October 20 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
Another awesome Grand Lake weekend is in the books – and another one is just ahead. It was a little shocking to wake up Sunday morning with temperatures twenty degrees less than those the morning before. Even the geese had their heads tucked under their wings – but I guess that’s where we are. I realize a lot of people like this time of year. Not me, though. Do you realize that, in a couple of weeks, sunsets will happen in the 5 o’clock hour? I hate winter so much, it’s made me hate fall and spring just because they touch it.
*****
Cooler weather just means you may want a light jacket this weekend for another weekend of music, drinking, eating, and camaraderie to raise money for a great cause. Monkey Islanders are at it this weekend with a big Oktoberfest Party at South 125 Bar & Grill on the Island Saturday from 11:00-3:00. It’s more than just another party, though. This one raises money to provide Christmas gifts for all the Grand Lake area kiddos who otherwise would have nothing. I’ll see you at the party! And leave a little extra donation, if you can.
*****
Lots of Okies turned out for the “No Kings Rally” demonstrations over the past weekend. I just want to make sure I understand correctly. When citizens hosted the Boston Tea Party in 1773 to make it clear they didn’t want to be subjected to policies dictated by a king, they were heroes and the founders of America’s new and improved way of life. But when people held rallies Saturday to share the exact same message, they were “un-American?” I’m confused.
*****
I also realize we all have memory lapses. I do, for sure; but I try to double-check myself before posting anything on social media. It would be a little less embarrassing for President Trump if he would do the same. He posted one accusation of Joe Biden using the Presidency to rig the 2020 census, and another accusing Biden of using the Presidency to infiltrate the January 6 attack on the capitol with 274 FBI agents. The only problem is…the President during both those events was…Trump. Oops.
*****
In the meantime, while you’re watching the prices increase on almost everything you purchase, the automobile industry reached a new milestone this month. For the first time in history, the average cost of a new car topped $50,000.
*****
SPECIAL NOTE to residents and tourists traveling to and from Monkey Island. Construction on the Monkey Island Causeway means the bridge is now down to one-late traffic for a while. ODOT hopes to have it back to two-lane operation before Thanksgiving. The price of progress.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Matt Hensley, Kelly Hudelson, Justin Ruzicka, Victoria Perry, Shawn Russell, Vince Freeman, Garry Toomey, Caryl Blanchat, Kenny King, Richard Bell, Roger Pelcher, Gara Pelcher, Cy Elmburg, Julie Wolfe, Patty Macaluso, Paul Staten, Bryan Gudka, Bruce Brookby, Jeff Pelcher, Kaye Slepka, and Kathy Barnes.
*****
BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Tuesday afternoon is a great Lake O’ The Cherokees Watershed Association Annual Stakeholders meeting at NE Tech Biz Center in Grove (4:00 for the rain barrel giveaway and 5:00 for the presentations). Tuesday evening is the Grand Lake Newcomers Club Halloween Party at the Community Center on Grove’s Downtown Square (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday is a live performance of Persnickety, The Sequel at Har-Ber Village in Grove (7:00 p.m.). Saturday is Fall Volunteer Work Day at Lendonwood Gardens (8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) and the big Heart of Monkey Island Oktoberfest & Fundraising festival at South 125 Bar & Grill (11:00-3:00), as well as the Elk River Baptist Church County Fair (12:00-3:30 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday is the awesome Santa’s Farm Fair & Crafts Festival at McCorkle Family Farm. Next Monday, the Grove Chamber hosts both a Job Fair and Career Fair at the Community Center on the Downtown Square in Grove (9:00-1:00); and next Tuesday is a YMCA Fundraising Luncheon at Church on the Hill with guest speaker Lori Fullbright (12:00 p.m.).
*****
RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Barnes & Noble? Yes, William Barnes and G. Clifford Noble were actual booksellers who opened their first store on New York’s Fifth Avenue in 1932.
*****
FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Chrysler once offered Bruce Springsteen $12 million to use “Born in the U.S.A. in a commercial, and he turned it down. To this day, he refuses to let any of his songs be used to advertise consumer products.
*****
ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The first McDonald’s drive-through opened in 1975 in Sierra Vista, Arizona, near Fort Huachuca – designed specifically to serve military members who were not permitted to leave their vehicles while wearing combat uniforms. What began as a simple solution for soldiers soon became a global fast-food revolution.
*****
BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: It’s no longer referred to as just “box wine.” The classy term is “Cardboardeaux.”
*****
WORD FUN OF THE WEEK: I call my toilet “Jim” instead of “John.” That way, everyone is impressed when I tell them I go to the Jim every morning.
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (Seen at a Hotel): Enjoy Fall from a Private Balcony
*****
BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: Last year I joined a support group for antisocial people. We haven’t met yet.
*****
PUN OF THE WEEK: I spent $500 on a limo and just found out the fee doesn’t include a driver. I spent all that money and have nothing to chauffeur it.
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: During the shutdown of the federal government, the U.S. House of Representatives is also closed…so why were they the only closed government entity who are still being paid?
*****
OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I learned that, if you run olive oil and epsom salts on any painful areas of your body, they will immediately feel greasier and saltier.
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “English is not my first language. But it’s ok. It’s not America’s first language, either.” – Bad Bunny
*****
FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: One of rock n’ roll’s most legendary guitarists died last week. Ace Frehley, the wild Spaceman of Kiss, was 74. Rapper, singer, producer, and “The Voice” coach Snoop Dogg turns 53 this week.
