October 31 Random Observations Of the Grand Lake Bum

This Sunday is the saddest day of the year – Daylight Saving Time will be over. Most folks will be going home in the dark, as the daylight moves from the end of the day where everyone wants it to the beginning of the day when no one will see it. Set your clocks back an hour Saturday night. I’ve tried for years to mourn the end of Daylight Saving Time by trying to convince bartenders at 2:00 a.m. that I’m really entitled to stay and drink for another hour because it’s really only 1:00 a.m. It never has worked. By the way, don’t vote for anyone running for the U.S. House of Representatives unless they pledge to push for passage of the Sunshine Protection Act which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. The U.S. Senate passed it last spring, but the House has yet to act.

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The return of tourism-killing Standard Time means some people will undoubtedly start talking about how they love “sweater weather” and bonfires and wiener roasts and marshmallows on a stick-over-fire and watching the “fall color.” The “fall color” means only one thing to me – things are dying. I’ve never gotten any joy out of watching things die – and I certainly don’t look forward to clothing requirements that mean more laundry – or trying to eat burned up marshmallows while burning holes in my clothes. I hate winter so much that it has made me hate fall and spring, just because they touch it.

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It’s finally General Election time across America. I only ask one thing. If you haven’t studied the candidates in detail, learned their positions on important issues, and checked out their personal records…please don’t vote. I don’t mind if you disagree with what I think, but I really hate the idea of so many people determining the future of our state and nation by throwing a dart to decide which candidate to vote for.

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Billionaire David Green, founder and owner of Hobby Lobby, says he has decided not to leave his gigantic company to his kids and grandkids. Instead, he says he’s giving the company to…God? Yep. That’s what he said. I’m not even sure how that’s possible unless he’s going to burn down all the stores in a big “dust to dust” gesture, but I’m pretty sure that’s not the plan. I’m sure he’ll fill us in on more details when his accountants figure out the maximum tax deduction.

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Elon Musk finally managed to close his purchase of Twitter. That may be bad news for Twitter, but it’s great news for Meta (Facebook) and Google. As quickly as they can, they’re hiring all the talented people Musk fired on his first day on the new job.

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Texas U.S. Senator Ted “Cancun” Cruz is in Oklahoma this week campaigning for Governor Kevin Stitt. Analysts are still attempting to calculate how many lost votes that’ll cost him.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Scott Brecheisen, Nancy Jackson, Kym Koch Thompson, Hal Ellis, Steve Odle, Mary Lee, Cindi Lillard, Dave Vloedman, Karen Hudiburg, Bud Hawkes, Candy Couch, Abby Moser, Shaleen Wheeler, Devone Chezem, Judy Bolt, and Mitch Lindley.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Friday is the monthly “First Friday Wine Share” at New Life Spa in Grove (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Bret Michaels is in concert Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Acting agent Henry Willson came up with the stage names Rock Hudson (for Roy Harald Scherer Jr.), Tab Hunter (Arthur Andrew Kelm) and Rory Calhoun (Francis Timothy McCown), but for Robert Errol Van Orden, who starred in the 1950s-60s Western series "Laramie," Willson went with "John Smith."

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Until 1956, children were served wine in French schools. Lots of wine. Up to half a liter per day. In 1956, France passed a new law banning wine consumption at school for kids under 14 years of age. It wasn’t until 1981 that the ban on school wine service extended to kids over the age of 14.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: When I was skinnier, I had a shirt that said, “I can speak to the dead,” but I can’t wear it anymore because I’m no longer a medium.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Huge fight at local seafood diner. Battered fish everywhere!

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BEST FOOD LABEL SEEN THIS WEEK: Turkey Breast – Made Using 100% Australian Pork.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I watched my first porn film the other day. I looked so much younger back then.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I always wanted to be a Gregorian Monk, but I never had the chants.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How did the language rule become “I before E”? There are so many exceptions… like when your foreign neighbor Keith received eight counterfeit beige sleighs from feisty caffeinated weightlifters. Weird.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: We’ll be turning clocks back Saturday night. Gaining an extra hour in 2022 is like getting a bonus track on a Yoko Ono album.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Retired actress Marion Ross, best known for her 10-year run as “Mrs. Cunningham” on the sitcom Happy Days, turned 94 last week. Barbara Eden, best known for her five years in the starring role in “I Dream of Jeannie,” also had a birthday last week. She’s 91. Controversial rock ‘n roll superstar Jerry Lee Lewis (Great Balls of Fire) died last Friday. He was 87.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’ve had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself. I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love.” – Dolly Parton

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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. Kevin Price performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. DJ K-Bandito is now hosting late-night fun at Big Shots 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, The Faulconers perform Saturday night at Pickles Pub in Langley.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun every Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night and more karaoke Saturday. Rusty Meyers performs Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by Constant Chaos Saturday.

