November 2 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum

Random Observations from the Grand Lake Bum

How are you enjoying Standard Time? I’m assuming everyone has successfully reset all their clocks to reflect the official change from “Sunshine and Happiness” to “Misery and Despair.” Happy November. You better get on the water and check out all the fall foliage before all the trees look like Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree!

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The advertising bonanza for Oklahoma media is over for another year. The Ethics Commission reports that candidates for public office in Oklahoma have spent a combined total of $167.3 million trying to get your vote.

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By the way, if you thought it was just too much trouble to vote, you just don’t have your priorities right. You know who DOES have their priorities right? Pope Leo. He voted via absentee ballot in Illinois. (Sorry about his White Sox.) He’s the first Pope in history to vote in a U.S. election.

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Just when we thought we had some relief from the insufferable political advertising on TV…it’s time for the insufferable Medicare ad campaigns!

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Now I’m really confused. President Trump just helped ousted Brazilian President Flavio Bolsonaro enter the U.S. without a passport while he’s actively fleeing a Supreme Court arrest warrant for corruption in Brazil. I thought the mission was to deport criminal foreigners, not harbor them in the U.S. at taxpayer expense. Where’s ICE?

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We have company at Grand Lake this week. The Oklahoma Marina Association Annual Conference and the Oklahoma Business Roundtable are both holding conferences at Shangri-La Resort this week. Be sure we all put our best foot forward. We do love it when the entire state congregates at Grand Lake!

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Fortunately, our visitors to Monkey Island this week won’t have to wait to get through single-lane traffic on the new causeway bridge. Workers have just about wrapped up that seemingly endless project. All they have left is a little striping work and finishing up the approaches – but the bridge is open – two nice, wide lanes! And they said it couldn’t happen!

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Grand Lake Bum Shout-Outs

OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Scott Brecheisen, Nancy Jackson, Thomas Padden, Hal Ellis, Alex Cowan, Steve Odle, Mary Lee, Tom Arnold, Cindi Lillard, Bud Hawkes, Candy Couch, Abby Thrift Moser, Shaleen Wheeler, Devon Chezem, Mitch Lindley, Holly Williams, Jot Hartley, Jacob Wallace, Kenny Neal, Greg Feldman, Maddy Cook, Christie Coleman Livingston, and Tyler Graham.

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Best Grand Lake Events this Week

First Friday Wine Share is at Banks & Company in Grove Friday (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Friday is “Oklahoma Historical Day” at Har-Ber Village – and is also the last day of the season. Grove Merchants Christmas Open House Weekend is both Friday & Saturday. Saturday is the Sleigh Bells Market at Wolf Creek Expo Center in Grove (9:00-5:00). Saturday is also the Zena Fall Fest – car show, chili cookoff, crafters & vendors – at the Zena Community Center (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). The Patricia Island Couples Championship Golf Tournament is Saturday & Sunday at Patricia Island Country Club (10:00 a.m. tee time).

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Randy Krehbiel’S Random Factoid of the Week

The “mare” in “nightmare” refers not to a female horse, but to a “mara,” a female demon of Old Norse legend who sat on the chests of sleeping people and tried to frighten the breath from them with terrifying dreams.

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Fun Fact of the Week

There are six women and four men in the new NASA astronaut class. It’s the first time in history that women have outnumbered men in a NASA astronaut class.

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Odd Fact of the Week

In Japan, it’s illegal to teach children about hell with threats of them going to hell, or to instill fear-based religious studies in others. It is labeled as psychological abuse in Japan.

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Best Facebook Post of the Week

I hate it when cashiers check to see if my money is real. If I could print money, I wouldn’t be at Dollar Tree, Karen!

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Word Fun this Week

A calumniator is a liar, but not just a liar. It is someone who lies with willfully malicious intent. They lie to cause trouble. The word is rarely seen or heard nowadays, but was rather freely leveled at each other by founders of the United States.

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Best Sign Seen this Week

Notice to Parents: We have received several complaints about children receiving sex-change operations during school hours. Please be advised that we can barely afford crayons.

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Best Bluesky Post of the Week

Saying billionaires create wealth is like saying ticks manufacture blood. No, they’re just exceptionally good at extracting it.

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Pun of the Week

Bread is like the sun. It rises in the yeast and sets in the waist.

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Unanswered Question of the Week

Can the 60,000 people being given the boot from Microsoft all get together and form a new company that builds a version of Windows and Office that doesn’t have AI, doesn’t use Sharepoint or OneDrive and doesn’t suck?

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Observation of the Week

Nobody warned me that, as an adult, one day you get a little tired and then stay that way for the rest of your life.

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Quote of the Week

“Have they forgotten that people who turn their backs on friends often lose what they cherish most for themselves?” – Ronald Reagan

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Feel-Old Moments of the Week

OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Grace Slick, the legendary lead singer of the iconic Jefferson Airplane, turned 87 over the past weekend. Actor, producer, director, and author Henry Winkler, forever remembered for his role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the smash hit TV series Happy Days, just turned 81. Queen released the ageless hit “Bohemian Rhapsody” 51 years ago this week.

