November 20th Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

The holiday season officially got underway with some great Saturday night festivities on Monkey Island. First, the annual Festivus Party and Christmas Pre-Shopping Celebration at Shangri-La Saturday evening was great fun. Events with free beverages are ALWAYS great fun! There were a lot of people there, but most of them got out early enough to participate in what must have been a record-breaking Monkey Island Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at Monkey Island Pub. It was the perfect kick-off to a 10-day celebration dedicated to non-stop drinking, eating, and football! Let’s the games begin.

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Things obviously have changed over a few decades…but just out of curiosity, I was looking at some ticket prices from concerts in 1965. Would you rather see the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl…or the Rolling Stones at War Memorial Auditorium in Rochester, New York? The Beatles tickets were cheaper: $3.00. Fifty cents more for the Stones: $3.50.  Shoot, these days that won’t handle the cover charge for a DJ! That a difference five decades make.

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I think we may have a new favorite holiday in America. Judging from all the ads I’ve been seeing on TV, in the newspapers and hearing on the radio, I honestly can no longer tell which holiday is the most popular of the season…Thanksgiving, Christmas – or Black Friday!

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I saw a recipe for bacon-wrapped brussel sprouts. While that might help kill the taste of brussel sprouts, it seems like a waste of perfectly good bacon to me.

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I saw on television the other night that the average price range of funerals is now $7,000-10,000. I guess you guys will have to put up with my antics for a long time. I can no longer afford to die.

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The Oklahoma Legislative Compensation Board voted last week to reduce the pay to Oklahoma legislators by 8.8 percent. So the average legislator’s pay will be reduced to $35,020 per year. By the way, starting pay for Oklahoma teachers is $31,600.  The 8.8% reduction is far less than the reduction they voted for every important Oklahoma program, by the way. They got a bad job review from Governor Fallin, too. She vetoed their budget bill and called them back into a second special session. If they want more days off with full pay, they’re going to have to find a way out of this hole. If they want out of the hole, the first thing they should do is stop digging!

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With all the sexual harassment allegations coming to light, there’s certainly no shortage of hypocrisy in either the political world or the entertainment world. Here’s a new twist, though. Wes Goodman, a State Representative in Ohio has been known as “the family values leader” and the “conscience of the conservative movement.” Oops. His anti-LGBT speeches aren’t quite as effective since he resigned his position after being caught having sex with another man in his office.

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I’ve been complaining about the early start of the Christmas season since retailers started advertising Christmas stuff back in September. I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving so I can get that out of the way. My turkey is ready – Wild Turkey, that is. My Thanksgiving specialty. Sip slowly, though. There’s a lot of football.

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HOLIDAY TIP FOR SINGLE GUYS: I don’t know why men go to bars to meet women. Go to Target. The female-to-male ratio is 10-to-1; and they’re already looking for things they don’t need.

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HOLIDAY DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Two places that rarely close will be closed for Thanksgiving Day – the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (golf operations, too) and The Shebang. Both will re-open for regular 7-day-a-week operation Friday. (Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La’s Resort Hotel WILL be open Thanksgiving Day.)

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: I can’t believe how old people my age are.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Today’s Soup: Whiskey with Ice Croutons

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I’m working hard now so my future daughter doesn’t have to sell detox tea on social media.

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LEGAL TIP OF THE WEEK (from Josh Davis): While it is quite an accomplishment to drive drunk all the way home from the bar without getting pulled over, you should probably make sure that you didn’t take someone else’s car.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Actress Winona Horowitz chose the stage name “Ryder” because her father was a fan of Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Michael Bujold, Barbara Patrick, Suzy Bloom, Kenneth Bloom, Betsy Hendershot, Mark Oliver, Matt Thomas, Steve Bruno, Debi Holcomb White, Dawn Cook, Renea Walters, John Langley, Linda Lippitt, Reid Smith, Judy Keeton, and Sherry Dinsmore. Special congratulations to Rusty Fleming who received the Barbara Connor Achievement Award, and Celeste, Dick, and Dave Bendel who were named Grand Lakers of the Year last week by the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.   

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do people always remember where they were when someone famous was killed? Do they feel perhaps they’ll need an alibi?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Doc’s Restaurant at Shangri-La Resort serves Thanksgiving Dinner 11:00 a.m. until close on Thanksgiving Day. Friday night is a special Members-Only “Black Friday Seafood Buffet” at the Summit Restaurant. Don’t forget, Saturday is Small Business Saturday – SHOP LOCAL! Saturday & Sunday - matinee performances of “Every Christmas Story You’ve Ever Heard (and then some)” at Playmakers in Grove (1:30 Saturday & 2:00 Sunday). There will also be an evening presentation at 7:30 Tuesday at Playmakers.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There are great entertainment options around the lake this weekend. At Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, dance the night away on Saturday with great dance tunes. Just down the highway from there,Friday night is Karaoke Night at Monkey Island Pub. Erin Fitzgibbon will perform at the Blind Swine Saturday and there’s always great live Saturday night entertainment at the Road Hog Saloon. Lickitty Split will be on stage at Vinita Legion HallSaturday night.

Area casinos have excellent musical options this weekend, as well, highlighted by country great John Conlee at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace Sunday night. Cherokee Casino Grove hosts Scott Ellison Friday night; and River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar features Scott Ellison, also on Friday night. Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar spotlights Brent Gidden & the V.C.R. Band Friday night and The Band DeLorean Saturday. At Indigo Sky Casino, there is live entertainment in the Echo Bar Thursday night with a performance by Rocked N Loaded. Friday night, Travis Kidd will be on stage; and Saturday,Paralandra will perform. Friday night, Hi-Fidelics will entertain at Grand Lake Casino. Whiskey Poet Society will be on stage at Lost Creek Saloon at Bordertown Casino Friday night; and Dirt Road Daisies will wrap up the weekend entertainment at Bordertown Saturday night.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NFL Football, College Football & Basketball, NBA play, and PGA Golf are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, Monkey Island Pub, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The series premier of Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It will be available on NETFLIX Thanksgiving Day.Grammy’s Greatest Stories: A 60^th Anniversary Special airs Friday night at 8:00 on CBS. The 66^th Miss Universe Competitionwill be televised live Sunday night at 6:00 on Fox. CMA Country Christmas airs at 7:00 Monday night on ABC; and the Victoria Secret Fashion Show airs Tuesday night at 9:00 on CBS.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Coco, The Man Who Invented Christmas and Call Me By Your Name

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THANKSGIVING QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The hardest words in the English language are ‘I was wrong, I’m sorry, and apology accepted.’” – Rabbi Leder

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, December 1 - “Every Christmas Story You’ve Ever Heard (and then some)” at 7:30 at Playmakers in Grove. Thursday, December 7 – Vinita Christmas Parade of Lights (7:00). Saturday, December 9 – Jingle Bell 5K Fun Run at Grove Community Center (8:00 a.m.). Saturday, December 9 – Polar Bear Plunge at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Saturday night,December 9 – Christmas Lights Boat Parade on South Grand Lake. Saturday, December 9 – Gingerbread Christmas Festival Parade in Grove (6:00 p.m.) Saturday, December 16 – “Brunch with Santa” at Shangri-La’s Summit Restaurant (members only).Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Fundraising Party, Dance & Celebration at Playmakers in Grove.

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In the sports world, Thanksgiving Day is a big NFL Football day with Detroit hosting Minnesota (11:30 on Fox), the L.A. Chargers in Dallas (3:30 on CBS), and the New York Giants in Washington (7:30 on NBC). Sunday games include Tennessee at Indianapolis (12:00 on Fox), Buffalo at Kansas City (12:00 on Fox), New Orleans at the L.A. Rams (3:30 on CBS) and Green Bay at Pittsburgh (7:30 on NBC). Monday Night Football features Houston at Baltimore (7:30 on ESPN).

In college football, Thanksgiving Weekend means a full TV line-up beginning Thursday night with Ole Miss traveling cross-state to face Mississippi State. Friday’s college line-up includes Miami at Pittsburgh, Baylor at TCU. Missouri at Arkansas, Iowa at Nebraska, Texas Tech at Texas and California at UCLA.

A Big 12 Conference Championship appearance is on the line for OU in their regular season finale hosting West VirginiaSaturday (2:45 on ESPN).  Oklahoma State hosts Kansas at 11:00 Saturday morning (FS1), and Tulsa hosts Temple at 3:00(ESPNEWS). Saturday’s games involving top-ranked teams include Alabama at Auburn, Georgia at Georgia Tech, Ohio State at Michigan, Wisconsin at Minnesota, Penn State at Maryland, and Clemson at South Carolina.

The OKC Thunder host the Detroit Pistons Friday night (7:00) before heading to Dallas to face the Mavericks Saturday night (7:30). Next Wednesday, they’ll be in Orlando (6:00). All three games will be televised on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

The PGA Tour players are taking the holiday weekend off before Tiger Woods’ return to the tour next week as he hosts the Hero World Challenge.

The NASCAR season is over for the year. Drivers will return to the track at Daytona February 11, 2018.

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The Thanksgiving weekend weather is something to really be thankful for. We’ll drop about 10 degrees Saturday night & Sunday, but Thursday-Saturday we’ll enjoy sunshine and highs in the 60s with lows in the 40s. Grand Lake is the perfect spot to enjoy a great holiday weekend of family, friends, and fun – and remember, just because it’s a bad idea doesn’t mean it won’t be fun! Wherever you go, be sure and 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

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 (smoking upstairs—open Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Bobbers Café in Langley

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café Italia on Monkey Island

Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)

Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and on Monkey Island

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Coffee Shelter in Ketchum

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

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

Frosty & Edna’s (west of the dam in Langley)

Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lodge in Ketchum (smoking)

Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

Karrie's Kaboose in Langley (smoking)

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Lakeside Bar & Grill in Grove at Sail Boat Bridge

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.)

Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South

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)

Roadhouse 125 on Monkey Island (smoking deck)

Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)

Scooters in Langley (smoking)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora

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 Office on Monkey Island (smoking)

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