December 8 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
We’re getting really serious about Christmas celebrations at Grand Lake this week – dessert auctions, shopping markets, lighting displays, and lots of parades – Fairland, Jay, Grove, and both the CYC Lighted Boat Parade and the Grand Lake Sailing Club Boat Parade, topped off with singing, drinking, and eating at Shangri-La’s resort hotel Sunday afternoon. You would think Christmas was THIS weekend!
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I can’t believe I’m old enough to remember when Terry Frost first implemented the idea of a Cherokee Yacht Club Christmas boat parade on Grand Lake. I also can’t believe my memory is good enough to realize this is the 36th year for the event. One thing is certain about Grand Lake – if you start an event that’s a great idea, it quickly becomes a tradition!
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Christmas isn’t the only thing in the news, of course. College football takes the spotlight – especially in Oklahoma where OU will host a CFP game in a rematch with Alabama. There’s more, though. This is also the time of year when football coaches start playing musical chairs. Lots of things are strange, but the coaching circle in college sports gets weirder every day. Lane Kiffin announced he was leaving Ole Miss to take the top job at LSU – but he wanted to hang around and coach the Ole Miss team in the playoffs. That’s like the CEO of Ford announcing a departure to take over as CEO at General Motors, “but I’d like to stick around to handle our final gigantic sales promotion of the year at Ford before I try to run them out of business.” You can’t expect to continue to run an operation after announcing you are leaving to head up one of their biggest competitors.
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Just in case you’re feeling bad about your money management skills as we approach a new year, let me remind you of the investment acumen of Ron Wayne. Back in 1976, he worked with a couple of buddies to start a new company. Worried about the potential financial risks and personal liability, he decided to sell his 10% stake in the new company. Long story short, his two buddies were Steve Woznisk and Steve Jobs. The company was Apple. Ron sold his 10% stake in the company for $800. If he still owned that 10% today, it would be worth $320 billion. I have those same investment skills.
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My proud moment of the year: I didn’t buy anything online on Cyber Monday (or any other day this year). Shop local! (To be fair, I don’t think I bought anything at all this year anywhere but Dollar General.)
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Karen Strimple, Candace Kahle, Allison Timberlake, Kim Hudelson, Barbara Callison, Dwain Richardson, Doug Smith, Charlotte Oglesby, Konrad Faust, Debbie McCurdy, Spencer Dyer, George Blair, Larry Duke, Jessica DeRose, Dustin Matthews, Melissa Hash, Amy Redus, Steven Dyer, Renee Hartley, Spencer Sutherland, Holly Roach, Shirley Brown, Meredith DiPasquale, Nevyle Cable, Keith Reneau, Jill Swisher, Brad Milanowski, Amber Benson, Jade Piper, Mark Schmitz, Christie Landry, and Kay Dillingham.
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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 Pine Lodge Resort in Ketchum. The drive-through holiday adventure at America’s Outdoor Adventure Park in Jay begins Saturday night; and Shangri-La’s resort hotel and Anchor have awesome light displays, as well. Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village is open Friday night at Har-Ber Village (also open December 19 & 20). The Ice Skating Rink is open Friday-Sunday at Grove’s Downtown Square including Snow Globe Photo Ops, a Snowball Range, and a 40-foot snow mountain Friday & Saturday. Saturday is the annual Christmas Breakfast & Dessert Auction benefiting Second Chance Pet Rescue at First Christian Church in Grove (9:00 a.m.-Noon) and the Grand Lake Merry Market at the Community Center in Grove’s Downtown Square (1:00 p.m.). Saturday is also a huge parade day in the area - Fairland Christmas Parade (12:00 p.m.), Jay Christmas Parade (2:00 p.m.), Grove Christmas Parade (6:00 p.m.), and two different boat parades at opposite ends of the lake - the Cherokee Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade in Duck Creek (6:00 p.m.) and Grand Lake Sailing Club’s Lighted Sailboat Parade in Honey Creek (6:00 p.m.). Sunday afternoon is “A Grand Lake Holiday Celebration” sing-a-long and musical performance at Shangri-La Resort Hotel lobby (2:00-5:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: “Fumble” is believe to have come from Old Norse for, well, “to drop clumsily.” It had entered American football lexicon by no later than 1889.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Mariah Carey earns between $2.7 million and $3.3 million annually from her hit holiday song, “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Last week, President Trump claimed 300 million Americans died from drugs last year. Since the entire population of the United States is only 342 million, I think we would have noticed.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: When a wealthy husband passed away, he left $30,000 for an “elaborate funeral.” After the service, a friend asked where all the money went. The widow explained: “$6,500 for the funeral, $500 to the church, $500 for the wake…and the rest went toward the memorial stone.” Her friend gasped, “The memorial stone cost $22,500? My goodness, how big is the stone?” The widow smiled and said, “four-and-a-half carats.”
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WORD FUN OF THE WEEK: Wholesome? What an odd word. Whole? Or Some? Which is it?