*****
BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Sundown Entertainment hosts Thursday night karaoke on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.) and Rockwell performs live Friday night at Doc’s. There’s Karaoke Wednesday and Friday at The Monkey Bar, hosted by Sundown Entertainment. Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will entertain at South 125 Bar & Grill Friday night. Erin Fitgibbon will entertain at the Monkey Island Oktoberfest Party at South 125 Saturday (11:00-3:00); and DJ K-Bandito will provide the entertainment Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.
In Grove, Morgan Squared will provide the music Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 and The Blue Underground will take over Saturday night. 90LB Wrench will be on stage Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar followed by Encore 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 at R-Bar.
On South Grand Lake, Megan Faulconer starts the music Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. The James Muns Trio takes the stage Friday night, followed by Randy Crouch Saturday. Jacob Dement will entertain Sunday afternoon at 4:00; and Clint and Frank will be on stage next Wednesday night. Lil’ Red & Sidepiece will entertain Saturday night at Pickles north of Langley.
Indigo Sky Casino features three nights and a Sunday midday performance of live music this week beginning with Chris Hyde Thursday night, and continuing with Brent Giddens Friday, The New Waves Saturday and an 11:00 a.m. performance Sunday by Wilkie Jay. The Bison will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at Buffalo Run’s Backwoods Bar. Left of Center starts the music Thursday at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar followed by Nathan Bryce & Loaded Dice Friday and Bobby DeGonia Saturday. Jeff Tatum & Palomino Moon will provide the music in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Saturday night
*****
DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Mocha Madness & Frickster’s BBQ will soon be opening at the former Grand Getaway Mercantile location in Grove. Poppin’ on Grand has closed their shop in Cleora and will reopen soon at 313 W. 3rd in Grove. The Rooster restaurant chain is expanding with plans to add a new bar & restaurant in Mid-America Industrial Park in Pryor. The Shebang is now offering an Omelette Bar Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. South 125 is also now open for brunch at 10:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: Matlock airs Thursday night at 8:00 followed by Elsbeth at 9:00, both on CBS. Boston Blue airs Friday night at 9:00, also on CBS. Composer/singer/TV star Michael Buble will be the featured guest on Sunday Today with Willie Geist Sunday morning at 7:00 on NBC.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, Regretting You, Last Days, and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You all open in theaters this week.
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, October 30 – Grove Chamber Business After Hours & Halloween Party at Tri-State Insurance (5:00-6:30 p.m.). Friday, October 31 – Open House at the Grove Chamber of Commerce office (10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Friday, October 31 – Halloween Extravaganza at the Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda (4:00-7:00 p.m.). Friday, October 31 – Halloween Party, costume contest & trunk or treat at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Friday, October 31 – Halloween Party at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Saturday, November 1 – Crawloween Spooky Fun Festival & Trick or Treating on Disney Main Street (4:00-7:00 p.m.). Thursday, November 6 – Shop Grand Lake Launch Party at Eagles Nest at Patricia Island Country Club (4:00-6:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 8 – DCCSAN Winterset at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 15 – Annual Boutique Shop Hop – Grand Panache, Den of Uniquity, The Mercantile, Sassy & Classy Boutie-Q, and Bootylicious (10:00-3:00).Thursday, November 27 – The Anchor is open at Shangri-La 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. for Thanksgiving Day Football! Thursday, November 27 – Traditional Thanksgiving Day Dinner in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La (11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.). Friday, November 28 – Ozark Mountain Christmas display opens at Har-Ber Village. 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. Saturday, December 13 – Grove Christmas Parade (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 13 – Cherokee Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade (5:30 p.m.).
*****
In the college football world, OU hosts Ole Miss Saturday morning at 11:00, Tulsa hosts Temple at 2:30, and OSU travels to Texas Tech for a 3:00 p.m. kickoff. Other big games Saturday include Kansas State at Kansas, Auburn at Arkansas, Texas A&M at LSU, Tennessee at Kentucky, UCLA at Indiana, Texas at Mississippi State, Missouri at Vanderbilt, and Alabama at South Carolina.
We’re down to the serious part of the Major League Baseball season. Believe it or not, it’s time for the World Series. Game 1 is Friday.
The NFL kicks off Thursday night with The L.A. Chargers hosting Minnesota. Sunday football spotlights Chicago at Baltimore and the N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia, both at noon. Dallas is at Denver for the 3:30 game, and the Steelers host the Packers Sunday night. Monday Night Football features the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Washington Commanders.
The NBA regular season is underway, too. After hosting Houston for the season’s first game Tuesday, the OKC Thunder hit the road. They’re at Indiana Thursday night, Atlanta Saturday, and Dallas Monday before finally returning home to host Sacramento next Tuesday.
The PGA players are back on the course this week at Black Desert Resort in Utah. Coverage of the Bank of Utah Championship is exclusively on The Golf Channel at 4:00 Thursday & Friday and 3:30 Saturday & Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are racing early Sunday at Martinsville, Virginia. Coverage of the Xfinity 500 is on NBC beginning at 1:00 Sunday afternoon.
*****
Grand Lake weather will be very fall-like this weekend. We may have a few showers Friday night & Saturday morning, and high temperatures will only get to mid-60s with lows in the mid-50s. We may get up to 70 degrees Sunday. There’s plenty happening, though, so get out there and enjoy all the fun Grand Lake has to offer but 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.
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)
Cove Club in Langley
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
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
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
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
