Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum October 21

Halloween is actually next week, but you’d never know it. Judging from all the parties, hayrides, cookoff competition, festivals, costume contests, and trunk-or-treat events this weekend, I could swear Halloween is actually this week – Saturday night. It’s not, of course, but I wanted to give you a heads-up so you don’t miss the celebration of your choice. Halloween, as you might imagine, is my personal favorite holiday. No gifts, no guests, no expectations – and you get to wear a mask so you can do pretty much whatever you want, and nobody will know it was you!

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If you were hanging out at the lake over the past weekend, you got a chance to see a pretty spectacular sight on the water. The Grand Lake Sail Club hosted their Long Distance Classic to the dam and back. They call it the “Classic” instead of a “Race” because a “sailboat race” is a bit of an oxymoron. When people get excited about hitting a dizzying speed of 12 knots, you really can’t call it a race. I’ll admit, I love the peace and quiet and the smooth ride of a sailboat. The only downfall is the need for significant advance planning. If you’re a sailboater and decide to take the boat to dinner, you’d better pack a lunch!

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Technology continues to speed along at breakneck speed. It sneaked up on me this weekend when an acquaintance asked me to fax him some documents. I quickly informed him that I couldn’t fax from where I live. He was curious, of course, about where I lived that would not allow me to send a fax, so I had to explain. “2024! I live in 2024.” I never did understand faxes. How did that paper roll itself up small enough to travel through a telephone line, and come out smooth on the other end? Oh, well. We don’t have to worry about that anymore.

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I’m pretty excited about the big match play “Battlefield Shootout” golf event at Shangri-La this weekend. Two former OU players (Brad Dalke and Quade Cummins) are taking on two former OSU players (Cole Lantz and Mason Nutt. If you’ve missed the advance publicity, it’s been touted literally all over the world. It’s a match between representatives of Good Good Golf and Busta Jack Golf. If you don’t realize what a big deal that is, ask your kids.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Kelly Hudelson, Justin Ruzicka, Victoria Perry, Vince Freeman, Shawn Russell, Garry Toomey, Caryl Blanchat, Kenny King, Richard Bell, Roger Pelcher, Gara Pelcher, Paul Staten, Cy Elmburg, Julie Wolfe, Jeff Pelcher, Bruce Brookby, and Kaye Slepka.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: What an outrageously busy week on Grand Lake this week! The fun begins Thursday evening with the weekly Prime Rib & Karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.) and a Crab Legs & Karaoke at both the Island Bar & Grill at The Landings and at Blind Swine Monkey Island. Blind Swine also features an all-you-can-eat Seafood Boil Saturday night. The Pumpkin Patch & Hay Bale Maze at McCorkle Family Farm is open Friday-Sunday (noon Friday, 10:00 a.m. Saturday & 12:30 Sunday). Friday is the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at The Coves (12:00 p.m. shotgun). Friday night is a reception/dinner on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La with participants in Saturday’s Celebrity Shootout at The Battlefield (6:30). The Shootout (Saturday at 12:30 p.m.) features former OU golfers Brad Dalke and Quade Cummins from Good Good Golf and former OSU players Mason Nutt and Cole Lantz from Busta Jack. Saturday afternoon is also the Heart of Monkey Island Chili Cookoff & Margarita competition raising money for “Christmas for the Kiddos” at Blind Swine Monkey Island (noon) and Crawl O’ Ween at Dam Hotel and Disney Outfitters in Disney (1:00-4:00 p.m.). Saturday afternoon is also a Halloween & Anniversary Party at the Drunken Rooster, including a kids’ carnival (3:00-6:00 p.m.). Saturday night fun includes the Fall Festival & Hayrides at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.), a Halloween Party & Costume Contest at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, and a Costume Party at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina (8:00 p.m.). There is also a “Free Drive-In Movie Double Feature” Saturday night at Wolf Creek Park in Grove (6:30). Featured movies are Hocus Pocus and The Addams Family. Sunday, enjoy All Wheels Coffee at Honey Creek Landing Marina – Coffee and treats from Expresso on the Go (8:00 a.m.-noon).  

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The M*A*S*H character “Hawkeye Pierce” was named for James Fenimore Cooper’s Hawk-eye, also known as Natty Bumppo, from the Leatherstocking Tales.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: 92 year old Hank Ameen is celebrating 62 years as a firefighter at Disneyland, making him the longest standing current employee of The Walt Disney Company.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Hiram Maxim, the inventor of the automatic machine gun, became deaf from test-firing his weapons so much. As a result, his son became the inventor of the silencer.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: My mind is like my web browser. 19 tabs are open, 3 are frozen, and I have no idea where the music is coming from.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Joe’s Radiator Shop – a Great Place to Take a Leak

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I was today years old when I found out the game “Tag” stands for “Touch and Go.”

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PUN OF THE WEEK: I was once kidnapped by a group of mimes. They did unspeakable things to me.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If we’re not meant to have midnight snacks, why is there a light in the refrigerator?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Don’t believe what you see in the cartoons. No matter how hard you throw a toilet plunger, it won’t actually stick to someone’s face. Don’t ask me how I know this.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I was paid a tremendous amount of money by sporting goods companies to never be seen using their equipment.” – Bob Uecker

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Years too late, but Cher was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last Saturday. She’s 78 years old. Mitzi Gaynor, star of South Pacific, but perhaps best known for her movie roles with Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, died last week. She was 93. Former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Staff recently celebrated 50 years since the group’s historic performance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend begins Thursday night with Prime Rib & Karaoke with Tim Robinson at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Kevin Price entertains live at Doc’s Friday night. Thursday night is Cocktails & Karaoke Night at the Swine Monkey Island location. Erin Fitzgibbon will entertain live Friday night at Blind Swine Monkey Island, and DJ Kyle Bandito provides the late-night music at Big Shots both Friday & Saturday nights.

