August 31 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

The national political conventions are finally in our rearview mirror. Labor Day traditionally begins the official Presidential General Election campaign. I don’t know about you, but it seems to me like it’s already been going on for a couple of years! At least we can once again move on to more fun sports this weekend.

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Speaking of this weekend, believe it or not, it’s Labor Day weekend! We ought to be ready for it. Judging from the boat traffic and tourism on Grand Lake this summer, every weekend since May 15 has seemed like a major holiday weekend.

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Since it is now OFFICIALLY a holiday weekend, the Official Lake Bum Holiday Weekend Rules are in effect. 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 holiday weekends – and especially with reduced capacity at many places due to Covid-19 guidelines, you may have a little longer wait for a seat, a drink, or some food. Be nice to everyone who is working so you can play. The population of Grand Lake over the next few days will be equal to the population of the state’s third largest city. If everybody who’s coming to the lake over the four days 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 us for the party all year! If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past four months, it’s that a lot of us can work from home just fine. It might as well be a Grand Lake home!

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On to more important things…I can’t imagine what Grand Lake is going to look like on Labor Day weekend! Traffic on the water has looked like a normal Labor Day weekend every weekend for the last two months! With no college football on the holiday weekend for the first time since I can remember, I’m sure the crowds will be even bigger than in a “normal” year.

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If you don’t already have a boat, this would be a really good time to try to find one. That’s going to be the fastest way to get between Langley and Disney for a while. September 14, plans call for closing the Pensacola Dam for most of the next nine months to do resurfacing and structural work. Officials warn that the road will be closed most of the time, but they said they’re going to try to phase work so the road can be open across the dam for “large community events.” I’m not sure how that definition will work. I thought there were large community events at Grand Lake every weekend. Any-who…you are properly warned. Don’t count on using the road across the Pensacola Dam after September 14 until next summer. If you don’t have a boat, please take time to use the detour routes. Those merchants, restaurants, and clubs in Langley – and especially Disney & Tia Juana – are going to need all the support they can get.

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I have heard my entire life that sin doesn’t pay…but apparently I’m wrong. You probably saw that Jerry Falwell, Jr. had to resign from Liberty University which is evangelical father founded after being caught in compromising photos and after his former pool boy and partner related that he had had sex with Falwell’s wife while the evangelist/university professor watched. What you may not have seen is that Liberty University gave him a $10.5 million severance package. Tuition dollars at work, I guess.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Road Hog Saloon is no longer open for breakfast Saturday & Sunday. They now open at 11:00 a.m.  Eddy’s Lakeside Bar is open late Friday-Sunday and Monday 11:00-8:00 for the holiday weekend.  Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda has announced it will remain open “at least through October.” The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La is open to the public Sunday evening. Doc’s at Shangri-La offers take-out food orders, wine and beer, but is not open for dine-in service (although they are planning a re-opening for dine-in September 24).

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PUBLIC EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE: The “Mahogany & Chrome” boat show at Arrowhead, originally set for September 12, has been cancelled. Grove Founders’ Day festivities, also set for September 12, have also been cancelled. The Cherokee Golf Classic originally scheduled for September 18 has been cancelled. A Taste of Grand, scheduled for September 26, has been cancelled, as well. 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: Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La Resort (5:00-9:00). Jana Jae’s Fiddle Camp & Music Festival is at the Grove Civic Center and Snider’s Campground Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Saturday is the annual Redneck Raft-Out & Concert at Check-In Bay. Blue Bluff Harbor is also hosting a Labor Day Party Saturday (6:00-10:00); and Blind Swine hosts a big Hot Dog Eating Competition Saturday (5:00 p.m.). The Grand Lake Queen riverboat runs regular sightseeing cruises at 7:00 Friday and 6:00 Saturday evenings from Royal Bay Marina in Grove. Farmers Market will be open Saturday from 9:00-2:00 at the Grove Community Center.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Jason Morgan starts the holiday weekend with karaoke fun at the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort.  KJ Flip leads the Thursday night karaoke fun at the Blind Swine. Lucas Gates performs Saturday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar, followed by Reverse Reaction Sunday night.  Diversity will be live Sunday night at Blind Swine.  Terry Jordan performs at the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Big Shots will feature DJ Bandito Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Karaoke with Kerry on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday-Sunday, as well; and Monkey Island Pub features Karaoke with DJ Tim Saturday night.

Area casinos are slowly easing back into the musical entertainment business. Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Brett & Terri Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by The Uncrowned Kings Friday night and Thomas Martinez Saturday.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Wyatt Earp had financial interests in several brothels during his lifetime.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: More people would take dieting and exercise a lot more seriously if the weight they lost went to someone they don’t like.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: So far, 2020 is like looking both ways before crossing the street, then getting hit by an airplane.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen on the door of a restroom at a restaurant): Restroom is for eating customers only.

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BEST T-SHIRT SEEN THIS WEEK: Due to Covid-19 SWEET CAROLINE is banned. There will be no touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a vineyard to home school one.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Due to the Coronavirus, the Seven Dwarfs have been advised they can only meet in groups of six. One of them isn’t Happy.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Being twenty in the seventies was more fun than being seventy in the twenties.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Next week (September 10) is the anniversary of the television debut of the popular western series “Gunsmoke”… 65 years ago. Actor Richard Sanders turned 80 years old last week. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, he portrayed newsman Les Nessman in the popular TV series “WKRP in Cincinnati.” My pal Jimmie Tramel reminds me Nessman “was the winner of more Buckeye News Hawk and Silver Sow awards than all the rest of us put together.”

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Pat Dunn, Tessa Junker, Marilyn Mlnarik, Brittany Faulkner, Mike Magoulas, Stephanie Hollingshead, Trevor Randall, Sally Cole, Randy Phillips, Kim Quillin, Kenton Wheatley, Kim Shearer, Emily Baggett, Kyle Lucas, and Kate Lindley.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How did the man who invented cottage cheese know when he was done?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Living Grand on Grand Lake airs Thursday at 7:30 on RSU (repeat Saturday morning at 10:00). The Kentucky Derby is Saturday. Live coverage beings at 1:30 on NBC with post time at 5:50. Power Book II: Ghost debuts Sunday night at 8:00 on Starz. American Ninja Warrior airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Tenet hits movie theaters this week. Mulan is out on Disney+. The great documentary Robin’s Wish is available streaming this week, along with Guest House and The Owners.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Some people’s idea of free speech is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage.” – Sir Winston Churchill

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, September 18 – Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Patricia Island. Thursday-Friday, September 24-25 – Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s Luau on the Green and Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, September 26 – Gretchen Wilson LIVE at Buffalo Run Casino. Saturday, October 3 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber Car Show & Cruise Night in Langley. Sunday, October 4 – Folds of Honor Classic Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Thursday-Sunday, October 8-11 – Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek in Grove. Sunday-Monday, October 11-12 – 2020 Shangri-La Invitational Golf Tournament. Friday, October 23 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at The Coves Golf Club.

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SPORTS WATCH: I know it doesn’t seem like early May – but the Kentucky Derby is this weekend. Postponed due to Covid-19, the Derby will run with no fans in the stands Saturday afternoon. Coverage begins at 1:30 on NBC. Post time is 5:50.

The NBA is back in action. Thunder and Rockets square off for Game 6 today. Game 7 (if necessary) will be Wednesday. Delayed playoffs roll into Round 2 this weekend.

After being postponed from last week’s PGA Tour schedule, The Tour Championship will be played in Atlanta this week at East Lake Golf Club.  Due to the holiday, this week’s tournament is a Friday-Monday event. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel at noon Friday, Saturday & Sunday, and 11:00 a.m. Monday. NBC picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and 12:30 Sunday. It’s the final tournament of the season, and the 2020-2021 season doesn’t start until…next week.

Major League Baseball play continues daily. 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 Darlington this week for some Sunday night prime time racing. Coverage of the Cook Out Southern 500 begins Sunday at 5:00 on NBCSN..

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The weather for the holiday weekend ahead looks absolutely incredible – and unseasonably mild. The forecast calls for sunshine, light winds, high temperatures around 80 degrees and lows in the 50s. Be careful out there; and please remember - wherever you party this long holiday weekend, 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

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)

Marina’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

Matt’s Place 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