September 30 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

The weekend gone by provided yet another example of weather-watching: “Are you going to believe the meteorologists or your lying eyes.” The South Grand Chamber was nervous about their Hook N Cookoff event because of the rain forecast. Integris Grove went to all the trouble to move “A Taste of Grand” inside at the Grove Civic Center because of the forecast for thunderstorms. So, what did we get? A day filled with sunshine and an evening perfect for outdoor events. When planning your weekends at Grand Lake, just don’t watch the weather on TV. It’ll be fine! Meteorologists can seem to understand that updraft from the huge surface of Grand Lake water. It tends to push the storms away from the area. Like I always say, it’s not the WEATHER that hurts Grand Lake businesses. It’s the weather FORECAST!

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Speaking of “A Taste of Grand,” Monkey Island chefs outdid themselves at this year’s event, taking home the two most coveted prizes. Shangri-La Resort’s Culinary Crew took top honors, winning the nod from judges and taking home the top prize - the “Supreme Cuisine Award.” The team from Blind Swine pleased the masses with their delicacies, taking home the “People’s Choice Award” along with an award for “Culinary Excellence.”

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The Grand Lake Sailing Club hosted its biggest race of the year over the past weekend (if “sailboat race” is not too much of an oxymoron). Their Long Distance Classic ran from the area in front of Shangri-La to the Pensacola Dam, then back to their home port in Honey Creek. They should be finishing up any day now. All kidding aside, the weather for the Long Distance Classic couldn’t have been better. Sunshine and a good breeze make for a great day under sail.

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Last Saturday night, it seemed like everyone in the free world was trying to find the OSU-Kansas State football game. Why a game that important was not aired by any television station whatsoever is still beyond me. A handful of clubs went through the impossible task of trying to download the ESPN+ app, then stream it to their televisions – but The Shebang was perhaps the most creative. Joyce Duke posted on Facebook “we have the OSU game on a 3”X6” screen,” so I dashed to The Shebang certain that Joyce’s typing skills had failed her again and she really meant a 3’X6’ screen. She did not. The entire bar crowded around to watch on Joyce’s iPhone.

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In this week’s sports news, the New England Patriots cut Antonio Brown. Good for them. It is rumored that he already has signed an endorsement contract with McDonald’s, though – one that is thought to be perhaps the largest in McDonald’s history. $17.50 an hour.

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According to the calendar, Fall is officially here. I’m still holding out for October 31 to be the last day of Summer since we got a late start, but the calendar lists September 23 as the official first day of Fall. So…for all you people who enjoy sitting around in the smoke eating burned food and watching everything die – your time of the year is approaching!

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DINING AND DRINKING ON GRAND LAKE: Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina and Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina are now closed for the season. Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina is closed Monday & Tuesday – open for lunch & dinner Wednesday-Sunday, but they close at 6:00 on Sundays. The Grill at Indian Hills Marina has also gone to off-season hours – 7:00-2:00 Thursday-Sunday, closed Monday-Wednesday.

Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La, in addition to their popular “Thursday Night Karaoke & Shrimp Boil” now offers another night of weekday fun – “Trivia, Tacos & Tequila Tuesdays” with $3 tacos and $5 margaritas.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, and her stunt double Betty Danko were both badly burned during the filming of “The Wizard of Oz.”

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I found that I have been happier since I changed from coffee in the morning to orange juice.  My doctor explained that it’s the Vitamin C and natural sugars, but I really think it’s the vodka.

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BEST IDEA OF THE WEEK: Forget about storming Area 51. Let’s find out where this extended car warranty call center is and storm that place.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Welcome to Oklahoma. You can smoke dope topless on Main Street, but you can’t catch a fish without a license.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Got up this morning and ran around the block five times. I got tired, so I picked up the block and put it back in the toy box.

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ENGLISH LESSON OF THE WEEK: People who confuse the words “burro” and “burrow” don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: A friend asked what parenting a toddler was like, so I hid her keys, head-butted her in the face, and told her I loved her more than all the stars. (thanks to Jennifer Megan for sharing this one)

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: The other day I yelled into a colander. I strained my voice.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: “The Brady Bunch” television show made its debut 50 years ago. Actress Florence Henderson, who starred as Carol Brady, died three years ago at the age of 82. Law & Order: SVU began its 21 season last week.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Mark Athey, Stache Blair, Jerry Lee, Randy Wheeler, Gary Nichols, Thane Swisher, Sue Wilkinson, Jan Castelli, Cari Williams, Jared Jeffers, Angela Estep, Katie Allen, Colleen Garrett, Mickey Thompson, Patty Northrop, Nancy Saamer, Barry Eller, Shari Baird, Pat Flanagan, Brady Finton and Lane Worley.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do people believe you when you say there are 4 billion stars, but have to check for themselves when you tell them the paint is wet?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Saturday is a big “eat with firefighters day!”  Saturday morning from 9:00-Noon you can eat breakfast with the Grove Firefighters at the Grove Community Center. Saturday is also the Grand Opening of the new Monkey Island Fire Department. Festivities begin at noon with great food prepared by Danny Head and special guests former Oklahoma Governor and First Lady George and Donna Nigh. Saturday night is the Chuckwagon Dinner & Dance at Har-Ber Village. The Folds of Honor Classic Golf Tournament is at Shangri-La Golf Club Sunday; and Monday evening is the free Progressive Shopping Dinner in Grove and on Monkey Island (5:00-8:00). Participating merchants are 1909 (appetizers), the Integris Grove Hospital Gift Shop (salad), Gallery Southwest (wine & cheese), Muddy Pearl (soup & sandwiches) and the Den of Uniquity (dessert).

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s great entertainment around the lake again this weekend. On Monkey Island,Jason Morgan will kick off the weekend at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La Thursday at 6:00 with DJ and karaoke fun combined with the weekly Thursday night Shrimp Boil. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang is open Friday & Saturday nights for karaoke fun; and there’s great dance music featuring DJ $way right across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night followed by DJ Deeko. Sunday nights are Open Jam Sessions for musicians at the Swine. Tuesday is DJ fun with Deeko and Wednesday nights,Erin Fitzgibbon is back for karaoke fun. At Littlefield Corner, there’s great music every weekend at the Road Hog Saloon. Every Tuesday night, Jason Morgan entertains at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La with “Trivia, Tacos & Tequila Tuesdays” from 6:00-9:00.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of Reverse Reaction Friday night, followed by House Party Saturday.  At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke, and Lucas Gates will be on stage at Bordertown Friday night followed by Bobby DeGonia Saturday.  Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features live music Friday night and karaoke fun Saturday night. At River Bend Casino, Bobby DeGonia performs Friday night and DJ 5Star Entertainment will provide the entertainment in the Club 60 West Bar Saturday night. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill there is live DJ action every Friday & Saturday night at 10:00. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar features the music of Liz Moriondo Friday night and Uncrowned Kings Saturday. At Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge, The Scott Eastman Duo will provide the music both Friday & Saturday nights. NighTTrain will provide the music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino’s Echo Bar followed by Straight Away Friday; and Glory Days will be on stage Saturday night.

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

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Living Grand on Grand Lake airs Thursday night at 7:30 on RSU-TV. Discover Oklahoma airs Saturday’s at 6:30 on KTUL-Channel 8, Tulsa; and The Blacklist returns for a seventh season Friday night at 7:00 on NBC. Sunday night marks the return of Madam Secretary at 9:00 on CBS.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Venom, A Star is Born, and The Old Man and the Gun

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Believe in yourself, even when no one else will.” – Sasquatch

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Sunday, October 10-13 – Pelican Festival in Grove. Saturday, October 12 - 0.5K Walk/Run (benefitting DCCSN) and a big OU-Texas Tailgate Party at Shangri-La Resort beginning at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, October 13 – Open House at The Spa at Shangri-La (1:00-3:30). Friday-Saturday, October 25-26 – Ghosts of Grove Haunted History Tours from the Grove Community Center. Saturday, October 26 – Shangri-La Annual Fall Festival & Halloween Party on Monkey Island. Saturday, October 26 – Halloween Party at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina. Saturday, November 2 – Halloween Party, Hog Roast & Hayride at Grand Meridian RV Park (5:00-9:00). Saturday, November 2 – Last day of Daylight Saving Time. Sunday, November 10 – Thanksgiving Potluck at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina (2:00). Saturday, November 16 – Monkey Island Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at Monkey Island Pub.

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It’s week #6 of the college football season. There’s Friday night action featuring UCF at Cincinnati at 7:00 (ESPN). OU and OSU both play at 11:00 a.m. Saturday and both are on the road. OU is at Kansas (ABC) and OSU is at Texas Tech (FS1). Tulsa is also on the road at SMU (6:30 on ESPNU). Other games to watch include Texas at West Virginia (2:30), and Baylor at Kansas State (2:30). Michigan State is at Ohio State at 6:30 and Washington is at Stanford at 9:30.

NFL action moves into week #5 with the Rams at Seattle Thursday night at 7:00 on Fox. Sunday games include Atlanta at Houston (noon on Fox), New England at Washington (noon on CBS), Green Bay at Dallas (3:30 on Fox) and Indianapolis at Kansas City Sunday night at 7:00 (NBC). Monday Night Football features Cleveland at San Francisco (7:00 on ESPN).

Major League Baseball action moves into playoff mode this week. The NLDS series begin Thursday on TBS. ALDS series play begins Friday on Fox Sports 1. The National League Championship Series will begin October 11 and the ALCS begins on October 12.

NASCAR drivers are in Dover this week. Coverage of the Drydene 400 starts at 1:30 Sunday on NBCSN.

The PGA Tour is in Las Vegas this week for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 3:00 Thursday & Friday and 4:00 Saturday & Sunday.

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For those who have been hoping for cooler temperatures, you get your start on Autumn this weekend. High temperatures will be in the low-to-mid 70s with lows in the upper 50s.  Get out and have a fabulous time both on the lake and at your favorite club or restaurant.  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. 

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

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

Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove

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

Domino’s in Grove

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 (smoking)

Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

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

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove

Henrie’s Grill 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

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

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.)

Morrow’s Bar & Grill at Morrow’s Landing

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

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)

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 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