November 19 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Last Saturday was the perfect day of Thanksgiving celebration for me. First off, there were free beverages and appetizers at Shangri-La’s FESTIVUS party. Immediately following that, there was free food at the Monkey Island Thanksgiving celebration at Monkey Island Pub. That’s always such a fun event! Everybody was supposed to bring something, but I didn’t. I offered to bring my favorite Thanksgiving dish – Wild Turkey – but Tami Wilson said they already had a liquor shelf full of it.

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Most of my wandering pals have returned to the lake from Mexico, Florida, and the British Virgin Island. I wouldn’t resent them quite so much if they weren’t all sporting those deep summer tans and tales of swimming off boats and beaches. I did my best to keep things under control, but I certainly couldn’t handle the weather. We started last week in parkas and stocking caps, then spent Saturday walking around barefoot playing with Ladybugs. By Sunday, it was too cold to leave the house again…and now, spring weather for the weekend. If the spring-like weather is here to stay until summer, I’m good with that. But I’m not optimistic. Only in Oklahoma can you jam four seasons into a single week – twice!

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I don’t know what’s been going on with the gasoline prices, but I like it. I actually paid $1.99 a gallon in Oklahoma City last week. Of course, it’s holiday time now. Since everybody will be traveling, I’m pretty sure they’ll find some reason to get the prices back up.

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In Pinar, Argentina, several cops have been dismissed from the force after their superiors failed to believe their story about what happened at a warehouse full of drugs they were supposed to be guarding. When a half a ton of marijuana came up missing, the best story they could come up with was…. “A bunch of mice ate it.” According to scientists, mice don’t eat marijuana. Other scientists are trying to calculate how much marijuana a handful of cops would have to smoke before being unable to come up with a better story.

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Note to Anthony Sorrells of Chicago: Armed Robbery is always a bad idea. Using the cell phone you just stole during your robbery to have food delivered to you is even worse. I mean, yeah they will deliver meals to you, but the county jail is not likely to have cuisine up to your standards.

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I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. It’s one of my two favorite holidays of the year. The lake isn’t crowded with people. People you hardly know don’t call and ask if they can spend the weekend with you at the lake. There are no gifts to worry about. There’s lots of football and the entire holiday is pretty much dedicated to nothing but eating and drinking. Thanksgiving and New Year’s Weekend are the BEST! Enjoy.

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DINING AND DRINKING ON GRAND UPDATE: Arrowhead Yacht Club serves members Thanksgiving Dinner Thursday. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La is open for Thanksgiving breakfast and lunch. The Shebang is closed Thursday (the only two days of the year they are closed are Thanksgiving and Christmas). Next Wednesday (November 28) is Guest Chef night featuring Judie Clark’s “Breakfast for Dinner” breakfast torte. Wear your pajamas. Friday night is “Black Friday Seafood Buffet Dinner” for Shangri-La members at The Summit.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I’m in a good place right now. Not emotionally. I’m just at the liquor store.

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BEST (FAKE NEWS) HEADLINE SEEN THIS WEEK: Florida Recount Finally Wraps Up, Al Gore Declared President

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The Snickers candy bar was named after a horse.

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ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Don’t forget to set your scales back ten pounds this week.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: My three favorite things are eating my family and not using commas.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Uncles are not totally worthless. We can be used as bad examples.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Even though the “new” commercials done personally by Jimmy Dean would lead you to believe he’s hard at work every day making sausage products, the entertainer has actually been dead for eight years. He died in 2010 at the age of 81.

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RELATIONSHIP OBSERVATION: Having a child is like having a little broke-ass friend.

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BEST OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Buying a Dollar Store pregnancy test should let you know you can’t afford no baby.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Congratulations to Denny and Gail Cresap, well-deserving recipients of the “Grand Laker of the Year” award from the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce – and to Bank of Grand Lake, recipient of the Barbara Connor Award for outstanding contributions to the Grand Lake community. Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Josh Lee, David Crutchfield, Val Saamer, Barbara Patrick, Susan Kimball, Michael Bujold, Matt Thomas, Dawn Cook, Mark Oliver, Cathey Mackey, Linda Lippitt, J.B. Robison, Jr., Reid Smith, Judy Keeton, and Debi Holcomb White.

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UNANSWERED QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: What happens to all the turkeys the other eleven months of the year? And what do Mannheim Steamroller and the Trans Siberian Orchestra do all the rest of the year?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: First we have Thanksgiving! Friday is, of course, “Black Friday” when economists predict Americans will spend a trillion dollars in one day for the first time ever. Don’t spend all your money Friday, though. Saturday is “Small Business Saturday.” Please shop local. The best deals for ladies are at The Den of Uniquity on Monkey Island and Grand Panache in Grove. You can help the critters and help yourself to big savings. Shoppers who bring donations of Pedigree Puppy Food, Purina Cat Chow or kitten food to either of those two cool boutiques will receive 25% off the price of their purchase. Monday is Cyber Monday for you online shoppers. Don’t forget to pay your state sales tax. Tuesday is the most important of all these special days. It’s “Giving Tuesday.” I hope you will participate in the cause of your choice.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment coming up around the lake over the holiday weekend. On Monkey Island this weekend, the dance floor will be hoppin’ with karaoke fun and great dance music at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Just up highway 125, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub. At the Blind Swine, there’s live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night (including Erin Fitzgibbon Friday), and KJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday. At Littlefield Corner, there’s always live entertainment Saturday nights at the Road Hog Saloon.

On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Bar & Grill at Grand Lodge in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Friday at 5:00, Cherokee Casino-Grove will host a Meet & Greet with OU superstar Jamelle Holieway. Cherokee Casino’s 1897 Bar features The Mixers Saturday night. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Dirt Road Daisies entertain at Bordertown Friday night and Degonia will be on stage Saturday night. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features Western Justice Friday night; and at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, Lickitty Split will perform Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Rocked ‘N’ Loaded performsThursday night in the Echo Bar, followed byParalandra Friday night at Rosy Hips Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including the PGA, College Football, NFL games, and NBA games are the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Monkey Island Pub, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Christmas Chronicles are available Thursday on NETFLIX.  Christmas in the Rockefeller Center airs next Wednesday at 7:00 on NBC. Other than that, it’s lots of football and non-stop Christmas movies on Hallmark.   

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Green Book, Creed II, Robin Hood and Ralph Breaks the Internet

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” – Oscar Wilde

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, December 6 – Vinita Christmas Parade of Lights. Friday, December 7 – Judging of Duck Creek dock decorating contest. Saturday, December 8 – Polar Bear Plunge at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Saturday, December 8 – Jingle Bell 5K Fun Run in Grove. Saturday, December 8 – Gingerbread Christmas Festival  (4:00) & Parade (6:00) in Grove. Saturday, December 8 – Christmas Parade across the Pensacola Dam. Saturday, December 8 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade from Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday, December 8 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade Watch Party & Potluck Dinner at Harbors View Marina. Saturday, December 22 is the “Christmas Movie Marathon” at Shangri-La Resort Hotel.

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It’s week #13 in the world of college football – and the Thanksgiving holiday means an unusual schedule. OU and Arkansas both play Friday – Arkansas at Missouri at 1:30 (CBS) and OU at West Virginia at 7:00 (ESPN). OSU and Tulsa both play Saturday – OSU is at TCU (7:00 on Fox) and Tulsa hosts SMU (2:30 on CBSSN).   

Thanksgiving Day NFL action features Chicago at Detroit at 11:30 (CBS), Washington at Dallas at 3:30 (Fox), and Atlanta at New Orleans at 7:00 (NBC). Sunday noon games include Cleveland at Cincinnati (CBS) and the N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia (Fox). The 3:30 game on CBS sends Pittsburgh to Denver. Sunday night’s game has Green Bay at Minnesota (7:00 on NBC); and Monday Night Football features Tennessee at Houston (7:00 on ESPN).

There’s great NBA action this week, too. The OKC Thunder are at home for the holidays, hosting Charlotte Friday night at 7:00 and Denver Saturday night at 7:00 before a three-day break prior to hosting Cleveland next Wednesday night at 7:00. All games are televised on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

In the world of professional golf, PGA players are spending Thanksgiving “Down Under” for the ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup of Golf. Live coverage on the Golf Channel begins Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday and continues through Saturday night. Replay coverage is at 1:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

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The holiday weekend weather looks pretty darn nice. We may have a shower or two Friday and Sunday, but winds will be light and high temperatures will be in the mid-to-upper 50s with lows in the low 40s. There’s plenty of celebrating to do.  Party on, but remember…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.

1909 in Downtown Grove

Ailey’s Café in Langley

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 (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

Café Yum in Grove

Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)

Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner

Checkered Past in Grove

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

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

Henrie’s Grill 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

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)

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