On South Grand, The Barrett Lewis Duo will perform Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney; and Glam R Us will entertain Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster.

In Grove, Interim will entertain Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by Morgan Squared Saturday night. There are two nights of entertainment at Cherokee Casino’s 1897 Bar – D’ Elegantz Friday night followed by Magic J Entertainment Saturday.

There are three nights of live music at Indigo Sky Casino this week. The Downbeat Duo kicks off the fun Thursday night followed by Oreo Blue Friday night and The Chris Hyde Band Saturday. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, there is live music early Saturday night by Western Justice followed by karaoke with DJ Kay at 11:00 p.m. There are also three nights of live music at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar – Big Smitty Thursday night, Dime a Dozen Friday night and D’ Elegantz Saturday. Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters will perform Friday night at Downstream’s Pavilion; and RocKFiscH will perform at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar Saturday night.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Island Bar & Grill at The Landings has new hours -Thursday 4:00-9:00, Friday 11:00-10:00, Saturday 9:00-10:00, Sunday 9:00-7:00. Grand Lake Kitchen is now open at Har-Ber Village. Hours are 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday & Monday, and 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (Closed Tuesday). Scissortail Bar at Scissortail Marina (formerly Port Carolos) is also open. The Fire Pit Restaurant at Wildwood Cove Resort has discontinued lunch service – hours are now 4:00-9:00 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The new series Matlock airs Thursday night at 8:00 on CBS. Blue Bloods airs Friday night at 9:00, also on CBS. Stevie Nicks will be the featured guest this week on Sunday Morning at 8:00 Sunday morning on CBS. Season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer is available on NETFLIX.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Venom: The Last Dance joins Smile 2 and Gracie & Pedro: Pets to the Rescue in movie theaters this week. Don’t Move and The Man Who Loved UFOs are available on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, October 31 – Halloween Open House at Grove Chamber of Commerce (10:00-2:00). Thursday, October 31 – Trunk or Treat Block Party in the Parts City parking lot in Langley (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Thursday, October 31 – Halloween Party & Costume Contest at Scissortail Marina (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Thursday, October 31 – Wolf Creek Harvest Fest at Wolf Creek Park in Grove (6:00-8:30 p.m.). Friday, November 1 – First Friday Wine Share at VIP Skin Care on Monkey Island (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 2 – Murder Mystery Dinner “Death of a Gangster” at Shangri-La’s Roosevelt Ballroom (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 2 – Adults-only Halloween costume party at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Tuesday, November 5 – Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson returns to The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00 p.m.). Friday & Saturday, November 8-9 – Grove Merchants Christmas Open House. Saturday, November 9 – Scavenger Hunt benefiting 2^nd Chance Pet Rescue at The Shebang (11:00 a.m.).  Saturday, November 9 – DCCSAN “Winterset – How the West Was Won” at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 9 – Combat Vets Association Jello Wrestling Tournament at Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina (8:00 p.m.).  Sunday, November 17 – Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at Juan Montez Restaurant (1:30 p.m.).

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It’s World Series time. The series kicks off Friday. We’re down to only two teams now. It’s time to start watching Major League Baseball on TV!

In the college football world, OU plays at Ole Miss Saturday morning at 11:00 followed by OSU at Baylor at 2:30 (you’ll need ESPN+ to catch the OSU game). Other big games this week include Kansas at Kansas State, Missouri at Alabama, LSU at Texas A&M, BYU at UCF, Utah at Houston, Arkansas at Mississippi State, Illinois at Oregon, and Cincinnati at Colorado.

The NFL season rolls into week #8 with the L.A. Rams hosting Minnesota Thursday night. Sunday games include Baltimore at Cleveland (12:00), Atlanta at Tampa Bay (12:00), Kansas City at Las Vegas (3:30), and Dallas at San Francisco (7:15). Monday Night Football features the New York Giants at Pittsburgh (7:15).

NASCAR drivers are in Miami this week for some Sunday afternoon racing. Coverage of the Straight Talk Wireless 400 is Sunday afternoon at 1:30 on NBC.

PGA players are in Japan this week for the ZOZO Championship. Coverage is on The Golf Channel, but you’ll have to be dedicated to catch it live – Wednesday-Saturday at 11:00 p.m.

NBA action continues this week with regular season play. The OKC Thunder travel to Denver to face the Nuggets in their season opener Thursday night before heading to Chicago to face the Bulls Saturday night. They’re back in OKC hosting Atlanta Sunday night and San Antonio next Wednesday.

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We’re following one “perfect weather weekend” with another one just like it. We’ll have sunshine, light winds, high temperatures around 80 and lows in the mid 50s - again. There’s a TON of stuff happening around the lake this weekend, so get out and enjoy it all you can! Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might 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.

Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

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

Billy’s Burger Bar & More in Ketchum

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)

Bradford BBQ in Ketchum

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Casa Gutierrez in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

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

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

Gambino’s Pizza in Ketchum

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Getaway Mercantile (north of 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

Hero’s Deli in Langley

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)

Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Legacy Eatery in Grove

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Bar on Monkey Island

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

Mosa Hibachi and Sushi in Grove

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

One-Eyed Monkey at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

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

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

Scissortail Bar at Scissortail Marina

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina

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

VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove