October 26 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

I may be wrong, but I hear Grand Lakers are finally going to try to do something about the community spread of Covid-19 this weekend. After months of complaining about it, almost everyone I’ve talked to is planning to wear a mask Saturday night!

*****

I must admit, Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays. With a properly planned costume, you can get by with doing almost anything you can think of – and get by with it because nobody knows who you are. I love that!

*****

I think we should plan the end of Daylight Saving Time to coincide with Halloween every year! Since we’ll be “falling back” by setting our clocks back an hour in the week hours of Sunday morning, I think we should party longer. When the clock strikes 2:00 a.m. Saturday night, it will really only be 1:00 a.m., right? I can’t think of anyplace I’d rather spend my extra hour. It probably won’t work, but it’s worth a try.

*****

Boat Show season is officially underway with the kick-off of the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show this week. It’s going to be a different kind of year. What a surprise, huh? There are “hygiene specialists” posted along the one-way walking routes at the show. Touchless ticketing (all advance purchases). Temperatures taken at the entrances for all spectators. Masks required. The Ft. Lauderdale Water Taxi system is operational, but they are deep cleaning the boats after every run. My guess is that people will find out it’s quicker to walk. It’ll be interesting to see how this goes. A majority of the fall/winter boat shows have been canceled. At this point, the Tulsa Boat Show is still on, but only three boat dealers are scheduled to participate – and now that OU and OSU have extended their COVID-19 protocol into the Spring and Tulsa Public Schools won’t begin in-person classes until January (if then), we’ll all just have to watch and see. Grand Lake dealers have joined others in preparing an awesome “virtual boat show” in January. That may end up being the wave of the future.

*****

The big day is almost here. Next Tuesday is finally election day. All the Presidential debates are in our rearview mirror and hopefully the fighting among friends is almost over. Everybody seems to be urging everyone to get out and vote, but I’m not so sure about that. If you don’t know any of the candidates running for some of the offices on your ballot, or if you haven’t studied the two state questions, don’t vote on them. I’m in the crowd of citizens who don’t want policy and elected representatives selected by voters who just throw darts to decide how to vote.

*****

Have you been through Bernice lately? The cops must be licking their chops. Work is beginning on replacement of the Bernice Bridge. Not only has the speed limit been lowered from 45 to 35 MPH, there are signs warning that “fines double when workers are present.” Next thing you know, there’s be a new high-rise City Hall in Bernice. Drive carefully, my friends.

*****

DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: $5 Halloween specials Saturday at Doc’s Bar & Grill. “Lightning Lunch” specials begin Monday, November 2 at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Daily lunch specials in 15 minutes or less or they’re free. The Pourhouse at The Regatta in Grove is now open. 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.

*****

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.

*****

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 the rest of the weekend is dominated by Halloween events. There is a Halloween Hayride & Party at Cherokee Yacht Club Saturday night, as well as a Haunted Candy Trail at Lee’s Resort (5:00-8:00), and Costume Contests at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina, Doc’s Bar & Grill, Blind Swine, and Monkey Island Pub.

*****

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 Downbeat late Friday night and DJ LaMo Washington Saturday night for the Halloween Bash. 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 at Saturday night’s Halloween Party. Josh Anderson will entertain Saturday night during the Halloween Candy Trail evevn at Lee’s Resort.

Some area casinos are also back into the musical entertainment business. Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Johnny Dale Roberts Thursday in the Echo Bar, followed by Low Compatibility Friday and The George Brothers Saturday. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, The Widowmakers will be on stage Friday night followed by The Croy & Company Band Saturday.

*****

RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Bullwinkle J. Moose in the “Rocky & Bullwinkle” TV series was based on a real person named Bullwinkel.

*****

FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: If the human population held hands around the earth at the equator…a significant number of them would drown.

*****

BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Remember all the restaurants and small businesses that you’ve asked for years and years to donate to your clubs, events, and organizations? They’re calling in a favor. Answer the call.

