December 26 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

When Mother Nature officially opened the door on Winter with the first official day December 21, she didn’t kid around. It was almost 50 degrees at midday, but down to 15 degrees by the first full night of winter. By The next night, we had snow and wind chill temperatures well into the double digits below zero. It was Sunday afternoon before the temperature ever got above freezing. I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come! Fortunately, like all things related to Oklahoma weather, New Year’s weekend high temperatures will be pushing 60 degrees!

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Yes, it was miserably cold at Grand Lake over the Christmas weekend – but at least we didn’t have the weather problems my friends had in Florida. It wasn’t as cold there as it was here, but it was cold enough to immobilize the iguanas – and yes, they fell. There’s nothing stranger than iguanas falling out of trees. And you thought “raining cats & dogs” was bad!

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If you’re finished with Christmas and prepared for a big New Year’s Eve celebration, it’s apparently time to prepare for the next holiday gig. I’m not even kidding. I stopped into Target to do a little last minute Christmas shopping – and what to my wandering eyes should appear?  Yep. Valentine’s candy! I’ve just about had enough of holidays.

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Crimson and Cream, the OU-approved NIL partner, announced last week it had raised $1.6 million for OU student-athletes during its 30-day fundraising drive. If they could have raised another million, they would have raised enough to match what USC supporters paid Caleb Williams this year. The most interesting thing about the college football-changing NIL program is the fact that many players are returning to college instead of heading for the NFL because they can actually make more money as college players. The times are changing for sure.

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So, here we go. Another new year is knocking at the door. Be careful. We don’t want to do anything that might bring on a repeat of 2022 – or especially 2021. We’re all going to walk in real slow. Be good. Be quiet. Be cautious and respectful. Don’t touch anything. We’ll see how it goes. Happy New Year!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Congratulations to Grove High School’s record-breaking running back, Emmanuel Crawford. The wait is over. He signed last week to play college ball at Arkansas. Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Linda Ballard, Chandra Farmer, Scott Gallagher, Barbara Staten, Lester Lancaster, Steve Rhoades, Debbie Dooley, Robert Vandomellen, Syrina Nelson, Drew Lolato, Jonathan Moosmiller, Reggie Wallace, Patrick Crossland, Mark Londagin, Judy Barger, Cheyanna Cookson, and Steve Cornell.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Yes, Virginia, the Grand Lake holiday calendar is packed! Fun starts Tuesday with a “Late Kick-Off OSU-Wisconsin Guaranteed Rate Bowl Watch Party” at The Anchor at 9:00 p.m. Thursday, The Anchor hosts a big Cheez-It Bowl Watch Party (4:00 p.m.) as OU takes on Florida State. Saturday is yet another big football day, with a New Year’s Eve party and college football semi-final games watch party at The Anchor at Shangri-La. If football isn’t your thing, there are lots of other parties almost everywhere you look for the big New Year’s Eve celebrations Saturday night. The Summit Restaurant hosts its annual Members NYE Wine Dinner. There’s a big dance party extravaganza at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, a “Red Carpet Party at the Roost” at the Drunken Rooster, a VIP New Year’s Eve Party & Dinner at Bella Donna’s in Grove, a NYE Prime Rib Dinner & Dance at Road Hog Saloon, a New Year’s Eve Skate (7:00-1:00) at Rocket Skating in Grove, NYE Dinner & Dance at Cherokee Yacht Club. 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: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first flew in 1939 a the creation of a Montgomery Ward copywriter.

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FUN FACT 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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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I helped my neighbor out with something this morning and she said to me, “I could marry you.” I couldn’t believe it. You do something nice for someone and they threaten to ruin your life in return.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Cougar Area! Please stay on trails, travel in small groups and do not allow men under 30 to travel alone.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I’m real jealous of all the bears getting fat and preparing to sleep for months.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I may look fat, but I identify as skinny. I’m trans-slender.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do people yell, “Heads Up!” when obviously you should duck instead?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree in the world this year was in Enid, Oklahoma – 140 feet tall!

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Samuel L. Jackson, the second highest grossing movie actor of all time, turned 74 years old last week. Franco Harris (“The Immaculate Reception”), the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers fullback, died last week. He was 72. Musician and activist extraordinaire Frank Zappa would have turned 83 this week.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it’s not open.” – Frank Zappa

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Oh, my goodness. If you’re looking for live entertainment to ring in the New Year, I hope you’re going to be at Grand Lake. On Monkey Island, the holiday fun fun kicks off at Doc’s Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun. Scott Musick performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Saturday night, Terry Jordan entertains at the Shangri-La Members Wine Dinner at the Summit, there’s a gigantic NYE Dance Party at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, and a New Year’s Disco Party at Monkey Island Pub.  The Until Now Band rings in the New Year at Roadhog Saloon.

