August 28th Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

I trust everyone’s eyes survived the eclipse of the sun – and I hope your entire body survives the Labor Day weekend sun! Here we are. The season has arrived. Take your pick. The Labor Day celebration, the opening of the college football season – or the official beginning of the Fall boating season. It doesn’t matter which is your favorite, this is your weekend!

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It’s been a few years, but it seems like only yesterday that my buddy Tom Butler would get on his VHF Radio at about dusk on Labor Day and warn the remaining summer boaters to get off the lake. “Grand Lake is now officially closed,” I recall him saying. “Get off the lake immediately. GRDA will begin draining the lake for the winter in one hour.” It’s certainly not that way anymore. Fall has become the favorite boating season of the year for many serious water lovers. Warm weather, light winds, less traffic, and magnificent sunsets. I’m in that group. The best boating season of the year starts…right now.

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If you haven’t already heard, Labor Day Weekend boaters can breathe easy this year – and into the foreseeable future! The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved GRDA’s requested permanent amendment to the Rule Curve regulating Grand Lake’s water level a couple of weeks ago. It means the lake will never again be dropped dangerously low prior to Labor Day – and will never intentionally drop below the manageable 742’ elevation again. Relax…and enjoy.

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In the wake of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey, oil companies are reporting that 25% of the oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been temporarily shut off. I know you have heard the news reports from Texas warning about those who would take advantage of the hurricane destruction by price gouging. Price gouging is strictly illegal. But I’m sure that won’t apply to the retail gasoline sales. My guess is that 25% reduction in a portion of U.S. oil production will result in about a 100% increase in gasoline prices. You can’t price gouge if you’re little, but if you’re big enough, that’s just “business.”

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It happened in Atlanta last week. A little kid found a gun in a dressing room at a clothing store. He told his mother. So, if this happens to you, what do you do? A) Leave the gun where it is and report it to authorities; B) take the gun to store officials and ask them to report it to security and police; or C) pull the trigger to see if the gun is real. Yep, you guessed it. You can’t fix stupid.

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Why do people from other countries think English is so difficult. The rules are clear. For example: i before e except when your foreign neighbor Keith receives eight counterfeit beige sleighs from feisty caffeinated weightlifters. Weird, huh?

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With football season officially underway this week, I have a challenge for OU fans who think they are the biggest & best Sooner supporters. I don’t think you can top Tulsans Nick and Patti DeBolt. Their first son, born in 2015, is named Baker (after OU’s quarterback). Their second son, born last Friday, is named in honor of OU’s new head coach. Please welcome Riley DeBolt to the Sooner Nation. There’s a little Grand Lake flair to the story, as well. Patti DeBolt is the niece of Monkey Islander Gretchen Zumwalt-Smith. I’m sure hubby Doug approves!

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Remember, the Official Lake Bum Holiday Rules are in effect this weekend.  No fighting, no puking, no hitting on someone else’s date, no griping at over-worked servers and bartenders, no bragging about how much money you have (or your parents have), no drunk driving, no public nudity (private nudity is okay), no yelling, no discussion of religion - and especially no politics!  As with all summer holiday weekends, you may have a little longer wait for a seat, a drink, or some food. Be nice. If everybody who’s coming this weekend would come every weekend, everybody could staff up for giant crowds. So, maybe you should buy a house and a boat while you’re here and come join the party all year! By the way, don’t get cranky on your attempt at Sunday morning drinking. Bars & restaurants can’t sell beer until noon and can’t sell liquor until 1:00 on Sundays. Establishments in Mayes County can’t sell liquor on Sunday at all. Don’t be mad. It’s not their fault. It’s the law. We’re still the biggest party spot in Oklahoma! Have fun and remember to leave big tips for the people who are working through the holiday so you can play!

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LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Josh Davis): It’s probably not a good idea to wear your bracelet that says “I heart weed” to your court appearance on felony drug charges.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: Fast food restaurants should have a third window where you can trade in the wrong stuff they gave you at the second window.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Want to get rid of hurricanes forever? Name them after confederate generals.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Stop premature Christmas decorating.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Janet Link, Larry Mlnarik, Marilyn Mlnarik, Teresa Lay, Dennis Patrick, Chad Randall, Pat Dunn, Cathy Storey, Gary Morgan, Tammie Koehler, Luke Lillard, Mike Magoulas, Stephanie Hollingshead, Renae Ryan, and Sally Cole.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If con is the opposite of pro, does that mean congress is the opposite of progress?

