November 20 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Put on your party shoes. The holiday season is officially underway. For me, the partying got underway last Thursday with the huge South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet, and Saturday with the always fun Festivus Party at Shangri-La Resort (yes, I aired my grievances). Festivus was crowded and fun again! Nothing draws a Grand Lake crowd like free food, a handy bar, and discounts on Christmas gifts. But having the final half of the OSU football game was nice icing on the cake.

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So now, it’s Thanksgiving time! The kids are already out of school for the holiday and it’s a critical time for Big XII football. Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are my two favorite holidays. No gifts. No big demands. They are holidays dedicated exclusively to over-eating, over-drinking, and over-indulging in great football games. What could be a better way to overcome the doldrums of being stuck indoors?

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Constant customer complaints didn’t have much impact, but losing money has caused some big chain stores including Wal-Mart and Costco to reconsider their self-checkout operations. Stores with the customer check-out systems lost 4% in shrinkage (or theft) last year, double the loss of stores with checkers. It’s no wonder. Nobody trained us for checker jobs! Why are they surprised that we would make mistakes? I’m glad to see them backing off from having us do the work of their employees. I was afraid they were going to have customers start unloading trucks!

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The Christmas season is officially here. If you’re looking for a road trip, the city of Chickasha has now erected their 50-foot high “leg lamp,” a huge replica of the legendary “major award” featured in the movie A Christmas Story. Christmas light displays are nice, but Chickasha’s “leg lamp” has to be the best holiday decorating idea ever!

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You can also tell the holiday season is in full swing because I’ve started seeing those bizarre social media posts defending the right to say “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays.” I don’t know why people are so sensitive about this. Between November 1 and January 1 there are actually 29 different holidays for a bunch of different religions. Why would anyone want to limit celebrations to just one? I’m happy for all my friends celebrating any holiday. It’s just a lot more excuses for parties. Happy holidays!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Barbara Patrick, Joe Fitzgibbon, Trish Overton, Debby Harwood, Elizabeth West, Susan Kimball, Mark Winter, Michael Bujold, Dawn Cook, Mark Oliver, Cathey Mackey, Marilyn Davidson, Linda Lippitt, JB Robison, Jr., Jack McFadden, Judy Keeton, Priscilla Wallace, Amanda Thrift, Debi Holcomb White, Sherry Dinsmore, Ron Miller, Dave Rush, Amer Hopeman, and Bob Livesay.   

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. It’s a busy holiday weekend at Grand Lake starting with a Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet at Doc’s Bar & Grill (11:00-7:00) and The Cove Club (10:00-3:00). Matt’s Place is open until 2:00 Thanksgiving. The Anchor opens at 10:00 a.m. Thanksgiving Day for a full day of NFL Thanksgiving Game Day football fun. The Anchor will also be open at 10:00 Friday morning so you won’t miss the OU-TCU game at 11:00 or the Missouri-Arkansas game at 3:00. Friday & Saturday is the big “Wild Turkey Shopping Party” at The Den of Uniquity. The “Park of Lights” display opens Friday at Twin Bridges State Park (nightly through December 30). Friday is also the Opening of the Grove Ice Rink at City Hall (open Friday-Sunday through December 31). Friday night is Movie Theme Night at Grove Ice Rink – “A Night in Whoville.” Sunday night is COW Week Skate Night at the Grove Ice Rink with music, merchandise, Starbucks hot chocolate, and a professional photographer on hand for family photos. This is also Opening weekend for Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village at Har-Ber Village, open Saturday & Sunday.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Although now most often associated with hockey, the phrase “hat trick” originated with cricket, and referred to retiring three batsmen on three consecutive balls. Bowlers who did so were rewarded with a new hat.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Charlie Woods’ high school golf team took home the trophy for a State Championship last week, giving young Charlie a trophy his dad, Tiger Woods, never won – a State Championship.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Seven major league baseball players who were struck out by the legendary Nolan Ryan had sons who grew up to also be struck out by…Nolan Ryan.

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OXYMORON OF THE WEEK: Near miss (if you “almost” miss, wouldn’t that be a “hit”?)

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I once lived just a stone’s throw away from a family who all died of mysterious head injuries.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Parking available in empty spaces only.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Black Friday: because only in America people trample each other for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Amal and Juan are identical twins. Their mom only carries one photograph because – if you’ve seen Juan you’ve seen Amal.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do straws have one hole or two?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Be sure to bring up politics at Thanksgiving Dinner. It’s going to save you a lot of money on Christmas gifts.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Grief is like the wake behind a boat. It starts out as a huge wave that follows close behind you and is big enough to swamp and drown you if you suddenly stop moving forward. But if you do keep moving, the big wake will eventually dissipate; and after a long time, the waters of your life get calm again.  That is when the memories of those who have left begin to shine as bright and as enduring as the stars above.” – Jimmy Buffett

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: It has been 60 years since the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  Dick Smothers of the famed “Smothers Brothers” turns 84 this week. Musical icon Tina Turner who died in May would have also been 84 this week.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, there will be no Thursday night karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but the weekend fun kicks off at Doc’s Friday night with music by Jon Moody. DJ K-Bandito hosts the musical fun Friday & Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.

On South Grand Lake, House Party will provide Saturday night’s music at The Drunken Rooster.

