August 20 Random Observations of Grand Lake Bum
Despite being shortened by a Sunday of rain, the weekend gone by was certainly a great one on Grand Lake. Friday, more than 100 players waited for the rain to stop before playing in the annual Mary Moore Charity Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. What a great group for a great cause! Congratulations to Overall Gross Champions John Lewis, Kenny Cole, Ryan Dalton and Chad Dalton – and congratulations to the Moore family for another awesome event.Saturday, of course, was perfect in every sense of the word. Like lots of others, I enjoyed the great weather, great boating, and a night of fun at the Circus Costume Party at Monkey Island Pub, great music from Risky Business at Eddy’s, and a little late night karaoke action at The Shebang. Sunday night cocktails and chicken on the patio at The Shebang made for the perfect ending. This weekend, it looks like great weather all weekend long. Take advantage of it. It’s your last chance to get in shape for the big Labor Day weekend. I’m ready!
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In perhaps the worst case of alcohol abuse in history, workers are beginning clean-up at the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky where the collapse of a 7-story rickhouse (where barrels of bourbon are stored to age) dumped out 18,000 barrels of bourbon. As of this week, they still have to constantly check nearby water for possible contamination. I wonder if they’re hiring testers! I’d do it pretty cheap.
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If you are planning to go someplace with a confusing name, be sure you double-check your boarding pass and flight number. Filmmaker Christopher Paetkau was in for a surprise when he took a 2,000 mile detour in the Arctic after he boarded the wrong flight. He was in Canada, like he had planned, but instead of going to Inuvik, he went to Iqaluit. I can’t imagine how this happened. How does someone manage to get on the wrong flight in this day in age? It’s hard enough to fight your way onto the correct flight!
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Another new study was released last week that is really good news for everyone I know. One of the major findings that researchers discovered was that those who drank a moderate amount of alcohol lived longer than those who abstained from it. It also noted that moderate coffee drinkers also lived longer, but that’s not as fun.
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I’ll be honest, the English language sometimes leaves me totally confused. I read a news item about two helicopters in a “near miss” incident in Florida. As it turns out, nobody collided and no one was hurt. I thought, by reasonable logic, a “near miss” would be a “hit.”
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The Oklahoma State Supreme Court will issue the final decision, but the Secretary of State has given his answer to the burning question, “will Oklahomans be voting on legalizing recreational marijuana in November or will we vote in two years?” The Secretary of State’s answer is “no” – to both questions. He says the petition circulators were more than 25,000 signatures short of qualifying to be on the ballot at all.
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SPOTTED ON THE ISLAND: I don’t know if he’s thinking about becoming a Grand Laker or not, but it was nice to see OKC Thunder General Manager Sam Presti hanging out at Shangri-La last weekend.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: One day you’re 25, staying up until 4:00 a.m., eating pizza and dancing like no one was ever watching. Then suddenly you’re 50, eating kale, going to bed at 9:00 p.m. and you can’t dance because you pulled a muscle putting on your socks. (thanks to Jon Wilson for sharing this one)
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Legendary singer Aretha Franklin, who died at the age of 76 last week, was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: PRIVATE DOCK – Trespassers will be offered a SHOT! (thanks to Jerry Cookson for sharing this one)
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I’m starting to think I’ll never be old enough to know better.
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INTERESTING FACT: “Methamphetamine” was shortened to “meth” so it was easier to say with no front teeth. (thanks to Chef Michael Bujold for sharing this one)
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The movie “The Godfather” was released 46 years ago and the movie “Bonnie and Clyde” was released 51 years ago.
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BEST OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It’s not about the circumstances. It’s about what you’re made of.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Barry Hurley, Chris Province, Kaylea Hutson-Miller, Sue Davidson, Everett Lees, Larry Steckline, Debbie Howell, Randy Krehbiel, Gretchen Casto, Valerie Stahl, Tom Sharpnack, and DiAnna Wescott.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If our fingers have fingertips, but toes don’t have toetips, why is it possible to tiptoe, but not tipfinger?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo runs Wednesday through Saturday night at the Vinita Fairgrounds. The Championship Shoot-out in “Ugly’s Hole in One” competition is Saturday at 1:00 at Thunder Bay Marina (benefiting PAAS and Folds of Honor). Saturday, there will also be airplane rides at South Grand Lake Regional Airport ($20 for children, $40 for adults); and Monday & Tuesday, August 26-28 is the 3rdAnnual Shangri-La Couples Invitational Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club & Resort. Don’t forget to vote in the run-off elections next Tuesday. Independent voters may vote in the Democratic run-off elections.
