September 25 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Fall officially arrived over the past weekend – disguised as the arrival of Spring with thunder, lightning, rain, and storm warnings. The storms were scattered enough to allow for successful completion of weddings, the NEO Charity Pickleball Tournament, boat rides, and most golf adventures and outdoor parties, although Friday’s South Grand Lake Chamber golf tournament at The Coves got rained out (rescheduled for October 20), and the Customer Appreciation Party at Cedar Port Marina ended a little earlier in the evening than normal due to incoming storms. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of this on-and-off stormy weather. The next time someone says, “Well, we needed the rain, though”…I’m gonna smack ‘em!

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Fortunately, at least at this point, the weather for the upcoming weekend looks perfect for a really great fundraising event – The “Stop, Drop & Roll” Alternate Shot Horse Race Saturday and the “Courage Under Fire Classic” golf tournament Sunday at Shangri-La, both benefiting the incredible team at The Monkey Island Fire Department.

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I read in the Joplin Globe where food columnist Amanda Stone recommended substituting carrots for wieners to enjoy “healthy hot dogs.” I don’t think I would enjoy that. In fact, I think I’m probably not going to try that – and I think I’m probably not going to rely on Amanda for my dietary plans.

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I saw where a prominent behavioral scientist at Harvard Business School is facing accusations of fabricating results on his study on how to elicit honest behavior. I guess honesty is still the best policy…unless you’re studying honesty.

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If you’re planning ahead for next summer, performance boat races are apparently returning to Grand Lake. New owners of the GLOC Performance Boat Challenge have set a 4-day GLOC Shootout for July 25-28 in 2024.

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Elon Musk has announced plans to being charging a monthly fee to all users of X (formerly known as Twitter). Must be part of his “user reduction plan.” Lots of folks are likely to make the X Media Platform their “ex-media platform.”

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Note to those visiting Grand Lake by private aircraft. The Grove Regional Airport, which closed for renovations July 10, is back open. You’re cleared for landing!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Congratulations to Grand Lake’s own Toby Keith who will be presented with the first ever Country Icon Award at the Inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards Thursday night at 7:00 on NBC. Fellow Oklahoma superstar Blake Shelton will make the presentation – and Toby will also perform live.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Susan Moritz, Barbara Oden, Debbie Mitchell, Drenda Cox, Bill Durrett, Mickey Tyrrell, Susan Satterlee, Tim McCrary, Chris Bolt, Danny Head, Carl Fiddner, Mike Mitchell, Gary Hardman, Jim Anderson, Robin Bergstrom, Andy Newman, Mike Lillie, Chris Merillat, Randy Wheeler, Mark Athey, Jerry Lee, Gary Nichols, Kira McDonald, Thane Swisher, Sue Wilkinson, Jan Castelli, Reggie Stone, and Robert Zoellner.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Thursday is the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Monthly Membership Meeting at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (11:30 a.m.), the Grove Area Creative Alliance meeting at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Grove (12:00 p.m.), and the Grand Lake Newcomers Club “New Newcomers Lunch” at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (11:30 a.m.). Saturday morning (11:00-2:00) is an Indian Taco Feed and Live Auction at the Grove Community Center benefiting the family of deceased Grove Firefighter Dakota Green. Saturday evening is a fun Live Music & BBQ party at Blue Bluff Harbor Resort (6:00-9:00 p.m.), as well as the Miss Pelican Festival Scholarship Pageant at Grove Performing Arts Center (5:00 p.m.). Sunday is another fabulous charity event for a great cause - the “Courage Under Fire Classic” golf tournament at Shangri-La benefiting the Monkey Island Fire Department. Next Monday & Tuesday is the “Ladies Day Dinkers” pickleball camp at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: As a young man, Tracy Lauren Morrow was called T. Because he liked to recite the work of novelist Iceberg Slim, he became known as Ice-T.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: If you’re keeping track of the always-increasing salaries for professional athletes, Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes new contract sets his pay at $137,808.00…PER DAY!

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Mark Tarpenning and Martin Eberhard are the founders of Tesla. You know, just in case you thought it was someone else.

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OXYMORON OF THE WEEK: Live recording.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: The Bible says you can’t buy your way into heaven, but there isn’t a church in the country that won’t encourage you to try.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (posted by the National Park Service): Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints.  

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I called the cops on my own party last night because I was ready to go to sleep.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: A very short mother is called a “minimum.”

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do Mexicans ever say, “Hey, let’s go eat at a white people’s restaurant tonight”?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Technically, it’s not drinking alone if there’s a bartender.    

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The best part of being a scientist is constantly having your hard work and research questioned by people who spent every science class peeling glue off their hands.” – Eric Acosta

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The Oak Ridge Boys kicked off a lengthy farewell concert tour in Branson last week. The band has been together an incredible 50 years. Do you remember Twiggy? She turned 74 last week. Everybody knows the always beautiful Sophia Lauren who turned 89. Our hearts go out to former President & First Lady Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter who celebrated their 77^th wedding anniversary last week.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off on Doc’s Patio Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun at the Thursday night Shrimp Boil. KJ Flip leads the Thursday karaoke at Big Shot and DJ K-Bandito hosts the weekend musical fun Friday & Saturday nights. Rockwell performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. There’s still karaoke on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday and Saturday nights, and Saturday night is Rockstar Karaoke fun at Monkey Island Pub featuring DJ Kennedy.

On South Grand Lake, the weekend musical fun always starts on Thursday nights with karaoke fun at The Drunken Rooster. This week, Reverse Reaction will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at the Rooster. Matt Breitzke will provide Friday night’s musical entertainment at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill.

