Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum September 2

What a fantastic Labor Day weekend at Grand Lake. Naturally, there was a short little rain shower or two, but they didn’t last long enough to ruin anybody’s fun. If there wasn’t at least a threat of rain, we wouldn’t know for sure that it was Labor Day weekend!

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There was a fantastic array of fun activities around the lake, not even including the awesome kickoff of the college football seasons with big wins by TU, OU, and OSU or the incredible selection of live entertainment around the lake. We watched cowboys ride and Cigarettes glide in two of the biggest events of the weekend. Bullfest at Wolf Creek Park in Grove added a new dimension to lake area entertainment (despite the whining from a handful of boaters complaining that it closed all the Wolf Creek boat rams – it did not, BTW) – and Cigarette Midwest’s Freedom Run and raft-up Saturday was nothing short of incredible! I’m sure some uninformed boaters were a little freaked out at the unexpected sight of more than a dozen high performance boats coming at them at 80+ mph, but captains of those high-powered rides understand and adhere to the proper boating rules more than holiday amateurs, so it came off without a hitch – and it was an incredible sight to see for spectators. Thanks to Caleb Goldner for putting together a really special event!

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And now, Labor Day is behind us and evening darkness is sneaking up. From now on, this year’s sunsets will all occur before 8:00 p.m. How does that little poem go? “With summer fun gone, we looked out on the lake, and saw almost no boats even making a wake.” It’s too bad because what my pal Rusty Fleming always referred to as “The Fall Ball” is officially underway. September and October are without a doubt the most spectacular boating months of the year on Grand Lake. Calm waters, cooler weather, changing foliage, and fewer boaters. It is the perfect time to enjoy Grand Lake at its very best!

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Your tax dollars at work. The Oklahoma City Airport Trust Authority panicked because they paid for a survey that told them many passengers didn’t use the full name of the major airport in Oklahoma City, so they commissioned a study to rename the airport. Naturally, the state rebelled, not wanting to rename the airport by deleting “Will Rogers,” Oklahoma’s all-time favorite son. No reason to panic. Last week, they announced the new and improved name. It is no longer “Will Rogers World Airport.” Now it is “Will Rogers International Airport.” There! That should do the trick. SMH

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Shangri-La hosted its final “Dock Shots” event of the year over the past weekend. What a hoot! Golfers hit tee shots off of a bluff, attempting to make them land – and remain – on a floating dock far below. Several people managed to do it. Heck, I couldn’t even hit the ball far enough to hit the dock, even though it was almost straight down!

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By the way, I heard a rumor that teams of golfers from internet sensations Good Good Golf and Busta Jack Golf are coming to Shangri-La for a grudge match October 25-26. Do you suppose it’s true? THAT would be quite an event!

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The “Self Checkout” for Oklahoma State University NIL donations didn’t last long. OSU had put QR codes on helmets to make it easy for donors to contribute – but the NCAA shut that promotion down after just a week citing the prohibition of advertising and/or commercial marks. OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said the university will comply, but added, “It just serves as the latest example of how college sports are evolving at a faster pace than the rule book.”

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Trevor Randall, Wayne Moorhead, Sally Cole, Delana Bentley, Kimberle Satterlee, Margo Hamsher, Mike Hamsher, Ed Trumbull, Kim Shearer, Kenton Wheatley, Emi Baggett, Julie Benge, Kate Lindley, Amber Funderburk, Karla Ruth, Jack McDonald, Terry Weppler, and Eddy Gibbs.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday evening is the weekly Shrimp Boil & Karaoke evening on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.) and a Crab Legs & Karaoke at Island Bar & Grill at The Landings. For those of you who said it would never happen, it’s time to eat your words. The Grand Opening of the new Bealls Store in Grove is Friday-Sunday this week. Friday is also an Indoor Yard Sale & Indian Taco Sale at the Delaware County Boys & Girls Club (8:00-3:00). Saturday morning is Farmers Market on the lawn at the Grove Community Center. Saturday is an OSU-Arkansas watch party at The Anchor at Shangri-La, followed by an OU-Houston watch party at 6:30. Monday is the South Grand Lake Foundation “Fore the Kids” golf tournament at The Coves benefiting the Ketchum Backpack Program (9:00 a.m. shotgun).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: About 6 million Mayans speaking 28 related languages live in southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: I’m not sure who came up with the measurement of “horsepower,” but it wasn’t anyone familiar with horses. A study has shown that the maximum horsepower that can be produced by an actual horse is about 24 horsepower.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Mark Tarpenning and Martin Eberhard are the founders of Tesla. I wanted to make sure you knew that, you know, in case you thought it was someone else.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK I just overheard a full grown man ask the AutoZone employee if they sold longer dipsticks because his no longer reaches the oil.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (actually a food label): Turkey Breast…made using 100% Australian Pork.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels. Except beer. Beer tastes like skinny can go to hell.

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PUN OF THE WEEK: Three golf clubs went into a bar. The putter asked for a beer. The wedge ordered tequila. And the third? The third said, “Nothing for me. I’m the driver.”

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do Roman paramedics refer to IV’s as “4’s”?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Incorrectly is the only word that, when spelled correctly, is still spelled incorrectly.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I would support a Presidential debate where every time someone lies, they get an electric shock.” – Paula Poundstone

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Actor/comedian Adam Sandler will be 58 next week. Actor Charlie Sheen turns 59 years old this week. His father, super-actor Martin Sheen is 84. Superstar singer Beyonce also has a birthday this week. She will be 43.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend at the Thursday Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on the patio of Doc’s Bar & Grill and DJ Kennedy hosts Rockstar Karaoke at Island Bar & Grill at The Landings. Friday night, Kevin Price entertains live at Doc’s. His full band, Kevin Price & The Closers, entertain at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar Saturday night. Wednesday night is “Cocktails & Karaoke” night at Blind Swine and Thursday night is DJ Night at the Swine Monkey Island location. Erin Fitzgibbon performs live Friday night at the Swine followed by the Randy Ess Duo Saturday night. DJ Kyle Bandito provides the late night music at Big Shots both Friday & Saturday nights.

On South Grand, Ryan Graham starts the weekend early Thursday night (6:30) at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by The Don & Steve White Band Friday night, Reverse Reaction Saturday night, and an early Sunday show (5:30) by Megan Faulconer. Broken Aces will perform live at The Drunken Rooster Saturday night.

In Grove, there are two nights of entertainment at Cherokee Casino’s 1897 Bar – Yacht Club Friday night followed by the Beaty Creek Band Saturday.

There are three nights of live music at Indigo Sky Casino. Brett ‘n Terri kick off the fun Thursday night followed by Uncrowned Kings Friday night, and Oreo Blue Saturday. Country Music Hall of Famer and five-time Grammy winner Marty Stuart will perform Thursday evening at the Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, Libby Starks performs live Saturday night followed at 11:00 p.m. by karaoke fun with DJ Kay. Rodney Carrington performs Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace. I hope you already have tickets, because the show is sold out.

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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now offering an all-you-can-eat Seafood Boil on Saturday evenings. With the wrap up of the Labor Day weekend, Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina is closed for the season, and The Monkey Bar on Monkey Island is changing hours – opening at 3:00 p.m. The Anchor Sports Bar and Galley start fall/winter hours this week, opening at 4:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m. Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Sunday. The Summit Restaurant has discontinued lunch service except on Monday. The Burger Barn is Ketchum has reopened. The new Gambino’s Pizza location is now open in Ketchum.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The eight-episode mini-series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist is available on Peacock beginning Thursday. Whose Line is it Anyway returns to CW Friday night at 7:00. The Presidential Debate with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump airs live next Tuesday at 8:00 on ABC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opens in movie theaters this week, joining Reagan.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Friday, September 12-13 – Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s “Luau on the Green” and Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Charity Golf Tournament at Peoria Ridge Golf Course (10:00 a.m. shotgun). Thursday, September 12 – Northeast Board of Realtors Sunday, September 15 – Customer & Community Appreciation Fish Fry at Juan Montez Restaurant at 1:30 (restaurant and bar will be closed). Thursday, September 19 – “Eat Some Good, Do Some Good” fundraiser benefiting Integris Health Volunteers at Rancho Viejo in Grove (10% of your meal purchase goes to the charity). Thursday-Sunday, September 19-22 – Pioneer Days Celebration at Har-Ber Village (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-noon Sunday). Friday, September 20 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Patricia Island Country Club (1:30 shotgun). Saturday September 21 – World’s Largest Calf Fry & BBQ Festival at the Will Rogers Rodeo Grounds in Vinita. Saturday, September 21 – Keels & Wheels classic car and boat show at Cherokee Yacht Club sponsored by Heartland Classics Boat Club (10 a.m.-3 p.m.). Saturday, September 21 – Customer Appreciation Party at Cedar Port Marina (6:00 p.m.). Friday-Saturday, September 27-28 -  Grove Merchants Fall Open House. Friday-Sunday, October 4-6 – Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Friday-Sunday, October 4-6 – “Killer Weekend” at Shangri-La Resort (Killer Keyz Dueling Pianos Friday, Member Appreciation Saturday, Courage Under Fire Classic golf tournament Sunday). Saturday, October 12 – Arts & Crafts Festival and Indian Tacos at the Bernice Senior/Community Center (10:00-2:00).

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It’s full speed ahead for football this week. Arkansas is at OSU Saturday morning at 11:00 and OU hosts Houston Saturday evening at 6:45. Other big Saturday games include Texas at Michigan (11:00), Iowa State at Iowa (2:30), Kansas at Illinois (6:00), Tennessee at North Carolina State (6:30), and Texas Tech at Washington State (9:00).

It’s the first week of regular season play in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs host Baltimore in the first game of the season Thursday night at 7:00. Green Bay is at Philadelphia Friday night at 7:00. Sunday games include Minnesota at N.Y. Giants and New England at Cincinnati, both at noon, Dallas at Cleveland at 3:30, and the L.A. Rams at Atlanta Sunday night. The first Monday Night Football telecast features the N.Y. Jets at San Francisco.

It's a huge week for professional tennis. The U.S. Open wraps up this week with the Women’s Singles Championship Match Saturday at 3:00 and the Men’s Championship Sunday at 1:00.

NASCAR drivers are in Atlanta this week. Coverage of the Quaker State 400 is on the USA Network Sunday afternoon at 2:00.

Major League Baseball is getting down to serious schedules, too. Houston hosts Arizona Sunday night at 6:00. Next Tuesday, Baltimore is at Boston at 6:00.

There’s a big match-up in the WNBA this weekend. Indiana hosts Minnesota at 6:30 Friday.

There is no PGA Golf this weekend.

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And just like that, the stifling heat seems to be behind us! We’ll have high temperatures around 80 and lows around 60 with clear skies this weekend. It’s perfect weather for all the fun stuff, so get out there and have a good time! 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)

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

Gambine’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)

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

Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)

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