On South Grand, Country Pride Band entertains Saturday night at Pickles Pub in Langley. The Boogie Boys will perform in the main dining room at Cherokee Yacht Club and DJ T-Bone will entertain at Hookers. House Party will entertain at the Ugly Sweater Party Friday night at the Drunken Rooster.

In Grove, $3 Rocket will provide the music at Bella Donna’s VIP New Year’s Eve. Jon Dooley provides live music at Mulligans at Patricia Island Country Club Saturday night along with karaoke fun led by John Lloyd. There is karaoke fun Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music by Western Justice Saturday night. Until Now entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by Encore Friday night and both House Party and Dead Metal Society Saturday night.

Johnny Dale Roberts starts the musical fun Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Funkin Gonuts Friday night and Dino D & the D Train Band Saturday. The Beer & Chicken Band will be on stage Saturday night at Club 60 West at River Bend Casino.  

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DINING AND DRINKING UDATE: Doc’s Bar & Grill has a special New Year’s Eve menu Saturday – and their new Winter Menu has made its debut. Breakfast at Doc’s is now ala carte (7:00-11:00 a.m.) replacing the breakfast buffet. Bailey’s Bistro at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island has changed days of operation. They’re now open from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. The Grill at Indian Hills is closed for the holidays – reopening Thursday, January 5. Arrowhead Yacht Club is Closed – reopening February 2. 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.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The mini-series Coach Prime will be available Thursday on Prime Video. It’s that time of the year! Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest will air Saturday night at 7:00 on ABC. Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party kicks off at 9:30 Saturday night on NBC; and New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash airs Saturday evening at 7:00 on CBS. America’s Got Talent: All-Stars airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC, simultaneous with the return of Fantasy Island on Fox. All of the “Chicago shows” return with new episodes next Wednesday – Fire, Med, P.D. The mini-series Madoff: Monster of Wall Street will be available on NETFLIX next Wednesday, as well.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Avatar: The Way of Water is now showing in theaters along with Puss in Boots, Babylon, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Women Talking, and Corsage. Happy New Year!

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SAVE THE DATE: 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. Friday, February 3 – First Friday Wine Share at Muddy Pearl in Grove. Saturday, February 4 – Winter Pickleball Tournament at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La.

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This is a big weekend for people who really love football. Between the college bowl season and NFL games, there is plenty of gridiron action! OSU takes on Wisconsin Tuesday night at 9:15 in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, Arkansas and Kansas meet up in the Liberty Bowl Wednesday afternoon at 4:30, and OU faces Florida State in a tough Cheez-It Bowl Thursday afternoon at 4:30.

There are plenty of other great college bowl games this week including Minnesota and Syracuse  at 1:00 Thursday and Washington vs. Texas at 8:00. South Carolina and Notre Dame meet up Friday afternoon at 2:30, and Tennessee and Clemson battle in the Orange Bowl at 8:00 Friday night. Saturday games include Alabama and Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl at 11:00, just ahead of the NCAA Semifinal Matches – Michigan and TCU in the Fiesta Bowl at 3:00 and Georgia and Ohio State in the Peach Bowl at 7:00.

Monday games include a tribute to the late Mike Leach as Mississippi State takes on Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl at 11:00, followed by LSU and Purdue and USC and Tulane, both at noon, and Utah and Penn State in the Rose Bowl at 4:00.

NFL action is getting serious, too. Dallas travels to Tennessee Thursday night at 7:00. Sunday games include Denver at Kansas City and New Orleans at Philadelphia, both at noon. The 3:30 game sends Minnesota to Green Bay, followed by the Rams and Chargers at 7:00. Monday Night Football features Buffalo and Cincinnati.

The NBA season is well underway, too. The OKC Thunder travel to Charlotte Thursday night (6:00) before returning home to host Philadelphia Saturday (7:00) and Boston next Tuesday (7:00). They’re back on the road in Orlando next Wednesday (6:00).

There are a some good college basketball games in the area this week, too. OU hosts Texas and OSU travels to Kansas, both at 1:00 Saturday afternoon. OSU hosts West Virginia Monday night (6:00). Kansas is at Texas Tech next Tuesday (8:00), OU hosts Iowa State next Wednesday at 6:00 and Missouri is at Arkansas Wednesday night at 7:00.

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

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Thank goodness the New Year’s weekend weather is a far cry from the Christmas weekend weather! We may have a shower Saturday morning, but high temperatures will be pushing 60 degrees with lows in the mid 40s this weekend. Compared to what we went through last week, that looks like spring! There’s a lot happening around the lake this weekend, so get out and have some fun. I hope you have a safe and wonderful New Year’s celebration. 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