November 7 Random Observations of the Grand Lake Bum

I hope everyone is adjusting to the time change, assuming you remembered last weekend to change your clocks from “sunshine and happiness” back to “misery and despair.” I don’t know why we can’t leave that extra hour of daylight at the end of the day when people are awake to use it. I hate winter so much, it’s made me hate fall and spring, too, just because they touch it!

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With the General Election finally behind us this week, we can give the television airwaves back to the Medicare Supplement commercials. Pretty soon we’ll have a plethora of college bowl games, NFL playoffs, the Super Bowl – and by then, it’ll be time to start the 2024 election lead-up. Politics is getting to be as much of a constant as NHL hockey and PGA golf. None of them ever ends!

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It was another tough weekend for Oklahoma’s major college football teams. State teams went 0-for-3. Yikes! It’s a good thing Grand Lake has the Grove Ridgerunners to cheer for! By the way, Sooner fans, I can’t remember – did we try to crucify Bob Stoops during that first 7-5 season he had?

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It looks like everybody forgot about Thanksgiving again this year. I heard a damn Christmas song on the radio over the weekend – and Christmas decorations are out in the stores. Businesses are already putting up Christmas decorations. We even had the Captain’s meeting Sunday for this year’s big Christmas Lights Boat Parade (which will be December 10, by the way). Personally, I like Thanksgiving better. Same time off work. Same gathering of family & friends – just not all the pressure of picking out gifts and busting budgets. Thanksgiving and New Year’s are the best holidays, in my opinion. They are basically celebrations of dining and drinking – and no pressure. Since that’s pretty much my entire lifestyle, it makes sense that those are my faves.

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Social media is changing. With Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter, users are dropping as fast as staffers are being fired. Of course, it seems like the most popular method of canceling Twitter accounts is announcing it on Twitter, then hanging around long enough to see everyone tweet about their response to your Twitter cancellation. By the way, since there’s technically no more Facebook which is no replaced by Meta, I guess Facebook Jail will now have to be changed to “Metapause.”

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Jot Hartley, Maddy Cook, Christie Livingston, Greg Feldman, Tom Quillin, Beverly Wade, Cory Pettit, Jeremy Riggs, Rusty Rowton, Shannon O’Banion, Susan Keast, Bryan Wilkinson, Clark Boone, Roxane Gardner, Blade DeSouza, and Teresa Karleskint.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: It’s a crazy busy week at Grand Lake this week! Thursday is the South Grand Lake Chamber Luncheon & Election of Board Members at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (11:30 a.m.) and the Grove Chamber of Commerce Members’ Luncheon at the Community Center in Grove (12:00), as well as a Wine Tasting at Pine Lodge Resort hosted by South Grand Lake Foundation (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday is Veterans Day, and Shangri-La offers free golf, tennis, pickleball and simulator bays for veterans. The Christmas Open House “Shop Local” Merchant event in Grove and on Monkey Island is both Friday & Saturday. The Church Bazaar & Bake Sale at Free Will Baptist Church in Grove is also both Friday and Saturday (9:00-5:00). Saturday morning at 9:00, there’s a big Yard Sale at 2^nd Chance Pet Rescue east of Grove benefiting the pet shelter. Saturday is also the Main Street Car Show in Langley (11:00-2:00), a Chili Cookoff at Langley City Park (11:00-2:00), DCCSN’s annual Winterset gala at Shangri-La Resort, a “Party at the Pavilion” at Marina Del Rey Resort (5:00 p.m.), and the Combat Veterans Association Jello Wrestling Benefit at Blind Swine on Monkey Island (9:00 p.m.). Next week, “Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson” begins a new season at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00 p.m.). Tuesday evening is also a Grove Newcomers Club “Meet & Eat” at the Road Hog Saloon (6:00).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Japanese trains carry approximately 40% of the world’s rail passengers.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: It has never happened before in the history of Billboard’s Top 100. Last week, Taylor Swift had every single record in the Top 10.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: The funeral for the man who invented Tupperware was postponed while they tried to find the right lid for his coffin.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Walmart will be closed on Thanksgiving so self-checkout cashiers can be with their families.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: So, you’re telling me when a baby crawls across the floor looking for its bottle, it’s cute, but when I do it, I need an intervention…

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: The best Halloween special I saw was a pub that ran a special offering of a hot dog and a beer. They called it a Frank & Stein.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why does “fridge” have a D in it, but “refrigerator” doesn’t?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I live on Monkey Island. It’s so small we don’t have a designated town drunk, so we all take turns.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: It’s hard to believe Canadian comedic wizard/actor John Candy has been gone for 28 years. He would have turned 72 last week.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.” – Samuel Johnson

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off Thursday night at the Italian Buffet & Karaoke with Jason Morgan at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Scott Musick performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. DJ K-Bandito is now hosting late-night fun at Big Saturdays at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and Saturday is Rockstar Karaoke night with DJ Chris Kennedy at Monkey Island Pub.

On South Grand Lake, Jake Flint performs Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Reverse Reaction entertains Saturday night at the Drunken Rooster.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun every Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night by The George Brothers, and more karaoke Saturday. Libby Starks performs Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by Johnny Dale Roberts Saturday.

Jon Dooly starts the weekend music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Diversity Friday night and MoArk Mojo Saturday. The Beer & Chicken Band entertains Saturday night at Club 60 West at River Bend Casino. Craig Morgan is in concert Sunday night at The Pavilion at Downstream Casino.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Grand Lake Public House now offers “Happy Hour” from 3:00-5:00 Fridays & Saturdays. The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La has discontinued lunch service for the season but is open for dinner service Thursday- Sunday (open to the public Sunday evenings). Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove has switched to winter hours – opening at 11:00 a.m. for lunch and dinner. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is now closed for the season. Nu Taste in Grove is once again open on Mondays. Honey Creek BBQ now offers fresh sushi Mondays beginning at 4:00. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La will be open Thanksgiving Day serving a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner 11:00-7:00. Twin Bridges Restaurant at River Bend Casino will have a Thanksgiving Day Buffet 11:00-6:00. Cherokee Yacht Club will hold a Thanksgiving Day Brunch 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: All six episodes of the new mini-series The English streams Friday on Peacock. The season premiere of Yellowstone is Sunday night at 7:00 on Paramount, followed by the first episode of Tulsa King. Two episodes of Tulsa King will also stream Sunday night on Paramount+.  

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Wakanda Forever opens in movie theaters this week. The Santa Clauses will be available next Wednesday on Disney+.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, November 17 – South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce annual banquet – “The First Christmas Party of the Year” at Shangri-La Resort. Friday, November 18 – “Friday Night Trivial Pursuit” begins a new season at Mooney’s. Thursday, November 24 – The Anchor at Shangri-La will be open Thanksgiving Day. Thursday, November 24 – Doc’s at Shangri-La will be open featuring a traditional Thanksgiving Buffet. Saturday, November 26 – “Shop Small” Small Business Saturday. Thursday, December 1 – “Gathering of Creators” at the Grove Public Schools Performing Arts Center (10:00-11:30) sponsored by the Grove Area Creative Alliance. Thursday, December 1 – Vinita Christmas Parade of Lights (6:00). Saturday, December 3 – Big 12 Football Championship Game at The Anchor. Saturday, December 10 – 2^nd Chance Pet Rescue annual Breakfast & Dessert Auction at the Grove Community Center (9:00 a.m.). Saturday, December 10 – Grove Christmas Lights Parade (6:00). Saturday, December 3 – Grand Lake’s Mr. & Miss Merry Christmas Pageant at Grove Middle School Auditorium  (6:00 p.m.). Friday, December 9 – Gateway to Grand Lake Christmas Parade in Ketchum (6:30). Saturday, December 10 – Grand Lake Christmas Lights Boat Parade from Cherokee Yacht Club (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 10 – A Big Band Christmas at The Coleman Theater in Miami (7:00).  Sunday, December 11 – “A Monkey Island Christmas Card” musical sing-along with entertainer Terry Jordan in the lobby of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (2:00-5:00 p.m.). Friday, December 16 – Inaugural Christmas Party at The Legacy in Grove (7:00 p.m.). Sunday, December 18 – Christmas Brunch with Santa at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (10:00-2:00). Sunday, December 18 - “A Monkey Island Christmas Card” musical sing-along with entertainer Terry Jordan in the lobby of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (2:00-5:00 p.m.).

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In the college football world, Tulsa kicks off the week at Memphis Thursday night at 6:30. Saturday, OU is at West Virginia and Arkansas hosts LSU, both at 11:00. OSU hosts Iowa State at 2:30. Other Saturday games of special interest include Missouri at Tennessee (11:00), Notre Dame at Navy (11:00), Alabama at Ole Miss (2:30), Kansas State at Baylor (6:00), and TCU at Texas (6:30).

In the NFL, Carolina hosts Atlanta Thursday night. Sunday games include Seattle vs. Tampa Bay from London (8:30 a.m.), Minnesota at Buffalo and Jacksonville at Kansas City (both at noon), Dallas at Green Bay (3:30), and L.A. Chargers at San Francisco (7:00). Monday Night Football features Washington at Philadelphia.

PGA Players are in Houston this week for the Houston Open. Coverage begins at 12:00 Thursday-Sunday exclusively on The Golf Channel.

The NBA season is well underway. The OKC Thunder play host to the Toronto Raptors Friday (7:00) before hitting the road to face the Knicks Sunday (11:00), the Celtics Monday (6:30), and the Wizards next Wednesday (6:00). Thunder games are on Bally Sports Oklahoma.

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Sadly, it looks like winter is headed our way. High temperatures for the coming weekend will hover around 40 with lows closer to 20. Yikes! Fortunately, there are a lot of indoor entertainment options, so get out there and enjoy all the many weekend Grand Lake entertainment options. 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

Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley

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

Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina

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

Cafeteria at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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 in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove

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

Cove Club in Langley

Danny’s Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing

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 Restaurant in Grove

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill

E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

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

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Forage in downtown Grove & The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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

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

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

Monkey Island RV Resort

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

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 (smoking on the deck)

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 (smoking...but not at lunch)

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

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 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