November 11 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Monkey Islanders are in the midst of their seemingly non-stop “party for a good cause” charitable fundraising. Saturday was another incredibly successful spaghetti dinner & empty your pockets eating & drinking event at the Blind Swine, raising money for the Monkey Island Toys & Clothes for Kids Christmas fund. This weekend, it’s Island Thanksgiving and another fundraiser – Jello Wrestling for the Combat Veterans Association. Next weekend, it’s a Chili Cookoff at the Swine to raise money to finish the Monkey Island Trail. On Monkey Island, there’s no cause too big for a party to raise money!

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Grove is already in the holiday mood, too. They kicked off their multi-event Christmas Lights on the Lake Festival last weekend with their Christmas Open House. Something is happening every week. Donnie Crain and Josh Goff are leading the way for a revitalization of Grove. I love it!

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I’m so glad to see Shangri-La Resort’s plans for a lakewide “Winter Gala” at the resort on December 14. Back in the day, this was the biggest annual winter event on Grand Lake. Let’s hope the “good ol’ days” are back with a vengeance! Land parades, a boat parade, brunch with Santa – and now a “Winter Gala.” And we’re not even talking about New Year’s. There’s no place like Grand Lake for the holidays!

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The cat is out of the bag. We now know where all the game plan for the current administration came from. I was flipping through channels and ran across an interview with outrageous TV program host Jerry Springer. He explained it all: “Trump took my show and brought it to the White House.”

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Conway, Arkansas police officer Cebron Hackett has been suspended for 30 days for dancing naked in a Little Rock night club. He was also ordered to complete “remedial training.” I’m not sure what that means. Was he not a good enough dancer? My first thought was there must surely be a place for this guy in a Grand Lake area law enforcement agency.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The infamous Joyce Duke will be the featured Guest Chef at The Shebang Wednesday night, November 13 preparing salmon patties. Who knew Joyce could cook? Doc’s Bar & Grill’s Thursday night Karaoke & Shrimp Boil has been changed for the season. It’s now Karaoke & Prime Rib. Shangri-La Resort’s Summit Restaurant is now open to the public on Sunday & Monday evenings throughout the winter. Friday & Saturday evenings are reserved for members and registered hotel guests. Terry Jordan will entertain on Saturday & Sunday evenings now through March, 2020. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La will be open Thanksgiving, featuring a traditional Thanksgiving buffet for lunch and dinner.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Three different covers - Glenn Campbell, Dean Martin and Patti Page -- of John Hartford's "Gentle on My Mind" reached the Easy Listening chart's top 10 in 1968.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I’ve decided I don’t want to have children. I’m telling them tonight at dinner.  

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: People write “congrats” because they don’t know how to spell congrajlashins.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: If you rarely drive in snow, just pretend you’re taking your grandma to church. There’s a platter of biscuits and two gallons of sweet tea in glass jars in the back seat. She’s wearing a new dress and holding a crockpot full of gravy.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The old saying “think before you speak” should be replaced with a modern adage: “Google before you post!”

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I thought I broke my ankle when I tripped over a box of Kleenex, but the doctor says it’s only tissue damage.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The movie “Forrest Gump” was released 25 years ago. Try this, sports fans. Legendary Chicago Bears linebacker and sports commentator Dick Butkus has a birthday December 9. He’ll be 77 years old!

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BEST LINE OF THE WEEK: Not a single person asked me if I could run fast in my new shoes. Being an adult is stupid. (thanks to Linda Wall for sharing this one)

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Congratulations to Monkey Islander Ron Young. He has been nominated for induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame! Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Clark Boone, Roxane Gardner, Bryan Wilkinson, Teresa Karleskint, Chuck Perry, Gary Goss, Cliff Hudson, Duane Koehler, Steve Wetwiska, Lori Skelley-Follis, and Tom Fielder.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What happens if you take a survival course – and you don’t pass?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Monkey Island is the hot spot on the lake this weekend. Thursday Night Karaoke & Prime Rib Dinner is at Doc’s at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-9:00). Saturday evening at 5:00, Shangri-La members will enjoy the annual Festivus Shopping Party at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday evening is also the popular Monkey Island Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at Monkey Island Pub and the 2^nd Annual Combat Veterans Association Jello Wrestling Tournament at Blind Swine; and every Tuesday evening from 6:00-9:00 is Tuesday Trivia, Tacos & Tequila at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s great entertainment around the lake again this weekend. On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan will kick off the weekend at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Thursday at 6:00 with DJ and karaoke fun combined with the weekly Thursday night Shrimp Boil. Saturday and Sunday nights, Terry Jordan will entertain at Shangri-La’s Summit Restaurant. There’s great dance music Saturday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night, and Sunday nights are Open Jam Sessions for musicians at the Swine. Thursday nights, KJ Flip hosts the DJ and karaoke fun. Monkey Island Pub also has great dance music every Friday & Saturday night. At Littlefield Corner, there’s great live music every weekend at the Road Hog Saloon. Every Tuesday night, Jason Morgan entertains at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La with “Trivia, Tacos & Tequila Tuesdays” from 6:00-9:00. If your entertainment desires run more toward Jello Wrestling, this is your week. The 2^nd Annual Combat Veterans Association Jello Wrestling Tournament is Saturday night at 9:00 at Blind Swine.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of Whiskey Poet Societyt Friday night, followed by Jesse Joice Saturday.  At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke, and The George Brothers perform Friday night, followed by Dewayne Bowman at Bordertown Saturday.  Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features the music of Kevin Upshaw & One Night Stand Friday night and karaoke fun Saturday night. At River Bend Casino, Eastern Heights perform Friday night in the Club 60 West Bar, and DJ 5Start Entertainment provides 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 features The Nace Brothers Friday night and 90LB Wrench Saturday.  Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge offers entertainment by Harley Hamm Jimmy Jamm both Friday & Saturday nights. Eddie Valen will entertain Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino’s Echo Bar followed by Oreo Blue Friday and Mayday by Midnight Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action including College Football, NFL football, and NBA action 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: The new J.K. Simmons movie Klaus is available this week on NETFLIX. Madam Secretary airs Sunday night at 9:00 on CBS. The Voice airs Monday & Tuesday at 7:00 on NBC – and This is Us airs Tuesday at 8:00, also on NBC.  

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Good Liar, Ford v Ferrari, The Report, and All Rise

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Voting for Trump is like asking me to drive.” – Stevie Wonder

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, November 21 – South Grand Chamber Annual Banquet at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday, November 23 – Chili Cook-off at Blind Swine benefiting the Monkey Island Trail (1:00 p.m.). Thursday, November 28 - Thanksgiving dinner at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort. Thursday, November 28 – Winter Wonderland Christmas Lights Display opens at Pine Lodge Resort, continuing through the end of the year. Thursday, December 5 – Vinita Christmas Parade (7:00). Saturday, December 7 – Miami Country Christmas Parade (6:00). Sunday, December 8 – Christmas Potluck at Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina (2:00). Saturday, December 14 – Christmas Gala at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, December 14 – “Lights on the Lake Christmas Parade” in Grove (5:30).  Saturday, December 14 – Polar Plunge at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Saturday, December 14 – “A Big Band Christmas” with the Tulsa Praise Orchestra & Choir at the Coleman Theater in Miami (7:00). Saturday, December 14 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade from Cherokee Yacht Club. Sunday, December 15 – Christmas Brunch with Santa at the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La.

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It’s week #12 of the college football season – and it’s a really big week for the OU Sooners as they travel to Waco to take on the Baylor Bears Saturday night at 6:30 on ABC. The OSU Cowboys are at home hosting Kansas at 11:00 Saturday morning. Tulsa is idle this week. Other top college games this week include Texas at Iowa State (2:30 Saturday on Fox Sports 1) and LSU at Ole Miss (6:00 Saturday on ESPN).

NFL action moves into week #11 with Cleveland hosting the Steelers Thursday night at 7:00 on Fox. Sunday games include Dallas at Detroit (Fox) and Houston at Baltimore (CBS), both at noon. At 3:30, New England is at Philadelphia (CBS); and the Sunday night game features Chicago at the L.A. Rams (NBC). Monday Night Football sends Kansas City to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers. (7:00 on ESPN).

The NBA schedule has the OKC Thunder hosting Philadelphia Friday night at 7:00 before heading west for back-to-back road games in Los Angeles. They’ll face the Clippers Monday night and the Lakers Tuesday night, both at 9:30. All games are on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

PGA Players are in sunny Playa del Carmen, Mexico this weekend for the Mayakoba Golf Classic. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at noon Thursday & Friday, 1:00 Saturday, and 11:00 Sunday.

If you’re a NASCAR fan, Sunday is your last chance of the year to watch a race. Coverage of the Ford EcoBoost 400 from Miami begins Sunday at 2:00 on NBC.

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The weekend weather ahead won’t be as picture perfect as the one right behind us, but it looks pretty nice. Highs will be in the mid-50s with lows in the mid-to-upper 30s. If we get any rain at all, it probably won’t be until late in the day Sunday. Get out and have a fabulous time both on the lake, on the golf course, and at your favorite club, restaurant, or party.  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

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

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)

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

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