August 12 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Another outstanding raft-up/entertainment event is in the history books. We wished Grand Lake a happy 79^th birthday with a Saturday of fun and great music at Woodstock on the Water. Someone said, “there’s just one big raft-out left on the schedule – the Redneck Raft-Out at Check-In Bay on Labor Day Saturday.” Hmmm. While I am among the many looking forward to that great day of music & floating fun, it is not the only big raft-out remaining. Just check out Woodard Hollow, Courthouse Hollow, Party Cove, or Dripping Springs any weekend. There’s ALWAYS a fun raft-out on Grand Lake. Just look around.

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School is back in session, summer staff members are dropping like flies at venues all around the lake, NFL pre-season is underway and college football starts next week. That does NOT mean the summer season is coming to an end. We took an official vote at a couple of my favorite haunts over the weekend, and the results are in. Due to the late start of summer fun due to cooler temperatures, high water & debris, we have decided to extend the 2019 summer season until November 1. Those high temperatures we missed in June and July had to go somewhere. I’m thinking they slid into September & October! My personal summer extends a hair further – right through the Christmas Boat Parade the second weekend of December. Anyone care to join me for the “extended summer of 2019?”

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On January 1, it will be legal to buy marijuana in the State of Illinois. However, some potential problems loom on the horizon. The law already prohibits smoking marijuana in public places like streets, parks and school properties. It also prohibits use in cars, boats, and airplanes. Now the Governor has signed a new law allowing condo associations and apartments the right to approve regulations saying owners might be banned from smoking it at home. A question comes to mind: if you can’t use it in public and you can’t use it in private…is it really legal?

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If you’ve been afraid to eat Birds Eye Peas after the release of a video allegedly showing a disgruntled worker urinating on a pea production line, rest easy. The company says it investigated – and no one actually peed on the peas. It was a hidden water hose. They should have known that when they saw the age of the employee and the strength of the stream.

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If your travel plans in the future are taking you through Clinton, South Carolina, you might want to make sure your car is really clean. Officers stopped Georgia Southern University quarterback Shai Werts for speeding, then arrested him when they found a “white substance” on the hood of his car that one of the officers claimed was cocaine. Werts insisted that it was something entirely different, but the officers did not believe him. You’ll be happy to know his arrest record has now been totally expunged and he has been released after the lab tests proved the white substance was actually what Werts had claimed it was. Bird poop.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Anna Mary Robertson Moses, known as Grandma Moses, took up painting full time at age 78 after arthritis made embroidering too painful. During the remaining 23 years of her life she completed 1,500 canvases, some of which sold for as little as $3.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: If an old dude ever gives you advice while peeling an apple with a pocket knife and eating pieces right off the blade, you should probably take it.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Attention Burglars – Please carry ID so we can notify the next of kin.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: The irony is not lost on me that you can commit Assault with Pepper Spray.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Just learned a dentist a block away from here was arrested for dealing drugs. Just goes to show you how wrong you can be about people. I had been going to him for over ten years. Never knew he was a dentist.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: “Watch for deer” is the Grand Lake area version of “I love you.”

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DEFINITION OF THE WEEK: Camping – where you spend a fortune to live like a homeless person.  

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE LESSON OF THE WEEK: Time to eat children (commas save lives).

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IRONIC NEWS STORY OF THE WEEK: If you’re surprised that Jeffrey Epstein killed himself, imagine how surprised he must have been.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album was released 50 years ago.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Candi Bullard, Stephanie Graves, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, Rachel Cox, Cheryl Dalton, Lynda Fleming, Alisha DiMaggio, Mikey Hegeman, Debi Saied, Vern Spain, Paige Porter, Sam Pangburn, Joe Eve, Tim Hicks, and Kirt Mowery.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When they first invented the clock, how did they know what time to set it to?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: There are plenty of options on the Grand Lake entertainment schedule for the weekend. The Greater Grand Lake Open Golf Tournament sponsored by the South Grand Lake Chamber is Friday morning at 8:00. Saturday is the Cars for Critters Car Show at Grove Civic Center (11:00-3:00); and Saturday night is the annual Toga Party at Monkey Island Pub.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s great entertainment all around the lake this weekend. On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan will kick off the weekend at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La Thursday at 6:00 with DJ and karaoke fun combined with the weekly Thursday night Shrimp Boil. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang is open Friday and Saturday nights for karaoke fun and there’s great dance music featuring DJ $way right across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze Friday & Saturday nights. Monkey Island Pub has great dance music, as well – and Saturday night is their annual Toga Party. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night followed by DJ Deeko. Sunday nights are Open Jam Sessions for musicians at the Swine. Tuesday is DJ fun with Deeko and Wednesday nights, Erin Fitzgibbon is back for karaoke fun. Brett & Terri will entertain Saturday night at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina. At Littlefield Corner, there’s always great live music Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon.

On South Grand Lake, The Barrett Lewis Band will be on stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina features music by The Doctor Junior Band with Kyle Garrett Friday night followed by OMB! Band Saturday.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of Thomas Martinez Friday night, followed by The Mixers Saturday.  At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke, and The Jason Boyd Band will be on stage at Bordertown Friday night followed by Splinter Middleton Saturday.  Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features music by Kevin Upshaw & One Night StandFriday night. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, Lucas Gates performs live Friday night and DJ 5Star Entertainment will provide the music Saturday. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill there is live DJ action every Friday & Saturday night at 10:00. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar will offer music by House Party Friday night and 90LB Wrench Saturday night. Ragsdale & Croy will perform both Friday and Saturday nights in Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge. Indigo Sky Casino features three nights of live entertainment this week. Morgan Squared will be on stage Friday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Tim Amey Friday night and Stonehorse Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action including PGA Golf, Major League Baseball and NFL pre-season football are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Living Grand on Grand Lake airs at 7:30 on RSU-TV. Sextuplets and season two of Mindhunter are available this week on NETFLIX.  The series premiere of Righteous Gemstones airs Sunday night at 9:00 on HBO. American Factory will be available on NETFLIX next Wednesday.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIE: Where’d You Go Bernadette?, Good Boys, Awake and The Angry Birds Movie 2

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There are men running governments who shouldn’t be allowed to play with matches.” - Will Rogers

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SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday-Saturday, August 28-31 – Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in Vinita. Saturday, August 31 – Redneck Raftout in Check-In Bay. Sunday, September 1 – Toby Keith performs at Buffalo Run Casino. Saturday, September 7 – Mahogany & Chrome Classic Boat Show at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Saturday, September 7 – Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd) 70^th birthday celebration at The Coleman Theater in Miami (3:00 p.m.). Thursday, September 19 – South Grand Chamber Business After Hours at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (5:00-7:00). Saturday, September 21 – REC Day at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, September 21 – Sunset Dam 5K Run from Summerside Park in Disney (registration starts at 2:00). Saturday, September 21 – Martha Betterfield’s Sparkling Desserts Cruise adventure aboard the Grand Lake Queen. Saturday, September 21 – Shangri-La Member Appreciation Party. Saturday, September 28 – Hook N Cookoff at South Grand Lake Regional Airport. Thursday-Sunday, October 10-13 – Pelican Festival in Grove.

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NFL Pre-Season Football is in week #2. Thursday night, Oakland will be at Arizona at 7:00 (ESPN). Friday night at 6:30, The Giants host the Bears (NFL). There are three games Saturday – Cleveland at Indianapolis at 3:00, Kansas City at Pittsburgh at 6:30, and Dallas at the L.A. Rams at 9:00 – all on the NFL Network. Sunday, New Orleans is at the L.A. Chargers at 3:00 (CBS) and Seattle is at Minnesota at 7:00 (Fox). Monday night, Denver will host San Francisco at 7:00 (ESPN).

Players on the PGA Tour are in Illinois this weekend for The BMW Championship. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday, and 11:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. NBC picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & 1:00 Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are at Bristol this weekend for some Saturday night prime time racing. Coverage of the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race begins at 6:30 on NBCSN.

There’s some good Major League Baseball action on the tube this weekend. Saturday, Houston is at Oakland at 3:00 and Milwaukee is at Washington at 6:00, both on Fox Sports 1. The Phillies host the Cubs Sunday night at 6:00 on ESPN. Oakland hosts the Yankees for a couple of late games next Tuesday & Wednesday night at 9:00 (ESPN).

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The weather for the weekend ahead looks great. Look for sunshine, light winds, highs around 90 and lows around 70. It should be terrific for all outdoor activities – and indoor activities, as well. Get out and have a fabulous time.  Remember, though… wherever 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.

1909 in Downtown Grove

Ailey’s Café in Langley

American Grill in Grove

Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)

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 Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café Italia on Monkey Island

Café Yum in Grove

Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)

Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove

Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)

Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina

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

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

Henrie’s Grill in Grove

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)

Morrow’s Bar & Grill at Morrow’s Landing

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

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)

Scooters in Langley (smoking)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)

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 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

Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove