December 19 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

When winter arrives at Grand Lake, it doesn’t kid around! I hope your boat is winterized! Wednesday is the first official day of winter, and we’ll start the new season with temperatures dropping into the teens – and hanging around below the freezing level until Monday. The only good news is that Wednesday is the day with the fewest hours of daylight until next December. It may be miserable this week – but it starts getting a little better every day from here on!

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I’ll say this about the holidays, though – “The Ultimate Christmas Party” at The Anchor over the weekend certainly was! Santa and Mrs. Claus, karaoke with the uber-talented Jason Morgan, delightful treats for the kids – and some pretty darn delightful treats for the big kids in the Sports Bar. That was Friday. Saturday, I put on my Christmas pajamas and hung out at Monkey Island Pub for their Christmas Pajama Costume Party. They ought to do that every night. I think people would stay at the bar a lot later if they knew they wouldn’t have to change clothes when they got home!

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By the way, you just thought you were the busiest person trying to fulfill all your commitments ad get through the holidays. GRDA police officers have participated in more than 30 Christmas parades!

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If you’re an Oklahoma State football fan, there’s no reason to sit home alone and watch their Guaranteed Rate Bowl match-up with Wisconsin next Tuesday night just because the kick-off is so late. The Anchor at Shangri-La is staying open late for a big OSU Watch Party. Kick-off isn’t until 9:15, but The Anchor is staying open for the game. What could be better than a great group of fans finding a reason to party into the night on a Tuesday? See ya’ there.

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BEST SPORTS OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: “We win a Big 12 Championship and our reward is playing a pissed off Nick Saban and Alabama.” – Gene Taylor, Kansas State Athletic Director

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Jeff Horany, Casey Musgrove, Laurie Kelly, Justine Grace, Tiffany Cogle, Scott Roberts, Shannon Watkins, Kelli Wilcox, Rick Huskey, Sam Rader, Pat Jurgensmeyer, Carolyn Piguet, Jeff Hartman, Kai Redus, Jeff Silvers, Marlon Porter, and Nancy Wyatt.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday night is a Baylor-Air Force Armed Forces Bowl Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:30). Thursday night is also Trivia Night at Mooney’s in Disney (6:30). Friday night is the Ugly Sweater Contest & Christmas Party at the Drunken Rooster. Saturday night is the Christmas Eve Dinner & Service (no charge) at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grove (6:00). Next Tuesday (December 27) is a big night for OSU fans. There’s a “Late Kick-Off OSU-Wisconsin Guaranteed Rate Bowl Watch Party” at The Anchor at 9:00 p.m. If you’re looking for great drive-through Christmas light displays, check out the display at either Twin Bridges State Park or Pine Lodge Resort.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The daiquiri is named for the town of the same name in Cuba where it is said to have been invented by American mining engineers.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: 61 years ago this month, only 18 people showed up for the first-ever live performance by The Beatles at Palais Ballroom in Aldershot, England. Less than four years later, 55,600 hysterical fans would attend their Shea Stadium concert in New York.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: The inventor of the Wind Chill Index died recently. He was 82 – but he felt like he was 64.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: No sense in being pessimistic. It probably won’t work, anyway.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Christmas time is great because you can shout “Don’t come in here!” and people think you are wrapping presents – when you just want to drink in peace and not share your chocolates with anyone.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I’m a social vegan. I avoid meet.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do people who run marathons realize they don’t have to?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames with ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed more firm to sleep on. Hence the phrase, “Good night, sleep tight.”

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s been forty years since Vanna White turned her first letter on “Wheel of Fortune.” Legendary actor/comedian Dick Van Dyke turned 97 last week; and longtime “Price is Right” host Bob Barker turned 99.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We are here on earth to do good to others. What the ‘others’ are here for, I do not know.” – Matthew Arnold

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Thursday night fun kicks off at Doc’s with an Italian Buffet and Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun. Clint Ingram performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Saturday is Rockstar Karaoke night with DJ Chris Kennedy at Monkey Island Pub.

On South Grand, DJ Matt will entertain at the Ugly Sweater Party Friday night at the Drunken Rooster.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music by Kevin Upshaw Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. The Backroads Band entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by Johnny Dale Roberts Friday night and Brent Giddens as Elvis Saturday night.

Low Compatibility starts the musical fun Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Left of Center Friday night and Encore Saturday. Diamond Rio will entertain with Holiday Hits Thursday night at the Peoria Showplace at Buffalo Run Casino.