In Grove, Dale & Gayle will perform Saturday evening (6:00-9:00) at Blue Bluff Harbor Resort. There is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music by Encore Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. Brett N’ Terri entertain Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Jesse Joice Saturday night.

The Sweet Trouble Trio kicks off the weekend Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, with Rock Radicals taking over Friday night followed by the full Sweet Trouble Band Saturday. Travis Kidd entertains Friday night at The Stables Casino. Bobby DeGonia will provide the music Saturday night at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West. Ned Ledoux will perform Saturday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Monkey Island Pub has reopened – Wednesday through Saturday at 4:00. With no explanation of the surprise, Bella Donna’s is closed – moving to a new location (don’t know where). Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina is now closed for the season. Blind Swine Duck Creek is now only open weekends – Friday at 11:00 a.m., Saturday & Sunday at 9:00 a.m. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is open only Thursday-Sunday and has replaced its Saturday & Sunday morning breakfast buffet with an a la carte menu. The new Starbucks in Grove has pushed its opening back to Monday, October 9.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Grand Lake’s own Toby Keith will perform live at the first-ever People’s Choice Country Awards Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on NBC. 20/20 returns for a new season Friday night at 8:00 on ABC. A new season of America’s Funniest Home Videos kicks off Sunday night at 6:00 on ABC. Django is a new 10-part series available Sunday on NETFLIX. The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Creator, The Kill Room, and Saw X all debut in movie theaters Friday.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Sunday, October 5-8 – Annual Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Friday, October 6 – Grove Rotary Golf Tournament at Patricia Island Country Club (1:00 p.m. shotgun). Saturday, October 7 – Pelican Festival Parade in Grove. Saturday, October 7 – GLOC Performance Challenge organizational meeting at Disney City Hall (10:00 a.m.). Saturday, October 7 – Red River Rivalry OU-Texas Hooray Grill Tailgate & Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Saturday, October 7 – Chuckwagon Dinner Under the Stars Fundraiser at Har-Ber Village Museum (6:00 p.m.). Sunday, October 8 – Inaugural Fall Festival at Blue Bluff Harbor Resort (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 14 – Grand Lake Famous Fish Fry at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grove (11:00-2:00) as part of the week long Family Fun Festival. Saturday, October 14 – “Rock the Barn” fundraising party at “The Barn” on Monkey Island featuring The O’Banion Band in a special benefit show to support the daughter of band member Craig Correll. Thursday, October 19 – Ketchum Scholastic Foundation fundraising dinner & auction at Cherokee Yacht Club (6:00 p.m.). Friday, October 20 – rescheduled South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce golf tournament at The Coves (noon shotgun). Saturday, October 21 – Hoot & Howl Camp-R-Treat at Grand Lake State Park in Bernice (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 28 – Autumn Moon Fall Festival at Church on the Lake (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) Saturday, October 28 – Punkin Chunkin at John’s Tractor Works in Venita (10:00 a.m.). Saturday, October 28 – Spooktober Halloween Party & Costume Contest at The Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda Resort. Saturday, October 28 – Fall Festival, Halloween Party & Costume Contest at The Anchor at Shangri-La Resort (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 28 – Drive-In Movie Night at Wolf Creek Park – double feature: Hocus Pocus and Beetlejuice (6:00 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, November 4-5 - Mary Bulten Memorial Pickleball Open Tournament at The Anchor Racquet Club. Saturday, November 11 – DCCSAN Winterset Gala at Shangri-La resort (6:00 p.m.)

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Football is starting to get really interesting. On the college level, OSU is idle this week, and OU hosts Iowa State Saturday evening at 6:00 (FS1). Tulsa kicks off the action Thursday night at 6:30 hosting Temple (ESPN).  Louisville is at N.C. State Friday night at 6:00 (ESPN), Utah is at Oregon State at 8:00 (FS1), and BYU also hosts Cincinnati Friday night at 9:15 (ESPN).

Saturday features some great match-ups in addition to the OU-Iowa State game. USC is at Colorado at 11:00 (Fox), Georgia is at Auburn at 2:30 (CBS), and Kansas is at Texas, also at 2:30 (ABC). Duke hosts Notre Dame at 6:30 (ABC), West Virginia is at TCU at 7:00 (ESPN2), and Alabama is at Mississippi State at 8:00 (ESPN).

In the NFL, the Packers host the Lions Thursday night at 7:00 (remember, the Thursday night games are now on Prime Video). Sunday games include Washington at Philadelphia and Baltimore at Cleveland, both at noon. Dallas hosts New England at 3:30, and The Chiefs travel to New York to face the Jets Sunday night at 7:00. Monday Night Football features Seattle at the New York Giants.

NASCAR drivers continue the playoffs this weekend at Talladega. Coverage of the YellaWood 500 begins at 1:00 Sunday on NBC.

All the big kids on the PGA Tour are in Rome this weekend for the Ryder Cup competition. Peacock is streaming all three days (Friday-Sunday) and NBC has two days of coverage – but you have to really want it bad. Saturday coverage is live 2:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and Sunday coverage is 4:30 a.m.-noon on NBC.

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Weather for the weekend ahead looks perfect. Sunshine, light winds, highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-60. It’s tough to beat that! There’s a lot happening this time of year at Grand Lake – so get out there and have some fun! Remember, though, 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

Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove

Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)

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

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Blue Cat Bistro at Har-Ber Village

BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

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 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

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

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

Flower Bar in Grove

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

Hero’s Deli 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

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

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

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)

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 (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 Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

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