Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum November 11
Once again, those who chose to ignore the doom & gloom forecasts from the TV meteorologists looked very smart over the past weekend. It rained Friday night, but we don’t care about Friday night rain because we’re all inside at bars and restaurants getting geared up for the weekend; but we didn’t have the day-long rain that was forecast for Saturday & Sunday. We had bright sunny skies, light winds, and comfortable temperatures. Golf courses were full. Fall boaters were out enjoying the foliage. There was even a sailboat race (if that’s not too much of an oxymoron). I’ve said a million times, “It’s not the weather that kills Grand Lake tourism – it’s the weather forecast.” Thankfully, Grand Lakers have apparently stopped paying attention.
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Monkey Islanders were all about partying for great causes over the past weekend. The Shebang hosted a scavenger hunt benefiting critters, Shangri-La hosted DCCSAN’s “Winterset” benefiting kids; and Island Bar & Grill hosted Jello Wrestling to benefit veterans – all in one day! This weekend, The Monkey Bar hosts a Saturday night benefit for a family suddenly stricken by tragedy. Great causes are always a good reason for parties at Grand Lake!
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Okay. All you folks who have been waiting for a chance to roast some wieners or marshmallows, sit around a bonfire, or just cook a little food outside on an open flame – go for it. The burn ban has been lifted for the Grand Lake Area. Proceed with your fall outdoor activities.
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Oklahoma turnpike travelers will need to get all the funny, sophomoric, dirty little jokes about the name of the Kum and Go convenience stores out of their system in the next few weeks. The chain has been sold. I can’t think of any dirty jokes yet about the new name of the stores – Maverik.
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The most popular woman in basketball is reaching out to golf. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark joked that in the off-season, “I might become a professional golfer.” She’s not professional in the sport, but she’ll expand the reach of women’s golf this week when she plays with two of the biggest names in the game in the Pro-Am portion of “The Annika” at Florida’s Pelican Golf Club Wednesday. She’s paired with tournament host Annika Sorenstam and LPGA star and Olympic champion Nelly Korda. Even with those two superstars, TV networks have decided to expand their coverage of the tournament because of….you guessed it…Caitlin Clark.
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If you’re as old as I am, you may want to mark your calendars to be at the Grove Performing Arts Center at 7:00 p.m. on January 25. The awesome Jana Jae is bringing co-stars from the hit TV series Hee Haw to Grand Lake for a nostalgic reunion show. Co-stars who will be joining Jana include Rex Allen, Jr., Irlene Mandrell, Buddy Alan Owens, and Misty Rowe. It should be a really fun “Kornfield Kounty” evening!
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Area high school football fans have a lot to be proud of. Grove and Miami are both in the 4A playoffs. Grove travels to Sallisaw Friday night while Miami hosts Hilldale. In 3A playoffs, Jay is at Lincoln Christian for Round 1. In Class 2A-II, there’s plenty of local interest. Antlers is at undefeated Adair, Colcord hosts Valliant, Salina is at Henryetta, and Kansas travels to Vian. In A-II, Ketchum is on the road to face Regent Prep.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Carol Stalcup, Susan Keast, Bryan Wilkinson, Roxane Gardner, Blade DeSouza, Clark Boone, Chuck Perry, Gary Goss, Duane Koehler, Cliff Hudson, Steve Wetwiska, Tom Fielder, Lori Skelley-Follis, and Eric Long.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: The fun begins Thursday evening with the weekly Prime Rib & Karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Thursday night is also a “Sound of Music Sing-Along” fundraiser at the Coleman Theatre in Miami (5:30-8:30 p.m.). Friday is “The First Christmas Party of the Year” – South Grand Lake Chamber Annual Banquet at Shangri-La (5:00 p.m.). Friday & Saturday is a huge Christmas Holiday Market at the Coleman Theatre in Miami (4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Saturday). Santa will be there Saturday from 10-2). Saturday is the day for Santa Paws Pet Photos – pics of your pet with Santa – at the 2nd Chance Thrift Shop in Grove (10:00-4:00). Sunday afternoon is a Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at Juan Montez Restaurant (1:30 p.m.) and a fabulous musical collaborative presentation of Handel’s Messiah at First Baptist Church in Grove (4:00 p.m.).
The popular “Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson” has returned to The Anchor for another season (Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Actress Winona Ryder chose her stage name because her father was a fan of the musician Mitch Ryder. That wasn’t Mitch Ryder’s real name either, of course. His real name is William Sherille Levise, Jr. He picked the name Mitch Ryder randomly from a New York telephone directory.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Taylor Swift has officially passed Elvis Presley as the solo artist with the most weeks at #1 in Billboard albums chart history (68).
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The biggest house in the world belongs to the Sultan of Brunei. It is spread over 2 million square feet and has 1,788 rooms. He also has a collection of 7,000 cars.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: If I ever get lost in the forest, all I’ll have to do is start talking about politics. I know somebody will show up to argue with me.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Swimming Notice: Minnesota State Law strictly prohibits underwater smoking.
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: It’s now officially “Once I’m home, I’m not going out again” season.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: People who jump off bridges in Paris are in Seine.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How do people who are adamantly opposed to gender neutral restrooms manage traveling on airlines?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I’m not saying I’m old…but when I was in school we made our parents ash trays for Christmas.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” – Ambrose Bierce
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The legendary songwriter, arranger, producer Quincy Jones who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson died last week at the age of 91. Happy birthday to actress, singer, comedian, writer, and television producer Marla Gibbs (remember her from The Jeffersons?). She’s 93 years old. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Bonnie Raitt turned 75. Lifelong superstar actress Sally Field turned 78 years old last week; and iconic singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell turned 81.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend begins Thursday night with Prime Rib & Karaoke with Jason Morgan at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Scott Musick entertains live at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Erin Fitzgibbon will entertain live Friday night at Blind Swine Monkey Island. Lil’ Red and COBE will perform both Friday & Saturday nights at The Shebang. DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar followed by a benefit show Saturday night featuring Zimmeroo, The Dads, and the DJ Gragg Band. DJ Kyle Bandito provides the late-night music at Big Shots both Friday & Saturday nights.
On South Grand, The Barrett Lewis Band will perform Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Reverse Reaction entertains Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster.
In Grove, Stonehorse performs Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 followed by T.J. Scarlett Saturday night. There are two nights of entertainment at Cherokee Casino’s 1897 Bar – Brent Giddens Friday night followed by Magic J Entertainment Saturday. DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon.
Jon Dooly kicks off the weekend musical fun Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Dirty Saints Friday night and Damsel Saturday. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, there is live music early Saturday night by Finn Again followed by karaoke with DJ Kay at 11:00 p.m.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Drake’s Restaurant in Grove offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 6:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. A new gourmet popcorn shop is open on the lake. Poppin’ on Grand is in Old Time Plaza in Cleora (next to Goodfellas Pizza). The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda Resort is closed for the season. The Chicken Coop in Langley has new days of operation – Wednesday-Sunday 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina now offers lunch Tuesday- Sunday 11:00-2:00 and breakfast Saturday & Sunday 9:00-11:00. Grand Lake Kitchen at Har-Ber Village will remain open through the winter. Hours are 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday & Monday, and 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (Closed Tuesday). The Fire Pit Restaurant at Wildwood Cove Resort has discontinued lunch service – hours are now 4:00-9:00 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Landman from the creator of Yellowstone debuts this week on Paramount+. The new series Day of the Jackal premieres this week on Peacock. The Ken Burns documentary Leonardo da Vinci airs next Monday night at 7:00 on PBS.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The blockbuster Here is in movie theaters this week; and An Almost Christmas Story premieres Friday on Disney+.
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, November 22 – Christmas Celebration with Grammy Award-Winner Pam Tillis at The Coleman Theatre in Miami (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 23 – “Festivus” Members Party & Holiday Shopping Extravaganza at Shangri-La Club House (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Thursday, November 28 – Home of Hope’s “Chris Lynch Memorial Turkey Trot 5K” at 307 S. Scraper in Vinita (7:00 a.m. registration). Thursday, November 28 – Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet at Doc’s Bar & Grill (11:00-5:00). Thanksgiving Dinner at Matt’s Place in Grove. Friday, November 29 – Ice Rink opens at the Grove Community Center lawn (3:00-9:00 p.m.). Friday & Saturday, November 29-30 – Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village opens at Har-Ber Village (continues December 6, 7, 13, 20, 21). Friday, November 29 – Black Friday Seafood Extravaganza at the Summit at Shangri-La (4:00-9:00 p.m.). Monday, December 2 – Grand Lake Association Annual Banquet at Cherokee Yacht Club (6:00 p.m.) Friday, December 6 – First Friday Wine Share at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Grove (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Friday, December 6 – Ron Lay Light Up Downtown Grove Memorial Celebration on the Community Center Lawn in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 7 – Langley-Disney Christmas Parade Across the Pensacola Dam (6:00 p.m.) followed by cookies & hot chocolate with Santa at Disney City Hall. Saturday & Sunday, December 7-8 – Christmas at the Oasis, Journey to Jesus rides & photo ops at Picture in Scripture Amphitheater (3:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 14 – Grove Christmas Parade (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 14 – Cherokee Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade (Dock party at 3:00 – parade at 6:00).
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In the college football world, OU and OSU are both idle this week. There are other great games to keep our eyes on, though – Tulsa starts the weekend early hosting East Carolina Thursday night and Houston is at Arizona Friday night. Saturday headliners include Texas at Arkansas, LSU at Florida, Baylor at West Virginia, Missouri at South Carolina, Tennessee at Georgia, Kansas at BYU, Arizona State at Kansas State, Cincinnati at Iowa State, and Nebraska at USC.
The NFL season rolls into week #11 with Philadelphia hosting Washington Thursday night. Sunday games include Green Bay at Chicago (12:00), Minnesota at Tennessee (12:00), Kansas City at Buffalo (3:30), and Cincinnati at the L.A. Chargers (7:15). Monday Night Football features a big cross-state rivalry – The Dallas Cowboys hosting the Houston Texans (7:15).
NBA action continues this week with the OKC Thunder at home hosting the L.A. Clippers Monday night (7:00), New Orleans Wednesday night (6:30), Phoenix Friday night (7:00), and Dallas Sunday night (6:00) before a brief trip down south to face the Spurs in San Antonio next Tuesday night (8:30). They’re right back home next Wednesday night hosting Portland (7:00).
PGA players are in Bermuda this week for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Live coverage starts at noon Thursday & Friday, 10:30 Saturday morning, and 10:00 Sunday morning on The Golf Channel.
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We’re looking ahead to another beautiful weekend. We’ll have sunshine for the most part, with high temperatures around 70 degrees and lows in the mid-50s. There’s a lot going on around the lake, so get out there and have some fun! Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might 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
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)
Bradford BBQ in Ketchum
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s 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
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
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
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek
Hero’s Deli in Grove
Hero’s Deli in Langley
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Honey Creek BBQ in Grove (south of Honey Creek bridge)
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
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
Scissortail Bar at Scissortail Marina
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina
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 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