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DINING AND DRINKING UDATE: The Grill at Indian Hills is closed for the holidays – reopening Thursday, January 5. The Summit Restaurant will be open normal hours of operation Christmas Eve, but Doc’s Bar & Grill will close at 7:00 p.m. All Shangri-La Restaurants will be closed Christmas Day. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now closed Sunday-Wednesday for the remainder of the year – open Thursday-Saturday 4:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. Big Shots Rhythm & Booze is now open only New Year’s Eve and for special events. Bailey’s Bistro at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island is now open from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Catch the television replay of the Christmas Lights Boat Parade Friday on KSNF, Joplin (12:30 p.m.); Saturday on KTUL, Tulsa (11:30), KSBI, OKC, Channel 23 (4:30), and KSN, Joplin (5:00); and Sunday on KSN, Wichita (11:30 a.m.).  The Witcher: Blood Origin will be available Sunday on NETFLIX. The 25^th Annual Family Film Awards will air Monday night at 7:00 on CW. If you’re not afraid to watch, ABC will air The Year: 2022 Monday night at 8:00.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: It’s a gigantic movie week. Avatar: The Way of Water is now showing in theaters. Puss in Boots, Babylon, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Women Talking, and Corsage all open in movie theaters this week. Merry Christmas!

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve party and college football semi-final games watch party at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Saturday, December 31 - New Year’s Eve dance party extravaganza at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Saturday, December 31 – Red Carpet at the Roost New Year’s Eve celebration at the Drunken Rooster. Saturday, December 31 -VIP New Year’s Eve Party & Dinner at Bella Donna’s in Grove. Saturday, December 31 – NYE Prime Rib Dinner & Dance at Road Hog Saloon. Saturday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Skate (7:00-1:00) at Rocket Skating in Grove. Saturday, December 31 – NYE Dinner & Dance at Cherokee Yacht Club. Friday, January 6 – First Friday Wine Share at The Flower Bar in Grove. Friday-Sunday, January 6-8 – Oklahoma Boat Expo at Tulsa Convention Center. Monday, January 9 – National College Football Championship Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Thursday, January 12 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Member Luncheon at Grove Community Center (12:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, January 13-15 – OKC Boat & RV Show at Bennett Center, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Saturday, January 14 – Winter Concert Series at Grove High School Performing Arts Center – America’s Top Country. Thursday, January 19 – Open House at the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Office (5:00-6:30 p.m.). Saturday, January 21 – “A Night in the City” Winter Gala at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m). Saturday, January 21 – Winter Concert Series at Grove High School Performing Arts Center – Confederate Railroad. Saturday, January 28 – Winter Concert Series at Grove High School Performing Arts Center – Ricochet. Monday-Sunday, January 30-February 5 – Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at SageNet Expo, Tulsa State Fairgrounds.

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This is a big weekend for people who really love football. Between the college bowl season and NFL action, there are 22 televised games this week! There are 13 bowl games between now and next Wednesday – including Baylor and Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl (Thursday at 6:30), Oklahoma State and Wisconsin in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl (next Tuesday at 9:15 p.m.), Arkansas & Kansas in the Liberty Bowl (next Wednesday at 4:30), and Texas Tech and Ole Miss in the Texas Bowl (next Wednesday night at 8:00).

There’s an extra day of NFL action this week giving us nine televised games. The Jets host the Jaguars Thursday night. Saturday games include Seattle at Kansas City and Buffalo at Chicago (both at noon), Philadelphia at Dallas at 3:30, and Las Vegas at Pittsburgh at 7:00. Sunday games include Green Bay at Miami at noon, Denver at the L.A. Rams at 3:30, and Tampa Bay at Arizona at 7:00. Monday Night Football features the L.A. Chargers at Indianapolis.

The NBA season is well underway. The OKC Thunder are spending the holidays at home hosting New Orleans Friday and San Antonio next Tuesday. Both games are at 7:00 p.m. and are televised on Bally Sports Oklahoma.

There are a couple of good college basketball games in the area this week, too. Kansas hosts Harvard Thursday night at 6:00 and Arkansas is at LSU next Wednesday night (Dec. 28) at 8:00.  

PGA Players are off for the rest of the month. They’ll take to the course next in Hawaii January 5 for the Tournament of Champions.

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The only good news about the Christmas weekend weather is that the temperature will rise up to almost the freezing point by Sunday. It’s the perfect weekend to do things that are inside! Low temperatures will dip to the single digits (maybe less) with highs in the 20s until Sunday afternoon’s sun pulls the mercury up to a number starting with 3. Enjoy the holiday – and plan your party activities for indoor venues. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. 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

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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

Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley

Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)

Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina

Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

Cafeteria at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

Casa Gutierrez in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove

Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)

Cove Club in Langley

Danny’s Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing

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 Restaurant in Grove

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill

E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Forage in downtown Grove & The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek

Hatfield’s Saloon 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

Lester’s Third Street Diner in 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 Island RV Resort

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)

Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Monkey Island Trail Rides

Monkey Island Winery

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

Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley

Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove

Pit Stop Café in Grove

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)

Raggedy’s in Grove

Rancho Viejo in Grove

Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, 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)

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

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

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove