December 25 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

One good thing about being a BUM who just puts words on a computer screen for a living, there’s not a lot of pressure from bosses, peers or underlings trying to influence what I do! That makes every day go by pretty quickly and with no intramural arguments. I thought it would be a little weird at my office Christmas party since no one else works with me – but it was actually pretty great. There were no arguments – not even any disagreements. Everyone shared the same political philosophy and it seemed like everyone was really smart. There are advantages to working alone.

*****

With all the pressures of the Christmas holiday behind us, we have arrived at one of my two favorite holidays of the year. New Year’s and Thanksgiving are the only two holidays focused totally on eating, drinking, and football. No gifts to worry about. No pressure to find costumes. No endless stream of parties you wish you weren’t obligated to attend. Nope. Just fun. I need to be careful this year, though. It’s rare for New Year’s Eve to fall on a Sunday. That means NFL games instead of the five big college bowl games I usually drink my way through on New Year’s Eve. Those five big bowl games will be played on New Year’s Day this year. After drinking my way through NFL games Sunday night, I hope I’m able to recover enough for the big day-long New Year’s Day bowl game extravaganza at The Anchor. It’s still my favorite holiday – but it’s not totally without pressure.

*****

A new year means new resolutions, of course. Perhaps the best use of the word “resolutions” is the new gymnasium & athletic club a buddy of mine is planning to open. He’s hoping to get a bunch of memberships to get the ball rolling, but he’s naming it “Resolutions” because that name will still work about mid-February when he converts it to a sports bar.

*****

I have a few resolutions of my own for the new year. I’m sticking to my resolve to work less and play more, eat less, drink more, spend less time on land and more time on water, and waste less time by sleeping; but I’ve decided to complete some skills that I have only half-mastered.  I can do laundry with the best of them, for example, but I still can’t fold a fitted sheet.  I’m a great sports fan, but I don’t have the Watch ESPN app and “streaming” is still a bit of a reach for me.  I can work a remote, watch TV and record movies and events – and I’ve finally mastered NetFlix and Apple TV (Hulu, Amazon Prime, and YouTube TV are still mysteries to me). I’m working on my technological skills. I moved up to an iPhone 12 Pro (up from an iPhone 4) and I have an actual Apple watch. So far, I can tell what time it is, but I think it’s supposed to do more than that. I’ve pretty much mastered boats, but I’m still working on car knowledge. What are all those buttons on the dash – and how can I get the dome light to come on when I open he door and go off when I close it? I’m still working on a few things, obviously – but I’m planning to work on those things while spending more time with people I really like – and less time with those I don’t. And I don’t plan to let anything interfere with having a good time! Otherwise, what’s the point of living at Grand Lake?

*****

I hope you have fun this weekend, but mind your manners. Remember, it’s not only a long holiday weekend, it’s a long NEW YEAR’S holiday weekend. Everybody else will be just as drunk, smart, good-looking, and impatient as you are. Bartenders and servers will be crazy busy – and they’re working so you can play. Hold your tongue, enjoy the party, and tip well.

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Nancy Wyatt, Linda Ballard, Chandra Farmer, Scott Gallagher, Barbara Staten, Steve Rhoades, Lester Lancaster, Robert Vandommelen, Debbie Dooley, Syrina Nelson, Kole Kilcrease, Reggie Wallace, Patrick Crossland, Bill Schenke, Jonathan Moosmiller, Phil Carrott, and Mark Londagin.      

*****

BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. This is the final weekend of ice skating at the Ice Rink at Grove’s Community Center. Open Skate hours are Friday 6:00-10:00, Saturday 3:00-10:00, and Sunday 3:00-8:00 p.m. The Christmas Lights displays Twin Bridges State Park and Pine Lodge Resort are open for your drive-thru enjoyment. Wednesday night is a Texas Bowl Watch Party at The Anchor – OSU vs. Texas A&M (8:00 p.m.). Thursday night is an Alamo Bowl Watch Party at The Anchor – OU vs. Arizona (8:00 p.m.) as well as Trivia Night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Sunday night is a Shangri-La Members’ New Year’s Eve Wine Dinner at The Summit Restaurant (6:00-10:00 p.m.), a big New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party at the Drunken Rooster, a “Paint the Town Red” New Year’s Eve Party at Blind Swine, and a New Year’s Eve “Sparkle Party” at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. The Anchor at Shangri-La has extended hours of operation Monday (New Year’s Day) for the five big bowl games including the College Football Playoff Semi-Finals Watch Party Monday night.

