October 11 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
I feel sorry for the poor folks living in the past, thinking “the season” on Grand Lake ends on Labor Day. Obviously, they haven’t been around to see all the incredible events in October – and beyond! With all the OU-Texas watch parties, golf tournaments, and the annual Pelican Festival all happening at the same time, there were plenty of wise Grand Lake devotees to fill all the venues. What a great weekend! Now, we move ahead to the Bass Pro Shops National Amateur Bass Fishing Championship, the opening of another great Playmakers production, a big Chuck Wagon Dinner & Dance at Har-Ber Village, a Kids Christmas fundraising Guest Chef event at The Shebang, and both basketball and pickleball tournaments at Shangri-La. Looking on to November, there are more great events – the Christmas Light Boat Parade, Thanksgiving feasts, The annual Summit Black Friday Seafood Buffet, Bedlam watch parties, new under-the-dome indoor tennis & pickleball battles at The Anchor – and more fabulous live entertainment than used to be available during the summer months. Grand Lake is now truly a year-round destination. At least for those “in the know.”
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Strong winds over the past weekend made the Pelican Festival especially interesting. No flapping required. Those magnificent birds only had to spread their gigantic 8-foot wing spans, and the Grand Lake updraft combined with Oklahoma wind to lift them right out of the water. No effort needed on their part. Congratulations to everyone involved in putting together a great festival! Again.
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I hope everyone lived through last week’s Facebook/Instagram/Whatsapp debacle. It was the ultimate irony. One day after a former Facebook employee blew the whistle on the company’s greedy and insensitive operations – and while a Facebook representative was on CNBC defending the company, their entire operations vanished. Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp were all down for several hours. Retaliation? Or Karma?
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Facebook was estimated to lose over half a million dollars an hour in ad revenue during the outage. That, combined with the dramatic drop in Facebook stock prices following the 60 Minutes scandalous revelations, resulted in owner Mark Zuckerberg losing $5.9 billion Monday. Don’t worry. I’m sure he has some money left. He may want to spend a little of it spending some time in space just to get away from Congress!
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Speaking of the rich guys’ space race, Captain Kirk is returning to space. Actor William Shatner, who portrayed the famous Captain Kirk in the Star Trek series, will be aJeff Bezos’ guest aboard his Blue Origin flight into space Tuesday. Unlike the 5-year adventure of The Enterprise, this flight will take only a few minutes. At age 90, Shatner sets the record as the oldest human to travel to the Final Fontier. Again.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Saturday is the Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championship. Saturday morning at 8:30 is the Heavenly Angles House Walkathon; and Saturday night is the Chuck Wagon Dinner & Dance Under the Stars, both at Har-Ber Village (6:00). The musical “Gretel” also opens at Playmakers in Grove Saturday night. Saturday is the final competition of a two-week 3 vs. 3 Basketball competition at The Anchor at Shangri-La (noon); and The Anchor’s Members Pickleball Tournament is also this weekend, Saturday & Sunday. Next Wednesday, October 20 is the first “Guest Chef” event of the year at The Shebang – Dan Arnold and Jack Kern will be cooking – all proceeds to the Kids Christmas Fund ($30).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: New York's Staten Island was a major base of British operations during the American Revolution and was occupied by the King's forces longer than any other single location in the colonies.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Golf is the hardest game in the world to play, but the easiest to cheat at. “The most valuable wood in my bag is my pencil.”
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FEEL-GOOD FACT OF THE WEEK: When Volvo invented the three-point seat belt in 1959, they made the patent free for all competitors to use in order to save lives because “it had more value as a free life-saving tool than something to profit from.” The three-point seat belt has since saved hundreds of thousands of lives and prevented or reduced the severity of injuries for millions.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I assume that a “Columbus Day Sale” means I can just walk into a store and take anything I want.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK A pumpkin spice latte has 380 calories. A glass of red wine has 120 calories. Choose wisely, my friends.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Our thoughts are with anyone who celebrated their birthday October 5…which no one remembered because Facebook was down.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: My favorite allergy song is “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Peter, Pollen Mary
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do you think it was an intentional plan that when you put the words “the” and “IRS” together, it spells “theirs?”
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: You can no longer “hang half a hundred on ‘em” and count on winning in college football. The OU-Texas game last weekend set a new record for total points scored in a Red River Rivalry game – 103 points!
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Alan Kalter, the quirky red-headed trouble-making announcer for The David Letterman Show for two decades, died last week. He was 78. The classic anthem “American Pie” was released 50 years ago. Singer-songwriter Don McLean, who released the iconic hit, turned 76 last week. Legendary OU/Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer turned 84 last week.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple.” – Barry Switzer
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Darci Winter, Kyle Wooderson, Ben Hampton, Teri Smith, Lorraine Butters, John Turner, Joe Regalado, Susan Beine, Linda Elmburg, Trey Howard, Rick Miller, Lea Smith, Michele Martin, David Stansfield, Roger Jared, Scott Graham, G.W. Goss, Brian Winter, Kim Bruno, and Michael Thrift!
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Cory Lee entertains at Doc’s. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons Friday and Saturday nights (now starting at 6:00 pm); and just across the street, DJ K-Bandito leads the cavalcade of great DJs and dance music at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Faulc ‘n Fitz debut Saturday night at Blind Swine on Monkey Island. Saturday night is also great dancing and singing at Monkey Island Pub - Karaoke with Tim. Erin Fitzgibbon performs at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island both Wednesday and Friday nights.
On South Grand Lake, Jake Flint provides the entertainment Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
In Grove, David Bridges & the Message will provide the dance music at the Har-Ber Village Dinner & Dance Saturday night. At The Regatta, KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Friday night, followed by Zeke Daniel performing Saturday night.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Jon Dooly in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Chris Hyde Friday night and Diversity Saturday. The Price is Right LIVE with host Todd Newton is at The Indoor Peoria Showplace at Buffalo Run Casino both Friday & Saturday nights. The George Brothers will perform Friday night at Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Casino, with The Downbeat on stage Saturday night. Morgan Squared perform Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by Rod Robertson Saturday.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: The Landings Market & Grill on Monkey Island is closed for remodeling. Road Hog Saloon is now closed on Tuesdays. Blind Swine on Duck Creek is now open only Friday-Sunday (11:00 a.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday). Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill has new operating hours – open at noon daily, closed Tuesdays. Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda now has reduced hours of operation – 4:00-9:00 Thursday, 11:00-9:00 Friday & Saturday, 11:00-8:00 Sunday. Stuff’ns Café in Ketchum is now closing at 2:00 p.m.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The second season of Another Life premieres on NETFLIX this week, and the all-new Kids Tonight Show debuts on Peacock. Season two of B Positive airs Thursday night at 8:30 on CBS. Succession returns Sunday night at 8:00 on HBO; and Queens makes its debut next Tuesday at 9:00 on ABC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: No Time to Die is in theaters this week, along with The Last Duel and Halloween Kills. The latter is also available this week on Peacock. A World Without and The Four of Us are both available this week on NETFLIX; and Women Is Losers is on HBO Max.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, October 21 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at Grand River Abstract Grove office (5:00). Thursday-Saturday, October 21-23 – basspro.com Bassmaster Open Fishing Tournament. Friday-Saturday, October 22-23 – Ghosts of Grove Haunted History Tours from the Grove Community Center. Sunday, October 24 – Couple Mixer at Shangri-La Golf Club (9:30 shotgun). Tuesday, October 26 – Free Social Media Marketing Workshop at Grove Area Chamber of Commerce (1:00). Tuesday, October 26 – Game 1 of the World Series. Saturday, October 30 – Barrels, Broncs & Bulls Rodeo at Grover Round-Up Club (6:00). Thursday, October 28 – South Grand Chamber Membership Luncheon at Ecosystems Building in Langley. Wednesday-Thursday, November 3-4 – Oklahoma Marinas Association Annual Conference at Shangri-La. Saturday, November 6 – Last day of Daylight Saving Time. Thursday, November 11 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Member Luncheon at Grove Civic Center. Thursday, November 18 – South Grand Chamber Annual Banquet at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, November 20 – Grand Lake Christmas Light Boat Parade (Cherokee Yacht Club).
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SPORTS WATCH: College football is in week #7 – and is now OSU’s turn to face Texas Saturday (11:00)! OU hosts TCU (6:30), Tulsa travels to South Florida (11:00 – no TV), and Arkansas hosts Auburn (11:00). Kentucky is at Georgia (2:30) and Alabama is at Mississippi State (6:00). You don’t have to wait until Saturday for great college games this week, though. Navy is at Memphis Thursday night at 6:30 (ESPN). Friday night, Syracuse hosts Clemson (6:00) and California is at Oregon (9:30), both on ESPN.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in Philadelphia to kick off the week of NFL action Thursday night at 7:00. Sunday, you’ll need multiple screens at noon as Kansas City is at Washington and Green Bay is at Chicago, both at noon. At 3:00, it’s the battle of OU quarterbacks as Kyler Murray & the Cardinals face Baker Mayfield and the Browns. Las Vegas is at Denver and Dallas is at New England at 3:30; and Seattle is at Pittsburgh at 7:00. Monday Night Football sends Buffalo to Tennessee.
PGA players are in Las Vegas for the second consecutive week, but they’re changing venues, moving from TPC Summerlin to The Summit Club. Coverage from CJ Cup at Summit is exclusively on the Golf Channel Thursday-Sunday.
It’s finally time for so-so fans to start watching Major League Baseball. The playoffs are officially underway.
NASCAR playoffs move into the Round of 8 this week. Coverage of the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 from Texas Motor Speedway begins at 1:00 Sunday on NBC.
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Fall weather arrives for real at Grand Lake this weekend with high temperatures more like what we’re accustomed to as lows! We may have a little rain activity left Friday, but that gives way to sunny skies Saturday & Sunday. Highs will only be in the mid 60s, with lows (wait for it) in the mid 40s! There’s plenty happening around the lake this weekend, so get out an enjoy all you can – indoors or outdoors! I’ll be out and about, so no matter where you decide to 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.
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café at Har-Ber Village
Café Yum in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
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)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Marina’s Place at Littlefield Corner
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Monkey Island Trail Rides
Monkey Island Winery
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island (smoking...but not at lunch)
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
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 Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)
The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)
The Pourhouse at The Regatta in Grove
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (smoking)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Water Side Bar & Grill in Grove
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove