have thought it was the 4th of July weekend. The American Heritage Music Festival and the Toes in the Grand Festival at Wolf Creek were fabulous shows for kids of all ages – and even wrapped up with fireworks. There were lots of boats at the Bobberland on-the-water concert on South Grand, an awesome Flag Day Boat Sashay parade – and two national competitions: the Thunder on Wolf Creek boat races and the Odyssey National Dance Competition at Shangri-La. I guess it’s going to be like that every weekend. I was counting up the “live music” performances around the lake next weekend. I stopped counting when I got to 30 – including yet another on-the-water concert Saturday at Check-In Bay. Grand Lake is truly Oklahoma’s party spot – and live entertainment is back with a passion!
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Modern day Jonah? Seriously! I’ll bet you can’t top Michael Packard’s story! The 56-year-old Cape Cod lobster diver found himself suddenly in total darkness after feeling a “bump” in the water. He didn’t realize where he was until thirty seconds later when he was spewed from the mouth of a humpback whale in a Jetstream of water. That is literally one whale of a story!
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Everybody is trying to outperform everyone these days. NBA Playoffs, the U.S. Open is coming up, the College World Series starts this week…and just when you thought no one could top Coach Patty Gasso and her National Championship Sooner Softball, here comess Coach Tiffany Eichten, coach of the Wabasso, Minnesota Softball Team. The very pregnant coach Eichten was in the top of the 7th inning of the second playoff game of the day when the coach suddenly turned the reins over to her assistant and got help getting to her car where baby Andie was born! These teams plan for everything. One of the assistant coaches is also an OB/GYN nurse. I still don’t know who won the game, though.
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Our ambitious boating friends at Lake of the Ozarks set an ambitious goal last weekend – but they weren’t even close. Boaters gathered at Osage beach Saturday in an attempt to take the Guinness Book of Records “Largest Boat Parade” title. In fairness, it was a daunting goal to attempt to take the title from the 2014 boat parade in Malaysia that included 1,180 boats; but the qualifying entries at LOTO last weekend had less than half that total – 505. Personally, I think the Flag Day Boat Sashay we had on Grand Lake is a lot more our style.
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Sunday is Father’s Day. If you’re stumped for a gift idea, here’s a suggestion: clean and polish the boat, fill it with fuel, stock it with ice, snacks and Dad’s favorite beverages. When everything is perfectly prepared, grab your Dad, take him to the boat, put him at the helm, unplug the shorepower, disconnect the dock lines and push him safely out of the slip – while you and the rest of the family remain on the shoreline! The perfect gift!
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Mr. Shing Chinese Restaurant has now re-opened in Langley. Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney is now open 7 days a week. QuickQue BBQ Shack is now open Wednesday-Sunday from 11:00-8:00 at Monkey Island RV Park. Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) is now hosting Friday night Creole Shrimp Boil fun, as well as breakfast service Friday, Saturday & Sundays. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La hosts a weekly Shrimp Boil on the patio each Thursday night as well as an all-you-can-eat Ribs Special Friday nights. Doc’s Bar & Grill and Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda both offer a Saturday & Sunday Breakfast Buffet.
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Friday night is the huge Grove Rotary Club Lobsterfest at Grove Civic Center. The Route 66 Festival in Vinita is Friday & Saturday. Saturday is also the big on-the-water Rock the Dock Concert at Check-In Bay (noon-5:00). Saturday night, there’s Jello Wrestling at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina (7:00 p.m.) and the annual Steampunk Costume Party at Monkey Island Pub. GRDA is also offering the Kyle Williams Safe Boating Class at the GRDA Ecosystems Building Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. Sunday is Father’s Day, of course; and the annual Junior Players Academy at Shangri-La is next week, Monday-Wednesday from 8:00 a.m.-noon daily.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT:
On Monkey Island, the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Scott Musick provides the live entertainment at Doc’s. DJ C-Dub kicks off the weekend entertainment Friday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar, followed by Reverse Reaction Saturday night. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit at Shangri-La. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons beginning at 8:00 Friday & Saturday nights; and just across the street, there’s always great dance music Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine – and he’s back for more Karaoke & Cocktails Sunday night. Erin Fitzgibbon will perform Friday night at 6:00 at the Swine/Monkey Island. Saturday night is the annual Steampunk Costume Party and Karaoke with Tim at Monkey Island Pub.
At The Regatta in Grove, Brett & Terri entertain Thursday night and Faultline headlines the musical fun Friday. Saturday night, Encore entertains along with Cory Lee.
