August 30 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
I can’t believe another month is gone. Here we are at September, already, and Labor Day Weekend on Grand Lake! You know what that means. The official Grand Lake Bum Holiday Behavior Rules are in place. 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. 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. They 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 year, 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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A holiday weekend means several things - hot, sticky, lots of drinking, short tempers, impatient people, irate patrons…but there’s still something to be thankful for. At least we don’t have any bars on Grand Lake that offer axe throwing. I can’t believe combining drinking and axe throwing has actually become a thing.What could possibly go wrong, right?
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We all get plenty of spam calls, and I appreciate the added monitoring that warns me incoming calls may be “spam risk.” This week was a new one, though. I had a call blocked and, instead of “spam risk,” my message said “Extortion.” It’s good that they’re getting specific in case there are some spam calls we might want to take, right? Now…if they just had a couple more specific messages like “car warranty pitch” or “old high school friend you probably don’t want to talk to.”
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The COVID vaccination program is starting to get really serious now. It’s no longer just about saving lives. It’s about far more important issues – like FOOTBALL. Fans attending the OU-Tulane game in New Orleans Saturday will have to have proof of either a COVID vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of game time. It’s happening in pro ranks, too. At the NFL season opener for the Las Vegas Raiders hosting the Baltimore Ravens, all attendees must have proof of having received COVID vaccines, or they won’t be allowed in the stadium. This should be the beginning of the end of the pandemic. When it starts interfering with football, Americans start taking it seriously.
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Speaking of the pandemic, I hope all those people who are taking ivermectin horse & cattle de-wormer for Covid go to their vet to get spayed/neutered, too.
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RAFT-OUT TIP: Not everybody likes your music choices. ADDITIONAL TIP: If you’re going to the Redneck Raft Out Saturday, folks will be there to hear the bands. NOBODY is there to hear your stereo.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Staff shortages are taking a toll. Downstream Casino has limited hours of operation and menu selections at Legends Sports Bar, Red Oak Restaurant, and Spring River Buffet. Check their website. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now closed Sunday & Monday and Blind Swine on Duck Creek is closed on Mondays. Sugar Shack at Lee’s Resort now closes at 3:00 Sunday and remains closed Monday. The Cove Club in Langley is now closed on Tuesdays. Stuff’ns Café in Ketchum is now closing at 2:00 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and at 8:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. The Grill at Indian Hills has a limited Sunday menu (yes, they have chicken), but they are open daily.
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Friday is the monthly Grove Block Party at the Community Center Lawn (5:00-9:00). Pick up some veggies while you’re there. The August Farmers’ Market will also be at the Community Center Friday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. The Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival is Friday & Saturday (evenings at Snider’s Campground & daytime at Grove Civic Center). Saturday afternoon is the big Redneck Raft Out at Check-In Bay (12:00-5:00). The fun Dock Shots Competition at Shangri-La Golf Club is Saturday at 5:00 – and Saturday night is the 70s Hippie Costume Party at Monkey Island Pub. Next Tuesday, Shangri-La hosts the PGA Pro/Assistant Championship Tournament.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the holiday weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Jacob Dement entertains indoors at Doc’s. Big Smitty provides the music Friday night on the patio at Doc’s, followed by 5th Element Saturday and Brett & Terri Sunday night. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights; and just across the street, DJ K-Bandito leads the cavalcade of great DJs and dance music at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze all three holiday weekend nights. KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Thursday night at Blind Swine. Erin Fitzibbon will perform early Friday at the Swine – and Diversity will take the stage late Friday. The Barrett Lewis Band wraps up the Live Swine weekend Saturday night. Saturday night is great dancing and singing – and the big 70s Hippie Costume Party at Monkey Island Pub - Karaoke with Tim.
On South Grand, four fabulous bands will entertain boaters at Check-In Bay Saturday afternoon (boat access only) for the big Redneck Raft Out – Framing the Red, Georgia Thunderbolts, Them Dirty Roses, and The Lawless. The Clint Ingram Duo (with Frank Arnold) performs Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney, followed by DJ Matt Saturday night and an early solo performance Sunday by Barrett Lewis (5:00-8:00). Erin Fitzgibbon entertains every Thursday night at Blind Swine on Duck Creek (at Harbors View Marina) and Magen Faulconer will provide the weekend wrap-up Sunday Funday night at 6:00. Garrett True entertains Friday night at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina, followed by RPM Saturday night. RocKFiscH will take the Sharky’s stage Sunday afternoon, and True Swagger wraps up the weekend Sunday night.
In Grove, Friday night from 5:00-9:00, Jacob Clark & Friends will entertain on the Community Center Lawn at the monthly Block Party. At The Regatta, KJ Flip will lead the karaoke fun Friday night, with Cory Lee taking the stage Saturday followed by Until Now Sunday night.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Brett & Terri in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Runnin’ on Empty Friday night and Tim Nowell Saturday. The Chris Hyde Trio will provide a Sunday matinee performance at 3:00. The Shotgunbillys perform Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by Jumpsuit Love Saturday.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Mars Bonfire was the stage name of Dennis Eugene McCrohan, best known for writing the rock standard "Born to Be Wild."
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Welcome to Oklahoma where you can get 30 minutes of driving directions and never hear a street or road name mentioned once.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I’m awake. Please respect my privacy during this difficult time. (thanks to Linda Wall for this one)
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Autocorrect has become my worst enema.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Today I learned the average American consumes 9 alcoholic drinks per week. Today I also learned I’m above average!
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: When I drink lots of alcohol, people say I’m an alcoholic; but when I drink lots of Fanta, nobody says I’m fantastic.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: My goal has always been to lead a life I don’t need a vacation from.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary drummer Charlie Watts, a founding member of The Rolling Stones, died last week at the age of 80. Barbara Eden, the actress who set hearts a-flutter as the famous genie in the TV series “I Dream of Jeannie,” turned 90 years old last week. Robert Plant, the unforgettable lead singer of Led Zeppelin, is 73 years old.
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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, Pat Dunn, Tessa Junker, Marilyn Mlnarik, Cathy Storey, Mike Magoulas, Stephanie Hollingshead, Wayne Moorhead, Delana Bentley, Sally Cole, Randy Phillips, Kim Quillin, J.B. Schuelein, Kenton Wheatley, Emily Baggett, and Kim Shearer.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, then doesn’t it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: CMA Summer Jam airs Thursday night at 7:00 on ABC. Q-Force debuts Thursday on NETFLIX. A Billie Eilish Concert - Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles airs Friday on Disney+. The new series Doogie Kamealoha debuts next Wednesday, also on Disney+. The second have of the season for Billions airs Sunday night at 8:00 on Showtime.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Shang-Chi and The Legend of Ten Rings opens in theaters this week. Cinderella debuts on Prime Video. Afterflife of the Party and Worth are both available this week on NETFLIX.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “What happens after you die? Lots of things. They just don’t involve you.” – Louis C.K.
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, September 10 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Patricia Island (1:30 Shotgun). Saturday, September 11 – Mahogany & Chrome Classic Boat Show at Arrowhead Yacht Club (10:00-3:00). Saturday, September 11 – 2nd Annual Dusty Russell Car Event and South Grand Lake Lions Club Chili Cookoff in Langley (1:00-6:30). Thursday-Friday, September 16-17 – Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s “Luau on the Green” at Shangri-La Resort. Friday, September 17 – Cherokee Classic Golf Tournament at The Coves (10:00). Saturday, September 18 – REC Day Drive-Thru Event (Grove, Miami, Vinita, Pryor). Saturday, September 18 – Grand Lake Fireworks 5K Sunset Dam Run in Disney (3:00 at Cherokee State Park). Sunday, October 3 – Heart of a Lion Classic Presented by Armada Distributing at Shangri-La Golf Club (12:30 shotgun). Thursday-Sunday, October 7-10 – Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove.
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SPORTS WATCH: WOW! What a sports week! Most major colleges kick off their football season this week, including the teams we watch around here – but OU is the only one that’ll be easy to get on TV. They play at Tulane Saturday morning at 11:00 on ABC. Other area schools play this week, as well, but you have to be pretty well equipped technologically to get the games. Tulsa kicks off the season Thursday night at 6:30 hosting UC Davis on ESPN+. OSU hosts Missouri State Saturday night at 6:00, but the game is only televised on ESPN+ and XIINOW. Arkansas hosts Rice Saturday afternoon at 1:00, also only on ESPN+ and SECN+.
There are some other great college games on TV, though. Ohio State is at Minnesota Thursday night at 7:00. Saturday games on TV include Penn State at Wisconsin and Stanford at Kansas state, both at 11:00. Alabama is at Miami and West Virginia is at Maryland, both at 2:30. Texas hosts Louisiana at 3:30. Saturday night, Texas Tech is at Houston and Georgia is at Clemson. Florida State hosts Notre Dame Sunday night at 6:30, and Louisville is at Ole Miss Monday night.
It’s also a really big week for professional tennis. It’s U.S. Open time. Coverage is daily on ESPN networks beginning at 11:00 a.m. (10:00 Saturday, Sunday & Monday).
The PGA Tour is in Atlanta this week for the Tour Championship. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday, and 11:00 Saturday & Sunday mornings. NBC picks up the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 1:00.
There are some great MLB rivalries this week. Fox Sports 1 features Minnesota at Tampa Bay Saturday at 3:00. Sunday, the Dodgers are at San Francisco at 6:00 on ESPN. Next week, San Francisco is at Colorado Monday night, and the Mets are at Miami Tuesday night.
NASCAR drivers are at Darlington Sunday evening for the Cookout Southern 500. Coverage is on NBCSN beginning at 5:00.
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The holiday weekend weather forecast looks absolutely perfect! Mostly sunny, light winds, high temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s and lows in the upper 60s. There’s plenty happening around the lake this weekend, so get out an enjoy all you can – indoors or outdoors! Every bar and restaurant is overbooked and understaffed – so be nice and be patient; but 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.
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
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