September 28 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
I can’t believe we’re rolling into another month, already. What in the world happened to September? For that matter, what in the world happened to June, July and August? At any rate, here we are moving into October – arguably the best boating season on the year on Grand Lake. Our pelican friends should be arriving any minute. They’d better get here and get settled. Our big festival in their honor kicks off October 8.
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If you’ve ever wanted to attend the gigantic Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, this is undoubtedly the least expensive year to go. Like most boat shows that are still being held, there are lots of Covid-19 protocol rules (mandatory masked, marked walking paths, touchless ticketing, mandatory temperature check at entrances, limited capacity), but if you’re not nervous about the pandemic and you’re willing to follow the rules, you can save a lot of money. Hotels are continuing to reduce their prices and requirements. Most hotels have dropped requirements for advance cancellation and minimum stays, and prices are dropping like rocks (the Hyatt on 17th Street is now down to $149 per night). Show dates are October 28-November 1. Grab your mask, your disinfectant, and your thermometer and try to enjoy the show. Airline fares are less this year, too. What could possibly go wrong, right?
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While the pandemic has boat shows confused and gigantic concerts on hold, superstar Toby Keith is keeping himself busy on Monkey Island. He and Tricia have been “quarantined” at their Grand Lake home since early May, but he has limited his public activities pretty much to golf and boating – until now. Week before last, he and entertainer Terry Jordan jammed for two-and-a-half late-night hours at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La. Then, last Saturday night, he jumped on the stage with the band at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar to delight the crowd at a birthday party for Toby’s Island neighbor Debbie Mitchell. There are been some lucky, lucky fans around the Island lately!
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There are some businesses that have actually benefited from the Coronavirus pandemic. Everyone knows that sales of boats, recreational vehicles and all things outdoors have gone through the roof during the trying times of the last five months – but the biggest gainer is now officially in the books. The Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission reports that liquor sales in Oklahoma brought in a record $3.2 million in state revenue in the month of July – just from the taxes on liquor sales. It looks like the rest of the state finally joined the Grand Lake method of dealing with the virus. Alcohol kills germs, right? So lots of alcohol should kill LOTS of germs!
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If you’re still looking for things to add to your “Damn 2020” list, you can now add rabies-infested bats. The Health Department says they continue to find rabies infested bats around Bell Cow Lake in Chandler, OK. So, if rabies was on your bingo card, you can check that off now, too.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina has reopened. The Pourhouse at The Regatta in Grove is now open. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La has reopened for dine-in lunch & dinner service 7 days a week. The Road Hog Saloon has resumed Saturday & Sunday breakfast service. The Quarterdeck Restaurant at Tera Miranda will remain open through November 15 (Monday, Thursday, Friday 4:00-9:00 and Saturday & Sunday 8:00-9:00). The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La is open to the public Sunday evenings.
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PUBLIC EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE: Shangri-La Resort’s Fall Festival planned for October 24 has been cancelled, as has the October 23-24 “Ghosts of Grove” tour.
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK:There’s a lot happening around the lake as we kick off the month of October. Tonight - Monday Night Football (Chiefs/Ravens) on the gigantic screen at Big Shots. The last Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke of the year is on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-9:00). Friday afternoon/evening is the last Farmers Market of the year at the Grove Community Center (4:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday is the Classic Car Auction at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace; and it’s also the day of the South Grand Lake Area Chamber Car Show & Cruise Night at the Langley ball fields, as well as Cedar Port Marina Customer Appreciation Day. Sunday is the 10th Annual Western Son Folds of Honor Classic Golf Tournament presented by Armada Distributing at Shangri-La Golf Club.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Jason Morgan starts the weekend with karaoke fun at the final Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke of the year on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-9:00). KJ Flip leads the Thursday night karaoke fun at the Blind Swine; and Diversity returns for a live Saturday night performance. KJ Flip is back Sunday night for Karaoke & Cocktails. Terry Jordan performs at the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Big Shots will feature DJ Bandito Friday & Saturday nights. Karaoke with Kerry on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday, as well (if temperatures are 60-degrees+); and Monkey Island Pub features Karaoke with DJ Tim Saturday night.
Some area casinos are also back into the musical entertainment business. Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Brett & Terri Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Donnie Ray Friday night and Sweet Trouble Saturday.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Tillman County, Oklahoma, is named for "Pitchfork Ben" Tillman, a governor and former U.S. senator from South Carolina.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Calf Fries and Mountain Oysters were the original sack lunch.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Instead of blowing things up at a gender reveal party, the parents should hand out wallets. If there’s a dollar inside, it’s a boy. If there’s 72 cents, it’s a girl.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (for people who like one-stop shopping): Tattoos, Flats Fixed, Palm Reader, Live Bait, Voodoo Dolls (made while you wait), Mechanic on Duty, Pickled Eggs.
