September 4th Observation of The Grand Lake Bum

Perfect holiday weather brought out the crowds over the past weekend at Grand Lake. Every place I looked, every courtesy slip was full with three or four boats circling like vultures awaiting a spot to dock for a snack or a few beverages. You’re going to rock ‘n roll a little on the main lake any time it gets that busy – but I spent an unexpected amount of time rockin’ ‘n rollin’ in marinas. Obviously all the boaters who have no clue about the definition of “no wake” were all here for the festivities. It was another celebration of amateur weekend on the lake – sort of like going out drinking on New Year’s Eve with all the people who drink once a year. It was a craaazy weekend!

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Monkey Island got picture perfect weather for their uncontested display of fireworks Sunday night, too. The crowd was great – both on the land and on the water – and the fireworks show was spectacular. Maybe the Islanders should consider doing fireworks on Labor Day instead of the 4^th of July holiday. It was really nice – and there are so many fireworks celebrations around the 4^th of July, you can’t possibly make them all. But Labor Day this year? Only one. Very nice. Every club on the island was hopping after the fireworks, too. I must say, the Ayngel & John with Zodiac performance at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar was awesome!

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Things get considerably calmer now. It’s why all the longtime serious boaters on Grand Lake say the best boating season of the year starts right now – right after Labor Day and continuing at least through Halloween. We love the money the tourists spend because it allows us to enjoy Grand Lake clubs and restaurants for the rest of the year when we have them all to ourselves. Maybe some of those tourists ought to just move here. That way we could have more nice things to enjoy year ‘round.

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The boating area in Houston is finally getting a little smaller. Bless their hearts. They’re starting to use cars on the streets now instead of boats. On a serious note, I’m sure you share my pride in the many heroes who skipped their holiday fun in Oklahoma to go lend a hand to fellow Americans who needed help. But to the people who took the call for assistance as a chance to clean out their garages…c’mon, people. Flood victims don’t need your high heals, your prom dresses, winter coats, and suits. If you really want to help, find a charity or church you trust – and give MONEY! That way, volunteer organizations can buy what is really needed, deliver it quickly and efficiently after helping jump start the flooded Houston economy a little by purchasing the supplies and equipment locally. Just think before you start shipping your crap to Houston. Money is the greatest gift of all!

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By the way, we have new royalty at the lake. Congratulations to Meaghan Dorn, the newly crowned Miss Grand Lake, along with Miss Grand Lake's Outstanding Teen, Georgia Matlack.  Danielle Simms was also crowned Miss Delaware County, and Miss Delaware County’s Outstanding Teen winner is Cassie Harding.

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I’m puzzled about the Chick-fil-A store in the new Mercedes Benz Stadium built for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. I understand supporting your community since Chick-fil-A is based in Atlanta, but the company confirms that, like all Chick-fil-A stores, this one will be closed on Sundays. Hmm. Most of the NFL games are what day?

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For those who think taxes are high in Oklahoma, according to Forbes Magazine, when all taxes are taken into consideration, there are only 11 states with lower taxes than Oklahoma. The lowest overall tax rate is in Wyoming, followed by Alaska, South Dakota, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi – then Oklahoma. The highest taxes are, of course, in New York, followed by New Jersey, Connecticut, California, and Wisconsin.

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In Charlotte, North Carolina, Michael Grace, Jr. was shot to death last week while trying to rob a pizza hut. He was shot by a store employee during the attempted robbery. Now, his mother is mad. She says it “wasn’t fair” that he was shot by a worker. “If there was to be a death, that’s the place of law enforcement,” she said. “It wasn’t a body shot. It was a head shot. A head shot is personal.” Hmmm. And I suppose robbing the store employees at gunpoint was not personal, huh?

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In the ever-changing media world, Fox News is taking a dive – apparently because their viewership and ratings are taking a dive, as well. After fifteen years on the air, Fox News will no longer be broadcast in Great Britain.

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LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Scott Briscoe): Do not wear your “Best. Dad. Ever.” T-shirt to your child abuse and neglect hearing.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: My days run backwards. I wake up tired and go to bed wide awake.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Who is old enough to remember when you needed two keys to a car? (Likely future tweet: Who is old enough to remember when you needed a key to start a car?)

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Dear $100 a barrel oil…we miss you.

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GRAND LAKE DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor is now open. On the downside, Sunday will be the last day of summer operation of the Quarter Deck Café at Tera Miranda. They will re-open for the fall season in October.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Dennis Loudermilk, Randy Phillips, Nancy Castellucci, Kelly Leuszler, Kim Quillin, Emily Kelley-Baggett, Bob Prine, Stacy Kenton Wheatley, Sara Lewandowski, Terry Stowers, Kate Lindley, Eddy Gibbs, Amanda Warren, Krista Bruggeman, Wes Krei, and Dave Deardorff.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?

