It's Starting Look a Lot Like Christmas at Grand Lake
Three more land parades and a Christmas Lights Boat Parade are in our rear view mirror for another year. Ketchum, Grove, and the Disney-Langley Parade Across the Pensacola Dam entertained traditional landlubbers while the rest of us enjoyed a great December day and night of boating fun. I’m not sure which was more fun – the afternoon of fun on the dock with parade entries and their crews or the boat parade itself. It was chilly, to be sure. Fortunately, though, every boat I visited seemed to have a little something on hand to warm the innards. Appropriately enough, there was a special award in this year’s boat parade for “Best Pre-Party,” predictably won by Jimmy Young and Stephanie Locke and their “White Christmas” aboard the Big Bobber. Congratulations to this year’s winner – David & Cindy Eiman with “Captain Ron’s Christmas Carnival,” complete with a lighted ferris wheel on their foredeck. Jim & Karen Cottom’s “Gingerbread House” was second, Rod and Lisa Fry’s “Grinch” was third. Larry Warwick & Judy Calico won best under-30-foot-boat category with “Finding Christmas.” My personal favorite was Arrowhead Service Department’s “Major Award” display featuring that giant leg lamp from the movie classic A Christmas Story. By the way, if you missed it, that giant lamp will take a post next to the Cherokee Yacht Club pool for the remainder of the holiday season.
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Special congratulations to Devon and Alex Miller who celebrated the parade day in style. They got married in the morning, then hopped aboard “Latitude Adjustment” for the boat parade. Appropriately, they won the drawing for non-winners, taking the “participation award” of $250! Nice night on the water for all participants and spectators alike.
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The parades may be over, but the parties are just starting! Saturdaynight is one of my favorites of the year. The Sagittarian Christmas/Birthday Party is at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. I’m not a Sagittarian, but I’m always happy to show up for any party that a bunch of people throw to honor themselves. Actually, I’m going for Papa Duke’s celebratory rum cake; but I’ll no doubt stay for the drinking, too. Imagine that!
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Speaking of drinking, I didn’t have enough to drink to entice me into the Polar Bear Plunge at Arrowhead Yacht Club Saturday – but a lot of people did! Congrats to the Arrowhead crew for putting together another great annual event raising almost $10,000 for South Grand Lakers Helping Children and Bikers Against Child Abuse. Well done!
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Here’s a Christmas shopping tip for James Walsh of Port St. Lucie, Florida: the next time you try to steal a 58-inch television from Wal-Mart, try not to do it during a “Shop with a Cop” event at the same store.
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Christmas brings out the strangeness in lots of people, I guess. In Manassas, Virginia, Adrienne Helms was arrested after apparently trying to calm a three-month old baby with methadone. Apparently she didn’t get the memo about vodka. (The baby will be okay, by the way.)
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Sometimes you wonder why we have to have the courts interpret laws – and sometimes, it’s clear that they have to do so because of a lack of common sense. Denver, for example, has an ordinance banning camping out in the city. Mayor Michael Hancock had to issue an order last week telling the cops that did not mean they should be taking blankets away from homeless people on the streets – at least not until April. I’m assuming the homeless are praying for an early summer in Denver.
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If you have Christmas items on lay-away at Wal-Mart, it’s too bad they’re not at the Wal-Mart in Everett, Pennsylvania. An anonymous man with a huge Christmas spirit and a wallet to match contacted the store manager and paid off all 194 Christmas Lay-Away accounts at the store. $46,265.59. There is a Santa Claus!
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There’s not exactly a long line of people anxious to get to Boise, Idaho – and apparently that’s a good thing. Cops entered the control tower at the Boise airport when pilots reported they were unable to contact anyone in the control tower. Cops found one air traffic controller asleep – the other had left the tower. That’s not the end of the story, though. When the missing controller returned, he had a distinct aroma of marijuana about him. Fly safely.
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PERFECT BREAKFAST IN 15 SECONDS (thanks to Chris Wray and Pam Jackson for this recipe): Mix one-half shot of Jameson whisky with one-half shot of butterscotch schnapps. In a separate glass, one shot of orange juice. Drink the combined Jameson/schnapps shot. Chase it with the orange juice. Tastes just like pancakes with syrup – and it’s a lot faster!
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FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Pfft. The liquor store clerk just wished me Merry Christmas – like she isn’t going to see my 14 more times before Christmas.
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LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Josh Davis): It’s probably a good idea when you’re driving home drunk to make sure you open the garage door before you try to park in the garage. And that it’s your house.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: I’ve decided not to have kids. The kids are taking it pretty hard.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week Doug Smith, Holly Roach, Mark Schmitz, Nevyle Cable, Amber Benson, Tina Blackman, Kaye Hansen, Zack Brown, Christie Landry, Katie Carmical, Jana Worley, Don Murphy, and Casey Davis. Congratulations, too, to Michelle Prine, named “Grand Laker of the Year” by the Grand Lake Association.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If a woman is always right and a man is always wrong, is a man right or wrong when he tells a woman she’s right?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Santa will be busy in the Grand Lake area this week. He’ll be taking requests and photos at Home of Hope’s Centsible Spending, 136 S. Wilson in Vinita on Thursday. Sunday, he’ll be at the Christmas Brunch with Santa buffet at the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La. There are two more big holiday parties on Monkey Island this week – both on Main Street. Friday, the Den of Uniquity’s Christmas party runs from 4:00-8:00 with Christmas Spirit (90 proof) and hors d’ oeuvres and bargains galore. Saturay night is the big Sagittarian/Christmas Party at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Food & fun starts at 7:00 with Papa Duke’s famous Ham, Beans & Cornbread topped off with rum cake. Dancing & partying will continue ‘til nobody can do it anymore. Monday, there’s a new Grand Lake gambling option. It’s the much-awaited opening of the new Cherokee Casino Grove at Tom Cat Corner.
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great musical entertainment around the lake this weekend, including Clint Walker singing in the Back Stage Room Friday night and Randy Lunsford performing nightly in the Burlesque Room at the Shebang. 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, highlighted by Lickitty Split Saturday night at Grand Lake Casino. Entertainment at Buffalo Run’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill features Dirty Saints both Friday and Saturday nights. The weekend at Downstream Casino starts Thursday night with a Throwback Thursday free concert by Members Only at Legends Sports Bar. Friday night, music will be provided by Retrorockerz, followed byThe Brandon Butler Band Saturday night. Kenny Babb will perform in Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge both nights. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursdaynight with music by Chris Freund. Donnie Ray Stephens will entertain Friday night followed by Sweet Trouble Saturday night; and The Allen Biffle Band will entertain Friday night at Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including college football bowl games, NBA basketball, 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, and Hookers at Cherokee Yacht Club.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: A Christmas to Remember Sunday night at 8:00 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. First Lady Michelle Obama says Farewell to the White House – an Oprah Winfrey Special airs Monday night 7:00 on CBS and America’s Got Talent Holiday Spectacular is in the same time slot on NBC. The series premier of The Wall also airs Monday night at 9:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, La La Land, and Collateral Beauty
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Whether you’re offended by my saying ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Holidays,’ take comfort in knowing I don’t really mean either.” – someecards
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, December 31 – Wine Dinner at the Summit at Shangri-La. Saturday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Bash at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze ($25 per couple including toast and Papa Duke’s breakfast pizza). Saturday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Party at Road Hog Saloon featuring The Street Kings. Saturday, December 31 – The Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina. Monday, January 30 – Opening Night for the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show (South Grand Lake Chamber buses -$35 per person including show tickets – will leave from the Grove Civic Center at 4:00 and Reasor’s in Langley at 5:00. To reserve seats, call the Chamber at 918-782-3214.)
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In the college football world, it’s time for the Bowl Games – and there are games all day Saturday. Action starts Saturday morning at 11:00 with North Carolina Central and Grambling in the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl. At 2:00, ABC has a good one featuring Houston and San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl. Take the afternoon off Monday so you can watch Tulsa take on Central Michigan in the Miami Beach Bowl at 1:30 on ESPN.
NFL games get underway Thursday night with the Los Angeles Rams at Seattle (7:30 on NBC). There’s a rare Saturday night game in the NFL this week with the New York Jets hosting Miami at 7:30on the NFL Network. Sunday games include Tennessee at Kansas City (12:00 on CBS), Detroit at the NY Giants (12:00 on Fox) New England at Denver (3:30 on CBS). Sunday night’s game sends the Tampa Bay to Dallas (7:30 on NBC) and Monday Night Football features Carolina at Washington (7:30 on ESPN).
In the NBA, the OKC Thunder are at home Saturday afternoon at 4:00 hosting the Phoenix Suns (Fox Sports Oklahoma) before hosting Atlanta Monday night (7:00 on Fox Sports Oklahoma).
College basketball has plenty of action this week, too. Oklahoma hosts Memphis Saturday at 11:30 on CBS. Purdue and Notre Dame face off at 1:00 on ESPN2. Texas hosts Arkansas at 1:30 on ESPNU, and Kansas State is at Colorado State at 2:00 on CBSSN. North Carolina is at Kentucky at 4:45 on CBS, and Kansas hosts Davidson at 6:00 on ESPN2 while Wichita State hosts Oklahoma State on ESPN3 and Tulsa faces Texas State at 7:00, also on ESPN3. Sundayafternoon at 3:00, Tennessee hosts Gonzaga (ESPN2) while Clemson faces Alabama (ESPNU).
The PGA Tour is taking a holiday break. The pros will be back on the course January 5 in Maui for the Tournament of Champions.
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I’ll be honest with you. The pre-Christmas weekend ahead looks like a good time to watch television and drink. The bowl games are starting, basketball is heating up, and the NFL teams are looking ahead to the playoffs – so at least there’s something to watch. Highs this weekend will be in the 30s with lows in the 20s. It’ll be cold – and cloudy, too! Be safe, be kind, and 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.
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)
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)