*****

RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: At birth, Kareem Abdul Jabbar was 22 1/2 inches long and weighed 12 pounds, 11 ounces.

*****

FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: In every movie he filmed, the late Robin Williams asked the production company to hire at least 10 homeless people. During his entire career, he helped approximately 1,520 homeless people find work.

*****

ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The U.S. Postal Service handles more mail in one week than UPS handles in a year. USPS actually handles more mail in one day than FedEx does all year.

*****

DEFINITION OF THE WEEK: Amazonesia: when you forget what you ordered.

*****

BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Please don’t drink and drive during the New Year’s holiday weekend. If you want to drive safely, my team can help for FREE! Please call/inbox me at least 2 days in advance. I have a team of experienced people who can help! We will come and drink for you so you can safely drive home. Have a happy, safe New Year!

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Wishing you a Happy Whatever Doesn’t Offend You!

*****

BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Dear Liver, this weekend will be a rough one. Stay strong!

                                                       *****

PUN OF THE WEEK: A friend of mine wants to open a restaurant that fuses Chinese and Middle Eastern Cuisine. He’s thinking of calling it “Wok Like and Egyptian.”

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: By law, you must turn on your headlights when it’s raiing in Sweden. How the hell are we supposed to know when it’s raining in Sweden?

*****

OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Sunday is way cooler than just being the last day of the year and New Year’s Eve. The date is actually….123123.

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Evangelical Christianity has been hijacked by people who would have given Jesus himself the boot if he knocked on their door.” – Jimmy Carter

*****

FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary writer, director, producer, actress and lifelong TV star Carol Burnett is 90 years old. Comedian, actress, writer and, most recently star of “Grace & Frankie,” Lily Tomlin turned 84 last week; and ageless musical superstar Keith Richards added to his “agelessness” last week. He’s now 80 years old.  

*****

BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of live music around the lake this week. On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend with Thursday Night Karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill this week and KJ Flip leads the karaoke fun at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Friday night, JR Neal entertains live at Doc’s; and DJ K-Bandito hosts the musical fun Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights at Big Shots. Blind Swine on Monkey Island will have a DJ and live music for New Year’s Eve Sunday night.

On South Grand Lake, the karaoke contest continues at The Copper Penny in Ketchum Thursday evening. The Stars will provide the New Year’s Eve entertainment Sunday night at the Drunken Rooster’s Masquerade Party.

In Grove, there is karaoke Thursday nights at Grand Lake Casino, with live music Friday night by Constant Chaos, followed by more karaoke fun Saturday and a special New Year’s Eve performance by Western Justice Sunday night. There are four bands jammed into three nights of live music at Cherokee Casino featuring Midnight South Friday night, followed by The Downbeat Saturday night. New Year’s Eve entertainment starts at 4:00 Sunday afternoon with Encore followed by Material Girl at 9:00.

The Sweet Trouble Trio starts the weekend entertainment Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino. Rock Radicals take over the stage Friday night followed by The Sweet Trouble Band Saturday night and Mayday By Midnight Sunday night.  Str8ght Shot entertains Saturday night in Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar, followed by the Randy Ess Band Sunday night. Dewayne & Amy will be on stage Saturday night at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West followed at 11:00 by an after party hosted by DJ Kay.

*****

DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The Anchor Sports Bar is open extended hours for New Year’s weekend – open 11:00 a.m.-midnight (or later) New Year’s Eve and open 10:00 a.m.-midnight for all the big bowl games New Year’s Day. The Fire Pit Restaurant at Wildwood Cove Resort  is closed until Thursday, January 4. Bailey’s Bistro has closed at the Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island, but will reopen soon at The Blind Swine. Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove is now closed permanently.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve with Ryan Seacrest airs Sunday night at 7:00 on ABC. Nashville’s Big New Year’s Eve Bash airs Sunday night at 6:30 on CBS. Countdown to 2024 begins at 6:00 Sunday on ABC. The 2024 Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony airs Monday at 7:00 on ABC and

****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Aquaman, Migration, Anyone But You and The Iron Claw are all in movie theaters. The Color Purple and The Boys in the Boat open this week. Mr. Monk’s Last Case is available on Peacock.