In Grove, there is live music by Encore Friday night, followed by karaoke fun Saturday. There are four big nights of live music at Cherokee Casino featuring Juicy Withers Wednesday night, Porter Crossing Thursday night, and Brent Giddens Friday night. Libby Starks wraps up the holiday weekend entertainment Saturday night.

Dewayne Bowman and the Swingin’ West Band will be on stage Saturday night at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West followed at 11:00 by an after party hosted by DJ Kay. Matt Stell will be in concert Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Doc’s at Shangri-La is offering a full Thanksgiving Buffet (11:00-7:00), the Cove Club in Langley is serving Thanksgiving Dinner (10:00-3:00), and Matt’s Place in Grove is serving Thanksgiving Day until 2:00 p.m. The Artichoke in Langley is closed. Bradford’s BBQ has also officially closed permanently. Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is now closed for the season. Prime Meats, Eats and Sweets is also now closed for the season, reopening in March. The Grill at Indian Hills has begun winter hours – Thursday-Sunday from 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Byron Allen Presents the Grio Awards Saturday night at 7:00 on CBS. Dr. Who: The Star Beast will be available Saturday on Disney+. The Wonderful World of Disney Magical Holiday Celebration airs Sunday night at 7:00 followed by The Great Christmas Light Fight at 9:00, both on ABC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Next Goal Wins, Trolls Band Together, and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds are in theaters this week. The Naughty Nine is available Friday on Disney+; and Oppenheimer is now available for purchase.

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, December 1 – “Lights on Grove!” Christmas kick-off celebration on the Grove City Hall lawn (6:00 p.m.). Friday, December 1 – First Friday Wine Share at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Grove (6:00-7:30). Friday, December 1 – Gateway to Grand Lake Christmas Parade in Ketchum (6:30 p.m.). Friday, December 1 – Movie Theme Night at Grove Ice Rink- “Buddy’s North Pole.” Friday, December 1 – Northeast Board of Realtors Installation Banquet at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Friday & Saturday, December 1-2 – Santa’s Ozark Mountain Christmas celebration at Har-Ber Village. Saturday, December 2 – Grand Lake YMCA “Jingle Bell Run.” Saturday, December 2 – Pensacola Dam Christmas Parade – Langley to Disney (6:00 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, December 2-3 – “Journey to Jesus” with Oasis animals at Oasis Animal Adventures (3:00-8:00 p.m.). Tuesday, December 5  -Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 9 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade from Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday, December 9 – Grove Lighted Christmas Parade (6:00 p.m.). Sunday Brunch with Santa at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort (10:00-2:00). Sunday, December 10 – A Grand Lake Holiday Celebration with Terry Jordan in the lobby of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (2:00-5:00). Monday, December 11 – Grand Lake Association Annual Banquet at Cherokee Yacht Club (6:00 p.m.). Tuesday, December 12 – Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00 p.m.). Friday, December 14 – Legacy Event Center Annual Christmas Party  (7:00 p.m.). Friday, December 15 – Movie Theme Night at Grove Ice Rink – “All Aboard for Christmas.” Sunday, December 17 - A Grand Lake Holiday Celebration with Terry Jordan in the lobby of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (2:00-5:00).

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For most teams, we’re down to the final regular season game of the year in the college football world – and big games start Friday. OU hosts TCU at 11:00 Friday morning, Arkansas hosts Missouri at 3:00 and Texas Tech is at Texas at 6:30. Saturday games include BYU at OSU at 2:30, Kansas at Cincinnati, and Iowa State at Kansas State at 7:00.

In the NFL, it’s Thanksgiving week, so that means lots of Thursday football – Green Bay at Detroit at 11:30, Washington at Dallas at 3:30, and San Francisco at Seattle at 7:30. There’s even a Friday game in the NFL this week – Miami at the New York Jets at 2:00. Sunday games include Tampa Bay at Indianapolis (12:00), Kansas City at Las Vegas (3:30) and the L.A. Chargers hosting Baltimore (7:30). Monday Night Football features Chicago at Minnesota.

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder host Philadelphia Saturday afternoon at 4:00 before hitting the road to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves next Tuesday at 7:00.

There is no PGA golf over the holiday weekend. Next up is the Hero World Challenge next week in the Bahamas.

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I hope you took advantage of last weekend’s weather, because it’s going to hell in a handbasket this week. We’ll start with highs in the mid-50s Thanksgiving Day but, by Saturday, high temperatures will be in the 40s with lows in the 20s. It’s a good weekend to find someplace indoors to watch football! Enjoy your holiday weekend, 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

Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove

Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)

Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina (closed for the season)

Blind Swine on Monkey Island (reopening soon)

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

Casa Gutierrez in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s on Monkey Island

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

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

Cove Club in Langley

Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Domino’s in Grove

Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)

Drake’s Restaurant in Grove

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill

E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (closed for the season)

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Flower Bar in Grove

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek

Hero’s Deli 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

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Island RV Resort

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney

Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

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

Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley

Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove

Pit Stop Café in Grove

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (closed for the season)

R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove

Raggedy’s in Grove

Rancho Viejo in Grove

Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove

Riggs & Company in Langley

River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)

Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (closed for the season)

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

The Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)

The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)

Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (closed for the season)

VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove