Happy Holidays from Grand Lake Bum
Happy holidays! This is the first week of what everyone calls the “holiday season.” It kicks off with Thanksgiving – the celebration of the arrival of the first illegal immigrants in what would later become the United States.
*****
I’ve always loved Thanksgiving. It’s a “no-demand” holiday. No one shows up unexpectedly to demand a boat ride. There is very little demand for extra beds and/or sofas. It’s one of the few holidays of the year that doesn’t put undue stress on those of us who live at Grand Lake – and it is celebrated strictly by eating and drinking to excess. It’s the best holiday we’ll have until New Year’s Eve! Enjoy.
*****
I actually celebrated Thanksgiving early – like I always do. I startedSaturday night with the annual Monkey Island Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner at Monkey Island Pub, then managed to sober up in time for Chef Kevin’s fabulous Thanksgiving Sunday Brunch at the Summit at Shangri-La. That makes for a perfect schedule. I have plenty of leftovers to munch on Thanksgiving, but no cooking, cleaning, or fraternizing to mess up a day full of football and my traditional Thanksgiving entrée…Wild Turkey! Stay thirsty, my friends.
*****
The elections are behind us – finally. If anyone is looking for evidence about how much your vote counts, there’s no need to look any further than Delaware County! More than 15,500 votes were cast in the Sheriff’s race. Incumbent Harlan Moore was victorious after the recount. He won by…five votes.
*****
Some things just don’t sound right. MTV celebrated its 35th birthday last week. I guess there is finally someone over 30 we can trust, right?
*****
Karma? A city council leader in the United Kingdom is a little embarrassed this week. A couple of months ago, Jackie Burns of the South Lanarkshire, UK city council, made a big deal out of closing all the public toilets in his district, citing “unavoidable budget cuts.” Apparently no one, including Councilor Burns, was able to deal with the subsequent problem discreetly. He was arrested last week and fined for urinating in the town square.
*****
There’s speeding….then, there’s SPEEDING! Did you see the story about the Highway Patrol trooper who pulled over a Ford Mustang on Oklahoma City’s Kilpatrick Turnpike last Saturday. He was clocked on the cop’s radar at 208 MPH! When the driver gets out of jail, he and his Mustang will probably show up in a Ford commercial near you!
*****
SUGGESTED THANKSGIVING CONVERSATION STARTER AMIDST FRIENDS & FAMILY ON OPPOSITE SIDES DURING THE CONTENTIOUS ELECTION CYCLE: “How ‘bout those Cubs!?!?!!”
*****
FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Wanna freak out your neighbors? Name your wi-fi “FBI Surveillance Van 7.”
*****
LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Josh Davis): If you’re going to get pulled over for a DUI, then lie to the copy about your name, it’s probably not a good idea to still be wearing your name tag from work.
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (spotted outside a coffee shop in London): All Americans must be accompanied by an adult.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Mark Oliver, Cathey Mackey, J.B. Robison, Jr., Debi Holcomb White, Kenneth Bloom, Renea Walters, Dawn Cook, Amber Hopeman, Steve Bruno, Matt Thomas, Linda Lippitt, Reid Smith, Terry Davis, Mike Vaughn, Judy Keeton, Buddy Yandell, and John Vance. A very special shout-out goes to Shangri-La Resort owner Eddy Gibbs, honored last week by the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce with the coveted Barbara Conner Award for achievement and outstanding contributions to the Grand Lake area. Nobody deserves it more. That’s for sure!
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Does a man-eating shark eat women, too?
*****
GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great musical entertainment around the lake this weekend, including Randy Lunsford performing in the Burlesque Room at The Shebang on Monkey Island (although Shebang will be closed Thanksgiving). Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub – and there’s always a great Saturday night show at the Road Hog Saloon.