Brett ‘N Terri start the weekend music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Jumpsuit Love Friday night and The Dirty Saints Saturday. Playlist entertains Saturday night at Club 60 West at River Bend Casino. Bret Michaels is in concert at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace Saturday night.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: The first “Guest Chef” event of the year at The Shebang is this Wednesday featuring April Collins and Mike Biswell! Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove has switched to winter hours – opening at 11:00 a.m. for lunch and dinner. Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill has new hours of operation – open at 4:00 Wednesday & Thursday, noon Friday-Sunday, closed Monday-Tuesday. Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is now closed for the season. Journey Home, a new vegetarian restaurant on East Highway 10 in Grove, opens this week. 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 will be open Thanksgiving Day serving a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner 11:00-7:00.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The new series Lopez vs. Lopez debuts Friday night at 7:00 on NBC and the final season of Manifest will be available Friday on NETFLIX. The four-part mini-series Spector debuts Sunday night at 8:00 on Showtime. If you’re really longing for Christmas, Hallmark Movie & Mystery Channel is already airing one mushy Christmas movie after another, non-stop.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Ticket to Paradise, Prey for the Devil and Till are all in movie theaters this week. Causeway is available Friday on Apple TV+ and Enola Holmes 2 premieres on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, November 10 – South Grand Lake Chamber Luncheon & Election of Board Members at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (11:30 a.m.). Thursday, November 10 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Members’ Luncheon at the Community Center in Grove (12:00). Thursday, November 10 – Wine Tasting at Pine Lodge Resort hosted by South Grand Lake Foundation (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday, November 11 – Free golf, tennis, pickleball and simulator bays for veterans. Friday & Saturday, November 11-12 – Christmas Open House “Shop Local” Merchant event in Grove and on Monkey Island. Friday & Saturday, November 11-12 – Church Bazaar & Bake Sale at Free Will Baptist Church in Grove (9:00-5:00). Saturday, November 12 – Main Street Car Show in Langley (11:00-2:00). Saturday, November 12 – Chili Cookoff at Langley City Park (11:00-2:00). Saturday, November 12 – DCCSN’s annual Winterset gala at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, November 12 – “Party at the Pavilion” at Marina Del Rey Resort (5:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 12 – Combat Veterans Association Jello Wrestling Benefit at Blind Swine on Monkey Island (9:00 p.m.). Tuesday, November 15 – “Tuesday Trivia” begins a new season at The Anchor. 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.  

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There’s an oddity in the NFL this week. After Philadelphia and Houston battling in the World Series, they’ll take the battle to the gridiron this week as the Eagles travel to Houston Thursday night. Sunday games include Buffalo at the N.Y. Jets and Green Bay at Detroit at noon, the Rams at Tampa Bay at 3:30, and the Chief hosting Tennessee at 7:00. Monday Night Football sends Baltimore to New Orleans.

In the college football world, OU hosts Baylor, OSU is on the road at Kansas, Tulsa hosts Tulane, and Arkansas hosts Liberty. Other great games include Tennessee at Georgia, Texas Tech at TCU, Texas at K-State, Alabama at LSU, and Clemson at Notre Dame.

PGA Players are in Mexico’s Riviera Maya this week for the Worldwide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. Coverage begins at 2:00 Thursday-Saturday and 1:00 Sunday exclusively on The Golf Channel.

It’s the biggest weekend of the year for Thoroughbred Horse Racing. The Breeders’ Cup Championship weekend features 14 races over two days with total purse money of $28 million. Coverage begins at 1:00 Friday on USA and noon Saturday on NBCSN. Coverage moves to NBC at 2:30 Saturday for coverage of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

NASCAR drivers wrap up the 2022 schedule in Phoenix Sunday. Coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship gets underway at 2:00 Sunday afternoon on NBC.

The NBA season is well underway. The OKC Thunder play host to the Orlando Magic Tuesday and the Denver Nuggets Thursday before heading to Milwaukee to face the Bucks Saturday and on to Detroit to take on the Pistons Monday. They’ll be back in OKC for a rematch with the Milwaukee Bucks next Wednesday night at 7:00. Thunder games are on Bally Sports Oklahoma.

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There’s a chance of a shower here and there periodically in the coming weekend, but other than that we’ll have partly cloudy skies, winds in the teens, highs in the low-to-mid 60s and lows in the mid-to-upper 40s; 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