November 18 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Last Saturday was the State of Oklahoma’s 112th birthday – and I can’t remember a bigger birthday celebration than the extended party I endured. It started with the annual Festivus Party at Shangri-La Resort, followed by Friendsgiving (and football) with some great Monkey Island buds at Top of the Towers, then Monkey Island Thanksgiving festivities at Monkey Island Pub, topped off by some good old-fashioned Jello wrestling to raise money for Combat Veterans at Blind Swine (my part was watching, not wrestling). It was a truly full party day…or, as Monkey Islanders call it, “a day ending in Y.”
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What is wrong with people? I don’t think Holyoke, Massachusetts resident Benny Garcia’s “not guilty” plea to drug charges is going to hold up for him. His little 5-year-old boy took a bag of magic powder to school and told his teacher he turns into Spider-Man when he tastes it. It was heroin. When authorities searched Garcia’s home, they found 200 more bags of the magic powder.
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Proper business attire? If you don’t have a thing to wear, The Office Gentlemen’s Club has re-opened on Monkey Island.
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Hostess has now released Mint Chocolate Twinkies for holiday season snacks. Go ahead and buy all you want. The good thing about Twinkies is, if you don’t eat them this year, they’ll still be just the same next year.
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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Cari Williams will be the featured Guest Chef at The Shebang Wednesday night, November 20 preparing her famous Chicken Fried Steak Dinner. Doc’s Bar & Grill’s Thursday night Karaoke & Shrimp Boil has been changed for the season. It’s now Karaoke & Prime Rib. Shangri-La Resort’s Summit Restaurant is now open to the public on Sunday & Monday evenings throughout the winter. Friday & Saturday evenings are reserved for members and registered hotel guests. Terry Jordan will entertain on Saturday & Sunday evenings now through March, 2020. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La will be open Thanksgiving, featuring a traditional Thanksgiving buffet for lunch and dinner.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The mouth of San Francisco Bay was named the Golden Gate by John C. Fremont and his wife Jesse in 1846 -- two years before the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, and 91 years before completion of the bridge spanning it.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Santa has been reading your posts all year. Most of you are getting Bibles and dictionaries for Christmas.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen in front of a veterinary clinic): If the earth was flat, cats would push everything off of it.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I don’t think I get enough recognition for the effort I put into pretending I like being around people.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If you’re having joint pain, you’re probably holding the lit end.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Is your iPad making you sleepy? I can help. There’s a nap for that.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary actor Ed Asner, most famous for his character Lou Grant in the Mary Tyler Moore Show, turned 90 years old last Friday. The first episode of the TV program Sesame Street aired 50 years ago this month.
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MOST IMPROPERLY PUNCTUATED HEADLINE OF THE WEEK (seen in the Pratt Tribune in Pratt, Kansas): Students get first hand job experience (perhaps that should be “first-hand”)
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Kenny Cole, Mike Long, Dar Phillips, Leann Goff, Preston Kelley, Roy Morgan, Josh Lee, Val Saamer, David Crutchfield, Barbara Patrick, Elizabeth West, Debby Harwood, Betsy Hendershot, Susan Kimball, Kenneth Bloom, Michael Bujold, Matt Thomas, Dawn Cook, Mark Oliver, Cathey Mackey, Linda Lippitt, Cam Chalmers, Jack McFadden, and J.B. Robison, Jr.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you’re not supposed to abuse the cough syrup, why does it come with a shot glass?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday night is the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at Cherokee Yacht Club (5:00). Thursday Night Karaoke & Prime Rib Dinner is at Doc’s at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-9:00). Saturday afternoon is a Chili Cookoff at Monkey Island’s Blind Swine benefiting extension of the Monkey Island Trail; and every Tuesday evening from 6:00-9:00 is Tuesday Trivia, Tacos & Tequila at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La.
