November 13th Observations of Grand Lake Bum

We’re rolling into another really busy season. There’s no place like Grand Lake for the holidays. Shangri-La Golf Club and Monkey Island Pub crank up the party season starting this week – Festivus at Shangri-La and Island Thanksgiving Potluck dinner at the Pub, both Saturday night. From there, it’s a clear roll into Thanksgiving week, holiday parties, parades on land and on water – right into college football bowl season. Time flies.

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The past week was a particularly nice visual for those who enjoy watching things die. Fall colors were perfect over the past week on Grand Lake. Soon there won’t be any leaves of any kind to look at.

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We welcome representatives of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to Grand Lake this week. As you probably know, the Grand River Dam Authority operates Grand Lake and Lake Hudson under a license granted by FERC. That license is coming up for renewal in a couple of years and work is underway to apply for renewal of that license. FERC is here for a handful of hearings to see what folks think about GRDA. I’m pretty sure they’ll find folks trust GRDA a lot more than they trust FERC.

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In Paris, France, entrepreneurs have come up with the perfect solution to the age-old complaint about dinner dates – “I don’t have a thing to wear.”  Well, that’s perfect for the new O’Natural restaurant in Paris. In fact that’s exactly what diners wear – not a thing. It’s the city’s first nude dining restaurant. Guests check their clothes at the door and eat in the altogether. I don’t personally understand the attraction of this venue, but to each his/her own. I just hope nobody tries to fry any bacon.

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Speaking of food and holiday parties, the folks at Hidden Valley have taken notice that people are using their Ranch Dressing on a wider array of food items…wings, of course, pizza, breadsticks, French fries, poppers and, in some cases, even salad! You just can’t have too much Ranch Dressing around for the party crowd. To meet the need, Hidden Valley is now marketing a new party-size container. You guessed it…you can now by Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing by the keg! That might be enough to get you through the entire football bowl season! Hidden Valley obviously doesn’t think so. The kegs are designed as “stackables,” presumably because with Ranch Dressing, just like beer…one keg is probably not enough.

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We may get nostalgic about “the good ol’ days,” but a Wisconsin woman found out we probably should not try recreating those days. When Amber Schmunk of Fredonia put her nine-year-old son on top of her mini-van to hold down a plastic kiddie pool while she moved it to another house, she said she figured it was safe because her dad had done the same thing with her when she was a little girl. Authorities were not impressed. “Reckless child endangerment” was their written response. I would add that the 28-year-old mother is appropriately named, as well. Schmunk!

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Forbes Magazine has released its 2017 list of The World’s Most Powerful People. Nothing funny here. I just thought you might be surprised by a few. Not the top ones, though. Forbes says Russian President Vladimir Putin is the #1 most powerful person in the world followed by President Donald Trump. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is ranked #3, followed by Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping…and Pope Francis.

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Sad but true – Oklahoma is working hard to pass Florida as the state with the strangest news. The latest Okie entry in the weird news category is the 10-year prison sentence handed Duncan’s Misty Spann last week for incest. She married her biological mother, Patricia, who had lost custody of her three children as a young mother. The two were reunited and “hit it off.” REALLY hit it off, apparently, since they got married. It was not unprecedented, though. In 2008, Patricia Spann was reunited with her son…and married him, too! That marriage was annulled after 15 months, but all is not lost. Marital happiness is still a possibility for Patricia. She still has one more kid out there somewhere.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: Don’t wear headphones while vacuuming. I just finished the whole house before realizing the vacuum wasn’t plugged in.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Auto-correct can go straight to he’ll!

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Before marrying someone, you should first make them use a computer with slow internet, just to see who they really are.

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LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Josh Davis): While it is quite an accomplishment to drive drunk all the way home from the bar without getting pulled over, you should probably make sure that you didn’t take someone else’s car.

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POLITICALLY CORRECT DRINKING ADVICE (from my pals at Pier 13 Wine & Spirits): It’s no longer “box wine.” The classy term is “cardboardeaux.”

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Chuck Perry, Gary Goss, Cliff Hudson, Duane Koehler, Tom Fielder, Steve Wetwiska, Darlena Phillips, Leanne Laue-Goff, Kenny Cole, Roy Morgan, Scott Athey, Mike Long, and Val Saamer,

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What does the Trans Siberian Orchestra do for the other eleven months of the year?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday night, famed broadcaster John Erling will keynote the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday night, Monkey Island Pub hosts the annual Monkey Island Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner. Saturday night is also the annual Festivus Party and Christmas Shopping Extravaganza at the Golf Shop at Shangri-La.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There are great entertainment options around the lake this weekend.Randy Lunsford will be back behind the keyboard at The Shebang this weekend. It’ll be the last chance to see him perform for two or three weeks, so don’t miss your chance. The Balcony Bar upstairs at The Shebang features you as the entertainment with karaoke fun both Friday & Saturday nights (weather permitting); and across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, dance the night away on Saturday with great dance tunes. Just down the highway from there, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub. Erin Fitzgibbon will perform at the Blind Swine Saturday and there’s always great live Saturday night entertainment at the Road Hog Saloon.

Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well. Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace spotlights theTurnpike Troubadours featuring Charley Crockett Saturday night. Cherokee Casino Grove hosts The Band DeLorean Fridaynight and RocKFiscH Saturday night. River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar features Big Smitty Friday night. Saturday night, Double Vision will be in River Bend’s Club 60 West Event Center with a special tribute to Foreigner. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar spotlights Lyle Parman and the Slidebar Band Friday night and Stonehorse Saturday. Saturday night The Marshall Tucker Band will be on stage for a special performance at Downstream’s Pavilion. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursday night with a performance by Brett & Terri. Friday night, Southern Green will be on stage; and Saturday, The Uncrowned Kings will perform. Friday night, Morgan Squared will entertain at Grand Lake Casino, followed by Lickitty Split Saturday. Brandon Butler will be on stage at Lost Creek Saloon at Bordertown Casino; and Shawna Russell will wrap up the weekend entertainment at Bordertown Saturday night.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NFL Football, College Football, NBA, NASCAR and PGA Golf are 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 series premier of Marvel’s The Punisher will be available on NETFLIX Friday. Saturday night, Jon Stewart hosts Night of Too Many Stars at 7:00 on HBO. The 2017 American Music Awards will be televised live Sunday night at7:00 on ABC. David Letterman: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize airs at 7:00 Monday night on PBS.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Wonder, Justice League, The Star and Roman J. Israel, Esq.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Why would international terrorists even bother with us? We seem to be doing a good job terrorizing ourselves.” – Randy Krehbiel

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, November 23 - Doc’s Restaurant at Shangri-La Resort serves Thanksgiving Dinner 11:00 a.m.until close. Friday, November 24 – Shangri-La’s annual “Black Friday Seafood Buffet” at the Summit Restaurant (members only). Saturday, November 25 – Small Business Saturday – SHOP LOCAL! Saturday & Sunday, November 25-26 – Matinee Performance of “Every Christmas Story You’ve Ever Heard (and then some)” at 1:30 at Playmakers in Grove (2:00 Sunday).Tuesday, November 28 - “Every Christmas Story You’ve Ever Heard (and then some)” at 7:30 at Playmakers in Grove. Friday, December 1 - “Every Christmas Story You’ve Ever Heard (and then some)” at 7:30 at Playmakers in Grove. Saturday, December 9 – Jingle Bell 5K Fun Run at Grove Community Center (8:00 a.m.). Saturday, December 9 – Polar Bear Plunge at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Saturday night, December 9 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade on South Grand Lake. Saturday, December 9 – Gingerbread Christmas Festival Parade in Grove (6:00 p.m.) Saturday, December 16 – “Brunch with Santa” at Shangri-La’s Summit Restaurant (members only). Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Fundraising Party, Dance & Celebration at Playmakers in Grove.

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In the world of college football, Tulsa starts the weekend Thursday night at South Florida. OU & OSU take on the boys up north as OU travels to Kansas and OSU hosts Kansas State Saturday. Arkansas hosts Mississippi State. Other games of interest include Kentucky at Georgia, Illinois at Ohio State, Nebraska at Penn State, TCU at Texas Tech, Iowa State at Baylor, Texas at West Virginia and Navy at Notre Dame.

The NFL weekend also begins Thursday night with Pittsburgh hosting Tennessee (7:00 on NBC). Sunday’s noon games include Detroit at Chicago (Fox) and Kansas City at the New York Giants (CBS). Cincinnati is at Denver at 3:30 (CBS) and Philadelphia is at Dallas for a really big game Sunday night (7:00 on NBC). Monday Night Football features Atlanta at Seattle (7:00 on ESPN).

The OKC Thunder are on the road Friday night in San Antonio (7:00 on ESPN), they they’re off for a few days. They’ll need the time because they host the Golden State Warriors next Wednesday, November 15 (7:00 on ESPN).

The PGA Tour players are in Sea Island, Georgia this weekend for the RSM Classic. Coverage begins on the Golf ChannelThursday-Sunday at 12:30.

The NASCAR boys are in South Florida Sunday afternoon for one last hurrah. Coverage of the Ford Eco-Boost 400 begins Sunday afternoon at 1:30 on NBC.

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The weather for the weekend ahead looks pretty nice. We’ll have sunshine and high temperatures around 60 with lows in the upper 30s. There’s lot of fun to enjoy around the lake this weekend – so get after it; but be sure and 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

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

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

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

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