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Be nice to your bartender. We know your wife…and your girlfriend.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: I’ve opened up three birthday cards and I’m already up $150. I love being a mailman.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: I met some chess enthusiasts in the Shangri-La hotel lobby. They all just kept bragging about how good they are at the game. There’s nothing worse than chess nuts boasting in an open foyer.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How do I get a hurricane named after me? I’ve been a disaster my whole life. I feel like I meet the requirements.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Reminding others that, “It’s not how many times you fall, it’s how many times you get back up,” sadly doesn’t work during a sobriety test.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.” – Mark Twain
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary actor and entertainer Dick Van Dyke turns 100 years old this week! Iconic PGA Champion Lee Trevino turned 86 last week; and Bob Stoops was hired as the head football coach at the University of Oklahoma 27 years ago.
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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. Harpist Lorelei Barton entertains at The Summit at Shangri-La Friday and Saturday nights. There’s music Bingo Wednesday and Karaoke Friday at The Monkey Bar, both hosted by Sundown Entertainment. Magen Faulconer will perform live at The Monkey Bar Saturday night, followed by a Sunday Jam session with Becky Sparkman. DJ K-Bandito will provide the entertainment Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Sunday afternoon, the Show Stoppers from Grove High School and the Ketchum High School Show Choir will both entertain at Shangri-La Resort Hotel’s Grand Lake Holiday Celebration (2:00-5:00 p.m.).
On South Grand Lake, Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will be on stage Friday night at Juan Montez Restaurant. Barrett Lewis will perform Friday night at Pickles on the Lake in Langley followed by Lil’ Red & Sidepiece Saturday. The Bison Duo will be on stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by the Jesse Dean Duo Saturday night. Next Wednesday, December 17, Magen Faulconer will entertain at Mooney’s for their big Gift Wrapping Pajama Party.
In Grove, Jesse Joice will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar and D’ Elegantz will take the stage Saturday night. There’s musical Bingo every Wednesday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon; and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night.
The Brothers Moore will start the weekend Thursday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar followed by Red Letters Friday night and Mixtape 918 Saturday. Jon Dooly entertains Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Damsel Friday night at MoArk Mojo Saturday. DJ Mike with the Lights hosts the music Friday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar followed by Bobby DeGonia Saturday night. The Blue Underground will provide the music in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Poppin’ on Grand, formerly located in Cleora, has now reopened in Grove at 313 W. Third. Drake’s Restaurant in Grove has new winter hours – now closing at 2:00 p.m. on Fridays. One-Eyed Monkey at Littlefield Corner is now open Tuesday-Sunday from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The new restaurant “Eagle’s Nest” is now open at Patricia Island Country Club (open to the public).
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas Tuesday night at 7:00 on ABC. The 2025 Year in Review airs Thursday night at 8:00 on NBC. The documentary film Starring Dick Van Dyke, honoring the career of the 100-year-old legend airs Friday at 8:00 on PBS.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (25th Anniversary), Ella McCay, and Silent Night, Deadly Night open in theaters Friday, and Sense and Sensibility debuts in theaters Sunday. Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour – Final Show and Taylor Swift: The End of an Era are both available Friday on Disney+.
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SAVE THE DATE: 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. Wednesday, December 31 – The big New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dance at The Summit Restaurant features D.J. Brock and live music by the Travis Kidd Trio. Thursday, December 31 – Big Shots Rhythm & Booze hosts a New Year’s Eve Sparkle Party. Friday-Sunday, January 9-11 – Oklahoma Boat Expo Boat & RV Show at Tulsa’s Arvest Convention Center.
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In the college football world, there’s not much happening this week as we await the bowl games and CFP kickoffs – especially the big Round 1 CFP home game for the Sooners as OU hosts a rematch with Alabama. The only game this week is Army at Navy at 2:00 Saturday.
It is, however, a HUGE week in the basketball world. The NBA Cup competition is down to the final eight teams. The OKC Thunder host the Phoenix Suns Wednesday night at 6:30 in a knockout quarterfinal game. The other teams in the Western Conference are San Antonio and the L.A. Lakers. Teams remaining in the East are the Heat & Magic and Knicks & Raptors. Winners of the quarterfinal games will meet in the semifinals Saturday at 4:30 (East) and 8:00 (West). The NBA Cup Championship game is scheduled for next Tuesday.
Things are equally fun in the college basketball arena. Bedlam Basketball is back. The OU guys host OSU Saturday at noon, but the better match-up may be the ladies, who play in Stillwater Saturday at 3:00.
In the NFL, Tampa Bay hosts Atlanta Thursday night. Sunday games include Las Vegas at Philadelphia and the L.A. Chargers at Kansas City, both at noon. There are two televised 3:30 games Sunday – Detroit at the L.A. Rams and Indiana at Seattle. The Cowboys host the Vikings Sunday night; and Monday Night Football features Miami at Pittsburgh.
PGA players are in Naples, Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational in a three-day tournament. Coverage starts at noon Friday and 1:00 Sunday on the Golf Channel. NBC picks up the final two rounds of coverage at 2:00 Saturday and 1:00 Sunday.
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We’re looking ahead to a huge weekend of outdoor holiday festivities, and the weather will be…well, not too bad. Daytime parades will have the best weather with partly cloudy skies and high temps around 50. For the nighttime events – including both boat parades Saturday night, low temperatures will be in the mid-30s. There’s plenty of holiday weekend action around the lake – so bundle up and join the 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
