September 22 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
Fall is officially here! It arrived on Monday according to the wizards at the Farmer’s Almanac – and they know everything. You know what that means if you’re a dedicated Grand Laker. It means the best two months for boating and golf have officially arrived, as well. Enjoy!
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Last week was the most incredible party I’ve been to on Grand Lake in years. The Queen of Monkey Island, Joyce Duke, turned 80 years old, believe it or not. A decorated golf cart parade, a huge party at The Shebang, and another dinner celebration marked the passage of time for another decade on one of Grand Lake’s most legendary personalities. She actually started celebrating the night before her birthday because she was afraid octogenarians couldn’t drink as much. Partying with Joyce, you would think she is 25. Playing pickleball with her…maybe 35. It’s hard to believe the legendary Queen of the Island is 80 – or, as she prefers to refer to it, “the 41st anniversary of her 39th birthday.” She still knows how to do it, though. It took me all weekend to sober up. I was okay with a little “sleep-in” rain Saturday morning. It gave way to a sunny afternoon. Made me feel like I was in the Caribbean.
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It was a really nice football weekend for OU and Tulsa, not so much for Arkansas – and I’ll bet it’ll be a while before OSU pays Tulsa $300,000 again to come play in Stillwater!
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If you’re checking out who’s happy and who’s not, the happiest person in late night television has to be Jimmy Fallon. CBS canceled Late Night with Stephen Colbert effective next May, and ABC pulled the plug indefinitely on Jimmy Kimmel Live last week. That leaves The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as the only remaining network late night show after the 10 o’clock news. I sure hope we’re not in for another massive dose of Dateline.
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What? Quik Trip is coming to Miami, Oklahoma? Yep. Through an arrangement with the Peoria Tribe, Quik Trip has announced a store coming to Miami. No opening date is set, but the store will be on the southwest corner of the intersection of Steve Owens Boulevard (Highway 10) and the entrance to I-44.
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You may not have thought about it, but a lot of inanimate objects have a gender. Take the remote control, for example. It’s female. Ha! You thought it would be male, didn’t you? But consider this: it gives a man pleasure, he would be lost without it, and while he doesn’t always know the right buttons to push, he keeps trying.
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I tried something new over the weekend; and now I’ve determined that kale is the most versatile of all foods. It literally fits into any size trash can.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Shelly Schultz, Angie Good, Sheila Bond, Katie Farchione, Shelley Koster, Cyndi David, Conley Reese, Jill Kelly, Kathy Lungren Baker, Drenda Cox, Susan Moritz, Bill Durrett, Mickey Tyrrell, Susan Satterlee, Jack Counts, Chris Bolt, Tim McCrary, Mike Lillie, Jim Anderson, Danny Head, Carl Fiddner, Mike Mitchell, and Gary Hardman. .
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday-Sunday are Pioneer Days at Har-Ber Village. Friday is a Golf Tournament at the Grand Cherokee Golf Course below the Pensacola Dam benefiting the Vinita Day Center. Saturday morning is Farmer’s Market on the Downtown Square in Grove. (8:00-2:00). Saturday is the Annual World’s Largest Calf Fry & BBQ Cookoff at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita (11:00 a.m.). Saturday is also a fun Progressive Dinner traveling to 10 Grove businesses beginning at Rustic Rehab at 5:00 p.m. and continuing to Salty Sisters, On Target, Jana Jae’s Gallery Southwest, Massage by Nicole, Heartful Living & Wellness, Grove’s Royal Liquor, Nevermore Books, Blair Boutique, and Grove Fireplace & Stoves. Saturday and Sunday is the big Harvest Festival & Craft Show at McCorkle Family Farm & Pumpkin Patch (Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12:30-6:00).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: A new poll says 65% of Oklahomans favor higher taxes on tobacco and vaping products. Coincidentally, that’s about the same percentage of Oklahomans who do not use tobacco or vaping products.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: There are millionaires and billionaires. So, how does a million compare to a billion? A million seconds equals just 11.5 days. A billion seconds is over 31 years.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: A female octopus can go nearly four years without eating, guarding her eggs until they hatch, at which point she dies. It’s one of the most unselfish parental acts in the animal kingdom. (Cheap wife, too!)
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I changed my Facebook name to “Benefits.” Now, when people add me, it says, “You are now friends with benefits.”
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WORD FUN OF THE WEEK: “Booty” and “butt” are synonyms. “Call” and “dial” are synonyms. But a “booty call” and a “butt dial” are VERY different things.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Seen on the back of a septic tank truck: “Caution – This truck is full of political promises”
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: If I’m sarcastic when I talk to you it’s either because I really like you and feel comfortable teasing you…or I really hate you and don’t care if you know it. Good luck figuring out which one.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: I’ve invented a new game called Silent Tennis. It’s like regular tennis, but without the racquet.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is W pronounced “double U” instead of “double V”?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: You may not be able to please all of the people all of the time, but offending all of them all of the time is a surprisingly achievable goal.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.” – George Carlin
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Former OU and Detroit Lions superstar running back and 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims turned 70 years old last week. Actor/producer/director/football star Mark Harmon, best known for his role as Jethro Gibbs in NCIS, turned 74 this month. Actor/director/producer Robert Redford died last week at the age of 89; and on Sunday, “The King of Horror,” legendary author Stephen King turned 78.
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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 Ryan Graham performs live Friday night at Doc’s. There’s karaoke with Sundown Entertainment both Wednesday and Friday nights at The Monkey Bar. DJ K-Bandito will provide the entertainment Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.
In Grove, Zach Glover and Vintage will provide the music Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar and Phil Vaught will take over Saturday night. Blues Doctors will be on stage at Grand Lake Casio’s Venue 655 Friday night followed by Tim Nowell 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, Jackson Glassby starts the weekend early Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, followed by Jake Brake Thursday night, Sierra Bravo Friday night, The Hydromatics Saturday night, and Erin Fitzgibbon Sunday afternoon at 4:00. Lil’ Red and COBE will entertain at Blind Swine Duck Creek Friday night at 6:00.
There are four nights of live music at Indigo Sky Casino beginning with Johnny Dale Roberts Thursday night. The Downbeat takes the stage Friday night, and MoArk Mojo will handle Saturday followed by Sunday night entertainment by Adam Groerich. The Brothers Osborne will be in concert at Buffalo Run Casino’s Outdoor Amphitheater Friday night. RocKFiscH will be at Buffalo Run’s Backwoods Bar Saturday night. The Beach Boys Sounds of Summer Tour comes to the Pavilion at Downstream Casino Saturday night. The Libby Starks Band starts the music Thursday night at Downstream’s Legends Sports Bar followed by Rangeline Friday night and The Brothers Moore Saturday. Morgan Squared will provide the music in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The Fire Pit Restaurant at Wildwood Resort is no longer for sale and will remain open. Hours are Friday-Sunday 4:00-8:00 p.m. Beginning in October, they will open for lunch Saturday & Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Chickanellas on Monkey Island has expanded their dinner service to include Wednesday & Thursday nights as well as Friday & Saturday. The Shebang is now offering an Omelette Bar Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda has new fall hours – Friday-Sunday 11:00-8:00. South 125 also has new hours, now opening for lunch at 11:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. Blind Swine on Duck Creek is now open 4:00-9:00 p.m. Friday, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 pm. Saturday, and 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Sunday. Cosby’s Catfish has new hours, too – open 4:30-8:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 12:30-8:00 Saturday & Sunday (Closed Wednesday).
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Voice is officially back for a new season at 7:00 Monday nights on NBC. Slow Horses is back on Apple TV+ for a fifth season. NCIS: Tony & Ziva is available on Paramount+.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: One Battle After Another, The Strangers: Chapter 2, and Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie all open in theaters this week. Thursday night is a new night of non-stop crime on NBC – Law & Order at 7:00, Law & Order: SVU at 8:00, and Law & Order: Organized Crime at 9:00. 60 Minutes kicks off a new season Sunday night at 6:30 (after football) on CBS.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Sunday, October 2-5 – Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove (the parade has been canceled). Friday, October 3 – First Friday Wine Share at Rustic Rehab in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 4 – Grand Lake Sailing Club Long Distance Race (10:00-7:00). Saturday, October 4 – Mahogany & Chrome Classic Boat Show and Classic Car Show at Cherokee Yacht Club (10:00-3:00). Sunday, October 5 – Courage Under Fire Classic Golf Tournament at Shangri-La benefiting the Monkey Island Fire Department (12:30 p.m.).
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We’re moving right along in the college football season. OU is idle this week, but OSU hosts Baylor Saturday at 2:30. Other great Saturday games include Cincinnati at Kansas, Notre Dame at Arkansas, UCF at Kansas State, Alabama at Georgia, Oregon at Penn State, Auburn at Texas A&M, and LSU at Ole Miss. Should be a fun weekend!
The NFL kicks off Thursday night with Arizona hosting Seattle. Sunday football starts early with Minnesota and Pittsburgh facing off in Dublin, Ireland at 8:30. Tampa Bay hosts Philadelphia at noon and Tennessee is at Houston. The Chiefs host the Ravens at 3:30 and Green Bay is at Dallas Sunday night. There’s a choice of games Monday night. The Jets are at Miami at 6:15 (ESPN) and Cincinnati as at Denver at 7:15 (ABC).
The WNBA season is in playoff mode with semifinal games Tuesday & Friday at 6:30 and 8:30 pitting Indiana against Las Vegas and Phoenix against Minnesota.. If necessary, the playoffs will continue Sunday at 2:00 and 4:00 and next Tuesday at 7:00 and 9:00. WNBA Finals are set to tip off Friday, October 3.
It’s a gigantic week in the golf world as players from the USA and Europe face off in The Ryder Cup. Coverage from Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York begins on USA Friday at 8:00 a.m. NBC pickes up the coverage at 9:00 Saturday morning and noon Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are racing Sunday afternoon Kansas City. Coverage of the Hollywood Casino 400 is on USA at 2:00 Sunday afternoon.
We’re winding down the regular season play in Major League Baseball. Believe it or not, the Wild Card Playoffs begin Tuesday, September 30. I hope your team wins!
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The first weekend of Fall rolls in this week with beautiful weather. High temperatures will be around 80 with lows hovering around 60. We’ll have plenty of sunshine to enjoy all the great Grand Lake events this weekend. 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)
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
