December 1 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
With the Thanksgiving holiday behind us, it’s finally a reasonable time to start talking Christmas (despite the fact retailers have been promoting Christmas since Labor Day). Drive-thru light displays are up, ice skating gets underway in Grove this week, we’re lighting up downtown Grove Friday night, and the Christmas Parade season is cranking up this weekend. More importantly, we’re looking at college football conference championship games this week – and the college football bowl season is almost here! Happy holidays!
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We are already knee-deep in the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movies. It’s time to worry about all the big city men who are about to get dumped for flannel-wearing small-town bachelors. In a related note, Hallmark movie producers say they are considering the possibility of adding a second plot to their movie line-up.
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Christmas and New Year’s Day are both on Thursdays this year. That should mean a couple of four-day weekends for all of us! For some people, all of the holidays are difficult to keep up with. A friend of mine was excited about Black Friday because she’s off work on Fridays and was bragging to her friends that Black Friday was actually on Friday this year. When we tried to explain that it was ALWAYS on Friday, she argued with us, pointing out that it was always the day after Thanksgiving, no matter what day Thanksgiving was on. You can’t fix stupid.
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Here’s an important note. To get death benefits, you apparently must stay dead. Benjamin Schreiber, an inmate serving a life sentence without parole in Iowa has proven the point. He suffered septic poisoning and doctors had to restart his heart five times. He filed a legal appeal claiming that, because he had died, he had fulfilled the terms of his life sentence. The judge did not agree. I actually had a buddy who also had his heart stop briefly. He made the same claim about his death, trying to cash in on his life insurance policy. He lost his case, as well. The insurance company said, in order to collect, he had to stay dead.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Dale Lowe, Joshua Glenn, Spencer Haines, Judie Clark, Clarissa Davis, Marshall Brackin, Lisa Coffee, Dena Mantia, Gary Brock, Chris Sexton, Heather Collins, Barbara Pliler, Jim Gray, Gina Gibbs, Stephanie Gibbs, Janée Odle, Sherry Kern, Gina Holloway, Erica Ware, Nikki Crowder, Janie Cunningham, Terri Thomas, and Larry Duke.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Christmas lights are up for the beautiful drive-thru viewing at Twin Bridges State Park; and Shangri-La’s resort hotel and Anchor have awesome light displays, as well. Friday is a big day in Grove. The Ice Rink opens on Grove’s Downtown Square and will be open Friday-Sunday until January 4. Snow Globe photo ops, the 40-foot Snow Mountain Rides, and the Snowball Range will be open Fridays & Saturdays. Also Friday, the Ron Lay “Light Up Downtown” Memorial Celebration on Grove’s Downtown Square will officially kick off the Christmas Holiday season. Friday evening is the First Friday Wine Share at Grove Fireplace & Stove (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, Christi Leonard’s Dance Academy presents “The Nutcracker” at Grove’s Performing Arts Center (shows at 2:30 & 7:00 Saturday and 2:30 Sunday). Saturday morning, Santa & the Grinch will be at McDonalds’s in Grove for photos (8:30-10:00 a.m.). Saturday evening, enjoy the Langley-Disney Christmas Parade across the Pensacola Dam or the Miami Christmas Parade (6:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: In their earliest known use for pies, pumpkins were sliced and fried.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: If the human population held hands around the equator, a significant portion of them would drown.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: In 1916, John Lloyd Wright, inspired by his father Frank Lloyd Wright’s earthquake-resistant design for Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, created a toy of interlocking wooden beams. His invention, Lincoln Logs, turned architectural ingenuity into childhood imagination, laying the foundation for one of America’s most beloved toys.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I usually don’t brag about my finances, but my credit card company calls me almost every day to tell me my balance is outstanding!
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WORD FUN OF THE WEEK – GREAT PALINDROME: The word “swims” turned upside down is still “swims.”
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Our All-Day Breakfast is Served Until 11:30 a.m.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: This Christmas, I’m giving my family members a card that says, “a donation has been made in your name to my therapist.”
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Bono and The Edge walk into a bar. The bartender says, “oh, no, not U2 again.”
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do twins ever realize that one of them was unplanned?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I don’t know much, but I know this: the older you get, the faster the number of things you’re willing to wait in line for approaches zero.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.” – Steven Wright
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary golfer Fuzzy Zoeller died last week at the age of 74. Actress, singer, comedian, and author Bette Midler turns 80 years old this week. Tina Louise, who portrayed “The Movie Star,” is the last living cast member of the legendary “Gilligan’s Island” TV show. She’s 91 years old.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Scott Musick performs live Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. There’s karaoke Wednesday and Friday at The Monkey Bar, hosted by Sundown Entertainment. DJ K-Bandito will provide the entertainment Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.