On South Grand, Erin Fitzgibbon entertainsevery Thursday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) and KJ Flip leads the musical fun every Wednesday night. Vanessa Oxford kicks off the weekend entertainment Friday night at Sharky’s. Saturday entertainment begins early in the day with both BC & The Big Rig and Paralandra performing at the on-the-water Rock the Dock Concert at Check-In Bay from noon until 5:00. Cory Lee will be performing Saturday afternoon from noon until 4:00 at Sharky’s; and Sunday afternoon is karaoke fun with John Hamilton. At Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, The Blake Turner Trio will perform Saturday night.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Erin Fitzgibbon in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by The Sidemen Friday and Borrowed Money Saturday. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar features music of Whatever Rocks Friday and Superstar Mafia Saturday nights. At Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar, Rod Robertson will be performing Friday night followed by Jumpsuit Love Saturday.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The title “cowpoke” originally applied only to the men whose job was to prod or “poke” cattle into rail cars for shipment.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: There is now a place on Grand Lake you can drink and drive legally – the NASCAR/Formula 1 driving simulator at The Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La (you may need a ride home, though).
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I bought some shoes from a drug dealer…not sure what they were laced with, but I’ve been tripping all day.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Like everyone else, we’re hiring.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: As we get older, we don’t lose friends. We just find out who the real ones are.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Something in the way she moos attracts me like no udder lover. (did you sing it?)
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I really think it’s time to take the warning labels off of everything and let stupidity work itself out of the gene pool.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: We lost country music legend Jerry Jeff Walker last week. He was 78 years old. Oklahoma City’s media world lost three giants last week – longtime WKY (now KFOR) sportscaster and ad agency executive Robbie Robertson was 73, KOCO, OETA meteorology icon Ross Dixon, and former Griffin Television President and KWTV General Manager Jacques “Jack” DeLier who was 101.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Kevin Dennis, Judy Love, Josh Russell, Mike Ward, Cory Bowker, Lisa Arizpe, Tony Mills, Sandy Busch, Casey Borin, Brittani Isaac, Gary Palu, John Landers, and Jim Chapman.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If vegetables are so good, why do vegans always try to make them taste like meat?
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Two new game shows debut this week. Holey Moley premieres Thursday night at 8:00, followed by The Hustler at 9:00, both on ABC. Kevin Can F**K Himself debuts Sunday night at 8:00 on AMC; and Peyton Manning hosts the return of College Bowl next Tuesday night at 9:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: 12 Might Orphans and The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard debut in movie theaters this week. Luca is available on Disney+ and Fatherhood is on NETFLIX. The Birthday Cake is available for rent.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Breaking up is like knocking over a Coke machine. You can’t do it in one push. You have to rock it back and forth a few times; and then it goes over.” – Jerry Seinfeld
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Saturday, June 25-26 – Grand Jam Music Festival at Grand Meridian RV Park. Friday-Saturday, June 25-26 – Corn Hole Tournament at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Saturday, June 26 – Heels on Wheels Car Show & Bikini Contest at Copper Penny Bar & Grill in Ketchum. Monday-Wednesday, June 28-30 – Youth Pickleball Camp at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 3 – Monkey Island Fireworks at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 3 – July 3rd Fireworks Celebration at Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, July 3 – Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney. Sunday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks. Sunday, July 4 – Miami Fireworks at Riverside Park.
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SPORTS WATCH: NBA Playoffs continue this week as we wrap up the conference semi-finals and determine which two teams will battle for the conference championships. Conference finals could begin as soon as Sunday. Games are on TNT, ESPN, and ABC.
The PGA players are at Torrey Pines South in San Diego this week for The U.S> Open. Coverage begins on The Golf Channel at 11:30 Thursday and Friday. NBC has full coverage of Saturday action beginning a 10:00 a.m. Sunday’s final round coverage begins on the Golf Channel at 9:00 and moves to NBC at 11:00.
The College World Series games kick off Saturday – and air daily. Check your local listings for teams, times, and channels.
In MLB, the Cardinals are in Atlanta to face the Braves Saturday night at 6:15 (Fox) and Sunday night at 6:00 (ESPN).
NASCAR drivers are in Nashville this week. Coverage of the Ally 400 begins at 2:30 Sunday afternoon on NBCSN.
