September 29 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum
The pelicans have all arrived at Grand Lake just in time for their big festival. The Pelican Festival kicks off this week (Thursday-Sunday) at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. It’s great fun for the entire family. Festivities include a carnival Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights and both Saturday & Sunday afternoons, arts & crafts and food trucks Friday & Saturday, a car, truck & bike show Saturday 10:00-3:00, a caricature artist Saturday afternoon, and plenty of live entertainment Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday night. The traditional festival parade has been canceled, but everything else is a “go.” It should be a fabulous weekend!
*****
Important note: we now have more hours of darkness than daylight each day. We won’t reverse course until next March. Fewer hours for golf and boating. More hours for drinking and dancing.
*****
We’d better start lining up space on federal court dockets. Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted for allegedly lying to Congress. If we’re going to start indicting everyone who lies to Congress, our courts are going to be CRAZY busy! I hope they don’t turn the tables and start indicting members of Congress for lying to constituents, or the courts will never be able to handle the volume.
*****
The University of North Carolina is having a really tough football season. That transition from the NFL to college must be tough on Coach Bill Belichick. He’s finding out it’s a lot harder to coach college students than to date them.
*****
Jimmy Kimmel’s normal viewership has traditionally been about 2.5 million; but his “return-to-the-air” program was watched by 6.2 million television viewers and another 26 million viewers online. I’m sure it was a tense few days but, in the long run, Jimmy Kimmel has to be thankful for all the publicity heaped on him by the President. Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcasting have now returned Kimmel to all their affiliates, including Channel 8 in Tulsa.
*****
On a serious note, Oklahoma teachers, school administrators and parents are breathing a little easier this week because State Superintendent Ryan Walters has resigned. I did find it a little ironic that the guy who has spent the last three years squelching any freedom for teachers in planning their curriculum is taking over as CEO of something called the “Teacher Freedom Alliance.” It was also a little weird that he chose to announce his resignation on Fox News instead of at the State Board of Education Meeting the next day, but I don’t guess it matters. The Lost Ogle reported the news appropriately with the headline, “End of an Error.”
*****
Things that make you go, “hmmm.” If Tylenol is the cause of Autism, I can’t help but notice that the diagnosis of Autism predates the invention of Tylenol by 44 years. I’m not sure how that happened.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Chris Merillat, Mark Athey, Gary Nichols, Kira McDonald, Randy Wheeler, Thane Swisher, Susie Wilkinson, Jan Castelli, Robert Zoellner, David Hastings, Tania Geradts, Reggie Stone, Cari Williams, Jared Jeffers, Colleen Garrett, Erick Frost, Laurie Givens, Mickey Thompson, Joe Wilburn, Patty Northrop, Nancy Saamer, Barry Eller, Vicki Graper, Luke Curley, and Renee Russell.
*****
BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thursday-Sunday, it’s Pelican Festival time at Wolf Creek Park in Grove (the parade has been canceled). Friday is the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at The Coves (12:00 p.m. shotgun). Friday is also this month’s First Friday Wine Share at Rustic Rehab in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Saturday morning is the summer’s final Farmer’s Market on the Downtown Square in Grove. (8:00-2:00).
Saturday is also Grand Lake Sailing Club’s Long Distance Race (10:00-7:00) and the annual Mahogany & Chrome Classic Boat Show and Classic Car Show at Cherokee Yacht Club (10:00-3:00). Saturday morning is the Paddle & Play Fall Family Pickleball Showdown at The Anchor Racquet Club (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) Saturday night is “Member Appreciation Party Night” for members at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Sunday is the Courage Under Fire Classic Golf Tournament at Shangri-La benefiting the Monkey Island Fire Department (12:30 p.m.).
*****
RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The character Felix Unger in Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple" was based on his brother Danny Simon.
*****
FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: A “Butt Load” is a real unit of measurement equal to 126 gallons.
*****
ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: After the breakup of the USSR, the Lithuanian basketball team couldn’t afford to participate in the 1992 Olympics, so the band Grateful Dead funded the team’s expenses and sent a box of tie-dyed outfits in Lithuania’s national colors. They went on to win the Bronze Medal.
*****
BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I asked my mom if she took Tylenol when she was pregnant with me. She said only when she had a really, really bad hangover.
*****
WORD FUN OF THE WEEK: BAR and BRA. Same letters. Different words, but both keep men eagerly waiting until they open.
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Cashier Wanted: Must be 18 years old with 20 years experience.
*****
BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: Every day that I don’t choose violence, just know it’s because I had a very busy schedule.
*****
PUN OF THE WEEK: The best way for a farmer to find new cows to buy is to look through the cattlelog.
