November 24 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
I don’t share the enthusiasm for the Fall season, as you may know. I realize lots of people love the changing colors, but I get no joy out of watching everything die. Winter doesn’t technically arrive until December 21 – but it looks like it may arrive a little sooner than that. There aren’t many leaves left, and the forecast looks a little bleak in December.
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That said, Thanksgiving is one of my two favorite holidays of the year. Thanksgiving and New Year’s! No gifts. Nobody wanting to use my boat. No family thinking the lake is the perfect place to be for the holiday, so the lake isn’t crowded. They are the only two holidays devoted exclusively to eating, drinking, and football. I can’t think of any better indoor holidays! Christmas is on the horizon, too, of course – but I got some good advice from a buddy on how to save money on Christmas shopping: bring up politics at family Thanksgiving dinner!
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If you need some political topics, the selection has never been better. It started with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claiming high beef prices are because herds have been reduced by migrants bringing diseased cows with them as they sneak across the border. Social media has had a lot of fun with that bizarre claim. My favorite was images of “Cow-a-pults” built to catapult cattle over the border wall. Not to be outdone, Vice President J.D. Vance claimed the American Dream of home ownership is threatened because of higher prices brought on by the illegal immigrants flooding the country and buying up all the houses. I love that one. I’m sure lenders are anxious to make home loans to folks with no down payment, minimum wage jobs, and no social security numbers. You can’t make this stuff up. Will Rogers said it best: “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”
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Watching the Country Music Association Awards last week, I couldn’t help but reflect on the Oklahoma connections to country stars. Vince Gill was honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award; and less than a week after Ronnie Dunn was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Brooks & Dunn was awarded the Duo of the Year Award (for the 16th time!). They are the most-awarded duo in CMA history. Then, there’s Reba with two TV shows airing in addition to her role as a coach on “The Voice.” Blake Shelton is no longer on “The Voice,” but has his own TV show – “The Road.” Carrie Underwood is still kicking off Sunday Night Football, and Garth is doing just fine, as well; and Grand Lakers (and OU fans) will never forget the late Toby Keith, the most consistent hitmaker in country music for 30 years prior to his untimely death in 2024. Nashville, my ass! Oklahoma is the home to country music!
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Grand Lake Sailing Club hosted its final Peanut Regatta of the year Saturday. The only major boating event remaining this year is the Cherokee Yacht Club Christmas Lights Boat Parade December 13. After that, we hard-core boaters will have the lake to ourselves. Everyone else will be patiently awaiting January boat shows kicking off with the Oklahoma Boat Expo at Tulsa’s Arvest Convention Center January 9-11. The OKC Boat & RV Show is the following weekend (January 16-18); and The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show is February 2-8.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Linda Lippitt, J.B. Robison, Jr., Judy Keeton, Priscilla Wallace, Reid Smith, Amanda Thrift, Debi Holcomb White, Sherry Dinsmore, Ron Miller, Bob Livesay, Mike Ferguson, Terry Davis, Sandra Moore, Mike Vaughn, Jade Piper, Diane Moll, Larry Callison, Ben Gibbs, Dave Faulkner, Katrena Winter, McKayla Rutherford, Greg Knotts, Mike McCurdy, Christa Kelley, and Caleb Goldner.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thanksgiving Day, The Anchor is open at Shangri-La 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. for Thanksgiving Day Football! A Traditional Thanksgiving Day Dinner is open to the public in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La (11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). Free Thanksgiving dinner is offered to those with no other plans at Speedy’s in Grove (11:00-3:00) and R-Bar Dance Hall in Grove (12:00-4:00 p.m.) as well as the Zena Community Center (12:00 p.m.). Friday is the popular Black Friday Seafood Extravaganza at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (4:00-9:00 p.m.). Also on Friday, the Ozark Mountain Christmas display opens at Har-Ber Village. Saturday is the Native American Holiday Market at Grove’s Community Center in the Downtown Square (10:00-6:00).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: “Furlong,” today used mostly in horse racing, comes from the Old English “furh” (furrow) and “lang” (long) and originally referred to as the length of a furrow that could be plowed by a team of oxen without resting.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Prohibition agent Izzy Einstein bragged that he could find liquor in any city in under 30 minutes. In Chicago, it took him 21 minutes. In Atlanta, 17; and Pittsburgh, just 11. But New Orleans set the record: 35 seconds. Einstein asked his taxi driver where to get a drink, and the driver handed him one.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: I was today years old when I learned that “NEWPAPER” stands for “North, East, West, South, Past And Present Event Report.”
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I went to the grocery store to pick up Thanksgiving Dinner stuff. The cashier said my total was $203.44. I wanted a second opinion, so I went to the self-checkout and my new total was $33.40.