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 4 – First night of weekly “Thursday Trivia” at Boom at The Regatta (6:00). Thursday, January 4 – Karaoke Contest continues at Copper Penny in Ketchum. Thursday, January 4 – Organizational meeting of Winter Pool League at The Anchor (7:00 p.m.). Friday, January 5 – First Friday Wine Share at Long’s Resort (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, January 5-7 – Oklahoma Boat Expo at Tulsa’s Cox Convention Center downtown. Saturday, January 6 – SINGO competition with Jason Morgan at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Monday, January 8 – College Football Playoff Championship Game Watch Party at The Anchor. Tuesday, January 9 – Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor (7:00). Thursday, January 11 – Grove Chamber Membership Luncheon at the Grove Community Center featuring GRDA Director of Corporate Communications Justin Alberty (12:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, January 12-14 – Oklahoma City Boat & RV Show at the Bennett Event Center, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Saturday, January 13 – SINGO Competition with Jason Morgan at The Anchor (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, January 13 – Magician Aaron Radatz at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center (6:00 p.m.).  Tuesday, January 16 – Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, January 20 – SINGO Competition with Jason Morgan at The Anchor (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, January 20 – Ned Ledoux performs live at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center (6:00 p.m.). Sunday, January 21 – Members’ “Meet & Greet” new Shangri-La F&B Staff at the Summit Restaurant (2:00-4:00 p.m.). Tuesday, January 23 – Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor (7:00 p.m.). Friday, January 26 – Grove Chamber “Eggs & Issues” legislative breakfast at St. Andrews Episcopal Church (8:00 a.m.). Saturday, January 27 – SINGO Competition with Jason Morgan at The Anchor (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, January 27 – The Baldknobbers perform live at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center (6:00 p.m.). Monday-Sunday, January 29-February 4 – Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at SageNet Center, Tulsa State Fairgrounds. Tuesday, January 30 – Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor (7:00 p.m.). Friday, February 2 – First Friday Wine Share at Still Waters Salon & Day Spa in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Wednesday, February 7 – Home of Hope Chocolate Affair (6:00-8:00 p.m.).

 *****

On the college football Bowl Game schedule, we’re finally at the high point. There are 17 bowl games this week, and they’re all good ones. Highlights include Kansas vs. UNLV Tuesday at 4:30, North Carolina vs. West Virginia Wednesday at 4:30, with Louisville facing USC at 7:00 and OSU and Texas A&M battling in the Texas Bowl at 8:00.

Thursday, Kansas State faces N.C. State at 4:45 followed by OU and Arizona in the Alamo Bowl at 8:15. Friday games include Memphis and Iowa State at 2:30, and Missouri taking on Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl at 7:00.

Saturday, Ole Miss and Penn State kick off the day at 11:00 in the Peach Bowl, Auburn faces Maryland at 1:00 in the Music City Bowl, and Georgia battles Florida State in the Orange Bowl at 3:00.

And finally – it’s New Year’s Day. Wisconsin and LSU start the day at 11:00 in the Reliaquest Bowl. Iowa faces Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl and Liberty takes on Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl, both at noon. At 4:00, the first championship semi-final game is in the Rose Bowl with Alabama facing Michigan. Texas and Washington wrap up the day with the second semi-final in the Sugar Bowl at 7:45.

In the NFL, we’ve reached the point every game counts. Cleveland hosts the N.Y. Jets Thursday night. Saturday night, Detroit is at Dallas. Sunday games include Miami at Baltimore and New Orleans at Tampa Bay at noon, Cincinnati at Kansas City at 3:30 and Green Bay at Minnesota Sunday night at 7:20.

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder are back and forth like a ping-pong ball for the next few games hosting the Knicks Wednesday before traveling to Denver to face the Nuggets again Friday night; then they’re back home hosting the Nets Sunday, and the Celtics next Tuesday. Next Wednesday, they’re back on the road in Atlanta.

*****

I hope you had a full calendar of outdoor fun during Christmas weekend, because the New Year’s Weekend weather looks perfect for activities that are indoors! We’ll have high temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s, with lows in the mid-20s. There are plenty of great college bowl games and plenty of options for you to enjoy the great indoors this weekend, but remember, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!

GRAND LAKE BUM

If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both  Grand Lake Living and www.360grandlake.com, the cost is only $ 50 a week and the list of readers is growing.  E-mail grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker newspaper.

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

Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove

Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)

Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina (closed for the season)

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

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 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

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

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 (closed for the season)

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Flower Bar in 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 Coffee Company in Grove

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek

Hero’s Deli 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

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Matt’s Place in Grove

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

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 (closed for the season)

R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove

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

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (closed for the season)

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 Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

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 (closed for the season)

VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove