September 17 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

My record is intact. I didn’t win a television at REC Day again this year! Great fun, food and camaraderie, though. Speaking of such things, Saturday was plenty full of food for me. I’ll tell you what. Those folks at Shangri-La know how to throw a party! I saw that the menu for the Member Appreciation Party was Cajun – but WOW! I should have known, with a last name like Bujold, Chef Mike would pull out all the stops on a Cajun feast. OMG!

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Well, here we are! Saturday is the first day of Fall. It’s a great boating season – and a great weekend for “A Taste of Grand” at Integris Grove Saturday night; but that’s where I part company with the rest of my buds who think Fall is such a wonderful time of the year “with bonfires, sweaters, and the Fall foliage. Fall foliage? I know what that really is! I think it’s kind of weird to wander around enjoying the view of everything dying! I may be slightly out of step with everyone else. I showed up at the Monkey Island Pub Saturday night. I had forgotten that it was their big “Woodstock Costume Party.” I just went wearing my regular clothes – and three people nominated me for the “best costume.”

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Speaking of Fall weather – I’m not kidding about this. I got a solicitation call Friday from Hilton Honors offering me a “free stay” at a Hilton Beach Resort in exchange for taking a look at their time share offerings. Did I mention this was at the Hilton Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Beach Resort? #notgreattiming

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Jim Sellers reports that “the LLC is formed and the application for The Potting Shed Medical Marijuana Dispensary is on its way. It will be located just behind The Artichoke Restaurant.” Glad to see this, but….interesting name, huh? Potting Shed Marijuana.

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The Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel have gone even more berserk over Christmas. This year they will release 34 new Christmas movies (following 33 last year and 28 the year before). If that’s not overwhelming enough, they will debut their first Christmas movies of the year in their “Countdown to Christmas” starting October 27. OCTOBER! Not just before Thanksgiving…but even before Halloween. C’mon. Let’s celebrate ALL the holidays.

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The controversy over Nike’s support of Colin Kaepernick and folks burning their shoes reminded me of an interview with Sir Paul McCartney back in the sixties, when he was asked for his reaction to ultra-conservatives burning Beatles albums. His response? “They have to buy the records first, right? Then we’re in favor of it.”

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GRAND LAKE DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina is now closed for the season.

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MOST INTERESTING FACT OF THE WEEK: Lady Gaga’s $5.25 million Laurel Canyon estate in Hollywood Hills was formerly owned by famed musician Frank Zappa. Peas in a pod. Way talented. Way weird.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: My ability to remember song lyrics from the 80s far exceeds my ability to remember why I walked into the kitchen.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: 5,000 year old toilets with running water have been found in the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Hell hath no fury like a child who finds their artwork in the trash.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: If a hurricane ever hits Dallas, I hope it’s called “Debbie.”

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The first episode of “The Monkees” aired on NBC 52 years ago. Legendary comedian/actor Robin Williams was introduced to the world stage with the debut of the TV series “Mork and Mindy” 40 years ago this week.

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BEST OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Marriage is like a deck of cards. In the beginning, all you need is two hearts and a diamond. By the end, you’re wishing you had a club and a spade.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Representative Josh West, Larry Bolton, Sergio Andre, Bill Howell, Juli Miller, Theresa McDougall, Susan Jones, Vernon Ellis, Lyn Moore, Justin May, Caroline Goss, Angie Good, Jerri Parrish, Sheila Bond, Jill Kelly, and Gay Cornell.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How can a cemetery raise its funeral prices and blame it on the cost of living? (thanks to Terry Jones for sharing this one)

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The biggest event of the weekend ahead is A Taste of Grand Saturday evening at 6:00 on the campus of Integris Grove Hospital. The Missouri Southern State University Invitational Golf Tournament returns to Shangri-La Golf Club Sunday-Tuesday.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment around the lake. On Monkey Island this weekend, you are the star on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang with karaoke fun Friday and Saturday nights, and the dance floor will be hoppin’ with music byDJ $way right across the street both nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Up highway 125, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub.. At the Blind Swine, there’s live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night (including Erin Fitzgibbon Friday), and KJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday; and at Littlefield Corner, there’s always live entertainment at the Road Hog Saloon Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, Randy Steele entertains Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Bar & Grill at Grand Lodge in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night. There is Friday & Saturday night entertainment & karaoke fun on the deck at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove will feature Thomas Martinez Friday night, followed by Whiskey Poet Society Saturday night. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Indiglo Bingo entertains at Bordertown Friday night, followed by Cedar Creek Saturday. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, Lucas Gates will perform Friday night. At Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, Big Smitty will be on stage Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week.Brett & Terri perform Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Libby Starks Friday night, and Rosy Hips Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including the PGA Tour Championship, Major League Baseball, College Football, NFL games, and NASCAR are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Monkey Island Pub, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: All the great TV shows start coming back next week. Season 15 of The Voice begins Monday night at 7:00 on NBC. Bullalso moves to Monday nights this year. Season 3 debuts on CBS Monday night at 9:00 immediately following the series premiere of Magnum P.I. at 8:00. The Monday night CBS line-up also includes the return of The Big Bang Theory at 7:00 and Young Sheldon at 7:30. The series premiere of  The Manifest is Monday night at 9:00 on NBC. CBS has a great new Tuesday night line-up, too, starting with the series premiere of The FBI at 8:00, sandwiched in between the season premieres of NCIS (7:00) and NCIS: New Orleans (9:00). Enjoy.  

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The House with the Clock In Its Walls and The Sisters Brothers

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Two month to go and I’ll go from still having my Christmas lights up to already having my Christmas lights up.” – Simon Holland

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, September 28 – Charity Golf and Black Jack Tournament at Patricia Island Golf Club and Grand Lake Casino. Saturday, September 29 – SGLACC Hook ‘N’ Cookoff. Saturday-Sunday, September 29-30 – Club Championship Tournament at Shangri-La. Friday-Sunday, October 5-7 – Girls Getaway Weekend at Shangri-La Resort and in Grove. Sunday, October 7 – 8^th Annual Folds of Honor Classic at Shangri-La. Friday-Saturday, October 12-13 – Pelican Festival in Grove. Friday-Saturday, October 12-13 – Rocktober Disney below the Pensacola Dam.  Saturday, October 13 – Tennessee Style BBQ and Bluegrass Jam Fest 10:00-5:00 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Grove. Saturday, October 13 – Oktoberfest of Vinita at the Catholic Church grounds. Saturday, October 20 – Fall Crappie Tournament at Indian Hills Marina. Saturday, October 27 – Route 66 Punkin’ Chunkin’ Contest at John’s Tractor Works, Vinita.

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It’s week #4 in the world of college football. Action starts Thursday night with Tulsa at Temple (6:30 on ESPN). Saturday, OU hosts Army at 6:00 – but the game is available only on Pay-Per-View. OSU hosts Texas Tech, also at 6:00 on Fox Sports 1. Other Saturday games of note include Texas A&M at Alabama, Arkansas at Auburn, Kansas State at West Virginia, and TCU at Texas.

Thursday night NFL action features the New York Jets at Cleveland, but only on the NFL Network. Sunday noon games include either Green Bay at Washington or San Francisco at Kansas City on Fox, and either Denver at Baltimore or Buffalo at Minnesota on CBS. Fox features Dallas at Seattle at 3:30. Sunday night the New England Patriots are in Detroit at 7:00 on NBC; and Monday Night Football features Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay (7:00 on ESPN).

Major League Baseball features a couple of good rivalries this weekend. San Francisco is at St. Louis Saturday at 12:00 (Fox) and Boston is at Cleveland Sunday night at 6:00 (ESPN).

It’s a huge week on the PGA Tour. It’s the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Coverage on the Golf Channel starts at noon Thursday and Friday, 11:30 Saturday, and 11:00 Sunday. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 1:30 Saturday and 12:30 Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Richmond this week for some Saturday night prime time racing. Coverage of the Federated Auto Parts 400 begins at 6:30 Saturday night is on NBCSN.

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The weather for the first weekend of Fall looks very Fall-like. Light winds, sunshine for the most part, high temperatures in the mid-70s with low temps in the lower 60s. There’s a slight chance of a shower or two…but it doesn’t look significant. Enjoy “A Taste of Grand” Saturday night! Be safe, but have fun; and, remember…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.

1909 in Downtown Grove

Ailey’s Café in Langley

American Grill in Grove

Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)

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

Bobbers Café in Langley

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café Italia on Monkey Island

Café Yum in Grove

Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)

Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Coffee Shelter in Ketchum

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

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

Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lodge in Ketchum (smoking)

Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

Karrie's Kaboose in Langley (smoking)

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Lakeside Bar & Grill in Grove at Sail Boat Bridge

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)

Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South

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)

Scooters in Langley (smoking)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora

Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)

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 Office on Monkey Island (smoking)

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