November 2 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

I hope everybody is okay. We’re still dealing with a global pandemic, but we made it through a week with Halloween, a full moon, winter weather, a deluge of rain, an ice storm, and another time change – and we lived to tell the story. Congratulations to us all. Bring on Thanksgiving!

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Here’s some news for folks who have trouble getting access to health care. If their business model for operation of convenience stores is any indication, health care is about to make a dramatic change for my pals in the Tulsa area.  After 50 years in the convenience store business, QuikTrip is diversifying into the health care field with MedWise Urgent Care Clinics. The first one is open in Coweta, with plans for clinics in Wagoner and Broken Arrow within the next couple of months. Soon, there will be 15 of them in the Tulsa area. Expect a game changer.

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Speaking of health care, my buddy Jeff Moll informs me there’s a new product on the horizon that combines laxative with alphabet soup. It’s called “Letter Rip.”

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If you have had “Florida Envy” like me over the past few decades, maybe we’re better off in Oklahoma. Fewer snowbirds than ever are skipping their Florida winters due to COVID-19. At Walt Disney World, 18,000 employees are losing their jobs. The pandemic death toll in the Sunshine State now tops 17,000. The Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show wrapped up with a record low attendance. The Super Yacht Village didn’t even open this year because international crews would be forced to quarantine. Exhibitors decreased in numbers along with show attendance. If you are searching for silver linings, I guess boat shows, beaches, tourist attractions, theme parks, and night clubs are far less crowded. Personally, I’m a happy camper right here on the shores of Grand Lake.

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As we move into the next-to-last month of the year, Grand Lake boat dealers are being joined by many other dealers with plans for a “Virtual Tulsa Boat Show” in January-February. Online shopping for boats has been growing steadily over the past few years. Maybe that’s going to be the new normal.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La now offers “Lightning Lunch” specials weekdays - served in 15 minutes or less or they’re free. Beginning this week, the popular “Sunday Brunch” service returns 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. The Café at Har-Ber Village now offers delivery service from 10:00-3:00.. The Grill at Indian Hills has reverted to winter operating hours – 7:00-3:00 Thursday-Sunday. The Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda remains open Thursday-Monday until November 15.

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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: Thursday Night Prime Rib & Karaoke is at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-9:00) – and Sunday Brunch! Saturday is the 2^nd Annual Chili Cookoff & Pie Competition at Blind Swine benefiting the Monkey Island Trail (11:00 a.m.). A Celebration of Life will be held for legendary Monkey Islander Mike Aberle at Blind Swine Saturday from 4:00-6:00. Grand Meridian RV Park will also host a Chili Cookoff Saturday night from 6:00-10:00. Next Wednesday, November 11, is Veterans Day: Veterans play free golf at Shangri-La. Next Wednesday is also the first of weekly Italian Dinner & Wine Wednesday Nights at Doc’s.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Jason Morgan starts the weekend with karaoke fun at the Thursday Night Prime Rive & Karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-9:00). KJ Flip leads the Thursday night karaoke fun at the Blind Swine, followed by the Erin Fitzgibbon early and The Clint Ingram Duo late Friday night. KJ Flip is back Sunday night for Karaoke & Cocktails and Erin Fitzgibbon returns 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 the tunes from DJ Bandito Saturday night. Monkey Island Pub features Karaoke with DJ Tim. The Faulconers and Erin Fitzgibbon will entertain Saturday night at the Grand Meridian RV Park Chili Cookoff.

Some area casinos are also back into the musical entertainment business. Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Brett & Terri Thursday in the Echo Bar, followed by The Morgan Squared Trio Friday and Straight Away Saturday. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, Travis Kidd will be on stage Friday night followed by Taria Lee & Friends Saturday.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The only documented case of a child dying (or even being sickened) by intentionally poisoned Halloween candy occurred in 1974, when Ronald Clark O'Bryan of Deer Park, Texas, gave his own son a Pixy Stix containing cyanide.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In case you thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse, Merriam-Webster just officially recognized “irregardless” as a word.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: When I was young, my hero was Captain Kangaroo. Then I got a little bit older, and my hero was Captain Crunch. Now that I’m somewhat old, my hero is Captain Morgan. (thanks to Linda Wall for sharing this one)

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen while voting): No campaign materials or clothing allowed in polling place. (That no doubt made voting more interesting.)

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BEST T-SHIRT SEEN THIS WEEK: I still have unfinished procrastinating to do from yesterday.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Amazon just got approved for drone delivery. We now have skeet shooting with prizes!

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: If Satan ever lost his hair, there would be hell toupee.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I informed my suitcases there would be no vacation trip for us this year. Now I’m dealing with emotional baggage.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: To many, he is James Bond. To some, he was the only James Bond. To me, he will always be Medicine Man. We lost legendary actor Sir Sean Connery over the past weekend. He was 90. NBA superstar Michael Jordan made his debut with the Chicago Bull this week…36 years ago!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Scott Brecheisen, Hal Ellis, Ann Winters, Nancy Jackson, Mary Lee, Cindi Lillard, Dave Vloedman, Sandy Dittrich, Otis Winters, Candy Couch, Deidre Sparkman, Abby Moser, Shaleen Wheeler, Mitch Lindley, Jot Hartley, Lisa Ledom, Greg Feldman, Maddy Cook, Christi Coleman Livingston, and Tyler Graham.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Is it wrong that only one company makes the game Monopoly?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Young Sheldon returns for another season Thursday night at 7:00 followed by the premiere of B Positive at 7:30, both on CBS. The 2020 Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony airs Saturday night at 7:00 on HBO. Dave Chappelle is the featured guest host of Saturday Night Live this week, Saturday night at 10:30 on NBC. NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans return for new seasons Sunday night at 7:00 and 8:00 respectively on CBS. The 2020 CMA Awards presentation airs next Wednesday at 7:00 on ABC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Let Him Go and Stillwater are in movie theaters this weekend. Friendsgiving is available streaming.  Triggered and The Dark and the Wicked are available streaming.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I think it will take people, true patriots, on both sides of the aisle to say ‘Enough of this nonsense, we should work together for the good of the people of the United States.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, November 14 – Glow Golf Par 3 Challenge at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, November 14 – Monkey Island Potluck Thanksgiving at Monkey Island Pub (7:00). Saturday, November 14 – Jello Wrestling Tournament at Blind Swine. Sunday, November 15 – Thanksgiving Potluck at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina (1:00 p.m.). Thursday, November 19 – South Grand Lake Chamber Annual Banquet at Shangri-La Resort.  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. Saturday, December 12 – Grove Christmas Parade. Saturday, December 19 – Christmas Costume Contest at Monkey Island Pub.

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SPORTS WATCH: All the local college football favorites are in action this week. Tulsa is at Navy Saturday morning (11:00 on CBSSN), OU hosts Kansas (2:30 on ESPN), OSU travels to Kansas State (3:00 on Fox), and Tennessee is at Arkansas (6:30 on SEC network).

The NFL season heads into week #9 Thursday night with Green Bay at San Francisco (Fox). Sunday games include Carolina at Kansas City (noon on Fox), Houston at Jacksonville (noon on CBS), Pittsburgh at Dallas (3:30 on CBS) and New Orleans at Tampa Bay (7:00 on NBC). Monday Night Football features the NY Jets hosting New England (7:00 on ESPN).

This is the biggest week of the year for Thoroughbred horse racing fans. It’s Breeders Cup World Championship weekend. Coverage begins with “Future Stars Friday” races at 1:00 Friday on NBCSN. Coverage of Championship Saturday races begins at 11:00 Saturday morning on NBCSN, switching to NBC at 1:30 Saturday.

The PGA Tour will host a limited number of fans in Houston again this weekend, just one week ahead of The Masters. Coverage of the Houston Open is exclusively on the Golf Channel beginning at noon Thursday-Sunday.

NASCAR fans get their final racing fix until February Sunday. Coverage of the Season Finale 500 live from Phoenix Raceway begins at 2:00 Sunday on NBC.

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Weather couldn’t look better for the Grand Lake weekend ahead. We’ll have sunshine, light winds, highs pushing 70 degrees with lows around 50. 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.)

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