September 8 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
The best boating & golfing season on Grand Lake (September-October) began with a perfect weekend – sunshine, light wind, high temperatures in the upper 70s with cool nights in the upper 50s. If you weren’t on the water or a Grand Lake golf course over the past weekend, you missed out on a perfect beginning to the Fall Ball. The upcoming weekend looks a little warmer, but otherwise – same. Don’t waste it!
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Grand Lake’s perfect September weather wasn’t wasted on the state’s #1 tourism cheerleader. Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell hosted a record turnout for his “Luau on the Green” and “Pinnell Classic Golf Tournament” at Shangri-La. We always love it when the guy who knows every nook and cranny of Oklahoma chooses to spend his time at Grand!
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He’s not the only one, though. An entire group of international golf influencers from Good Good Golf are at Grand Lake this week. They’ll kick off Monday afternoon with an open-to-the-public Shootout and meet & greet session at The Battlefield at Shangri-La before relaxing for the rest of the week sharing the wonders of golf at Grand Lake with their millions of YouTube and TikTok followers. The word is out. We’re not just for summer anymore!
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The Monkey Island Firefighters did their incredible “911 Walk” up and down all 11 flights of stairs at Vista Tower in honor of the first responders who dealt with the 9-11 tragedy in New York in 2001. I can’t say enough good things about the incredible MIFD first responders!
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Shoutout to the movers & shakers at South Grand Lake Regional Airport for this week’s groundbreaking ceremonies for a new taxiway, airport terminal and commercial hangar. That airport has become a real Grand Lake transportation hub since its humble beginnings as a 3,000-foot grass strip back in the 1980s.
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Fishmasters.com just ranked the “30 Best Fishing Lakes in Oklahoma.” So, who was #1? Grand Lake, of course! But, we already knew that, right?
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Stevie Fernandez, Steve Pace, Dave Deardorff, Jennifer Brookby, Mike Mahoney, Ron McAbee, Derrick Brown, Jim Larimore, CeCe Mitchell, Jennifer Jeffers, Trent Richey, and Diane Bruenger.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: Friday is Juan Montez’ 10th Anniversary Celebration (8:00 p.m.). Saturday is the Audubon Society 1st Year Anniversary Celebration at the Community Center on the Grove Town Square (10:30-11:30 a.m.). Saturday is also a fundraising Taco Bar at Lake Center Baptist Church on Monkey Island hosted by the Women’s Auxiliary Association of Monkey Island (11:00-2:00). Saturday night is the Fairland Midwest Pullers Tractor Pull at Fairland Round-up Arena (6:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S FACTOID OF THE WEEK: In their original story lines, the Green Hornet was the grandnephew of the Lone Ranger.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Aside from his incredibly successful songwriting, performing, and recording career, the legendary Barry Manilow also wrote several popular jingles for commercials including State Farm (Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there), Band-Aid (I am stuck on Band-Aid, ‘cause Band-Aid’s stuck on me!”), and McDonald’s (You deserve a break today).
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Eugene Aldrin, father of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, witnessed the Wright brothers’ first flight and later lived to see his son walk on the moon – a single lifetime spanning aviation’s greatest leaps.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: When Miley Cyrus dances nearly nude and licks a hammer, it’s called art. When I do it, I get kicked out of Home Depot.
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WORD FUN OF THE WEEK: Did you know a large group of baboons is called a “congress”? That explains a lot, doesn’t it?
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: DRIVER ALERT: No Dollar Generals for the next 6.5 miles.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: On Monday, we start Diarrhea Awareness Week. Runs until Friday.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: I was watching an Australian cooking show and the audience applauded when the chef made meringue. I was surprised. I thought Australians usually boo meringue.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: It’s just math. Why do people say “24/7/365” when it is clear the correct statement is “24/7/52”?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Might wake up early and go for a run in the morning. Might also win the lottery. Odds are about the same.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” – Will Rogers
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Investor/philanthropist Warren Buffett is 95 years old. Songwriter David Allan Coe (author of “the perfect country-western song) turned 86 over the weekend; and comedian, actress, and producer Lily Tomlin turned 86 years old last week. And that’s the truth!
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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 Rockwell performs live Friday night at Doc’s. There’s karaoke with Sundown Entertainment both Wednesday and Friday nights at The Monkey Bar. Megan Faulconer will be on stage Saturday night and again next Wednesday night at South 125 Bar & Grill. DJ K-Bandito will provide the entertainment Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze.
In Grove, The Brothers Moore will provide the music Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar and Magic J Entertainment will take over Saturday night. The Beer & Chicken Band will be on stage at Grand Lake Casio’s Venue 655 Friday night followed by Borrowed Money 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, Magen Faulconer starts the weekend early Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill, followed by Robbie Bell Thursday night, Jacob Dement Friday night, The Beaty Creek Band Saturday night, Barrett Lewis Sunday afternoon at 4:00, and James Muns next Wednesday evening. Lickitty Split will entertain at Juan Montez Friday night for the restaurant’s 10th anniversary party; and Glam R Us entertain Saturday night at The Drunken Rooster in Cleora.
There are three nights and a midday presentation of live music at Indigo Sky Casino beginning with Jon Dooly Thursday night. Swade Diablos take the stage Friday night, and Ty Ellis & The Flatliners take over Saturday followed by a Sunday morning entertainment by A&E Music at 11:00. Until Now will be at Buffalo Run’s Backwoods Bar Saturday night. Western Justice starts the music Thursday night at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar followed by The Uncrowned Kings Friday night and Phil McGarrah & Runnin’ On Empty Saturday. Western Justice will provide the music in Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West Saturday night.
The Rockin’ Red Dirt Ranch in Pryor hosts the “Born & Raised Music Festival” this weekend (Wednesday-Saturday) with a host of stars including Casey Donahew, Stoney Larue, Cody Canada, Jason Boland & the Stragglers, and a host of others.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Eddy’s at Shangri-La Marina, Ugly’s at Thunder Bay, and Sharkey’s at Hammerhead are all closed for the season. Chickanellas on Monkey Island has expanded their dinner service to include Wednesday & Thursday nights as well as Friday & Saturday. The Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda has new fall hours – Friday-Sunday 11:00-8:00. South 125 also has new hours, now opening at 11:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. Boom at The Regatta has new hours opening at 4:00 Thursday & Friday, noon Saturday & Sunday, closing at 8:00 Sunday & Thursday and 9:00 Friday & Saturday. Blind Swine on Duck Creek is now open 4:00-9:00 p.m. Tuesday & Friday, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 pm. Saturday and 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Sunday.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale airs Wednesday night at 8:00 on NBC. Larry the Cable Guy: It’s a Gift debuts Friday on Prime Video; and The 77th Emmy Awards air live Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Long Walk, Toy Story-30th Anniversary, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues all open in theaters this week.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, September 18 – Northeast Oklahoma Board of Realtors Golf Tournament at The Coves (9:00 a.m. shotgun start). Friday, September 19 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Fundraising Golf Tournament at Patricia Island (9:00 a.m. shotgun start). Friday-Saturday, September 19-20 – Grove Merchants’ Fall Open House. Friday-Sunday, September 19-21 – Wheeling for the Wounded in the off-road area near Disney. Saturday, September 20 – McCorkle Family Farms (Grove) opens the Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze on weekends through October 26 (10-6 Saturday, 12:30-06 Sunday). Saturday, September 20 – Cedar Port Customer Appreciation Party at Sharky’s (6:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, September 25-28 – Pioneer Days at Har-Ber Village. Friday, September 26 – Golf Tournament at the Grand Cherokee Golf Course below the Pensacola Dam benefiting the Vinita Day Center. Saturday, September 27 – Annual World’s Largest Calf Fry & BBQ Cookoff at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita (11:00 a.m.). Saturday, September 27 – Progressive Dinner traveling to 10 Grove businesses beginning at Rustic Rehab at 5:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, September 27-28 – Harvest Festival & Craft Show at McCorkle Family Farm & Pumpkin Patch (Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12:30-6:00). Thursday-Sunday, October 2-5 – Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Friday, October 3 – First Friday Wine Share at Rustic Rehab in Grove (6:00 p.m.). 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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College football is in full swing. OSU is idle this week and OU travels to Temple for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff Saturday (ESPN2). Kansas State is at Arizona Friday night at 8:00. Georgia and Tennessee face off Saturday afternoon at 2:30, the same time Texas Tech hosts Oregon State and West Virginia hosts Pittsburgh. Florida is at LSU Saturday night at 6:30 and Notre Dame hosts Texas A&M with that same kickoff time.
The NFL regular season is well underway, as well. Dallas hosts the New York Giants Sunday at noon and the Chiefs host the Eagles at 3:30. Atlanta is at Minnesota Sunday night; and Tampa Bay is at Houston at 6:00 for Monday Night Football.
The WNBA season is winding down. Indiana hosts Minnesota Tuesday at 6:30 – and the regular season wraps up Thursday. Playoffs begin Sunday.
NASCAR drivers are in NAPA for a little Saturday night racing. Coverage of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race is on USA Saturday at 6:30.
There are some fun Major League Baseball games this week including Kansas City at Cleveland Thursday (6:00) and St. Louis at Milwaukee Saturday (7:00). The Yankees and Red Sox face off Sunday night (6:00).
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The only Grand Lake weather that’s better than the past weekend is the upcoming weekend. It’ll be just like last weekend, but with about 10 more degrees added to the temperature – highs in the upper 80s and lows in the upper 60s. There are plenty of fun options around the lake this weekend; so get out and enjoy September. 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