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WORD FUN OF THE WEEK: A friend asked me why we pronounce the G in “longevity” twice…and now I can’t stop thinking about it.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Surgery Parking Only. 5 Minute Limit.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: The TSA guy said my toothpaste was too big and took it. I said, “The world’s a safer place now.” He laughed and gave it back.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Scientists have successfully grown human vocal cords from stem cells in the lab. The results speak for themselves.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If dentists make their money off of people with bad teeth, why should I trust a toothpaste that 9 out of 10 dentists recommend?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: They say, “If you do what you love, the money will soon follow.” So, I took a nap, made some sarcastic comments, watched some football, had a couple of drinks, and ordered a pizza. Now, I wait…
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “In all seriousness, everyone who has ever played the game of golf, especially if they do it professionally, is always one bad swing away from considering retirement. They’re also one swing away from thinking they can win The Masters. We’re a wildly psychotic bunch.” – Max Homa
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Former President Joe Biden turned 83 last week. Emmy Award-winning actor Danny DeVito turned 81; and singer, songwriter, and guitarist extraordinaire Joe Walsh (The Eagles), celebrated his 78th birthday. Award-winning actress, producer, author, and activist Marlo Thomas turned 88; and the talented Goldie Hawn turned 80. Mickey Mouse turned 97 years old last week. Disney first release his image in 1928. The movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was first released 25 years ago.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Gavin Tucker performs live Friday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. There’s Music Bingo Wednesday & karaoke Friday at The Monkey Bar, both hosted by Sundown Entertainment; and William Tedford will entertain live Saturday. DJ K-Bandito will provide the entertainment Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.
In Grove, Ty Ellis & The Flatliners will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar. Bobby D entertains Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by The Chain Project Saturday. There’s musical Bingo every Wednesday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon; and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night.
On South Grand Lake, Megan Faulconer starts the holiday weekend music Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill followed by Clint and Frank Friday and Bobby DeGonia Saturday. Whiskey Poet Society will provide the music Friday night at Pickles Pub in Langley followed by Jake Marlin Saturday night.
Indigo Sky Casino features music by Liz Thursday night, continuing with Sound the Alarm Friday, and The BakBeatz Saturday. TJ Scarlett will provide the entertainment Sunday afternoon at 1:00. Bill & Monica’s Excellent Adventure starts the weekend music Friday at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar followed by The Sidemen Saturday. RocKFiscH will entertain at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar Saturday night and Bowling for Soup will entertain at Buffalo Run’s Peoria Showplace. Black Eyed Jack will provide the music in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The Monkey Bar will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving. South 125 Bar & Grill will open at 6:00 Thanksgiving evening (bar service only). The Anchor at Shangri-La will be open Thanksgiving Day (11:00 a.m.). 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. The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La features their annual family-friendly Black Friday Seafood Buffet November 28 from 5:00-9:00 p.m.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Beatles Anthology 2025 is available this week on Disney+. A PAW Patrol Christmas airs Friday night at 7:00 on CBS. Adam Sandler is the featured guest to kick off a new season of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman available Monday on NETLIX. Season 1 of The Pitt kicks off Monday night at 8:00 on TNT. Monday night at 7:00 on CBS; and The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular airs Monday night at 7:00 on ABC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Moana 2 joins Wicked and Gladiator II in theaters this week.
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, December 5 – Ice Rink opens on Grove’s Downtown Square. Friday, December 5 – Ron Lay “Light Up Downtown” Memorial Celebration on Grove’s Downtown Square. Friday, December 5 – First Friday Wine Share at Grove Fireplace & Stove (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, December 6-7 – Christi Leonard’s Dance Academy present “The Nutcracker” at Grove’s Performing Arts Center (shows at 2:30 & 7:00 Saturday and 2:30 Sunday). Saturday, December 6 – Sant & the Grinch will be at McDonalds’s in Grove for photos (8:30-10:00 a.m.). Saturday, December 6 – Langley-Disney Christmas Parade across the Pensacola Dam. Saturday, December 6 – Miami Christmas Parade (6:00 p.m.). 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, we’re down to the final regular season game for most schools. OSU hosts Iowa State Saturday morning at 11:00 and OU hosts LSU at 2:30. You don’t have to wait until Saturday for big games, though. Georgia is at Georgia Tech Friday at 2:30 and Texas A&M is at Texas at 6:30. Other big games Friday include Utah at Kansas, Iowa at Nebraska, and Indiana at Purdue. In addition to the OU and OSU games, Saturday’s lineup includes Ohio State at Michigan, Vanderbilt at Tennessee, Missouri at Arkansas, Alabama at Auburn, Colorado at Kansas State, UCLA at USC, and Cincinnati at TCU.
In the NFL, there are ten televised games this week including a big day on Thanksgiving Day – Green Bay at Detroit (12:00), Kansas City at Dallas (3:30), and Cincinnati at Baltimore (7:20). A single Friday NFL game sends Chicago to Philadelphia at 2:00. Sunday games include Arizona at Tampa Bay and San Francisco at Cleveland, both at noon, Buffalo at Pittsburgh at 3:30 and Denver at Washington at 7:20. Monday night Football features the N.Y. Giants at New England.
The OKC Thunder start the week at home hosting Minnesota Wednesday (6:30) and Phoenix Friday (8:30) before heading out west to face Portland Sunday (5:00) and Golden State late Tuesday (10:00 p.m.).
PGA Players are taking the weekend off as they enjoy the holiday and prepare for the Hero World Challenge next week.
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Slowly but surely, winter is trying to sneak in. We’ll have Thanksgiving weekend high temperatures around 50 degrees with lows dipping into the mid-30s. It’s okay. Just take your party attitude indoors. 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
