November 16 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

I’ve said it before, but area businesses continue to prove there is no such thing as an off-season at Grand Lake. Doc’s, Mulligans, Quarterdeck, Blind Swine, Big Shots, Monkey Island Pub, Pourhouse, Mooney’s, Juan Montez and Pickles at the Lake continue to entice residents and tourists with live entertainment. Cherokee Casino, Indigo Sky Casino, and Downstream Casino also feature regular weekend live music. Shangri-La has weekly special nights and game-day watch parties, Shebang and Blind Swine have nightly specials, and both Doc’s and Mulligans have Sunday Brunch offerings that are open to the public. Don’t tell me there’s nothing to do!

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Nobody thinks up wild & crazy things to do like Monkey Islanders, of course. Saturday night started with the annual Monkey Island Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner at Monkey Island Pub, topped off by the 3^rd Annual Jello Wrestling Tournament at Blind Swine. That is NOT what I would call an “off-season” evening! This week, the Grove Chamber hosts a Business After Hours at the Pourhouse while Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell keynotes the South Grand Lake Chamber Banquet at Shangri-La Thursday night. Friday night, Shangri-La  club members will wander around in the dark playing “Glow Golf!” It doesn’t matter what the date is on the calendar, there’s ALWAYS something fun happening at Grand Lake. As the pandemic grows, you might as well come quarantine with us. Everybody else is!

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I saw a very “Grand Lake” new product last week, made by a few good ol’ boys in Tulsa. “Chill-N-Reel” is the name of it. It’s a fishing reel attached permanently to a drink insulator to hold your beverage. Finally. Someone figured out that fishing should not mean you no longer have a spare hand to hold a beverage. Google it. The videos are awesome.

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It looks like everybody can now settle down and peek into our nation’s future a little. The election appears to be finally over. I was beginning to wonder what would last longer – the campaign, the vote counting, the protests, or the pandemic. We’ve wrapped up three of the four. Now, let’s put on a mask, practice social distancing, roll out a vaccine and a treatment, and knock the Coronavirus in the head!

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If you haven’t had enough fun reading all the warnings of possible side effects of drugs, try reading the fine print on labels of other products. My latest favorite is on a product clearly labeled “Wood Chopping Board.” So what does the fine print say? “Do not use as a chopping board.” Things that make you go, “hmmm.”

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is extending their weekend operating schedule through December 20 (Fri 4:00-8:00, Sat & Sun 11:00-8:00 – no breakfast service). Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La now offers “Lightning Lunch” specials weekdays - served in 15 minutes or less or they’re free. The popular “Sunday Brunch” has returned to Doc’s – 9:00-2:00 Sundays. Mulligan’s at Patricia Island is also open to the public for Sunday Brunch 10:00-2:00.

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ROAD CLOSURES: The road across the Pensacola Dam is closed for repairs until at least March 2021. ODOT is beginning construction on a new bridge over Horse Creek at Bernice (Butt Bridge). Once work is underway, that bridge will be reduced to one lane for the better part of a year.

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell will be the keynote speaker Thursday night at the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at Shangri-La (call 918-782-3214 for tickets). The Grove Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a “Business After Hours” event at The Pourhouse at The Regatta in Grove Thursday evening 5:00-7:00. Grove Playmakers will open an exhibit highlighting the 34 shows done in the past 25 years Thursday from 1:00-8:00 p.m. After Thursday, the exhibition will be open at Playmakers Saturday & Sunday (1:00-8:00 p.m.) through December 6. Thursday Night Prime Rib & Karaoke is at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-9:00). Friday night (every Friday night this month) is “Sip, Shop, and Sashay night at The Shebang Restaurant featuring modeling of fashions from the Den of Uniquity.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Jason Morgan starts the weekend with karaoke fun at the Thursday Night Prime Rib & Karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-9:00). Friday night (7:00-10:00) Doc’s Bar & Grill will feature the music of Jacob Dement. Erin Fitzgibbon performs Friday night for Live Swine Friday at Blind Swine; and he’s back on stage at the Swine Tuesday. Terry Jordan performs at the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Big Shots will feature Karaoke fun on Friday night and dancing to your favorite tunes Saturday night. Monkey Island Pub features Karaoke with DJ Tim Saturday night.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Borrowed Money Thursday in the Echo Bar, followed by Whiskey Outlawstt Friday and Jesse Joice Saturday. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, Travis Marvin will be on stage Friday night followed by The George Brothers Saturday. Cherokee Casino Grove also has live music Friday night featuring Borrowed Money.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The eponymous automobile of the legendary tv series “My Mother the Car,” referred to as a 1928 Porter, was actually put together from Ford, Chevrolet, Hudson and Maxwell parts. It recently sold for $50,000.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Attorney Douglas Craig Emhoff is the husband of Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. He is set to become the first “Second Gentleman” in the history of the U.S. and the first Jewish spouse of a President or Vice President.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I’m giving up drinking until Christmas. Sorry, bad punctuation. I’m giving up. Drinking until Christmas. (thanks to Linda Wall for sharing this one)

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen at St. Peters Anglican Church): Thou shalt wear a mask. Hygenesis 20:20

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BEST T-SHIRT SEEN THIS WEEK: I’m sorry for whatever I said while I was docking the boat.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Never in my life would I have imagined that my hands would consume more alcohol than my mouth.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: If you notice cows sleeping in a field, does that mean it’s pasture bedtime?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: You know you’re getting old when “Friends with Benefits” means having someone who can drive at night.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Movie star Will Smith got his start on the TV series “Fresh Prince of Belair.” That was 30 years ago. Football’s “Golden Boy” died last week. Green Bay Packers legendary superstar Paul Hornung was 84. Neil Young isn’t so young, anymore. The iconic singer/songwriter turned 75 last week. If that’s not enough, blues singer and activitst Bonnie Raitt turned 71, and legendary folk singer Joni Mitchell turned 77. By the way, here’s a good example of why you should follow your own dreams. Her (former) agent once told an aspiring young actress, “You’re not good enough for movies.” Happy 74^th birthday to two-time Academy Award winner Sally Field.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Lori Skelley-Follis, Tom Fielder, Eric Long, Stacey Hudson, Kenny Cole, Mike Long, Leann Laue-Goff, Dar Phillips, Ben Falkner, Josh Lee, Preston Kelley, Roy Morgan, Val Saamer, David Crutchfield, Barbara Patrick, Elizabeth West, Debby Harwood, Betsy Hendershot, Susan Kimball, Mark Winter, and Michael Bujold.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is “orange juice” yellow?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Jersey Shore Family Vacation returns for another season Thursday night at 7:00 on MTV. A Million Little Things also airs Thursday night at 9:00 on ABC. Paramount will air all three seasons of Yellowstone this weekend in a two-day marathon beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday.  The 2020 American Music Awards air live Sunday night at 7:00 on ABC. The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Vanguard is in movie theaters this weekend and The Croods comes to theaters next week. Friendsgiving is available streaming. The Nest and The Personal History of David Copperfield are available for rent; and Run is available Friday on HULU. Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square is available Sunday night on NETFLIX.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If the government wants to take something from me and give it to someone else, that’s socialism; but if the government wants to take something from someone else and give it to me, that’s economic development.” – Randy Krehbiel

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, November 26 – Thanksgiving Dinner at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday, November 27 – Members “Black Friday Seafood Extravaganza” at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La. Monday, November 30 – Grammy Award winner Wynonna Judd in concert at the Coleman Theatre in Miami. Friday, December 4 – “Gateway to Grand Lake Christmas Parade” in Ketchum (6:30). Saturday, December 5 – Cherokee Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade. Saturday, December 5 – Ugly Sweater Contest at Monkey Island Pub. Friday, December 11 – Christmas Carols at the Coleman Theatre in Miami. Saturday, December 12 – Grove Christmas Parade. Saturday, December 12 – Offroad Christmas Parade in Disney (5:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 12 – Big Band Christmas at the Coleman Theatre. Monday, December 14 – Electoral College votes to elect U.S. President. Saturday, December 19 – Christmas Costume Contest at Monkey Island Pub. Thursday, December 31 – Late-Night New Year’s Eve Buffet at Doc’s Bar & Grill (until 4:00 a.m.).

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SPORTS WATCH: In the college football world, it’s Bedlam Week! OU will host OSU in Norman Saturday night at 6:30 on ABC. Tulsa actually kicks off the football weekend Thursday night, hosting Tulane at Chapman Stadium at 6:30 on ESPN. Before all the Bedlam excitement, Arkansas hosts LSU at 11:00 on SEC Network, Kansas hosts Texas at 2:30 on ESPN2, and Kansas State is at Iowa State at 3:00 on Fox.

The NFL season heads into week #11 Thursday night with a great one – Arizona at Seattle (Fox). Sunday games include Philadelphia at Cleveland (noon on Fox), Pittsburgh at Jacksonville (noon on CBS), Dallas at Minnesota (3:30 on Fox), and Kansas City at Las Vegas (7:00 on NBC). Monday Night Football features the Tampa Bay Bucs hosting the Los Angeles Rams (7:00 on ESPN).

Following the incredible excitement of Masters weekend, PGA golfers won’t have to travel far this week. They’ll be in Sea Island, Georgia for the RSM Classic.  Coverage begins at noon Thursday-Sunday on the Golf Channel.

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Weather for the weekend ahead starts out fabulous on Friday, then will probably slide downhill a little. Friday’s forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with highs in the low 70s. Saturday’s highs slide to the low 60s…then the low 50s on Sunday with lows dipping into the 30s Sunday night. Plan your outdoor activities accordingly – and enjoy the many great happenings at indoor venues. Get out and join the fun, but remember - wherever you 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.

Ailey’s Café in Langley

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 Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

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

Marina’s Place at Littlefield Corner

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

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

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

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)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

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 Pouhouse at The Regatta in Grove

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