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen at Wal-Mart): Crack Hoe $14.99 (they’re really going to need to come up with a new name for this garden tool)

*****

BEST T-SHIRT SEEN THIS WEEK: Sorry I’m late. I didn’t want to come.

*****

TWEET OF THE WEEK: I look at people sometimes and think, “Really? That’s the sperm that won?”

*****

BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Is the wife of a hippie a Mississippi?

*****

OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Every C in “Pacific Ocean” is pronounced differently.

*****

FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Remember that vivacious, spunky little girl who won the World Figure Skating Championship back in the day? Dorothy Hamill is now 64. Happy birthday to actress Pam Dawber. Remember her? She was Mindy on the “Mork & Mindy Show” with Robin Williams. She turned 69 last week.

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Vince Freeman, Kenny King, Gara Pelcher, Paul Staten, Jeff Pelcher, Kaye Slepka, Kathy Barnes, Teesha Clark, Shelly Sparks, Janet Dodson, Phil Longacre,  DiPasquale, Christal Lavery, Randy Lunsford, and Mitch Whitehead.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If a turtle loses its shell, is it naked or homeless?

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown moves from network television to Apple TV+ this year. The classic will be available streaming free of charge Friday-Sunday, even for non-subscribers. The mini-series The Undoing premieres Sunday night at 8:00 on HBO. The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:00 on NBC. American Housewife debuts next Wednesday at 7:30 on ABC.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Fatale is in movie theaters this weekend. Friendsgiving is available streaming.  Borat – Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.” - Aristotle

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, November 7 – 2^nd Annual Chili Cookoff & Pie Competition at Blind Swine benefiting the Monkey Island Trail. Saturday, November 7 - Celebration of Life of Monkey Island Legend Mike Aberle at Blind Swine (4:00-6:00). Wednesday, November 11 – Veterans Day: Veterans play free golf at Shangri-La. 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.  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.

*****

SPORTS WATCH: Baseball season wraps up this week. Tampa Bay and the L.A. Dodgers face off in the final two games of the World Series (as necessary) for Tuesday and Wednesday nights on Fox.

All the local college football favorites are in action this week. Tulsa kicks off the weekend Friday night at 8:00 hosting East Carolina (ESPN2). Saturday games include Texas at OSU (3:00 on Fox), OU at Texas Tech (7:00 on Fox), Kansas State at West Virginia (11:00 on ESPN), Iowa State at Kansas (11:00 on FS1) and Arkansas at Texas A&M (6:30 on SEC).

The NFL season heads into week #8 Thursday night with Carolina hosting Atlanta (Fox). Sunday games include Las Vegas at Cleveland (noon on Fox), New York Jets at Kansas City (noon on CBS), New Orleans at Chicago (3:30 on Fox) and Dallas at Philadelphia (7:00 on NBC). Monday Night Football features the New York Giants hosting Tampa Bay (7:00 on ESPN).

The PGA Tour will host a limited number of fans for the first time since the COVID-19 crisis began. Coverage of the Bermuda Championship is exclusively on the Golf Channel beginning at noon Thursday-Saturday and at 11:00 a.m. Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Martinsville, Virginia this weekend for some Sunday afternoon racing. Coverage of the Xfinity 500 begins at 1:00 Sunday on NBC.

*****

Halloween weekend looks pretty good for Grand Lake weather-wise. Nicer than last weekend. We’ll have some sunshine, with highs around 60 (maybe 65 Saturday) with lows around 40. Get out and join the Halloween Fun – and remember to set your clock back before going to bed Saturday night, but remember - wherever you party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!

GRAND LAKE BUM

Want more information on advertisers you see in the Grand Lake Bum?  No problem.  Just click on their ad and you will be connected to their website.  If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on www.360grandlake.com, as well as Grand Times on Grand Lake, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing.  E-mail or contact grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker.

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