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BEST T-SHIRT SEEN THIS WEEK: Don’t let anyone tell you you’re worthless. Your organs are expensive on the black market.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: If you walk a mile in my shoes, you’ll end up at the bar.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: A dentist and a manicurist got married. They’ve been fighting tooth and nail ever since.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I’m giving up drinking until this is over. Sorry, bad punctuation. I’m giving up. Drinking until this is over.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: As we celebrate the life and incredible accomplishments of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we also celebrate the appointment of Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, 39 years ago last week (September 25, 1981). Jimmy Carter, arguably America’s best ever “former President,” turns 96 years old this week. The legendary Gale Sayers, dazzling running back for the Chicago Bears following two All-American years at the University of Kansas, has died. The youngest inductee in NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame history, Sayers was 77. Monday Night Football celebrated 50 years on television last week.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Susan Moritz, Tim McCrary, Danny Head, Carl Fiddner, Mike Mitchell, Gary Hardman, Chris Merillat, Mary Bulten, Andy Newman, Robin Bergstrom, Mike Lillie, Jim Anderson, Russ Soderberg, Dan Sitterley, Mark Athey, Jerry Lee, Randy Wheeler, Gary Nichols, Thane Swisher, Sue Wilkinson, Jan Castelli, Cheryl Moore, David Durrett, Amy Kidd, Sue Ratcliff, Cari Williams, Joe Wilburn, and Patty Northrop.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If someone plays Christmas music in October, are you allowed to kill them and use their corpse as a Halloween decoration?
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The first Presidential Debate is Tuesday night on virtually every network at 8:00. The 6-part British import cop comedy Code 404 will be available Thursday on Peacock. Connecting premieres Thursday night at 7:30 on NBC. A new season of Undercover Boss premieres on CBS Friday night at 8:00. A new live/in-studio return of Saturday Night Live airs Saturday night at 10:30 on NBC with Jim Carrey making his debut as Joe Biden. A new season of Ellen’s Game of Games returns to NBC next Tuesday at 8:00. The only Vice-Presidential Debate between Senator Kamala Harris and Vice-President Mike Pence airs next Wednesday, October 7 at 8:00 p.m. on a variety of networks.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Death of Me and 2067 have limited releases in movie theaters this week. After We Collided, Spontaneous, and Ringmaster are all available streaming this week. The Lie is available on Amazon Prime.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the man, the surer he is that he knows precisely what is right and what is wrong.” – H.L. Mencken
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Sunday, October 8-11 – Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek in Grove. Saturday, October 10 – Fall Fest at the Courthouse Square in Jay (9:00-4:00). Sunday-Monday, October 11-12 – 2020 Shangri-La Invitational Golf Tournament. Thursday-Sunday, October 15-18 – Rocktoberfest at the off-road area by the Pensacola Dam. Friday, October 23 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at The Coves Golf Club. Saturday, October 24 – Grand Meridian Halloween Bash. Saturday, October 31 – Halloween Hayride & Party at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday, October 31 – Haunted Candy Trail at Lee’s Resort (5:00-8:00). Saturday, December 5 – Cherokee Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade. Saturday, December 12 – Grove Christmas Parade.
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SPORTS WATCH: College football is well into conference play. OU travels to Iowa State Saturday. OSU hosts Kansas at 2:30 on ABC. Texas Tech is at Kansas State at 2:30 on Fox Sports 1; and Tulsa is at UCF at 6:30 on ESPN2.
The NFL season heads into week #4. The New York Jets host Denver Thursday night at 7:30 on the NFL Network. Sunday, the Cowboys host Cleveland at noon on Fox and New England is at Kansas City at 3:30 on CBS. Philadelphia is at San Francisco Sunday night at 7:30 on NBC; and Monday Night Football on ESPN should be a great one – Atlanta at Green Bay.
The NBA Championship Finals get underway this week week, as we narrow the field to two teams. Games are on ABC Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday nights.
The PGA Tour will be Jackson Mississippi this week for the Sanderson Farms Championship. Coverage is exclusively on the Golf Channel beginning at 3:00 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
Major League Baseball play continues daily as we head for the playoffs. You’ll just have to flip around the channels – ESPN, Fox, FS1, and TNT – to see what games are still on for any given day.
NASCAR drivers are at Talladega this weekend for some Sunday afternoon racing as they continue the Playoffs. Coverage of the YellaWood 500 begins at 1:00 Sunday on NBC.
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Fall weather is on the agenda this weekend. It should be perfect for the South Grand Chamber Cruise & Burn-Out and the big Folds of Honor Classic at Shangri-La. The forecast calls for sunshine, light winds, high temperatures in the mid-60s and lows in the upper 40s. There are a lot of fun things to do around the lake this weekend, but remember - wherever you 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.
Ailey’s Café in Langley
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 at Har-Ber Village
Café Yum in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
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
Marina’s Place at Littlefield Corner
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
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)
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
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