August 29 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
I don’t see how it’s possible to have more visitors to Grand Lake than we had last weekend but, since it’s the last big summer holiday weekend, I’m sure we’ll manage to break another record. Being a holiday weekend, we’ll have a lot of folks here who may not be familiar with our official holiday rules of behavior, so here they are again: No fighting, no puking, no hitting on someone else’s date, no griping at over-worked servers and bartenders, no bragging about how much money you have (or your parents have), no drunk driving, no public nudity (private nudity is okay), no yelling, no discussion of religion - and especially no politics!
As with all holiday weekends, you may have a little longer wait for a seat, a drink, or some food. Be nice to everyone who is working so you can play. The population of Grand Lake over the next few days will be equal to the population of the state’s third largest city. Everyone is understaffed for this weekend. If everybody who’s coming to the lake over the holiday weekend would come every weekend, all the businesses could staff up for those giant crowds. If I get my drink before you do, it’s because I’m there every day all year long. Bartenders already know what I want – and they know I’ll be sitting on the same stool in the winter. So, maybe you should buy a house and a boat while you’re here and come join us for the party all year! If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past two years, it’s that a lot of us can work from home just fine. It might as well be a Grand Lake home! You’d be surprised how many people have decided to do exactly that.
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Since everyone is keeping such a close eye on the so-called “cancel culture,” here’s one I’ll be you can’t top. George Dawson Middle School in Southlake, Texas has banned the book Life is So Good, co-written by…wait for it…George Dawson. Yep. They banned the book written by the guy after whom their school was named.
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We are fortunate at Grand Lake to have several year-round dining and drinking locations that are accessible by boat. But they aren’t all open year-round. If you love that experience, it won’t be long before we’ll be losing some of the most popular spots that are only open seasonally. Eddy’s, Ugly’s, Sharky’s, and Blind Swine on Duck Creek will be closing for the season in just a few weeks. Drink up, kids!
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Dennis Patrick, Gary Morgan, David Guest, Chad Randall, Tammie Koehler, Marilyn Mlnarik, Shelley Koster, Tessa Junker-Cook, Randall Jackson, Mike Magoulas, Trevor Randall, Stephanie Hollingshead, Wayne Moorhead, Sally Cole, Delana Bentley, Kim Quillin, Kim Shearer, J.B. Schuelein, Kenton Wheatley, and Emily Baggett.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: It’s Labor Day weekend on Grand Lake, so there is quite literally something happening everywhere you look. Friday night is the September Block Party at the Community Center Lawn in Grove and Saturday morning is Farmers’ Market on the same lawn. Saturday and Sunday afternoons, music loving boaters will want to be at the Redneck Raft-Out on-the-water concert in Check-In Bay. The music begins each day at noon.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Oklahoma ranks 44th for life expectancy in the U.S., 49th for those over 65. Life expectancy for Oklahomans decreased 1.6 years from 2019 to 2020.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In the early 1800s, the handle on a casket was a “huckle”. The person that carried it was a “bearer”. So, in real life, what Doc Holliday actually said before he killed someone was, “I’ll be your huckle bearer,” not “huckleberry.”
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I would bet my last dollar that somewhere in the State of Florida there is a drag queen now going by the name of Rhonda Santis.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Eat here! Get gas and worms.
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: TikTok would also be a great name for a senior citizens’ dating app.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I was drinking my milk shake on a cliff, and I suddenly thought… “Wow. This is ledge ‘n dairy.”
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do the folks who are so anxious to ban books in school realize that all those books are available online? And that’s where kids access books these days, anyway? And as soon as they hear about a book that his been banned, they jump on line to read it to find out why it was banned?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I just read that last year 4,213,257 people got married. I don’t want to start any trouble, but shouldn’t that be a even number?
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: It seems like the great movie “Home Alone” was just a couple of years ago, doesn’t it? Well, Macaulay Culkin turned 42 last week. The first big appearance in the United States by The Beatles was at Shea Stadium August 15, 1965. The ticket price was five dollars.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I find it quite ironic that the most dangerous thing about weed is getting caught with it.” – Bill Murray
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke & Shrimp Boil with Jason Morgan kicks off the holiday weekend fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Kevin Price performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night; and Terry Jordan tickles the ivories both Friday and Saturday nights at The Summit. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar features Friday night entertainment by The Fabulous 2-Man Band followed by Hypnotik Saturday night and The Stars Sunday night. Thursday and Tuesday nights are karaoke nights with DJ Mo at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, and Erin Fitzgibbon entertains early both Wednesday and Friday night. DJ Chris Kennedy will entertain Friday evening at Monkey Island RV Park.There is karaoke fun on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights; and DJ K-Bandito keeps the crowd hopping all three holiday weekend nights across the street at Big Shots. Saturday is karaoke & dancing with DJ Chris Kennedy at Monkey Island Pub.
On South Grand Lake, there are two big afternoons of on-the-water concert fun at The Redneck Raftout at Check-In Bay. Saturday afternoon bands include Stone Senate, Cody Parks and the Dirty South, Leilani Kilgore, and The Chitlins. Sunday afternoon includes performances by Quiet Riot, Them Dirty Roses, Framing the Red, Magnolia Bayou, and The L.A. Maybe. Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina features The Dax Perrier Band Friday night followed by the True Swagger Band Saturday night and DJ Mo Sunday. At the Drunken Rooster, there’s karaoke fun to start the weekend Thursday night. The Stars will be on stage at the Rooster Saturday night, and DJ Matt provides the entertainment Sunday. Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney will feature The Barrett Lewis Band Saturday night, followed by a matinee performance by Jake Flint at 4:00 Sunday afternoon.
In Grove, Twice as Nice Harpists provide the Friday night entertainment downstairs at The Regatta while Laron Simpson performs on the rooftop. Cory Lee will be on stage Saturday night followed by Backwood County Sunday. There is karaoke fun every Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday.
Sunday night, Puddle of Mudd with special guest Saliva will be in concert at the Indoor Peoria Showplace at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Wildwood Cove Lakeside Resort at the back of Drowning Creek has opened The Fire Pit Bar & Grill. The new restaurant is open Wednesday-Friday 5:00-9:00, Saturday 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Sunday 8:00 a.m.-Noon. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar will be open late Sunday night and Monday until 8:00 this week in addition to their regular Friday-Sunday hours. Breakfast service on Saturdays & Sundays is back at the Road Hog Saloon. The Cafeteria at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island has reopened for breakfast & lunch. Bella Donna’s has a new lunch menu. The Café at Indian Hills Marina is now closed on Wednesdays.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Blood premiers Thursday on HULU. Little Women will be available Saturday on NETFLIX. A special, Who Really Killed Michael Jackson airs next Tuesday evening at 7:00 on Fox.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul opens in movie theaters and on Peacock this week. The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power debuts Thursday with two episodes on Prime Video. Prey is streaming on HULU.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, September 8 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Member Luncheon at the Community Center (12:00). Thursday-Saturday, September 8-10 – Harvest Fest 2022 at Camp Copperhead in Spavinaw. Friday, September 9 – Shangri-La Sip & Sail Sunset Cruise (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Thursday, September 15 – 84th REC Drive-Thru Event (3 p.m.) Thursday, September 15 – Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s “Luau on the Green” at Shangri-La. Friday, September 16 – Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s Annual Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Friday, September 16 – Couples Nine & Wine at Shangri-La Golf Club (5:30). Friday, September 16 – Cherokee Golf Classic at The Coves Golf Club. Tuesday, September 20 – Food Truck Tuesday at Langley City Park (5:00-8:00). Friday-Sunday, September 23-25 – Pioneer Days at Har-Ber Village in Grove. Saturday, September 24 – Mahogany & Chrome Classic Boat Show and Vintage Car Show at Arrowhead Yacht Club (10:00-3:00). Saturday, September 24 – Cedar Port Marina Customer Appreciation Party. Saturday, September 24 – A Taste of Grand at INTEGRIS Health Grove. Sunday-Tuesday, September 25-27 – MSSU Invitational Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Sunday, October 2 – John Daly/Major Ed Heart of a Lion Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Thursday-Sunday, October 6-9 – Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Friday, October 7 – South Grand Lake Chamber’s 25th Annual Coves Golf Tournament. Saturday, October 8 – River Bend Car Show at River Bend Casino in Wyandotte. Tuesday, October 11 –Lake O’ The Cherokees Sub-Watershed Association Annual Meeting at NEO Student Union (4:00).
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College football is in full swing. OSU kicks off the season Thursday night at 6:00 hosting Central Michigan. Saturday games include UTEP at Oklahoma, Cincinnati at Arkansas, and Tulsa at Wyoming – all at 2:30. There are other big games, as well. Notre Dame is at Ohio State Saturday at 6:30. LSU hosts Florida State Sunday night at 6:30, and Clemson visits Georgia Tech Monday night at 7:00.
The NFL preseason is over and there is a one-week break in NFL action to allow space for the big college football kick-off weekend. The NFL regular season begins next week.
PGA golfers are taking a break between seasons, as well. The 2021-2022 season over – and the 2022-2023 season won’t start for…two weeks. The Fortinet Championship begins September 15.
NASCAR drivers kick off the Playoffs Round of 16 this weekend. Coverage of the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington begins at 5:00 Sunday afternoon on USA.
There are also some great Major League Baseball games televised this weekend, including Baltimore at Cleveland Thursday at 5:00 and Texas at Boston Saturday at 3:00. The L.A. Dodgers host San Diego for a pair of games – Friday night at 9:00 and Sunday at 6:00. Monday morning at 11:30, the N.Y. Yankees are at Pittsburgh.
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The weather forecast for the holiday weekend at Grand Lake couldn’t look better. Partly cloudy skies, light winds, highs around 90 and lows in the mid-60s. It appears to be the perfect atmosphere for all the fun options around the lake on this long weekend. Enjoy all Grand Lake has to offer, both indoors and out. Remember, though, 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)
Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina
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
Cafeteria at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Danny’s Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing
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 Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek
Forage in downtown Grove & The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
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 Coffee Company in Grove
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek
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)
Monkey Island RV Resort
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
Pier 13 Liquor Store 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
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, 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)
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
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 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
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