November 29 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

I hope everyone had a Thanksgiving as great as the one I had! It just had one little flaw, in my opinion. I would have liked to have seen OU win the Bedlam game so we could be assured in advance of an Oklahoma team winning the Big 12 Championship this weekend. It’ll be all right, though. We’ll just count on the Cowboys to beat Baylor – AGAIN! With all the other weird events of Thanksgiving weekend, an OSU victory in the Big 12 Championship game could very well put them in the four-team CFP picture! Go Pokes. Things could change again after this week, of course, but current projections put OSU in the New Year’s Eve Orange Bowl to face Georgia, and OU in the Alamo Bowl against Utah December 29. We’ll see.

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Participation trophies are one thing – I can argue that round or square; but being disqualified because you’re “too good?” That’s going too far. It happened in Texas. The Flower Mound Rebels have only been in their recreational league for a year. Made up of 7 & 8-year-olds, they are undefeated, having outscored their opponents 199-6. Other coaches protested the talented team, so they have been removed from playoff competition because they “play too well for a recreational-league team.” So, play well, kids…but not too well!

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Kevin Strickland is 62 years old. I’m sure the next years of his life will be far better than the previous. The Kansas City man was convicted of three murders back in 1979. The Governor denied him clemency. The Missouri Supreme Court refused to hear his challenge. The Attorney General fought him tooth and nail; but last week, a judge ruled that Strickland was wrongfully convicted and ordered him released from prison where he has been serving time for the last 40 years. More than $1.5 million has already been raised to help him start a better life, but I imagine several of us could live comfortably on the ultimate lawsuit settlements!

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One of the most tragic accidents I’ve ever heard of! A semi-truck overturned on an interstate highway in Tennessee last week, spilling its cargo of $400,000 worth of Jack Daniels Whiskey on the road. Alcohol abuse.

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Sign of the times, I guess. Dollar Tree stores are raising prices 25%. After 32 years of everything in the story being priced at $1.00, everything will now be $1.25. By the time they get all the “Everything costs $1.00” signs changed on the front of every store, they’ll probably have to raise the prices to $1.50. Kinda sad, though. “Buck-and-a-quarter-Tree” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

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CHRISTMAS RULES TO LIVE BY: 1) Don’t go into debt trying to show people how much you love them; 2) Don’t go visit your family if it compromises your mental health; and 3) If someone comments on your weight…eat them.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Ben Gibbs, Dave Faulkner, Katrena Winter, Marty Follis, McKayla Rutherford, Greg Knotts, Mike McCurdy, Darrel Hicks, Alicia Hampton, Christa Kelley, Ryan Blakemore, Dale Lowe, Judie Clark, Hunter Burkholder, Marshall Brackin, Dena Mantia, Rita Hitzeman, Gary Brock, Chris Sexton, John Cillessen, Wayne Crouse, and Barbara Pliler.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: There’s a lot happening around the lake to kick off the last month of the year. Thursday is a South Grand Lake Chamber Business After Hours at Adventure Properties in Spavinaw (Flying J Ranch and Hunt Club), including skeet shooting (3:00-6:30). Thursday night is the Vinita Christmas Parade of Lights (6:00). Friday night is the Gateway to Grand Lake Christmas Parade in Ketchum (6:30). If you have last minute requests, Santa will be at Ketchum High School after the parade. Saturday afternoon is a big Chili & Bloody Mary Competition at Southwinds Marina (1:00-5:00). Proceeds go to rebuilding marina structures destroyed by fire. Saturday night is the Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at Mooney’s, and the Route 66 Christmas Parade in Miami (6:00). Monday, December 6 is the 25^th Annual Community Giveaway at the Grove Civic Center (4:00-7:00 p.m.). The drive-through Winter Wonderland Christmas light display is up for all to enjoy at Pine Lodge Resort.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: British pop singer Phil Collins is one of the world's largest private collectors of The Alamo artifacts and memorabilia.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In the span of 11 years 115 people have died as a result of weightlifting accidents in gyms. In the same 11 years, only one person has died eating doughnuts. Make good choices.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I saw an old dude with a fishing rod outside my favorite bar, fishing in a puddle. He looked so cold. I said, “Come inside and get warm. I’ll buy you a drink.” As we sipped our double whiskeys, I thought I would humor him. I asked him, “How many have you caught today.” He replied… “You’re the 8^th.”

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Hungry? We will feed you. Thirsty? We will get you drunk. Lonely? We will get you drunk.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: When a post includes, “I’ll bet none of my friends will share this,” rest assured, I will not.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Did you see where a guy driving a stolen car in Oregon crashed into a woman who was also driving a stolen car? Bonnie and Collide?

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How can there be self-help “groups?”

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I had the perfect meal for all the Thanksgiving weekend Bedlam football game. Not just turkey, but Wild Turkey. On the rocks.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: We lost the most talented, most honored, and most revered of all Broadway composers last week. Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story, Gypsy, Follies, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, etc.) was 91 years old. The Charley Pride hit “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” was the #1 country hit on this date – 50 years ago! On the Pop charts, the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” was the top hit – 53 years ago!

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It won’t be easy to understand people, ever; but our lives require us to keep trying.” – Tennessee Williams

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke with Jason Morgan returns to Doc’s Bar & Grill this week. Clint Ingram performs live at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit. At Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, DJ K-Bandito leads the cavalcade of great DJs and dance music at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Saturday night is also great dancing and singing at Monkey Island Pub. Erin Fitzgibbon performs at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island night; and Tuesday is Karaoke Night at the Swine.

On South Grand Lake, Jake Flint provides the entertainment Saturday night for the annual Ugly Sweater Contest at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

In Grove, DJ Gragg entertains Saturday night at The Regatta.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Brett and Terri in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Stonehorse Friday and The Thomas Martinez Band Saturday. Saturday night is WFC 130 Boxing at The Indoor Peoria Showplace at Buffalo Run Casino. There is live entertainment by Encore Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, with karaoke Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, D’ Elegantz entertains Friday night and The Uncrowned Kings take the stage Saturday night.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is now open only Friday & Saturday (11:00-7:00). They will close for the season December 18, re-opening in March. The Blind Swine on Monkey Island now offers weekend breakfast service Saturday & Sunday 9:00-noon. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La has expanded hours of operation and now offers breakfast 7:00-10:00 a.m. seven days a week (in addition to lunch and dinner) and Sunday Brunch specials 7:00-2:00. “Taco & Tequila Tuesdays” have returned to Doc’s, along with Craft Burgers & Booze Wednesdays and Friday night weekly “Chef’s Special.”

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Annie Live Airs Thursday at 7:00 on NBC. The National Christmas Tree Lighting airs Sunday at 7:30 on CBS, followed by A Home for the Holidays at 8:30. Michael Buble’s Christmas in the City air Monday night at 9:00 on NBC. Next week, The People’s Choice Awards will be televised Tuesday at 8:00 on NBC; and there’s a sneak preview of the new series Abbott Elementary airing next Tuesday night at 8:30 on ABC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Diary of a Wimpy Kids debuts Friday on Disney+. Single All the Way is streaming on NETFLIX; and Burning is available on Prime Video.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, December 9 – Pool League Tournament Round 1 at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00). Friday, December 10 – The Ultimate Christmas Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00). Friday-Saturday, December 10-11 – Last Minute Lakers Merchants’ Open House in Grove and Monkey Island. Saturday, December 11 – Grand Lake Christmas Light Boat Parade (Cherokee Yacht Club). Saturday, December 11 – Lights on the Lake Grove Christmas Parade (6:00). Monday, December 13 – Grand Lake Association Annual Banquet at Shangri-La Resort. Thursday, December 16 – Pool League Tournament Round 2 at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00). Friday, December 17 – Sip & Shop at The Dam Hotel in Disney (5:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 18 – Ping Pong Tournament at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00). Saturday, December 18 –Winter Gala at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, December 18 – Christmas Party and Ugly Sweater Contest at Monkey Island Pub. Sunday, December 19 – Sunday Brunch with Santa at the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La. Friday, December 31. Members annual New Year’s Eve Wine Dinner at the Summit Restaurant. Friday-Sunday, January 7-9 – Oklahoma Boat Expo at Tulsa’s Cox Convention Center.

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SPORTS WATCH: It’s a huge week for college football – Conference Championship Week. The Big 12 Championship game is set for Saturday morning at 11:00 at Arlington, Texas with OSU facing Baylor. Oregon and Utah start the Championship weekend Friday night at 7:00. Other Saturday games include Georgia vs. Alabama, Houston at Cincinnati, Michigan vs. Iowa, Pittsburgh vs. Wake Forest, and USC at California.

In the NFL, Dallas is at New Orleans to kick off the week’s action Thursday night. Sunday, Arizona is at Chicago and Tampa Bay is at Atlanta, both at noon, Baltimore is at Pittsburgh and San Francisco is at Seattle at 3:30, and Denver is at Kansas City at 7:00 Sunday night. Monday Night Football features New England at Buffalo.

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder are on the road at Memphis Thursday night before traveling to Detroit Monday, and Toronto next Wednesday.

PGA players are in the Bahamas this week for the Hero World Challenge. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 12:30 Thursday & Friday, and 11:00 Saturday & Sunday mornings. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 1:00 Saturday & Sunday.

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We’ll start off the first weekend of December with unseasonably warm temps – around 70 for a high Friday before dipping 10 degrees or so for Saturday & Sunday high temps. Lows should be around 40. It’s going to be beautiful for the start of the Christmas Parade season. Enjoy the great weather and great entertainment options – and enjoy your family and friends; but no matter where 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.

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 Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

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

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

Cove Club in Langley

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

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill at Grand Meridian

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)

Gabby’s Place in downtown 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 Public House in Grove

Hatfield’s Saloon 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

Lester’s Third Street Diner in 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 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

Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove

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)

Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort

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 Pourhouse 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

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove