October 21 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
I was so happy to see so many boaters and golfers take advantage of the beautiful weather over the past weekend! It was an absolutely spectacular weekend for outdoor activities. I hope you got some. I hope we have a repeat performance from Mother Nature during the weekend ahead for the Fall Festival on Monkey Island, Crawl-O-Ween at the Disney offroad area, Punkin’ Chunkin in Vinita, the Ghosts of Grove Halloween tours and the variety of other outdoor celebrations scheduled for this week.
*****
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year. It’s the only time of the year when it is perfectly acceptable to put on a mask and go door-to-door demanding hand-outs. It’s also the only time of the year when you can get by with almost any ornery behavior because no one knows who you are. It’s a good time to get even with the guys & gals who have caused you trouble during the rest of the year.
*****
I need to consider running for the Oklahoma State legislature again. Last week the Legislative Compensation Board voted to approve a 35% pay raise for state lawmakers. Before you get excited, the governor and legislative leaders don’t vote on these raises….just people APPOINTED by the governor and legislative leaders. That’s different, right? The board has a whole new set of designated javelin catchers to take the heat for the people who appointed them.
*****
If you have favorite programs on either The Hallmark Channel or Hallmark Movies & Mystery Channel, you won’t be seeing them for a while. Friday night, October 25, the two channels will begin showing their FORTY new Christmas movies. There is good news, though…if you fall asleep during any of them, no worries…your guess about the ending will be correct.
*****
Do you know someone who got married last Saturday? If so, you’re certainly not alone. For my entire life, people have talked about June brides and June weddings, but that’s no longer the most popular time for getting married. According to the people who keep track of such things, last Saturday, October 19, was actually the most popular wedding date of 2019. A total of 4.3 million guests loaded up $500 million in gifts and headed to at least one of 34,000 weddings in the U.S. last Saturday.
*****
RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Franklin Roosevelt was in the first year of his presidency the last time a Washington team played in the World Series.
*****
BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Tattoos should actually make you more employable because they show you can sit in one place for hours while tiny needles are jammed into your skin – and that’s what every corporate meeting I’ve ever been in felt like.
*****
MUSICAL TRIVIA OF THE WEEK: Before each became famous for acting, Gary Burghof (Radar O’Reilly in “M*A*S*H) and Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) were in a band together. The year was 1968. The band was “The Relatives” (so named because two of Carter’s cousins were also in the band).
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
*****
TWEET OF THE WEEK: If you’re experiencing join pain, you’re probably holding the lit end.
*****
OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: If I do a job in 30 minutes, it’s because I spent 10 years learning how to do that in 30 minutes. You owe me for the years, not the minutes.
*****
HALLOWEEN OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Stop saying candy corn is the worst candy. Don’t forget that black licorice exists.
*****
BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: The circumference of a pumpkin divided by the diameter of a pumpkin equals pumpkin Pi.
*****
FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Character actor Bill Macy, best known for his co-starring role as the brow-beaten husband opposite Bea Arthur in the TV series “Maude,” died last week. He was 97.
*****
BEST LINE OF THE WEEK: If Trump imposes sanctions on Turkey, it will totally ruin Thanksgiving this year for all of us.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Justin Ruzicka, Shawn Russell, Kelly Hudelson, Victoria Perry, Vince Freeman, Garry Toomey, Caryl Blanchat, Kenny King, Richard Bell, Roger Pelcher, Gara Pelcher, Cy Elmburg, Julie Wolfe, Ape Howard, Paul Staten, Jeff Pelcher, Tonya Lowry, Kaye Slepka, Kathy Barnes, Shelly Sparks, and my ol’ pal Joe Carter!
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Where in the nursery rhyme does it say Humpty Dumpty is an egg?
*****
BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s a very busy pre-Halloween week at Grand Lake. Thursday Night Karaoke & Shrimp Boil is at Doc’s at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-9:00). Friday & Saturday are the inaugural runs of the Ghosts of Grove Haunted History Tours from the Grove Community Center. Saturday the rock-climbing Crawl-O-Ween event will be at the off-road area adjacent to Pensacola Dam in Disney. If you want to watch some really fun catapult action, plan to join the fun at the 5th annual “Punkin Chunkin’” Saturday from 11:00-3:00 at John’s Tractor Works east of Vinita. Saturday evening is the 3rd Annual Shangri-La Community Fall Festival & Halloween Party on Monkey Island. Saturday night also features Halloween Parties at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina and at Monkey Island Pub. Every Tuesday evening from 6:00-9:00 is Tuesday Trivia, Tacos & Tequila at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La.
*****
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 night Shrimp Boil. Saturday night, The Wanda Watson Band will entertain at Shangri-La’s Community Fall Festival (6:00-9:00) across the highway north of the airport on Monkey Island. There’s great dance music Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze celebrating Country Music Month. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night followed by DJ Deeko. Sunday nights are Open Jam Sessions for musicians at the Swine. Wednesday nights, Erin Fitzgibbon is back for karaoke fun. Monkey Island Pub features DJ Robbie for the big Halloween Costume Party Saturday night. At Littlefield Corner, there’s great 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.
If outstanding live theater is more your style, head for Playmakers in Grove. Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery opens Friday night and runs through November 9. This week’s performances are Friday at 7:30, Sunday at 2:00, and next Tuesday at 7:30.
On South Grand Lake, you are the star Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. It’s Karaoke with Randy Steele Friday night at Mooney’s, followed by the great Don White on stage Saturday night.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of Paralandra Friday night, followed by Lucas Gates Saturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke, and The Mark Chapman Band will be on stage at Bordertown Saturday. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features live music by The Brandon Butler Band Friday night and karaoke fun Saturday night. At River Bend Casino, Lickitty Split performs Friday night in the Club 60 West Bar, and DJ 5 Star Entertainment provides the entertainment Saturday night. 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 the music of Craig Gerdes Friday night and Pearl Nation Saturday. At Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge, Ragsdale & Croy will provide the music both Friday & Saturday nights. Rackensack will entertain Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino’s Echo Bar followed by Leah & the Mojo Doctors Friday night and Soul Deville Saturday night.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action including College Football, Major League Baseball Playoff action, NFL football, NASCAR and the PGA Tour golf 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.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: The series premiere of Daybreak and the Season 2 debut of The Kominsky Method are both available on NETFLIX Friday. Friday is also the beginning of the never-ending broadcast of 40 new Hallmark Christmas movies on both Hallmark and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channels. Madam Secretary airs Sunday night at 9:00 on CBS. Season 6 of Silicon Valley starts Sunday night at 9:00 on HBO followed by part one of the acclaimed miniseries Mrs. Fletcher.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Black and Blue, Paradise Hills, and Countdown
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’m honored to be called an ‘overrated general’ by President Trump because he also referred to Meryl Streep as an ‘overrated actress.’ I guess that makes me the Meryl Streep of generals and, frankly, that sounds pretty good to me.” – Former Defense Secretary James Mattis
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Friday, November 1 – Halloween Party at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Saturday, November 2 – Halloween Party, Hog Roast & Hayride at Grand Meridian RV Park (5:00-9:00). Saturday, November 2 – Last day of Daylight Saving Time. Saturday, November 2 – Winterset Mardi Gras Masquerade at Shangri-La Resort. Sunday, November 10 – Thanksgiving Potluck at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina (2:00). Saturday, November 16 – Festivus Shopping Party at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, November 16 – Monkey Island Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at Monkey Island Pub. Thursday, November 28 - Thanksgiving dinner at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, December 7 – Chili Cook-off at Blind Swine benefiting the Monkey Island Trail. Saturday, December 14 – Christmas Gala at Shangri-La Resort. 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.
*****
It’s week #9 of the college football season – and both OU and OSU are on the road. The Sooners will be in Manhattan to face the Wildcats Saturday morning at 11:00 (ABC) and the Cowboys are at Iowa State for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff (Fox Sports 1). It’s Homecoming Weekend for Tulsa as the Golden Hurricane host Memphis Saturday evening at 6:00 (CBSSN).
NFL action moves into week #8 with Washington at Minnesota Thursday night at 7:00 on Fox. Sunday games include the L.A. Chargers at Chicago (Fox) and Arizona at New Orleans (CBS), both at noon. At 3:30, Cleveland is at New England (CBS); and the Sunday night game features Green Bay at Kansas City (NBC). Monday Night Football sends Miami to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. (7:00 on ESPN).
Major League Baseball is deadly serious now. It’s World Series week! Following Tuesday & Wednesday openers in Houston, the series moves to Washington Friday night. Games continue Saturday and, as necessary, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. All World Series games are on Fox.
The NBA regular season gets underway this week. After a Wednesday night opener at Utah, the OKC Thunder are home hosting Washington Friday night (7:00) and Golden State Sunday Afternoon (2:30). They’re at Houston Monday night (7:00) before returning home to host Portland Wednesday night. All games are on Fox Sports Oklahoma.
NASCAR drivers are at Martinsville this week. Coverage of the First Data 500 begins at 1:30 Sunday afternoon on NBCSN.
The PGA Tour is still out of the country this week, playing the inaugural ZOZO Championship in Japan. The only television coverage in the U.S. is on the Golf Channel and you’d better be dedicated to watch it live. Live coverage starts Wednesday and Thursday nights at 10:00 and Friday & Saturday nights at 9:30. More civilized replay coverage begins at 12:30 Thursday & Friday afternoons, 11:30 Saturday morning and noon Sunday.
*****
The weekend weather ahead looks perfect for Halloween celebrations and Fall Festival time on Monkey Island. We may have a shower early Friday, but sunshine after that through the weekend. In true Halloween style, the temperatures will drop a little this week. Highs around 60 and lows dipping into the upper 30s. Perfect bonfire & hayride weather. Get out and have a fabulous time both on the lake and at your favorite club, restaurant, festival, or 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
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 grandlakenewsonline.com and www.360grandlake.com, as well as Grand Times on Grand Lake, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing. E-mail or contact grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker.
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