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Since Congress is cutting medical care for American citizens, is anyone also considering removing the lifetime healthcare benefits and pensions for members of Congress?
*****
OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Some people exercise every day. I, on the other hand, watched a TV show I didn’t like for two hours last night because the remote fell on the floor.
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There are two kinds of people in this world. Avoid both of them.” – Arthur Schopenhauer
*****
FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: “The Boss” Bruce Springsteen turned 76 last week; and the movie “The Wizard of Oz” is celebrating the 86th anniversary of its original release.
*****
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 Kevin Price performs live Friday night at Doc’s. The Blake Turner Band performs at Shangri-La Resort’s Member Appreciation Party Saturday night. There’s music bingo Wednesday and karaoke Friday, both hosted by Sundown Entertainment at The Monkey Bar, followed by live entertainment Saturday night by Robbi Bell. DJ K-Bandito will provide the entertainment Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.
In Grove, there’s great live entertainment at the Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park. Lightly Salted entertains Friday night beginning at 7:30. Saturday’s line-up includes Mid-Life Crisis (1:00-3:00) and Blaze of Glory (7:30). Rusty Meyers will provide the music Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar and Ty Ellis & the Flatliners will take over 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.
Ty Ellis & the Flatliners start the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar followed by Coyote Claw Friday night and Analog Frogs Saturday. DeWayne Bowman & the Swingin’ West Band will provide the music in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Saturday night.
*****
DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Mooney's is now closed on Tuesdays, and the grill closes at 8:00 p.m. Monday & Wednesday. The Fire Pit Restaurant at Wildwood has new hours -open for lunch on Saturday & Sunday at 11:00. 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 lunch at 11:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. 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).
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: Shifting Gears debuts at 7:00 Wednesday night and Abbott Elementary returns for a new season at 7:30, both on ABC. A new season of Saturday Night Live kicks off Saturday night at 10:30 on NBC. A Grammy Salute to Cindy Lauper: Live from the Hollywood Bowl airs Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS. Guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week include Tom Hanks, Stephen Colbert, and Bruce Springsteen (10:30 p.m. on ABC). Taylor Swift will be a guest next Monday night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 10:30 on NBC.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Bone Lake, Casper, and Killing Faith all open in theaters this week.
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, October 11 – College Football Trivia Showdown with Lee Lawson at Mulligans at Patricia Island Country Club (12:00 p.m.) followed by OU-Texas Watch Party. Saturday, October 11 – OU-Texas Tailgate Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (2:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 11 – 80’s Costume Party at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 11 – Bookish Masquerade Ball at Har-Ber Village (7:00-10:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 18 – Fall Fest on the Courthouse Square in Jay (9:00-3:00). Tuesday, October 21 – Grand Lake Newcomers Club Halloween Party at the Community Center on Grove’s Downtown Square (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday, October 24 – Live performance of Persnickety, The Sequel at Har-Ber Village in Grove (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 25 – Elk River Baptist Church County Fair (12:00-3:30 p.m.). Monday, October 27 – Grove Chamber hosts both a Job Fair and Career Fair at the Community Center on the Downtown Square in Grove (9:00-1:00). 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.). Saturday, November 8 – DCCSAN Winterset at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.).
*****
In the college football world, it’s a particularly big week for OSU as they travel to Arizona with their new coach for a Saturday game at Arizona (1:00 on TNT). OU is also on edge as they host Kent State without quarterback John Mateer at 3:00 (SEC Network). Other great college games this week include Kentucky at Georgia, Iowa State at Cincinnati, Clemson at North Carolina, Miami at Florida State, and Kansas at UCF.
The NFL kicks off Thursday night with the L.A. Rams hosting the 49ers. Sunday football starts early again this week with Minnesota and Cleveland facing off in London at 8:30. Dallas travels to New York to face the Jets Sunday at noon and Philadelphia hosts Denver, also at noon. Washington is at L.A. to play the Chargers at 3:30, and New England is at Buffalo Sunday night. Monday Night Football features Kansas City at Jacksonville.
The WNBA season is down to two teams with the Playoff Finals beginning Friday at 7:00. Game 2 is Sunday at 2:00 and Game 3 is next Wednesday at 7:00.
Major League Baseball is in playoff mode, as well with Wild Card series continuing through Thursday, if necessary, and Division Series beginning Saturday and continuing daily through next Wednesday.
NASCAR drivers are racing Sunday afternoon at Charlotte. Coverage of the Bank of America ROVAL 400 is on USA at 2:00 Sunday afternoon.
*****
The nice thing about this time of year is that all of the weekends seem to be the same. Just like last weekend with high temperatures around 80 and lows around 60. We’ll have plenty of sunshine this weekend to enjoy all the awesome outdoor 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
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