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It’ll be tough to top the fabulous weather from last weekend, but we’re going to try. We’ll have sunshine for the most part, with highs in the upper 90s Friday, then low 90s Saturday & Sunday. Enjoy light breezes and lows around 70 degrees. It should be perfect for an incredibly busy Father’s Day weekend. Remember, though, wherever you party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM
June 7, 2021
The biggest news on Grand Lake is The Anchor Indoor/Outdoor Activity Park, NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK at Shangri-La Resort. If you haven’t seen the place, you’re going to be blown away. Sure there are arcade games, golf simulators, shooting simulators, pool, ping-pong, shuffleboard, darts, virtual reality arenas, driving simulators, flying simulators, pickleball courts, tennis courts, basketball, and the mini-Fenway WIFFLE Ball Park. But I’ve found a new home in the OMG indoor-outdoor bar area. My new spot is the outdoor bar area, complete with fire pits and drop-down Isenglass and overhead heaters so you can drink outside with a view of the water features, outdoor courts, and Grand Lake YEAR-ROUND! It’s a game changer for all of Grand Lake, for sure. The official Grand Lake “season” is now 12 months long!
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If you haven’t already gotten your Covid-19 vaccination, there has never been more incentive. Professional sports teams are giving away free tickets to fans who get vaccines at the park, several states have lotteries for vaccine recipients with prizes up to a million dollars; but Grand Lakers now have joined those who have the ultimate incentive – free beer! Yep, you read it right. President Biden has set a goal of having at least 70 percent of the population receiving at least one vaccination shot by the 4th of July. If we reach that goal, Anheuser Busch has agreed to buy every adult in America a free beer on the 4th. Even non-alcoholic beverages qualify, so kids 12 years and older can get a free beverage, too. Staying alive has always been a good enough reason for me to get the vaccine (I’m done), but now there is an even better reason for staying alive – free beer!
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If you’re still trying to keep up with former President Trump, I’m not sure where to send you. He’s banned from Twitter and Facebook, of course – and he recently resorted to a regular blog on a website. His staff now confirms the blog has been permanently discontinued.
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Our prudishness and sensitivities are still in overdrive, I guess. The magnificent 25-foot “Forever Marilyn” sculpture of Marilyn Monroe’s famous photo with an underground vent blowing up her dress will not be coming to Tulsa, after all. Unbelievably, 41,000 people signed a petition to block the “Forever Marilyn” tour of the iconic and historic statue. It was displayed in Tulsa with no issues whatsoever in 2014, but I guess we’ve gotten wackier since then. It was supposed to be in Tulsa over the past weekend, but officials confirm it’s not going to be displayed in Tulsa due to its “hyper-sexualized, misogynistic” nature. The photo wasn’t offensive back when it was taken in 1954; but I guess it’s offensive now. SMH.
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ENTERTAINMENT NOTE: Tickets are on sale for Blake Shelton’s September 24 concert at Tulsa’s BOK Center.
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TOURISM NOTE: Last year, it was Covid-19. This year, it’s ongoing maintenance inside the powerhouse – but, for the second year in a row, there will be no tours of the Pensacola Dam this season. That’s too bad. It’s an incredible tour; but if you haven’t already done it, it looks like 2022 is going to be your year.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney is now open 7 days a week. QuickQue BBQ Shack is now open Wednesday-Sunday from 11:00-8:00 at Monkey Island RV Park. Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) is now hosting Friday night Creole Shrimp Boil fun, as well as breakfast service Friday, Saturday & Sundays. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La hosts a weekly Shrimp Boil on the patio each Thursday night as well as an all-you-can-eat Ribs Special Friday nights. Doc’s Bar & Grill and Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda both offer a Saturday & Sunday Breakfast Buffet; and Sunday Brunch is available at Mulligans at Patricia Island (10:00-2:00).
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s Toes in the Grand Festival weekend in Grove! The American Heritage Music Festival and Thunder on Wolf Creek Boat Races are all a part of this year’s festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. The first Kyle Williams Safe Boating Class of the year is Saturday at the GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley. Saturday morning, there’s a Farmers Market at the Grove Community Center (9:00-2:00). Saturday is also a Bikini Bike Wash at Pickles at the Lake in Langley (1:00-4:00); and Saturday night is the “Daisy Dukes of Hazzard Party at Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina. Kyle Williams Safe Boating Class at GRDA Ecosystems Building.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: The American Heritage Music Festival and the Toes in the Grand Festival are both at Wolf Creek Park this weekend. Friday is the American Music Festival including the National Fiddle Competition topped off with evening entertainment by Cliff Top (7:00), The Baker Family Band (7:45), and the Junior Marriott Swing Band (8:30). At the Trop Rock festival Saturday, Three Chord Justice will entertain at 2:00 followed by The COPA Reefer Band at 4:30, and a Beach Boys tribute band at 7:30.
At The Regatta in Grove, Until Now entertains Thursday night and KJ Flip leads the karaoke fun Friday.
