December 11 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
The holiday season is well underway at Grand Lake. In the past weekend alone we saw the Grove Rotary holiday party, the Second Chance Pet Rescue Christmas Breakfast & Dessert Auction, the Grove Parade, the Christmas Lights Boat Parade, Brunch with Santa at Doc’s, and the first of a two-part “Grand Lake Holiday Celebration” at the Shangri-La Resort Hotel lobby. Parades in Vinita, Ketchum and the Disney-Langley Parade were already in the books. For the coming weekend, there’s the big Christmas Party Friday night at The Anchor (with Santa & Mrs. Claus), a Christmas Pickleball Mixer at Shangri-La Racquet Club, Christmas parties Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster and Mooney’s, and the final Sunday afternoon “Grand Lake Holiday Celebration” with Terry Jordan at the piano for the Christmas Carol sing-along fun, and special guests David Bridges & The Message. Christmas is no different than every other holiday – NOBODY parties like Grand Lakers!
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Be careful when you are tempted to put your money where your mouth is. X-Golf, a bar in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, offered patrons free beer until Iowa’s first score during the Big 10 Championship game. The big event never happened. Michigan defeated Iowa 26-0 – and X-Bar had to provide free beer for the entire game. They’re making the most of it, though. Their newly named brand ambassador is, appropriately, John Daly.
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I guess blood isn’t always thicker than water, after all. Gunnar Gundy, back-up quarterback at Oklahoma State University where his dad has been head coach for 19 years, has entered the transfer portal. In another twist of irony, I guess quarterback Dillon Gabriel didn’t want to have to change all the lettering on his clothes. He left Oklahoma, entered the transfer portal, and signed with Oregon. So, he’s leaving OU and heading to…OU.
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Folks in elective office can get pretty creative if they don’t think they’re getting enough publicity. Now, an Oklahoma State Representative says he’ll file legislation to have Oklahoma lawmakers removed from office if they support terrorist organizations. I’m fairly sure we would know if there were any such people doing any such thing. SMH. I’m sure that goofy, self-serving State Rep would want me to publish his name, so I’ll resist the urge to do so.
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Best new definition of irony: getting pregnant on a pull-out sofa.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Amy Redus, Dustin Matthews, Steven Dyer, Renee Hartley, Brenda Littlefield, Shirley Brown, Holly Roach, Meredith DiPasquale, Nevyle Cable, Keith Reneau, Jill Swisher, Brad Milanowski, Amber Benson, Christie Landry, Kay Dillingham, Mark Spechler, Zack Brown, Katie Hutson, Tina Blackman, Rodney Richardson, and Casey Davis.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. The Christmas Lights displays Twin Bridges State Park and Pine Lodge Resort are officially open for your drive-thru enjoyment. Thursday night is Trivia Night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Friday night is the Legacy Event Center Annual Christmas Party (7:00 p.m.) and the Christmas Party open to the public at The Anchor at Shangri-La with Santa & Mrs. Claus (6:00-8:00 p.m., as well as the Christmas Pickleball Mixer at The Anchor Racquet Club (7:00-9:00 p.m.). Friday night is also Movie Theme Night at Grove Ice Rink – “All Aboard for Christmas” and Christmas Dinner Theater at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Santa & Mrs. Claus will be at Grove Bargain Center Saturday morning from 9:30-noon. Saturday night is the Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at the Drunken Rooster, the Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, and the Caribbean Christmas Party at Mooney’s. Sunday afternoon is “A Grand Lake Holiday Celebration” with Terry Jordan and special guests David Bridges & The Message in the lobby of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (2:00-5:00). Santa’s Ozark Mountain Christmas Village is open Friday & Saturday nights at Har-Ber Village. The Ice Rink at Grove Community Center is open for “Open Skate” Fridays 6:00-10:00 p.m., Saturdays 3:00-10:00 and Sundays 3:00-8:00.Tuesday night is the final “Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson” competition at The Anchor until the battles resume January 9. Santa will be at American Bank of Oklahoma in Disney next Wednesday (Dec. 20) from 1:00-5:00 p.m.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Although the Missouri River is often called “The Big Muddy,” its name actually translates to something like “People with big canoes.”
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Age matters. Three 77-78 year-old legends dominate Billboard charts this week. Brenda Lee is #1 on the #Hot 100, Cher is #1 on the Adult Contemporary, and Dolly Parton is #1 on the Top Rock Albums chart. The Rolling Stones have a new album and The Beatles have a new single.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid is the only coach in NFL history to hold records for the most regular-season wins for two different teams – the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chiefs.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I signed up for my company’s 401k, but I’m nervous cuz I’ve never run that far before.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen at a laundromat): When finished washing, please remove all your clothes.
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Whoever put the “s” in fastfood was a marketing genius.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: I can cut a piece of wood in half just by looking at it. It’s true, I saw it with my own eyes.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If Cinderella’s shoe was a perfect fit, why did it fall off?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I feel like it’s important to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas: ghosts terrorizing rich people in the middle of the night until they agree to pay their employees more.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I don’t know how people can get so anti-something. Mind your own business, take care of your affairs, and don’t worry about other people so much.” – Betty White
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Brenda Lee’s Christmas classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is number one on the charts this week. She recorded the song 65 years ago. Norman Lear, the television wizard whose groundbreaking programs dominated the 1970s (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, One Day at a Time, etc), died last week. He was 101 years old.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of live music around the lake this week. On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend with Thursday Night Karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill this week and KJ Flip leads the karaoke fun at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Jason Morgan will also lead the karaoke fun at the Christmas Party at The Anchor Friday night (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday night, Ryan Graham entertains live at Doc’s; and DJ K-Bandito hosts the musical fun Friday & Saturday night at Big Shots including a live performance Saturday night by RocKFiscH. Terry Jordan entertains both Saturday night at The Summit Restaurant and Sunday afternoon (2:00-5:00) at “A Grand Lake Holiday Celebration” with David Bridges & The Message at the Shangri-La Hotel Lobby. Randall George, KC Johns, Tim Baumgatrner & Friends will be on stage Friday night at Blind Swine.
On South Grand Lake, The Smith Brothers will entertain Saturday at the Caribbean Christmas Party at Mooneys; and RocKFiscH will provide Saturday night’s music for the Christmas Party at The Drunken Rooster. There’s karaoke competition Thursday night at The Copper Penny in Ketchum.
In Grove, DJ Mo will provide the entertainment at the Legacy Christmas Party Friday night at The Legacy Event Center in Grove. There is karaoke Thursday nights at Grand Lake Casino, with live music Friday night by Kevin Upshaw & One Night Stand, followed by more karaoke fun Saturday. DJ Mo will provide the music Friday night at The Legacy Christmas Party (7:00 p.m.) Zimmeroo will entertain Saturday evening at Har-Ber Village (6:00 p.m.). There are two nights of live music at Cherokee Casino featuring Stonehorse Friday night, followed by Magic J Saturday night.
Jon Dooly starts the weekend entertainment Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino. Brent Giddens takes over the stage Friday night followed by Thomas Martinez Saturday night. Constant Chaos entertains Friday night at The Stables Casino. Black Note will be on stage Saturday night at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West followed at 11:00 by an after party hosted by DJ Kay.
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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Blind Swine is open only for bar service, but the Incredible Edibles food truck will be at the Swine Friday night. The Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort now offers all-you-can-eat Snow Crab Legs Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights. The Artichoke in Langley is closed. Bradford’s BBQ has also closed permanently; and Lester’s 3rd Street Diner in Grove will close permanently December 28.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: CMA Country Christmas airs Thursday night at 7:00 on ABC. The final six episodes of The Crown are available Thursday on NETFLIX. The 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Show airs Friday night at 8:00 on CBS. Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration is Sunday night at 7:30 on CBS. The Voice airs next Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:00 on NBC. A new Champion will be named Tuesday night.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Wonka opens in theaters this Friday. Leave the World Behind is available on NETFLIX and Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is available on Disney+.
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SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, December 20 – Santa will be at American Bank of Oklahoma in Disney (1:00-5:00 p.m.). Friday & Saturday, December 22-23 – Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village open for the final two days of the holiday season at Har-Bar Village (5:30-8:30 p.m). Wednesday, December 27 – Texas Bowl Watch Party at The Anchor – OSU vs. Texas A&M (7:00 p.m.). Thursday, December 28 – Alamo Bowl Watch Party at The Anchor – OU vs. Arizona (7:00 p.m.). Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Wine Dinner at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (6:00-10:00 p.m.). New Year’s Eve Party at the Drunken Rooster. Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve “Sparkle Party” at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party at the Drunken Rooster. Monday, January 1 – College Football Playoff Semi-Finals Watch Party at The Anchor. Friday-Sunday, January 5-7 – Oklahoma Boat Expo at Tulsa’s Cox Convention Center downtown. Monday, January 8 – College Football Playoff Championship Game Watch Party at The Anchor. Tuesday, January 9 – Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor (7:00). Friday-Sunday, January 12-14 – Oklahoma City Boat & RV Show at the Bennett Event Center, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.
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College football bowl season starts this weekend, although I must admit there’s not much of interest yet. One exception is the Independence Bowl Saturday night at 8:15 with California taking on Texas Tech. UCLA and Boise State face off earlier Saturday evening (6:30) in the LA Bowl.
In the NFL, Las Vegas hosts the L.A. Chargers Thursday night. If you have the NFL Network, there are three good ones Saturday – Minnesota at Cincinnati (12:00), Pittsburgh at Indianapolis (3:30), and Denver at Detroit (7:15). Sunday games include Kansas City at New England and Tampa Bay at Green Bay, both at noon, Dallas at Buffalo at 3:30 and Baltimore at Jacksonville at 7:00. Monday Night Football features Philadelphia at Seattle.
In the NBA, the OKC Thunder are on the road at Sacramento Thursday night (9:00) and Denver Saturday (8:00) before returning home to host Memphis Monday night (7:00).
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A week of really nice weather rolls into a weekend of the same this week. We’ll see lots of sunshine with high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 50s and lows in the low-to-mid 30s. It ain’t summer, but it ain’t bad! Enjoy all the pre-holiday parties, but remember, 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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Looking for places to go, things to do, services to use or property to buy in the Grand Lake area? Here’s a starter kit listing of “open to the public” fun places to spend time at Grand Lake
Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove
Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina (closed for the season)
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café at Har-Ber Village
Café Yum in Grove
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s on Monkey Island
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (closed for the season)
Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek
Flower Bar in Grove
Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek
Hero’s Deli in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Honey Creek BBQ in Grove (south of Honey Creek bridge)
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island RV Resort
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney
Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Monkey Island Trail Rides
Monkey Island Winery
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley
Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (closed for the season)
R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (closed for the season)
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort
Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
The Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (closed for the season)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove