November 14 Random Observations of the Grand Lake Bum
We settled a lot of issues over the past week. We wrapped up the General Election season and crowned a new Jello Wrestling Champion at Blind Swine on Monkey Island. I’m not sure if the election campaign season or the Jello wrestling was messier!
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After the dust (or smoke) settled, use of recreational marijuana was approved in two of the five states that voted on the issue November 8. Missouri & Maryland voted to legalize it. Arkansas, South Dakota, and North Dakota voted “no.” Oklahomans will vote on the issue March 7. If you want to peak over the horizon at what’s next…voters in Colorado approved the decriminalization of psychedelic mushrooms!
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Winter arrived over the past weekend, too. And with a vengeance! It was a crazy beginning to the season of misery. Mother Nature just started throwing out temperatures like Powerball numbers: 66, 40, 29, 68, 24, and 13.
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While we’re talking about lottery numbers, I didn’t win the $2 billion Powerball jackpot last week, even though I purchased tickets. Lottery fraud is the only possible conclusion. My representatives found buckets of lottery balls that had my numbers on them.
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It may not be Thanksgiving at your house this week, but it is on Monkey Island. The traditional Monkey Island Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner is Saturday night at Monkey Island Pub. That’ll top off a HUGE day on the Island. There’s a huge Bedlam watch party at Big Shots, plus a big indoor/outdoor Bedlam Party & Hooray Grill cookout at The Anchor at Shangri-La immediately following the annual Festivus pre-Christmas shopping & drinking party at the Golf Shop at Shangri-La (5:00 p.m.). It should be quite a memorable weekend on the Island.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Chuck Perry, Gary Goss, Duane Koehler, Cliff Hudson, Steve Wetwiska, Pam Ferguson, Tom Fielder, Lori Skelley-Follis, Eric Long, Stacey Hudson, Kenny Cole, Kevin Burke, Preston Kelley, Leann Laue-Goff, Mike Long, Darlena Phillips, Roy Morgan, Ben Faulkner, Val Saamer, Josh Lee, Barbara Patrick, Debby Harwood, and Elizabeth West.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: It’s not as busy as last weekend, but there’s plenty of pre-Thanksgiving fun this week. “Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson” begins a new season at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00 p.m.). Tuesday evening is also a Grove Newcomers Club “Meet & Eat” at the Road Hog Saloon (6:00). Thursday night is the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce annual banquet – “The First Christmas Party of the Year” at Shangri-La Resort (5:00 p.m.). “Friday Night Trivial Pursuit” begins a new season at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney this week. Saturday is a “Yappy Hour” fundraiser at Second Chance Pet Rescue in Grove (Noon-3:00) with snacks, beverages, and facility tours. Saturday is Bedlam Football Day, as well. There’s a Bedlam Watch Party and Cookout on the Hooray Grill Saturday evening at The Anchor at Shangri-La, and additional watch parties at Big Shots, Mulligans, Hookers, Mooney’s, and the Drunken Rooster.
Saturday night will also include Bedlam coverage at the traditional “Monkey Island Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner” at Monkey Island Pub.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Before it became the name of a national hotel chain, a ramada was a temporary structure with a roof and no sides, common among American Indians of the Southwest.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Groundbreaking is this week for the largest Buc-ee’s Travel Center “in the universe.” The new store in Luling, Texas will cover 75,000 square feet and include 120 fueling stations.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Thanksgiving list: 1) Spend $400 on groceries; 2) Spend 10 hours making dinner; 3) Food eaten in 20 minutes; 4) Take 5 hours to clean up.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: I bought new shoes with memory foam insoles. No more forgetting why I walked into the kitchen.
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: Thanks to the people who said it’s okay to allow your pets to sleep on your bed, my goldfish is now dead.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I was going to cook alligator for dinner, but realized I only had a croc pot.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: We’re approaching another big eating and drinking holiday, so I need to know…do two glasses of wine and three bloody marys equal five servings of fruits & vegetables?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Apparently our elected officials get their spending habits before they’re even elected. Early estimates indicate there was $16.7 billion spent on campaign advertising during the U.S. mid-term election campaigns.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: It has been twenty years since Kelly Clarkson won the American Idol competition. Art Garfunkel (Simon & Garfunkel) turned 81 last week. Guitarist Jeff Cook, who co-founded the successful country group Alabama died last week. He was 73.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If I waited until I had all my ducks in a row, I’d never get across the street. Sometimes you just have to gather up what you’ve got and make a run for it.” – Judge Lynn Toler
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off Thursday night at the Italian Buffet & Karaoke with Jason Morgan at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Mark Gibson performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. DJ K-Bandito is now hosting late-night fun at Big Saturdays at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze – and there’s a big Chili Cookoff and Bedlam Football Party Saturday at Big Shots; and Saturday is also Rockstar Karaoke night with DJ Chris Kennedy at Monkey Island Pub.
On South Grand Lake, The Brent Giddens Duo entertains Saturday night at the Drunken Rooster.
In Grove, there is karaoke fun every Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night by The Uncrowned Kings, and more karaoke Saturday. Encore performs Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by The Lyle Parman Band Saturday.
Sweet Trouble Acoustic starts the weekend music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Donnie Ray Stephens Friday night and Sweet Trouble Saturday. Bobby DeGonia entertains Saturday night at Club 60 West at River Bend Casino. Tracy Lawrence and Tracy Byrd will be in concert Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace. Collin Raye will entertain Saturday night at Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Casino.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Wednesday night’s “Guest Chef” at The Shebang this week is legendary Island Chef Harrell Pickens. Monkey Island’s Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner is Saturday night at Monkey Island Pub. The Shebang and Shangri-La both offer Thanksgiving “Desserts to Go” menu offerings. Shangri-La Resort and Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Country Club are both offering complete “Thanksgiving to Go” dinners for the holiday. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La will be open Thanksgiving Day serving a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner 11:00-7:00. Twin Bridges Restaurant at River Bend Casino will have a Thanksgiving Day Buffet 11:00-6:00. Cherokee Yacht Club will hold a Thanksgiving Day Brunch 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The delayed opening of Bailey’s Bistro at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island is now planned for November 29.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Stephen Colbert hosts a celebrity pickleball tournament – Pickled – Thursday night at 8:00 on CBS. The 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies will be televised Saturday night at 7:00 on HBO. The 2022 American Music Awards are Sunday night at 7:00 on ABC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Menu and She Said both open in movie theaters this week. The Santa Clauses will be available next Wednesday on Disney+. A Christmas Story Christmas is available Thursday on HBO Max. Disenchanted and Mickey: The Story of a Mouse are both available Friday on Disney+.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, November 17 – Grove Newcomers Club luncheon at Doc’s at Shangri-La Resort (11:30). Thursday, November 24 – The Anchor at Shangri-La will be open Thanksgiving Day. Thursday, November 24 – Doc’s at Shangri-La will be open featuring a traditional Thanksgiving Buffet. Thursday, November 24 – First night of Pine Lodge Resort’s “Winter Wonderland” drive-thru Christmas lights (Continues through January 1). Friday & Saturday, November 25-26 – Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village at Har-Ber Village. Saturday, November 26 – “Shop Small” Small Business Saturday. Thursday, December 1 – “Gathering of Creators” at the Grove Public Schools Performing Arts Center (10:00-11:30) sponsored by the Grove Area Creative Alliance. Thursday, December 1 – Vinita Christmas Parade of Lights (6:00). Friday, December 2 – 1st Friday Wine Share at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Grove (6:00). Friday-Sunday, December 2-4 – Journey to Jesus at Oasis Animal Adventures (3:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 3 – Big 12 Football Championship Game at The Anchor. Saturday, December 3 – Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village at Har-Ber Village. Saturday, December 10 – 2nd Chance Pet Rescue annual Breakfast & Dessert Auction at the Grove Community Center (9:00 a.m.). Saturday, December 10 – Grove Christmas Lights Parade (6:00). Saturday, December 3 – Grand Lake’s Mr. & Miss Merry Christmas Pageant at Grove Middle School Auditorium (6:00 p.m.). Friday, December 9 – Gateway to Grand Lake Christmas Parade in Ketchum (6:30). Saturday, December 10 – Grand Lake Christmas Lights Boat Parade from Cherokee Yacht Club (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 10 – A Big Band Christmas at The Coleman Theater in Miami (7:00). Sunday, December 11 – “A Monkey Island Christmas Card” musical sing-along with entertainer Terry Jordan in the lobby of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (2:00-5:00 p.m.). Friday, December 16 – Christmas Party with Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00-10:00 p.m.). Friday, December 16 – Inaugural Christmas Party at The Legacy in Grove (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 17 – Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village at Har-Ber Village. Sunday, December 18 – Christmas Brunch with Santa at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (10:00-2:00). Sunday, December 18 - “A Monkey Island Christmas Card” musical sing-along with entertainer Terry Jordan in the lobby of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (2:00-5:00 p.m.).
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In the college football world, it’s Bedlam Time! The Sooners host the Cowboys Saturday night with a 6:30 kick-off on ABC. Tulsa will kick off the weekend early hosting South Florida Friday night at 8:00. In addition to Bedlam, other great Saturday games include TCU at Baylor, Kansas State at West Virginia, Texas at Kansas, Texas Tech at Iowa State, Ole Miss at Arkansas, and USC at UCLA.
In the NFL, Green Bay hosts Tennessee Thursday night. Sunday games include Philadelphia at Indianapolis and Cleveland at Buffalo (both at noon), Kansas City at L.A. Chargers (3:30), and Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (7:00). Monday Night Football features San Francisco at Arizona.
PGA Players at Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia this week for the RSM Classic. Coverage begins at 11:00 a.m. Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday exclusively on The Golf Channel.
The NBA season is well underway. The OKC Thunder are on the road at Memphis Friday (7:00) before returning home to host the Knicks Monday (7:00) and the Nuggets next Wednesday (7:00). Thunder games are on Bally Sports Oklahoma.
FIFA World Cup soccer competition begins Sunday with Qatar facing Ecuador. The first U.S. game is against Wales Monday at 1:00.
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There aren’t many encouraging words about the weekend weather ahead. We may get a little bump of a few degrees Sunday but, until then, we’ll have highs around 40 and lows in the mid-to-upper teens so get out there and enjoy all the many weekend Grand Lake indoor entertainment options there are plenty of ‘em. Wherever you decide to party, though, 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
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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