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BEST EVENT OF THE WEEK: There are great events almost everywhere you look this holiday weekend, but don’t forget the Monkey Island Labor Day Fireworks at Grand Lake Regional Airport Sunday night. A jump station for the kids will open at1:00 Sunday afternoon and live music from the George Brothers will begin at 4:00 – both at The Landings Marina adjacent to the airport.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s outstanding entertainment around the lake this weekend, as you might imagine. On Monkey Island, Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina features two great musical acts this weekend – Chris Hyde will perform Saturday night, followed by the high energy show from Ayngel & John with Zodiac Sunday night. You provide a big part of the entertainment at The Balcony Bar at The Shebang, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night karaoke; and across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, enjoy all the best dance tunes with the popular DJ $way Friday,Saturday & Sunday nights. Just down the highway from there, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub. Erin Fitzgibbon performs Sunday nights at Blind Swine, and there’s always great live weekend entertainment at the Road Hog Saloon. At The Landings Marina on Monkey Island, the George Brothers will entertain Sunday afternoon beginning at 4:00 as a prelude to the Monkey Island Fireworks show.

On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, followed by two nights of great music -  The Fabulous Two Man Band will entertain Saturday night followed by Mike Barham and the Honky Tonk Prophets.

Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well. Not everybody got their details to me in time for publication, but here’s what I have. Friday night, Cherokee Casino Grove will host The Rumor. At River Bend Casino in Wyandotte, Club 60 West spotlights RendevouX Friday night. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursdaynight with music by Georgia Coast. Friday night features the music of Dirt Road Daisies followed by The Rumor Saturdaynight. Chris Hyde will be on stage at Lost Creek Saloon at Bordertown Casino Friday night, with Dirt Road Daisies wrapping up the weekend entertainment Saturday night.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NFL Preseason Football, College Football, NASCAR and PGA Golf are Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina, Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, Monkey Island Pub, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The comedy horror movie Little Evil will be available Friday on NETFLIX.  Monday night, you can wrap up the holiday by previewing all that is new on CBS this fall. The CBS Fall Preview Special is Monday night at 7:30 on CBS, of course. The politically themed seventh season of American Horror Story: Cult debuts Tuesday night at 9:00 on FX.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIE: If you missed it the first time around, you have another chance. The re-release of Close Encounters of the Third Kind opens Friday.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There would be no divisiveness in the world if everyone who disagrees with me would just be quiet.” – Randy Krehbiel

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 16 – REC Day at the Grove Civic Center (8:00-noon). Saturday, September 16 – Shangri-La Member Appreciation Party at Doc’s outdoor bar, Shangri-La Resort Hotel. Saturday, September 23 – A Taste of Grand at INTEGRIS Hospital grounds. Saturday, September 30 – Hook ‘N’ Cookoff, South Grand Lake Regional Airport. Saturday, September 30 – Monkey Island Block Party sponsored by WAAMI at the Monkey Island Airport 4:00-7:00. Sunday, October 1 – Jim Beam Folds of Honor Classic at Shangri-La Golf Club.

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College football season is officially underway this week. Tulsa kicks off the season at OSU Thursday night at 6:30 (FS1). OU hosts UTEP Saturday afternoon at 2:30 (Fox). Other great televised games include Ohio State at Indiana (7:00 Thursday on ESPN), Kent State at Clemson (Saturday at 11:00 on ESPN), Maryland at Texas (Saturday at 11:00 on FS1), Louisville at Purdue (Saturday at 6:30 on Fox), and Florida State at Alabama (Saturdya at 7:00 on ABC). There are a couple of Sunday night games this week, too – West Virginia vs Virginia Tech (ABC) and Texas A&M at UCLA (Fox), both at 6:30. Monday night, Tennessee takes on Georgia Tech at 7:00 on ESPN.

NFL preseason play wraps up Thursday night with two televised games – Philadelphia at NY Jets at 6:00 and Seattle at Oakland at 9:00, both on the NFL Network.

The PGA Tour starts play a day later than normal so they can finish up on the holiday. The guys are in Boston this week for the Dell Technologies Championship. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel Friday at 1:30, Saturday at 2, Sunday at noon andMonday at 10:30 a.m. NBC picks up coverage of the final two rounds Sunday at 2:00 and Monday at 1:00.

The NASCAR boys are running Sunday evening this week. Coverage of the Bojangles Southern 500 begins at 5:00 on NBCSN.

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The holiday weekend weather forecast couldn’t be better! Partly cloudy skies with highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-60s with light winds all weekend. Awesome! It should be a great weekend for outdoor activities – and there are certainly lots of choices! Enjoy all the fun stuff Grand Lake has to offer, but remember, 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

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 (smoking upstairs—open Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Bobbers Café in Langley

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

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

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 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

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)

Roadhouse 125 on Monkey Island (smoking deck)

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