In Grove, The Brothers Moore will be on stage Saturday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar. There’s musical Bingo every Wednesday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon; and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night.
Lee Greenwood will be in concert Sunday night at Downstream Casino’s Pavilion (7:00 p.m.). The Turnpike Tributedours (Turnpike Troubedours tribute band) will entertain at Buffalo Run’s Peoria Showplace Saturday night. Stonehorse will provide the music in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The new restaurant “Eagle’s Nest” is now open at Patricia Island Country Club (open to the public). The Artichoke Restaurant in Langley has closed. The Cove Club in Langley has changed its name. No more “Cove Club.” Now it’s “Robert’s Bar & Restaurant.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Pitt makes its cable TV debut Monday night at 8:00 on TNT. Christmas at Rockefeller Center airs Wednesday night at 7:00 on NBC. After a two-week hiatus, Matlock returns Thursday night at 8:00 on CBS. Next Monday, The Daily Show: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize airs at 10:30 on Comedy Central and Paramount+.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and Man Finds Tape open in theaters this week. Oh. What. Fun. is available beginning Wednesday on Prime Video.
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, December 13 – Christmas Breakfast & Dessert Auction benefiting Second Chance Pet Rescue at First Christian Church in Grove (9:00 a.m.-Noon). Saturday, December 13 – Grand Lake Merry Market at the Community Center in Grove’s Downtown Square (1:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 13 – Grove Christmas Parade (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 13 – Cherokee Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade (5:30 p.m.). Sunday, December 14 - A Grand Lake Holiday Celebration sing-a-long and musical performance at Shangri-La Resort Hotel lobby (2:00-5:00 p.m.). Thursday, December 18 – The Grove Chamber of Commerce hosts their annual Holiday Legislative Luncheon at Shangri-La Resort featuring Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. (11:30 a.m.). Saturday, December 20 – Shooting Star Dance Company presents “The Nutcracker” at Grove Performing Arts Center (shows at 2:00 and 6:00 p.m.). Sunday, December 21 – A Grand Lake Holiday Celebration sing-a-long and musical performance at Shangri-La Resort Hotel lobby (2:00-5:00 p.m.). Thursday, December 25 – The Anchor at Shangri-La opens for Christmas Day football & basketball at 11:00 a.m.
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In the college football world, it’s Conference Championship time. BYU faces Texas Tech Saturday morning at 11:00 for the Big 12 Title. Alabama faces Georgia for the SEC Championship at 3:00 – and Indiana & Ohio State face off in the biggest National Championship Playoff spoiler. They play each other for the Big Ten Title Saturday at 7:00.
In the NFL, Detroit hosts the Dallas Cowboys Thursday night. Sunday games include Cincinnati at Buffalo and New Orleans at Tampa Bay, both at noon; Chicago at Green Bay at 3:30 and Houston at Kansas City Sunday night. Monday Night Football features Philadelphia visiting the L.A. Chargers.
The OKC Thunder return from their west coast tour for a single home game hosting Dallas Friday night at 8:30 before heading back out west at Utah Sunday (7:00). They’re back home to host a rematch with Phoenix next Wednesday (6:30).
PGA players are in New York for the Hero World Challenge. Coverage starts at 12:30 Thursday & Friday, 11:00 Saturday, and 10:30 Sunday morning on the Golf Channel. NBC picks up the final two rounds of coverage at 1:30 Saturday and 12:30 Sunday.
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We may have a little rain – maybe even mixed with a little snow Friday, but we’ll have some improvement for the Saturday parades. Saturday should be partly cloudy with a high around 50 and a low temperature around 35. Sunday cools off again, with low temperatures dipping below 30. There’s plenty of holiday weekend action around the lake – so grab a jacket and have some fun! Remember, though, wherever you 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.
Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)
Billy’s Burger Bar & More in Ketchum
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
BOOM at The Regatta (at Sailboat Bridge)
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Casa Gutierrez in Gro
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanellas 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)
Cregan’s Confections & Ice Cream (Ketchum)
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drift at the Regatta (at Sailboat Bridge in Grove)
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill (Cleora)
Drunken Rooster – on the Water (Grove)
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
Gambino’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
Hero’s Deli in Grove
Hero’s Deli in Langley
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina
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
Poppin’ on Grand in Cleora
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor
R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Rise-N-Dine, Ketchum
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island
Roberts Bar & Restaurant in Langley
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
Scissortail Lounge at Scissortail Marina
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina
South 125 Bar & Grill on Monkey Island
Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove
Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort
Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
The Artichoke Restaurant in Langley
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