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s great entertainment around the lake again this weekend. On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan will kick off the weekend at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Thursday at 6:00 with DJ and karaoke fun combined with the weekly Thursday Prime Rib. Saturday and Sunday nights, Terry Jordan will entertain at Shangri-La’s Summit Restaurant. There’s great dance music Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. At the Blind Swine, KJ Flip hosts the DJ and karaoke fun on Thursday nights, and Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night. Sunday nights are Open Jam Sessions for musicians at the Swine. Monkey Island Pub also has great dance music every Friday & Saturday night. At Littlefield Corner, there’s great live music every weekend at the Road Hog Saloon. Every Tuesday night, Jason Morgan entertains at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La with “Trivia, Tacos & Tequila Tuesdays” from 6:00-9:00.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of Western Justice Friday night, followed by Pumpkin Hollow Band Saturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke, and Heath Wright performs Friday night, followed by Members Only at Bordertown Saturday. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features the music of Stereotype Friday night and karaoke fun Saturday night. At River Bend Casino, Big Smitty performs Friday night in the Club 60 West Bar, and DJ 5Start Entertainment provides the music Saturday. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill there is live DJ action every Friday & Saturday night at 10:00. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar features Tribute Kings both Friday & Saturday nights this week. Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge offers entertainment by The Widowmakers both Friday & Saturday nights. Larry and Zach will entertain Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino’s Echo Bar followed by Lucas Gates Friday and Rosy Hips Saturday.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action including college football, NFL football, PGA Golf competition, and NBA action are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Knight Before Christmas and Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings are both available this week on NETFLIX. The 2019 American Music Awards air Sunday night at 7:00 on ABC and Christmas 9 to 5 also airs at 7:00 Sunday on Lifetime.. The domentary Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On Sunday night at 8:00 on A&E – and Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Grand Ole Opry airs Tuesday at 8:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Frozen 2, and 21 Bridges
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never be sure they are authentic.” – Abraham Lincoln
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, November 28 - Thanksgiving dinner at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort. Thursday, November 28 – Winter Wonderland Christmas Lights Display opens at Pine Lodge Resort, continuing through the end of the year. Thursday, December 5 – Vinita Christmas Parade (7:00). Thursday, December 5 – Grand Lake Association Annual Banquet at Riverbend Casino (6:00). Saturday, December 7 – Miami Country Christmas Parade (6:00). Sunday, December 8 – Christmas Potluck at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina (2:00). Saturday, December 14 – Christmas Gala at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, December 14 – “Lights on the Lake Christmas Parade” in Grove (5:30). Saturday, December 14 – Polar Plunge at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Saturday, December 14 – “A Big Band Christmas” with the Tulsa Praise Orchestra & Choir at the Coleman Theater in Miami (7:00). Saturday, December 14 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade from Cherokee Yacht Club. Sunday, December 15 – Christmas Brunch with Santa at the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La.
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It’s week #13 of the college football season. The OSU Cowboys are on the road at West Virginia, while the Sooners host TCU and Houston visits the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Penn State at Ohio State, Kansas State at Texas Tech, Texas A&M at Georgia and Texas at Baylor.
NFL action moves into week #12 with Indianapolis at Houston Thursday night at 7:00 on Fox. Sunday games include Miami at Cleveland (Fox) and Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (CBS), both at noon. At 3:30, New England hosts the Dallas Cowboys (Fox); and the Sunday night game features Green Bay at San Francisco (NBC). Monday Night Football sends Baltimore to Los Angeles to face the Rams. (7:00 on ESPN).
The NBA schedule has the OKC Thunder hosting the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night at 7:00 before heading west for a Monday night game with Golden State at 9:30. Both games will be televised on Fox Sports Oklahoma. Monday’s game will also be on the NBA Network.
PGA Players are in Sea Island, Georgia this weekend for the RSM Classic. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 11:00 Thursday & Friday mornings and noon Saturday & Sunday.
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The weekend weather ahead looks pretty nice, with decreasing clouds and rising temperatures as the weekend progresses. High temperatures will vary from mid-40s on Friday to mid-50s on Sunday, and lows in the mid-30s. It should be perfect Chili Cookoff weather Saturday afternoon for the big Monkey Island Trail fundraising party. Get out and have a fabulous time both on the lake, on the golf course, and at your favorite club, restaurant, or holiday party. Remember, though… 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.
1909 in Downtown Grove
Ailey’s Café in Langley
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 & Saturday nights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café Italia on Monkey Island
Café Yum in Grove
Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)
Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
Henrie’s Grill 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
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Morrow’s Bar & Grill at Morrow’s Landing
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
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
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
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)
Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on 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 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