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BEST EVENT OF THE WEEK: Some great future publicity for Grand Lake is being put together this week. The Discover Oklahoma TV crew will be shooting at Shangri-La Resort for two days, along with a photojournalist from Oklahoma Today Magazine. Grand Laker Cindy Morrison will be in front of the camera for the Discover Oklahoma stories. Woo-hoo!

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There are great entertainment options around the lake this weekend. On Monkey Island, Randy Lunsford will be back behind the keyboard at The Shebang this weekend. The Balcony Bar upstairs at The Shebang features you as the entertainment with karaoke fun both Friday & Saturday nights; and across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, enjoy all the best dance tunes with the popular DJ Deeko Friday & Saturday nights. Just down the highway from there, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub. Erin Fitzgibbon performs Sunday nights at Blind Swine, and there’s always great live weekend entertainment at the Road Hog Saloon.

Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, Earl & Themwill provide Friday night entertainment followed by the Brandon Butler Band Saturday. Friday night, Cherokee Casino Grove will host Summer Nights. At River Bend Casino in Wyandotte, Club 60 West spotlights The George Brothers Friday night; andSaturday night is a big UFC Watch Party – Demetrious Johnson vs. Ray Borg. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar starting Thursday night with music by Lucas Gates. Friday night features the music of Stonehorse followed byLeah & the Mojo Doctors Saturday night. At Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, the Hi Fidelics will perform Friday night.Lickitty Split will be on stage at Lost Creek Saloon at Bordertown Casino Friday night, with Honkytonk Renovators wrapping up the weekend entertainment Saturday night.

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

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Season 4 of BoJack Horseman will be available Friday on NETFLIX.  The series premiere of The Deuce is on HBO at 8:00 Sunday night and the series premiere of The Orville is Sunday night at 7:00 on Fox.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Home Again and IT

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Texas Republicans have asked President Trump to delay the construction of a border wall until undocumented workers have finished rebuilding Houston.” – John Hartzell

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 16 – REC Day at the Grove Civic Center (8:00-noon). Saturday, September 16 – Shangri-La Member Appreciation Party at Doc’s outdoor bar, Shangri-La Resort Hotel. Saturday, September 16 – “Jocks & Cheerleaders” costume party at Monkey Island Pub. Saturday, September 23 – A Taste of Grand at INTEGRIS Hospital grounds. Saturday, September 30 – Hook ‘N’ Cookoff, South Grand Lake Regional Airport. Saturday, September 30 – Monkey Island Block Party sponsored by WAAMI at the Monkey Island Airport 4:00-7:00. Sunday, October 1 – Jim Beam Folds of Honor Classic at Shangri-La Golf Club.

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College football is highlighted this weekend by the Oklahoma Sooners visiting Ohio State in Saturday night prime time. Coverage begins at 6:30 on ABC.  Oklahoma State plays Friday night on the road at South Alabama (7:00 on ESPN2). Tulsa hosts Louisiana Saturday at 3:00 on ESPN3. Arkansas hosts TCU Saturday at 2:30 on CBS.

Other televised college action Saturday includes Northwestern at Duke (11:00 on ESPNU), Fresno State at Alabama (2:30 on ESPN2), Nebraska at Oregon (3:30 on Fox), South Carolina at Missouri (6:00 on ESPN2), Nicholls at Texas A&M (6:00 on ESPNU), Georgia at Notre Dame (6:30 on NBC), and Stanford at USC (7:30 on Fox).

Week #1 of the NFL regular season opens Thursday night with a barn burner – Kansas City at New England (7:30 on NBC). Sunday night, the New York Giants will be in Dallas to take on the Cowboys (7:30 on NBC). Monday Night Football kicks off with what should be a fabulous double-header: New Orleans at Minnesota at 6:00 and the L.A. Chargers at Denver at 9:00, both on ESPN.

The PGA Tour players are taking a weekend off…and the NASCAR boys run Saturday night at 6:30 in the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond. Coverage is on NBCSN.

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The holiday weekend weather forecast couldn’t be better! Partly cloudy skies with highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-60s with light winds all weekend. Awesome! It should be a great weekend for outdoor activities – and there are certainly lots of choices! Enjoy all the fun stuff Grand Lake has to offer, but remember, 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

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 (smoking upstairs—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

Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)

Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and on Monkey Island

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

Frosty & Edna’s (west of the dam in Langley)

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

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)

Roadhouse 125 on Monkey Island (smoking deck)

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