October 19 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum

Random Observations from the Grand Lake Bum

If you weren’t at South 125 Bar & Grill on Monkey Island last Saturday, you missed a chance to see Grand Lakers at their very best! Businesses donated tens of thousands of dollars in great auction items – and bidders showed up to take their pick. Add a chili cookoff, bloody mary & margarita competition, and some great music – and you end up with what Grand Lakers do best – party all day and all night for important community causes. Congratulations to Kira McDonald & Kari Filson who won the chili cookoff competition; and a HUGE congratulations to the Heart of Monkey Island organization that put it all together. The event raised an astonishing $39,076. Proceeds go to buy Christmas presents for Grand Lake area kids who otherwise might go without. Grand Lake is the state’s very best community – period!

---

Despite a respite this week, last weekend’s nippy weather reminded us that Fall is indeed hanging in the wings. It’s the season of bonfires, wiener roasts, s’mores, and smoky clothes that require a lot more time in the laundry. Oh, yes…foliage changes. It’s a great time of year to wander around outside and watch everything die.

---

Have you noticed how many businesses are dropping their traditional branding to save a little money by using artificial intelligence to design their ads? It’s easy to spot them – but you may not be able to tell one business from another. The ads look great, but they’re easy to spot. They all look alike! Before long, social media ads will look like there’s only one gigantic business in the country with some little bot in Indonesia doing all the ads.

---

October 9 was the designated “last day to register to vote in the General Election.” Can you guess what happened to people trying to meet that deadline? Yep. The Oklahoma Voter Portal went down with “technical difficulties.” Weird, huh? It’s even weirder that the same thing happened in Texas last month. And in Kansas in May. And in Tennessee and Idaho. And in Virginia back in 2020. And in Florida in 2016. I can’t imagine why voters start to believe conspiracy theories.

---

We have a new record in the White House Communications department. The previous record holder was Anthony Scaramucci who lasted 10 days as Communications Director. Katie Zacharia is the new record holder. As White House Press Secretary, she lasted…. 5 days.

---

I guess we’ll have to find something on Netflix to watch December 3. After pushback from Republicans, Democrats, and public figures including Pope Leo, President Trump has canceled Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plan to livestream the scheduled firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan. The military firing squad will still line up to shoot a paraplegic in a wheelchair, but we won’t be able to watch it on TV.

---

Inflation is even worse than I thought. I saw a television commercial selling $1 Trump coins. They were very proud of selling the $1 coins for only $9.95. I have decided to help my readers fight inflation with a special limited-time better offer. Instead of paying $9.95, send me only $5.00 – and, instead of a Trump $1 coin, I will immediately send you a genuine George Washington $1 bill!

---

I’m sure the Fox network is irritated at the Milwaukee Brewers for eliminating the L.A. Dodgers from the World Series. Networks are happiest when their ratings are boosted by competing teams from New York and Los Angeles. The fact that all the World Series games will be in Milwaukee, Cleveland, or Tampa Bay has to be a crushing blow to the network’s hopes for big ratings!

---

The WNBA may be reluctant to admit the impact of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, but the league is the only entity ignoring her clout. Forbes Magazine just named her “The Most Powerful Female Athlete in the World.”

---

Grand Lake Bum Shout-Outs

OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Mark Kidd, Mark Muse, Aileen Oldaker, Amy Tate, Matt Hensley, Kelly Hudelson, Dana Gonce, Justin Ruzicka, Victoria Perry, Vince Freeman, Garry Toomey, Caryl Blanchat, Richard Bell, Kenny King, Roger Pelcher, Julie Wolfe, Randy Smith, Patty Macaluso, Paul Staten, and Gara Pelcher.

---

Best Grand Lake Events this Week

Friday night is “Good Boy Night” on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La - bring your dog to dinner – free Pup Cup with every entrée purchase (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday is Oktoberfest at Grand Towne Center north of Langley (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) and the Fall Harvest Festival at McCorkle Family Farms (10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Saturday is OU Game Day at The Anchor at Shangri-La, sponsored by Rock-n-Roll Tequila, By All Means Beer, and Good Boy. The “Twilight BOOtanical Trail” walk (kids 12 and under) at Lendonwood Gardens in Grove is both Saturday and Sunday (3:30-6:30 p.m.). Sunday is also the Grove Baseball fundraising 4-Man Scramble golf tournament at Patricia Island Country Club (1:30 shotgun).

---

Randy Krehbiel’S Random Factoid of the Week

Spokane, Washington, 20 miles from the Idaho border, is further west than San Diego.

---

Fun Fact of the Week

Taylor Swift has joined The Beatles as the only acts in history with 100 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums list.

---

Odd Fact of the Week

Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s citizenship has come under fire as “questionable” lately. In reality, she has been a U.S. Citizen longer than Melania Trump and Elon Musk.

---

Best Facebook Post of the Week

A moment of silence, please, for all the men who lost their “girlfriends” in the Ukiranian attack on the Russian Bot Data Center.

---

Word Fun this Week

The word “facetious” is one of the few words that contains all five vowels in exact alphabetical order. (“Abstemious” also does, but we would have to look up what that means.)

---

Best Sign Seen this Week

Entrance Only! Do Not Enter!

---

Best Bluesky Post of the Week

If you had a dollar for every trans woman competing in college sports, you still wouldn’t be able to afford a gallon of diesel.

---

Pun of the Week

Tums is missing out on selling pumpkin spice flavored antacid and calling it AuTums.

---

Unanswered Question of the Week

If it’s true that we are here to help others, what exactly are the others here for?

---

Observation of the Week

One day you’re driving around with loud music…then you’re turning it down so you can see better.

---

Quote of the Week

“Two million Americans lost about $4.3 billion on the Trump meme coin. Trump and a couple of insiders made almost $2 billion. It’s like buying a pet rock.” – Steve Rattner

---

Feel-Old Moments of the Week

OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The amazing singer, songwriter & guitarist Paul Simon (Simon & Garfunkel) turned 85 last week. Former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clington turns 79 this week. Legendary folk singer Joni Mitchell (“Both Sides Now”) first came to the United States from Canada 64 years ago. Last week, she officially became a U.S. Citizen – at age 82 - because she wants to vote in this year’s midterm elections. Do you still watch “I Love Lucy” reruns? The popular TV series made its debut 75 years ago this week. The final regular episode aired May 6, 1957.

---

Best Weekend Live Entertainment

On Monkey Island, there’s Karaoke with Sundown Entertainment both Wednesday night and Friday night at The Monkey Bar. Colin Babb takes the stage at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night at 7:00. TJ Wicks & the Top Hands entertain Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.

On South Grand Lake, Steve Jones kicks off the week’s entertainment Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by The Emily Hollingshed Duo Friday. Lil’ Red & The Sidepiece take the stage Saturday night followed by a special Sunday matinee performance by Don White (4:00 p.m.). Jimmy Lee & COBE will be on stage Friday night at Scissortail Marina. Jimmy Lee & COBE will also entertain Saturday morning beginning at 11:00 at Octoberfest at Grand Towne Center in Langley; and Magen Faulconer will be on stage Saturday night at Juan Montez.

In Grove, Ty Bottorff hosts karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino. Licketty Split takes the stage Friday night followed by Blue Underground Saturday. Dillon Leggett will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino followed by Magic J Saturday night; and Laid-Back Larry hosts the karaoke fun at Alpha Bar Saturday night.

Wilkie Jay starts the weekend music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Bad Decisions Friday and Sound the Alarm Saturday. Crash Funk will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night followed by Encore Saturday night. Lone Jett & The Broken Hearts revive punk rock Friday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Miami Beach Outdoor Venue with opening act Blondage, the Midwest’s premier Blondie tribute band. Finn Again is the featured entertainment Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.

---

Dining & Drinking Update

Wednesday night (Oct 21) The Shebang will host its first “Guest Chef” event of the year with guest chefs Kelly Luttrell and Jack Kern (6:30 p.m.). Bobber’s Café & Fresh Market is now open in Bernice (opens at 7:00 a.m.). The Fire Pit Restaurant at Wildwood Cove Resort is now located in Grove (the former Speedy’s Chophouse location) – but they are not yet licensed to serve alcohol. Forge Scratch Kitchen at Rose Rock on Monkey Island now DOES have their liquor license (open 5:00-8:00 Friday & Saturday evenings). Beau’s Delicatessen in Langley has new fall hours – open Monday & Tuesday at 10:00, Friday at 9:00, Saturday & Sunday at 8:00 – closed Wednesday & Thursday. Scissortail Marina Bar & Grill is now operating on Fall/Winter schedule – Open Friday-Sunday. Whitecap at The Landings has reduced hours – open at 4:00 Thursday & Friday, 9:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. Blind Swine Duck Creek is now only open three days a week - Friday 4-10, Saturday 11-10, Sunday 11-8. Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda is now open Friday & Saturday 11-8 and Sunday 11-7.