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Best Weekend Live Entertainment

On Monkey Island, Kevin Price takes the stage at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night at 7:00. Dillon Leggett will entertain Friday night at South 125 Bar & Grill. The Monkey Bar features Karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Friday night; and there will be Line Dancing Fun with Pepper Vold Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.

In Grove, Lickitty Split will perform Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655. Magic J will entertain Friday night at Cherokee Casino followed by Mother Road Sons Saturday night. Outlaw’d Band will be live Friday night and Laid-Back Larry hosts the karaoke fun at Alpha Bar Saturday night.

On South Grand Lake, Clint & Frank start the weekend Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Jacob Dement & Friends take over for two nights of music Friday & Saturday, followed by a matinee performance by Dustin Chadwell Sunday (4:00 p.m.). Lil’ Red & The Sidepiece will entertain Saturday night at Juan Montez. The Honkey Tonk Band will perform Friday night at Scissortail Marina followed by Gabby Woolman Saturday night.

Brett & Terri start the weekend music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by K.C. & The Vibe Friday and Brent Giddens Saturday. Tri-State Troubadours will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night followed by the The Blue Underground Saturday night. Liverpool Legends – The Complete Beatles Experience will be featured Friday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace followed by multi-platinum recording artist Clay Walker Saturday night Larry Gatlin and The Nelons present “A Life Well Lived” at The Coleman Theater in Miami Saturday night; and Stonehorse is the featured entertainment Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.

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Dining & Drinking Update

The Fire Pit Restaurant at Wildwood Cove Resort is now located in Grove (the former Speedy’s Chophouse location) and they now serve alcohol. Bobber’s Café & Fresh Market is now open at a second location in Bernice (opens at 7:00 a.m.). Pour Chaos in Langley is only awaiting a final fire code inspection. They’ll be open very soon. Blind Swine Duck Creek at Harbors View Marina and The Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda are now closed for the season.

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Bum Must-See Tv

SEE TV: The Greatest, the Muhammad Ali biographical series, is available beginning Wednesday on Prime Video. The new comedy series Newlyweds airs Friday night at 7:30 following Happy’s Place on NBC. The Voice airs Monday night at 7:00 on NBC.

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Bum Must-See Movies

SEE MOVIES: Godzilla Minus Zero, Drummer Boy, Wild Horse Nine, Jimmy, Ramayana, and The Cat in the Hat all open in theaters this week.

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Save the Date

Saturday, November 14: DCCSAN “Winterset 2025: Retro Remix” fundraising dinner & auction at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, November 14-15 – Vintage Market at Wolf Creek Expo (9:00-4:00). Sunday, November 15 – Handel’s Messiah performance at First Baptist Church of Grove (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 21 – Santa Paws Pet Photos (pet photos with Santa) at Second Chance Thrift Shop in Grove (10:00-4:00). Saturday, November 21 – Pie Competition and Auction at the Monkey Bar benefiting the Jack Crittenden VFW Auxiliary in Bernice (1:00-5:00 p.m.). Thursday, November 26 – Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet at Doc’s at Shangri-La (12:00-5:00 p.m.). Thursday, November 26 – Silent Disco Party (headphones furnished) in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La. Friday, November 27 – Black Friday Seafood Buffet at The Summit at Shangri-La (5:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 28 – Native American Holiday Market at the Grove Community Center (10:00-6:00).

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In the sports world, college football has some good Friday night games that are televised this week – Virginia Tech at SMU, Nebraska at Illinois, and TCU at Arizona. OU and OSU are both on the road this week, the Cowboys at Kansas State and the Sooners at Florida. Other great college games Saturday include Alabama at LSU, Kentucky at Tennessee, Georgia at Ole Miss, BYU at Utah, UCF at Kansas, and Texas at Missouri.

The NFL has some good ones this week, too. The Ravens host the Jaguars Thursday night. Sunday games start early with Cincinnati taking on Atlanta from Madrid, Spain at 8:30 Sunday morning. Additional Sunday games include Dallas at Indianapolis (12:00), N.Y. Jets at Kansas City (12:00), Green Bay at New England (3:30), and Tampa Bay at Chicago (7:20). Monday Night Football features Buffalo at Minnesota (7:15).

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder have a busy schedule. After facing Cleveland Monday & Wednesday in a home-and-home series, they are on the road at Memphis Friday (7:00) before returning to OKC to host Washington Saturday (7:00). They’re headed west next week for back-to-back games in Portland Tuesday at 10:00 and Wednesday at 9:00.

PGA Golfers are still in Mexico – this week in Las Cabos for the World Wide Technology Championship. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 2:00 Thursday-Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are wrapping up the season at Homestead-Miami this week for Sunday afternoon action. Coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship begins Sunday at 2:00 p.m. on NBC.

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Fall weather continues to creep in on us. It’ll be nice this weekend, but a little cooler with high temperatures in the lower 60s and lows in the low 40s. There’s a lot happening around the lake this weekend, though, so get out and enjoy the weekend! And remember, 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.

Alpha Bar in Grove

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 Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

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

Eagle’s Nest at Patricia Island Country Club

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina

Fire Pit in Grove

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

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Legacy Eatery in Grove

Los Garcia’s 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

Our House BBQ 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

Poppin’ on Grand in Grove

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor

Raggedy’s in Grove

Rancho Viejo in Grove

Red’s BBQ in Ketchum

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

Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort

Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

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