On Monkey Island, The Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Clint Ingramprovides the live entertainment at Doc’s. DJ Max kicks off the weekend entertainment Friday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar, followed by Ronnie Pyle and the Drivers Saturday night. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit at Shangri-La. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons beginning at 8:00 Friday & Saturday nights; and just across the street, there’s always great dance music Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine – and he’s back for more Karaoke & Cocktails Sunday night. Saturday night is Karaoke with Tim at Monkey Island Pub.
On South Grand, Erin Fitzgibbon entertainsevery Thursday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) and KJ Flip leads the musical fun every Wednesday night. At Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, Daniel Chesser will perform Friday night. The Barrett Lewis Trio will be on stage Saturday night – and Barrett Lewis will be back for a solo performance Sunday afternoon at 4:00. The Faulconer Band will entertain Saturday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents The Party Line Band in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Stonehorse Friday and The Uncrowned Kings Saturday. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar features music of Mayday by Midnight both Friday and Saturday nights. At Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar, Constant Chaos will be performing Friday night followed by Encore Saturday.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The red part of a Poinsettia is a type of leaf called a bract.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: People who drank Boone’s Farm as teenagers are immune to all viruses.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I just read that 4,153,237 people got married last year. Not to cause any trouble, but shouldn’t that be an even number?
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Remember what the valet who parked your car looks like, because we don’t have valet parking.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: You can walk around Wal-Mart eating grapes, and nobody every says anything to you about it; but when you pop open the first beer, here comes security.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: The Black Eyed Peas can sing us a song, but the chick peas can only hummus one.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Sometimes you meet someone and you know from the very first moment that you want to spend the rest of your life without them.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: ZZ Top and Willie Nelson are planning a joint concert on August 8 in Kansas City. ZZ Top’s original band members have been performing together for 52 years. Willy Nelson is 88 years old. That should be an interesting crowd demographic. Actor Jerry Mathers, “The Beaver” on the old “Leave it to Beaver” television series, turned 73 last week.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to David Moore, Bill Pettit, Marnie Pettit, Donna Price, Matt Nash, Ron Young, Jim Gray, Lynn Bowker, Blair Philbrick, Amy Kennedy, Tina Tolleson, and Michael Junk. Congratulations, too, to newlyweds Michael Thrift and Amanda Payne!
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do songbirds get irritated at hummingbirds because they won’t take the time and effort to learn the lyrics?
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Blindspotting premieres Sunday on Starz. The Republic of Sarah debuts Monday night at 8:00 on CW; and Celebrity Dating Game airs Monday night at 9:00 on ABC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Misfits, In the Heights, and The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 all debut in movie theaters this week. Infinite is available on Paramount +, Home Before Dark is on Apple TV+, and Queen of Spades is available for rent.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Social media made y’all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it.” – Mike Tyson
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, June 18 – Grove Rotary Club Lobsterfest at Grove Civic Center. Friday & Saturday, June 18-19 – Route 66 Festival in Vinita. Saturday, June 19 – Rock the Dock Concert at Check-In Bay (noon-5:00). Saturday, Saturday, June 19 – Jello Wrestling at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, June 19 – Steampunk Costume Party at Monkey Island Pub. June 19 – Kyle Williams Safe Boating Class at GRDA Ecosystems Building. Monday-Wednesday, June 21-23 – Junior Players Academy at Shangri-La. Friday-Saturday, June 25-26 – Grand Jam Music Festival at Grand Meridian RV Park. Saturday, June 26 – Heels on Wheels Car Show & Bikini Contest at Copy Penny Bar & Grill in Ketchum. Monday-Wednesday, June 28-30 – Youth Pickleball Camp at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 3 – Monkey Island Fireworks at Shangri-La. Saturday, July 3 – July 3rd Fireworks Celebration at Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, July 3 – Grand Lake Fireworks at Disney. Sunday, July 4 – Duck Creek Fireworks. Sunday, July 4 – Miami Fireworks at Riverside Park.
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SPORTS WATCH: NBA Playoffs continue this week in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs. There are multiple games daily on TNT and ESPN.
The PGA players are in South Carolina this week for The Palmetto Championship at Congaree. Coverage begins on The Golf Channel at 2:00 Thursday and Friday, and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and Sunday.
The Women’s College World Series Championship series is Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday evenings at 6:30 on ESPN.
In MLB, the Cubs host the Cardinals for a couple of games this weekend – Saturday at 6:15 on Fox and Sunday at 6:00 on ESPN before traveling to New York to face the Mets Monday night (6:00 on ESPN). Next Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves host the Boston Red Sox at 6:00 (ESPN).
NASCAR drivers are in Fort Worth for a little Sunday night prime time racing this week. Coverage of the NASCAR All-Star Open begins at 5:00 Sunday afternoon followed by the NASCAR All-Star Race at 7:00, both on FS-1.
GRAND LAKE BUM
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