Fabulous Fall Weekend In Review

Saturday was one of the most fun days I’ve spent off the water.  That Punkin’ Chunkin’ contest at John’s Tractor Works east of Vinita is getting to be a really big deal.  I haven’t seen stuff that funny since David Letterman stopped dropping stuff on the sidewalk off the roof of the Rockefeller Center. Saturday night was perfect – free drinks and food at Shangri-La Golf Club, squeezing in a wedding for some great friends, topped off by some great late-night live music just down the road at Big Shots. What a weekend!  And I never even made it on the water until Sunday afternoon – and got back on land just in time for another beautiful wedding for more great friends at Shangri-La. Capped the weekend with a party celebrating the new motor home purchase by Monkey Island icons Larry & Joyce Duke – and some of Chef Harrell’s fried chicken and a few beverages celebrating another truly great Grand Lake weekend.  What a privilege it is to live on this ol’ lake with the great people here!

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Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has officially been named the 9^th least popular governor in the U.S. with a 40% approval rating according to InsideGov utilizing poll results in all 50 states from MorningConsult. We’re trying to keep all the honors in our region, apparently.  Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was the 18^th least popular, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez is the 14^th least popular ; and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback was honored as the least popular governor in American (23% approval rating).

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With the Presidential election drawing near, Florida is a very important state for both candidates.  If Trump loses the state, it might be because he lost his calendar and urged attendees at a Florida rally last week to “Be sure you are registered and be sure you get out and vote November 28!” I’m sure that works for Hillary.  All her voters are planning to vote November 8.

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Everybody is getting pretty fired-up about the Presidential election – downright cranky in a few instances, in fact. Here’s an update. If you aren’t yet registered to vote, please shut up. You have no say. The registration deadline to vote in the Presidential Election was last Friday.

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THIS WEEK’S FACT TO MAKE YOU FEEL OLD: The Monkees released their debut album 50 years ago this week.

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FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: There’s an email going around offering processed pork, gelatin, and salt in a can. If you get this email, do not open.  It’s spam.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (once again, this week’s sign comes from El Arroyo Mexican Restaurant in Austin): The only clowns I’m afraid of are the ones running for President.

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LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Josh Davis): Nothing says “not guilty” like a full-face devil tattoo complete with devil’s horns where the eyebrows should be.

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IMPORTANT GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The Shebang Restaurant on Monkey Island will be closed Monday and Tuesday this week for work on a few kitchen upgrades – but they’ll be back beginning Wednesday with their regular 4:00 p.m. opening seven days a week.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to my best running buddy Michael Thrift, along with Mike Cantrell, G.W. Goss, Justin Ruzicka, Shelli Shaffer, Kim Bruno, Karen Baxter, Garry Toomey, Karin Goss, Robin Purdie, Victoria Perry, Mark Kidd, Caryl Blanchat, Kenny King, and Kelly Hudelson.  Congratulations are in order for the University of Tulsa College of Law. PreLaw Magazine named it #1 Best Value Private Law School in the nation. On a personal note, it may be a few dozen years late in coming, but congratulations are certainly in order for Bob Dylan who was honored with the Nobel Prize for Literature last week.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Rocktoberfest rock climbing event at Two Moms Campground in Disney is this weekend and, while you’re in the area, Saturday is also the big South Grand Lake Lions Club Chili Cookoff at the Langley Ball Fields. There’s a fabulous musical performance this weekend – Britain’s Finest: The Complete Beatles Experience at Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West Event Center Friday night (doors open at 7:00). If you’re looking for a new challenge,Friday & Saturday the Grove Area Chamber hosts the “Connect with your Future” career expo (1-7 Friday and 10-3Saturday) at Grove City Hall.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great musical entertainment around the lake, highlighted by the Complete Beatles Experience concert at Wyandotte Casino’s Club 60 West Event Center Friday night. The Band DeLorean will provide the Wyandotte entertainment Friday night in the Club 60 West bar area.

Monkey Island entertainment highlights two great performers at the same location. Randy Lunsford will entertain in the Burlesque Room at The Shebang this weekend, with Clint Walker adding to the musical mix in Shebang’s Back Stage RoomFriday night. Across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, there will be great dance music until the wee hoursSaturday night.  Weather permitting, there will also be great karaoke fun Friday, & Saturday nights upstairs at The Shebang Balcony Bar.  Just down Highway 125, Friday night is also Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub, and there’s great live music all weekend at the Road Hog Saloon; and in Grove, there’s always great music at J.R. Spanky’s on Highway 10 north of Grove.

In addition to the big weekend at Wyandotte Casino, other area casinos add great musical options this weekend includingRetrorockerz at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night, followed by The Rumor Saturday night. Kenny Babb will perform in Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge both Friday & Saturday. Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill features live music both Friday & Saturday nights provided this week by The Sex. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, there are free line dancing lessons every Wednesday night and Cash for Karaoke competition on Thursdays. Marty Stuart will provide the Friday night musical entertainment ($10 cover), followed by Makenna & Brock Saturday night.  At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar, The weekend starts Thursday night with music by Kevin Upshaw. Earl & Them entertain Friday night followed by The Uncrowned Kings Saturday night. If you’re looking for comedy, it’s at The Stables Casino in Miami. Todd Justice will entertain in the Loony Saloon both Friday & Saturday nights along with special guest John Lewis.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including the finals games of the Major League Baseball season, are the Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La, Monkey Island Pub, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Road Hog Saloon, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina, Hookers at Cherokee Yacht Club and J.R. Spanky’s northeast of Grove.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The 2016 CMT Artists of the Year will be spotlighted Thursday night at 8:00 on CMT. The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again will certainly be worth a watch to us cult followers Thursday night at7:00 on Fox. Season 7 of The Walking Dead begins Sunday night at 8:00 on AMC. Monday is the series premiere of Man with a Plan at 7:30 on CBS – and, of course, the World Series begins on Tuesday night.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Keeping Up with the Joneses and Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Al Gore campaigned for Hillary Clinton at a rally with 1,600 attendees in Florida.  Unfortunately for Gore, a recount showed there were only 1,300.” – Jimmy Fallon

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, October 28 – Pumpkin decorating at Monkey Island Pub (live music by Kenny Babb). Saturday, October 29 – Halloween pumpkin carving contest and BBQ at Monkey Island Pub. Saturday, October 29 – Halloween Party (with costume contest) and buffet dinner at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La. Sunday, October 30 – Wayne Newton in concert at The Venue at Buffalo Run Casino. Saturday, November 5 – DCCSN Winterset event at Robinett Center in Jay.Saturday, November 5 – Harbors View Marina Barn Dance & Party at Judy’s Party Barn 4:00-9:00 (live music by Whiskey Poet Society. Saturday, November 19 – Festivus Party and Christmas Shopping Party at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, November 19 – Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner & celebration at Monkey Island Pub. Saturday, November 25 – Black FridayNight Seafood Buffet at The Summit at Shangri-La.

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There’s great sports action on the tube this week, including Championship Series in both the American and National Leagues to determine who will go to the World Series beginning Tuesday, October 25.  Games are daily this week, as necessary – Dodgers/Cubs and Indians/Blue Jays.

In the college football world, OU, OSU, and Arkansas are all on the road this week.  Tulsa is at home hosting Tulane (2:45Saturday on ESPNU). OSU is at Kansas (11:00 on FS1), OU is at Texas Tech (Fox at 7:00) and Arkansas is at Auburn (5:00 on ESPN).

College action starts early with Miami at Virginia Tech and BYU at Boise State Thursday night and South Florida at TempleFriday night. Great Saturday games include Wisconsin at Iowa, TCU at West Virginia, Texas A&M at Alabama, Houston at SMU, Tennessee at Vanderbilt, Ohio State at Penn State and Ole Miss at LSU.

NFL action kicks off Thursday night with Chicago at Green Bay (7:30 on CBS). Sunday begins early, early with the New York Giants and L.A. Rams facing off in London at 8:30 Sunday Morning, Oklahoma time. Other Sunday games include New Orleans at Kansas City (12:00 on Fox), Indianapolis at Tennessee (12:00 on CBS), New England at Pittsburgh (3:30 on CBS), and Sunday night action with Seattle at Arizona (7:30 on NBC).  Monday Night Football’s feature this week sends the Houston Texans to Denver to face the Broncos (7:30 on ESPN).

The PGA Tour heads overseas to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this week for the CIMB Classic. Live coverage on the Golf Channel starts at 10:30 or 11:00 at night, but there is a more reasonable time to watch – 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday &Saturday, and 5:30 Sunday afternoon.

In the NASCAR world, it’s Sunday afternoon racing from Talladega this week.  Coverage of the Alabama 500 starts at 1:00 p.m. on NBCSN.

Mark your calendars for the beginning of the World Series Tuesday night, October 25.  The next night, Wednesday, October 26, the OKC Thunder kick off the regular NBA season play in Philadelphia (7:00 on ESPN).

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It looks like a beautiful fall weekend ahead. We may have a few morning showers and cooler temperatures Friday, but the forecast for Saturday & Sunday calls for highs in the mid-60s and sunshine.  That’s pretty much perfect weather for any outdoor activity! Be safe, be kind, and have a great weekend. As you enjoy all Grand Lake has to offer, 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.

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)

Bobbers Café in Langley

Book ‘ems at South Wind Marina in Bernice

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island (smoking on the patios)

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

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

Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

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)

Island Joe's Kentena at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)

J.R. Spanky's on Highway 10 north of Grove (smoking)

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

Karrie's Kaboose in Vinita (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)

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

Book ‘ems Restaurant & Pub at South Wind Marina in Bernice

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

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)

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island (smoking on the 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

Wyandotte Nation Casino at Twin Bridges (smoking)