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s always a lot of great entertainment around the lake. On Monkey Island this weekend Brett & Terri will be performing at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina Saturday night. You are the star on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang with karaoke fun Friday and Saturday nights, and the dance floor will be hoppin’ with music by the area’s best DJs right across the street both Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Up highway 125, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub. At the Blind Swine, there’s live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night (including Erin Fitzgibbon Friday), with karaoke with KJ Flip Sunday and Tuesday; and at Littlefield Corner, the Road Hog Saloon features live entertainment every Saturday night.
On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Bar & Grill at Grand Lodge in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night.
Friday night, 5th Element will provide the entertainment at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, with Reverse Reaction taking the stage Saturday night. Friday night is “Acoustic and DJ Night” at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney; and there is always Friday & Saturday night entertainment & karaoke fun on the deck at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features The Mixers Friday night, followed by The George Brothers Saturday night. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Splinter Middleton entertains at Bordertown Friday night, followed by the Brent Giddens Saturday. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, The Stonehorse Band will perform Friday night. At Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, Hi Fidelics will be on stage Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Eddie Valen performs Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Donnie Ray Stevens Friday and Sweet Trouble Saturday.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including PGA Golf, Major League Baseball, NFL Preseason games, and NASCAR are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina, Monkey Island Pub, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The series premiere of The Innocents will be available on NETFLIX Friday. Garage Sale Mystery: Murder in D Minor airs Sunday night at 8:00 on Hallmark Movie Channel.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Happytime Murders and Papillon
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Ten years ago today, I married my best friend. My wife is still really angry about it, but me and Dave were drunk and thought it was funny.” – Joe Heenan
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SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, September 4 – PGA South Central Section Pro-Assistant Championship Tournament at Shangri-La. Thursday-Friday, September 13-14 – Murder Mystery Theater at Har-Ber Village. Friday-Sunday, September 14-16 – Wheeling for the Wounded at the Pensacola Dam Off-Road Area. Saturday, September 15 – REC Day at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, September 15 – Shangri-La Member Appreciation Party. Sunday-Monday, September 16-17 – Grand Lady Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, September 22 – A Taste of Grand on the Integris Grove Hospital grounds. Monday-Tuesday, September 24-25 – MSSU Invitational College Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, September 29 – SGLACC Hook ‘N’ Cookoff. Saturday-Sunday, September 29-30 – Club Championship Tournament at Shangri-La. Sunday, October 4 – 8th Annual Folds of Honor Classic at Shangri-La.
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NFL Preseason continues this week with some players that are enough in the mix that major networks are picking up the telecasts. This week’s games include a Thursday night match-up with the Eagles and Browns (7:00 on Fox). Friday night, there’s a double-header. Detroit is at Tampa Bay early (7:00 on CBS) and Green Bay is at Oakland on the NFL Network at 9:30. There’s a full card on Saturday television. Kansas City is at Chicago at noon and Tennessee is at Pittsburgh at 3:00, both on the NFL Network. The L.A. Chargers host New Orleans at 7:00 on CBS. This week also marks the first Sunday games of the season. Cincinnati is at Buffalo at 3:00 on Fox and Dallas hosts Arizona in Sunday night prime time at 7:00 on NBC.
PGA Players are in New Jersey this week for The Northern Trust. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 100 Thursday & Friday, noon Saturday and11:00 a.m. Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and 1:00 Sunday.
Major League Baseball features good rivalries this weekend. Saturday afternoon, Washington is at the N.Y. Mets at 3:00 and Atlanta is at Miami at 6:00, both on Fox Sports 1. Sunday, Boston is at Tampa Bay at noon on TBS and Baltimore hosts the Yankees Sunday night at 7:00 on ESPN. Monday night, the Yankees host the White Sox at 6:00 and Colorado is at the L.A. Angels at 9:00, both on ESPN.
There’s no NASCAR racing this weekend. Drivers will be back on the track at Darlington on Sunday of Labor Day weekend.
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The weekend weather looks absolutely perfect – sunshine, light winds, highs in the mid-80s and lows in the upper 60s. It’s great weather for anything you can think of (except snow skiing). Be safe, have fun, and stay hydrated. And, remember…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
Bobbers Café in Langley
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
Coffee Shelter in Ketchum
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
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
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 Langley (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)
Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South
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)
Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora
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 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