---

Bum Must-See Tv

SEE TV: Season 3 of Nobody Wants This returns Thursday night on Netflix. Happy’s Place returns to NBC for another season Friday night at 7:00 followed by a new series, Newlyweds, at 7:30. Another new series, Minimum Wage, debuts next Monday on Netflix.

---

Bum Must-See Movies

SEE MOVIES: Wildwood, Ali G: Who Iz I?, Wicker, A Talent for Murder, Clayface, Klara and the Sun, and You Can See Everything all open in theaters this week.

---

Save the Date

Thursday, October 29 – Trunk or Treat at Rose Rock on Monkey Island (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday, October 30 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Open House (10:00-2:00). Friday, October 30 – Trunk or Treat in the north parking lot of Integris Grove Hospital (4:30-6:00 p.m.). Friday, October 30 – Trunk or Treat Halloween Party at Tera Miranda Resort (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday, October 30 – Halloween Costume Pickleball Party at The Anchor Racquet Club (7:00 p.m.). Friday-Saturday, October 30-31 – Evening walk through Haunted Village at Har-Ber Village (5:30-8:30 p.m.). Saturday, October 31 – Pickleball Tournament for men, women, and mixed doubles at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (10:00 a.m.). Saturday, October 31 – Fall Fest Trick or Treat & Carnival games at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort (10 a.m.-noon). Saturday, October 31 – Trunk or Treat at Woodshed in Langley (3:00-6:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 31 – Trunk or Treat at Grand Towne Center in Langley (5:00-7:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 31 – Trick or Treat at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-8:00) followed by a Costume Party at The Anchor (9:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 31 – Trunk or Treat and Car Show at Rib Crib in Grove (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 31 – Wolf Creek Harvest Fest with Trunk O’ Treat & Games at Wolf Creek Park in Grove (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday, November 6 – First Friday Wine Share at Banks & Company in Grove (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Friday-Saturday, November 6-7 – Grove Merchants Christmas Open House Weekend. Saturday, November 7 – Sleigh Bells Market at Wolf Creek Expo Center in Grove (9:00-5:00). Saturday, November 7 – Zena Fall Fest – car show, chili cookoff, crafters & vendors – at the Zena Community Center (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, November 7-8 – Patricia Island Couples Championship Tournament at Patricia Island Country Club (10:00 a.m.).

---

In the sports world, college football starts Friday in Oklahoma with Tulsa hosting Army Friday night (7:30). Saturday is homecoming for OSU as the Cowboys host Colorado. OU is on the road at Mississippi State. Other great Saturday games include Indiana at Michigan, Baylor at Kansas, Kansas State at Arizona State, West Virginia at TCU, Ole Miss at Texas, and USC at Wisconsin.

The NFL has some good ones this week, too. The Bears host the Patriots Thursday night. Sunday games include an early telecast of the Steelers & Saints playing in France (8:30 a.m.), San Francisco at Atlanta (12:00), Indianapolis at Minnesota (12:00), Green Bay at Detroit (3:30), and Kansas City at Seattle (7:20). Monday Night Football features Washington at San Francisco.

We’re in the final days of Major League Baseball. The World series kicks off Friday. Who had a bingo card with the L.A. Dodgers being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers?

In the WNBA, we’re down to the final two – Atlanta and Golden State. The WNBA Championship series continues this week with games Monday & Wednesday at 7:00, Saturday at noon, Monday at 7:00, and, if necessary, next Thursday & Saturday.

The NBA regular season is officially underway. After starting the season on the road in San Antonio Tuesday, the OKC Thunder is at home for three games, but the schedule isn’t any easier – Denver Thursday (8:30), the L.A. Clippers Sunday (6:00) and Phoenix Monday (7:00). Then, it’s on to Dallas to face the Mavericks next Wednesday (8:30).

NASCAR drivers are at Talladega this week for Sunday afternoon action. Coverage of the YellaWood 500 begins at 1:00 p.m. on NBC.

PGA golfers are in Bermuda this week for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at noon Thursday-Sunday.

---

We had a chilly taste of Fall over the past weekend, but we’ll be back to more lake friendly temperatures this week. We’ll have sunshine for the most part with high temperatures in the low 80s. Lows this weekend will be more like last weekend’s high temperatures – upper 50s. There’s a lot happening around the lake this weekend, so get out and enjoy the great weather! And remember, wherever you party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!

GRAND LAKE BUM

If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both Grand Lake Living and www.360grandlake.com , the cost is only$50 a week and the list of readers continues to grow. E-mail grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker newspaper.

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