Area casinos have great musical options this weekend, as well. Entertainment at Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill features The Sex both Friday and Saturday nights. The weekend at Downstream Casino is highlighted by a country music Friday night featuring Merle Jam at Legends Sports Bar, followed by Oreo BlueSaturday night. Howard Gayles will perform in Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge both nights. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, there are free line dancing lessons every Thursday. The George Brothers with Leslie Wright will provide the Friday night musical entertainment, followed by Runnin’ on Empty Saturday night. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thanksgiving night with music by Rocked & Loaded. Stonehorse will entertain Friday night followed by Diversity Saturday night. Big Smitty will entertain Friday night at Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including Thunder basketball, college football & basketball, PGA golf, and NFL games are the Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La, Monkey Island Pub, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Road Hog Saloon, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina, Hookers at Cherokee Yacht Club and J.R. Spanky’s northeast of Grove.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: It’s Thanksgiving week, so you won’t want to miss Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 90th Celebration Wednesdaynight at 8:00 on NBC. If you’re not watching football Thanksgiving night, check out Anne of Green Gables at 7:00 on PBS. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life will be available Friday on NetFlix.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Rules Don’t Apply, Moana, and Bad Santa 2
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Donald Trump has announced that as President, he’ll take a salary of $1 a year. And he promises he’ll earn every penny.” – Conan O’Brien
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Friday, December 2 – “Seasonal Allergies” at Playmakers in Grove (7:30). Friday, December 2 – Turnpike Troubadours concert at Buffalo Run Casino. Sunday, December 4 – “Seasonal Allergies” at Playmakers in Grove (2:00). Monday, December 5 – Grand Lake Association Annual Banquet at Wyandotte Casino. Tuesday, December 6 – “Seasonal Allergies” at Playmakers in Grove (7:30). Friday, December 9 – Ketchum’s “Gateway to the Lake” Christmas Parade (6:30). Saturday, December 10 – Second Chance Pet Rescue annual Christmas Breakfast & Dessert Auction (9:00 a.m.) at the Grove Community Center. Saturday, December 10 – Grove Christmas Parade (6:00 p.m.) Saturday, December 10 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade on Grand Lake.
*****
In the college football world, OU and OSU are both idle this week, enjoying the holiday as they prepare to meet each other next week. College action starts Thanksgiving night with Texas A&M hosting LSU (6:30 on ESPN). Friday afternoon, Arkansas is at Missouri (1:30on CBS), Washington is at Washington State (2:30 on Fox Sports 1), Baylor is at Texas Tech (5:00 on ESPN), and Tulsa hosts Cincinnati (7:30 on ESPNU).
Saturday games include Michigan at Ohio State (11:00 on ABC), Kentucky at Louisville (11:00 on ESPN), Auburn at Alabama (2:30 on CBS), West Virginia at Iowa State (2:30 on Fox Sports 1), Michigan State at Penn State (2:30 on ESPN), South Carolina at Clemson (6:30on ESPN), Utah at Colorado (6:30 on Fox), and Florida at Florida State (7:00 on ABC).
NFL Thanksgiving action sends Minnesota to Detroit (11:30 on CBS), Washington to Dallas (3:30 on Fox), and Pittsburgh to Indianapolis (7:30 on NBC). Sunday’s featured games include Tennessee at Chicago (12:00 on CBS), Arizona at Atlanta (12:00 on Fox) and Carolina at Oakland (3:30 on CBS). Sunday night’s game on NBC sends Kansas City to Denver (NBC); and Monday Night Football (ESPN) features Green Bay at Philadelphia.
The NBA action features the OKC Thunder at Denver Friday night (8:00 on Fox Sports Oklahoma) and at home Saturday night hosting Detroit (7:00 on Fox Sports Oklahoma). They take Sunday as a travel day before taking the court again Monday night on the road in New York to take on the Knicks (6:30 on Fox Sports Oklahoma).
College basketball has a little action this week, too. OSU wraps up final round play Wednesday in the Maui Jim Invitational – and OU hosts Abilene Christian Friday afternoon at 2:00 (Fox Sports Oklahoma)
The PGA Tour is headed “down under” where they don’t pay much attention to Thanksgiving. If you’re a real die-hard, you can watch live coverage of the ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf each night at midnightbeginning Wednesday – or you can watch it at a more civilized hour,1:00 p.m. Thursday & Friday, 12:30 Saturday & Sunday on The Golf Channel.
*****
I don’t know how we could ask for better Thanksgiving weekend weather. We’ll enjoy sunshine with lows in the upper 30s and highs around 60 starting on Thanksgiving and continuing all weekend. Can’t beat that! Be safe, be kind, and have a great weekend; and be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me.
GRAND LAKE BUM
Want more information on advertisers you see in the Grand Lake Bum? No problem. Just click on their ad and you will be connected to their web site. If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both andwww.360grandlake.com, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing. E-mail or contact 360grandlake.com to sign up.
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.
American Grill in Grove
Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturdaynights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (smoking upstairs—open Friday &Saturday nights)
Bobbers Café in Langley
Book ‘ems at South Wind Marina in Bernice
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island (smoking on the patios)
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café Italia on Monkey Island
Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)
Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and on Monkey Island
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Frosty & Edna’s (west of the dam in Langley)
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lodge in Ketchum (smoking)
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
J.R. Spanky's on Highway 10 north of Grove (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
Karrie's Kaboose in Vinita (smoking)
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lakeside Bar & Grill in Grove at Sail Boat Bridge
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South
Book ‘ems Restaurant & Pub at South Wind Marina in Bernice
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island (smoking...but not at lunch)
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Scooters in Langley (smoking)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora
Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)
The Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)
The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)
The Office on Monkey Island (smoking)
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (smoking)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Water Side Bar & Grill in Grove
Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove
Wyandotte Nation Casino at Twin Bridges (smoking)