Welcome Back!

Good Morning,

If you’ve been gone, well, Welcome Back, as Grand Lake kicks off the early lake season this weekend with a bunch of fun things.

The best news? It’s going to be a beautiful weekend, at least by March 1st standards… so get out and enjoy it.

More on all that below, but first, did you happen to check out that podcast from Voices of Oklahoma that was being shared on Facebook with Joe Harwood?

It’s a great listen with first-person stories of some legendary Grand Lakers. From his personal story at Grand Lake to the history of the Duck Creek Fireworks and the evolution of boats and boat sales at Grand, to Covid, GRDA, and the Arrowhead fire and plans to rebuild, it’s a must listen for any Grand Laker.

Quick tip, though… Joe and John Ehrling talk sloooowwwwllly, lol. But there is a transcript that you can read and save yourself 30+ minutes if you are so inclined and still get the stories.

Anyway, here is a link: https://voicesofoklahoma.com/interviews/harwood-joe/

Alright, let’s turn our attention to the right now, and here is what you need to know for this Welcome Back Weekend at Grand Lake!

This Weekend at Grand Lake

Welcome Back! - The highlight of the weekend is the traditional Poker Run on Saturday that leads to a big party that is open to everyone Saturday evening at Cherokee Yacht Club. All of the details on the Poker Run like where to go, turning your cards in, etc., plus details on the party and more welcome back events can be found HERE.

Casino Night - Tonight (Friday!) things get kicked off on Monkey Island with a Casino Night Welcome Back party at MarineMax from 5 to 8 pm. Check out the latest lineup of luxury boats while enjoying casino games, raffles, appetizers, and drinks. Dress in your best ’70s disco style—bell bottoms, platform shoes, and all—for a night of fun, prizes, and spring boating inspiration!

Tastes, Treasures & an Open House - Capitalizing on the weather and Welcome Back Weekend, many businesses in the South Grand Lake area will be having specials and welcoming people back to the lake. Here are just a few of what I know about:

• Beau’s Market & Deli is ready to welcome you back to the lake with the roll-out of their new menu, plus a new refreshing drink for this weekend’s sunshine, a fresh-fruit lemonade spritzer - with cold cream if you want. Sounds so refreshing! You’ll be able to sample those along side of Beau’s Welcome Back Bites- a fun selection of food sampling of all Beau’s offers. And don’t forget about the AWESOME Sunday Breakfast Buffet they now offer from 8 am to 2 pm every Sunday. It is delicious. Go ahead… ask me how I know…

• Mooney’s is now open for brunch every Saturday at 10 am. Yep!

• VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina is OPEN FOR THE SEASON!

• Java Don’s Coffee Shop and Grand Nutrition, at the Shops at Grand Meridian will be open at 6 am Saturday morning (maybe Sunday too) to get you fueled up for your full day of Grand Lake fun. And, come back to The Shops at Grand Meridian between 10 and 4 for a big Open House with exclusive deals, prize drawings, bounce houses for the kids, and delicious food from The Incredible Edibles Food Trailer.

• All-Seasons Patio Grand Lake in Langley is ready to help you make the most of your outdoor space and save lots of money this weekend → All in stock patio furniture is marked 35%-50% off MSRP! WOW - Talk about Welcome Back! There is also a Southern Girls Bakery Pop-Up event at Noon with some homemade goodies - think Sourdough!

• Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina will be showing off all of their new items for the year in their boutique. Stop by this weekend and see what they’ve got new for 2025.

• Cregan’s Confections, the new spot at the Ketchum Food Park with delicious scratch-made sweet treats, plus all sort of chocolate, AND, Blue Bunny ice cream (dished out any way you’d like) is making the transition to being open 7 days per week, starting NOW! They are open at 3 during the week, and at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday.

• Visit the Grand Lake Buzz Tastes and Treasures Facebook event page HERE for more info on all the deals and participating businesses. There was a rumor they are putting together some kind of guide book or flyer for all of the participating businesses, and if I see that, I’ll add it to the Grand Lake Living website HERE if you are someone who prefers to avoid Facebook. (Can’t say I blame you!)

WAAMI Chili Lunch Fundraiser - WAAMI’s Chili Luncheon Fundraiser will be held at the Lake Center Baptist Church on Monkey Island on Saturday, from 11 am to 2 pm. Enjoy “all you can eat” chilis and soups along with a drink and desert for only $10.00. Come and have a hearty lunch, stay for a little fellowship, and help support WAAMI’s many worthwhile area projects. Women’s Auxiliary Association of Monkey Island is a 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the community through projects including the Monkey Island Pedestrian Trail, the island highway easements mowing effort, handmade baby blankets for Grove Integris Hospital newborns, and adult cover-ups for Good Shephard Hospice.

Beer & Burgers - Enjoy a delicious evening at White Buffalo Lodge in Grove on March 1st at 6 PM with their Beer & Burgers event! A $28 donation includes two craft beers, a bison burger with two sides, and dessert, all while supporting White Buffalo Lodge Ministries and Conservation efforts. Gather with friends for great food and drinks while contributing to the preservation of nature, deer, and bison herds. For more information, email [email protected].

Playmakers - A couple of things from Grove Playmakers Theatre - they have added a couple of more performances of Persnickety (getting RAVE reviews!) on the 6th and 7th. Details on that and getting your reservations can be found HERE. Additionally, THIS SATURDAY, the 1st, from 2 to 4 pm, there will be auditions for roles in the upcoming production of Art Dog. The Playmakers, in collaboration with Grove Public Schools will produce a musical adaptation of the play “Art Dog”, based on the picture book by Thatcher Hurd. Upper Elementary and Mid-school students may audition for the seven roles in the play. Contact the Theatre with any questions or if you have a conflict with the auditions.

Library Happenings - There is always something happening at the Grove Public Library. Check out the March Calendar of Events HERE.

Coming Up:

• Friends of Grand Lake Audubon Society Meeting: March 8th, 10:30 AM at Grove Library, with guest speaker Rick Jones speaking on The Cornell Labs Protocols for Bluebird nestbox monitoring.

• The Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show is next weekend, the 7th through the 9th, in Vinita. Details HERE.

• Mardi Gras in March, a fundraiser for the Ketchum Backpack Program, is March 13th at the GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center in Langley.

• The Grove Home and Graden Show happens in Grove from the 14th through the 16th. Details HERE.

• The South Grand Chamber’s Bootlegger’s Ball is coming up on March 15th.

• AND, the Big Meat Run is right around the corner!

• Oh, and don’t forget about the all new Que-ing at the Lake, happening in Ketchum on April 12th. BBQ and so much more!

This Weekend’s Featured Music Lineup

FYI, if I don’t know about it, I can’t include it here, lol. But here is what I do know for this weekend’s entertainment at the lake:

Friday, Feb 28

• Pullen Strings at Scissortail Marina - 6 pm

• Ryan Graham at The Anchor - 7 pm

• Sierra Bravo at Mooney’s - 8 pm

• Soul Shaker at Cherokee Casino Grove - 8 pm

• The Beer & Chicken Band at Grand Lake Casino - 8 pm

• DJ Kennedy Rockstar Karaoke at The Monkey Bar - 8:30 pm

• Locked & Loaded Band - AND a Mechancial Bull! - at R Bar Dance Hall and Saloon - 8 pm

• Karaoke with Tim at Copper Penny - 9 pm

Saturday, March 1

• Poker Run Party, Buffet & Live Music at Cherokee Yacht Club - 5 to 10 pm

• Glam R Us at Drunken Rooster - 8 pm

• Dustin Pittsley Band at Mooney’s - 8:30 pm

Featured Real Estate Listings

Check out these currently featured listings at Grand Lake, and be sure to see all of the listings currently featured on the Grand Lake Living website HERE.

Custom Home with Stunning Lake Views

• Price Reduced & Open House THIS Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm!

New construction in the gated Polo Club community! This 4-bed, 3-bath ranch-style home features a fireplace, golf cart garage, cedar beams, Energy Star windows, and so much more. Enjoy lake views, a community pool, clubhouse, and nearby dining and shopping. State-of-the-art boat slips available. Call Erika with Coldwell Banker Shangri-La Realty at 918-934-4025 or click HERE to view the listing. Owner/Seller is a Licensed Real Estate Broker.

Patricia Island LAKEFRONT!

Discover your slice of paradise with this stunning 2,500 sq. ft. waterfront home in Patricia Island Estates—complete with an 11′ x 26′ boat slip, Hydro-Hoist lift, and two PWC ports. Designed with custom upgrades inside and out, this home features walls of windows showcasing breathtaking Grand Lake views, wildlife, and unforgettable sunsets. Step onto your brand-new deck with a hot tub and soak in the serenity of lake life. Call Ileta Bray — (918) 801-5912 — at Legacy Real Estate today for your exclusive showing, or go ahead and Click HERE to check out the full listing.

Luxury Lake Retreat at The Preserve

Custom-built 4-bed, 4-bath lake home on 1 acre with 100+ ft. of shoreline. Features 3,400 sq. ft., wood floors, Monarch cabinets, granite countertops, and GE appliances. Outdoor paradise with a hot tub, gas grill, pizza oven, and a private 12'x33' boat slip. Gated community living at its finest! Call Victoria with RE/MAX Grand Lake at (918) 520-1982 for details, and see the full listing HERE.

Monkey Island BEAUTY!

Exceptional 6-bed, 6-bath home offers endless possibilities. With 3 living areas, 2 dining areas, & plenty of space for the entire family. This property could also be a fantastic income producer, as the desirable & gated community allows VRBO rentals. The primary suite offers 2 spacious closets & its own private entrance to the deck that overlooks the entire property & lake. Downstairs, you'll find five additonal bedrooms, & a huge game room with a built-in bar. The upstairs studio office is equipped with a full bathroom and a private balcony. Additionally, 41 income producing boat slips & 2 adjacent waterview buildable lots are available for purchase. Rare opportunity—call Jeff at McGraw Realtors today at 918-499-0070 to learn more, or view the full listing HERE. Owner/Seller is a Licensed Real Estate Broker.

Looking for more on Grand Lake?