October 10 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

The carnival portion had a little hiccup getting started, but the 2022 Pelican Festival was a fantastic event once again! We were blessed with great weather for our feathered friends and their followers, as well. It may have been an awful weekend in the Cotton Bowl, but it was sure fantastic at Grand Lake!

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More congratulations are in order for Shangri-La Resort. The popular travel website “The Discoverer” has released its 2022 list of “The Best Golf Course in Every State.” In Oklahoma, their selection was Shangri-La! Speaking of which, Grand Lake’s premier destination will host another big golf tournament this weekend – The Tour Championship wraps up a four-tournament, four-club “Race to Shangri-La!” All roads once again lead to Grand Lake!

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Speaking of golf, what do you do if you run out of golf balls? You hit…marshmallows? The South Grand Chamber featured a fun “long drive marshmallow-hitting” contest at their golf tournament at The Coves last week. That was really fun to watch. Tanner Mouse took the top prize, smacking his marshmallow 126 feet. He took home a grand prize of “Golf for 4” at Shangri-La…but I’m pretty sure he’s going to have to use actual golf balls to use his prize.”

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There is less than a month left in the Major League Baseball season, the NASCAR season, and the 2022 election cycle, so it’s time to start paying attention to all three. In Oklahoma, new polling shows Joy Hofmeister has taken a slight lead in the governor’s race and Jena Nelson is leading in the State Superintendent’s race. It looks like “rural schools” are a big issue this year. With this new polling, look for things to get really, really nasty now over the next three weeks. If nothing else, it should be entertaining television. “Why is there so much negative advertising?” you ask. The answer is easy. “It works.”

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It was sure fun watching “College Game Day” live from Lawrence, Kansas last weekend. They’ve been there during basketball season many times, but NEVER BEFORE during football season. Battling red-hot TCU, the Jayhawks fell a hair short of taking their season record to 6-0 as they head to Norman next week, but football has arrived in Lawrence, Kansas.

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Grand Lake blessed some dear friends of mine who were married aboard their boat Saturday evening. Smooth water, no wind, beautiful sunset, and a beautiful ceremony. Congratulations, Gretchen & Ray. There’s nothing more beautiful than a wedding on the waters of Grand Lake. I’m wishing these two pals smooth sailing, fair winds, and following seas forever.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Sarah Williams, Brian Brandwein, Michelle Robertson, Andrew Finnefrock, Ben Hampton, Kyle Wooderson, Darci Winter, Kyle Holmes, John Turner, Bill Edwards, Linda Elmburg, Trey Howard, David Stansfield, Michele Martin, Rick Miller, Lea Smith, Roger Jared, and Scott Graham.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: The Rocktoberfest Rock Crawling event runs Thursday-Saturday this week below the dam in Disney. A Classic & Antique Car Auction runs Friday & Saturday at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace. Saturday is an Octoberfest Celebration at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort (noon-8:00 p.m.). The Race to Shangri-La Tour Championship Golf Tournament is at Shangri-La Golf Club Saturday & Sunday. Sunday is also the Gary Dunham Memorial Golf Tournament at Patricia Island Country Club.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Cher hated “I Got You Babe,” and recorded it only on Sonny Bono’s insistence. It became their first hit.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: One third of the way through the college football season, five Power 5 teams have paid fired head coaches a combined $60 million in buyouts.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: When is it too late to have a baby shower? Because my mom never had one when she was pregnant with me, and I need some clothes.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Teaching is the subtle art of shaping young minds without losing your own.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: My ex-girlfriend just told me she wants us to get back together again. Man, I sure am lucky! I mean, first I win the lottery and now THIS!

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I swallowed a dictionary. It gave me thesaurus throat I have ever had.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: At the movie theater, which armrest is yours?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: My superpower is holding onto stuff for years and years, then throwing it away exactly one week before I need it.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The classic television show “Leave it to Beaver” made its debut 65 years ago this month.  It’s still big on rerun channels, but the classic Dick Van Dyke Show made its television debut 61 years ago. Dick Van Dyke is 96 years old.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you’re misinformed.” – Mark Twain

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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. Caleb Fellenstein performs indoors at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night; and Terry Jordan tickles the ivories both Friday and Saturday nights at The Summit. There is karaoke fun on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday and Saturday nights when the weather is warm enough; and DJ K-Bandito is now hosting Big Shots Big Saturdays across the street at Big Shots. The Faulconers will perform Saturday night at Blind Swine; and Saturday is Rockstar Karaoke night with DJ Chris Kennedy at Monkey Island Pub.

On South Grand Lake, The Hydromatics kick off the weekend Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill followed by Ryan Graham Friday night and a Sunday matinee solo performance by Barrett Lewis beginning at 4:00. At the Drunken Rooster, Down Low will provide the music Saturday night.

In Grove, there is karaoke fun every Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night by Big Skillet and more karaoke Saturday. The Brooke White Band performs Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by The Backroads Band Saturday.

Jon Dooly starts the weekend music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by The Chris Hyde Trio Friday night and Blacknote Band Saturday.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Marinas Bar & Mexican Grill at Littlefield Corner has closed permanently. The Café at Har-Ber Village has closed for the season. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now closed Sunday & Monday. The Summit Restaurant is now closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays. The Galley at The Anchor now closed Monday & Tuesday, open 4:00-9:00 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, and 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. The Thursday night Shrimp Boil at Doc’s Bar & Grill has been replaced by a Thursday night Italian Buffet each week. Doc’s now also offers a breakfast buffet seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. including expanded brunch buffets Saturday & Sunday until 1:00 p.m.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Penn & Teller: Fool Us returns for a new season Friday night at 7:00 and Whose Line Is It Anyway? is back Friday night at 8:00, both on CW. Sunday night is a good night to watch PBS. Miss Scarlet & The Duke airs at 7:00 followed by Magpie Murders at 8:00, and the premiere of Annika at 9:00.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Emily and Halloween Ends both open in movie theaters this week (the latter also available on Peacock). The Curse of Bridge Hollow debuts this week on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, October 22 – Fall Fest at the Courthouse Square in Jay (9:00-4:00). Saturday, October 22 – Hoot & Howl Camp or Treat at Grand Lake State Park in Bernice (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 22 – Hallo-Woof Dog Costume Contest & Adoption and Kids Trunk or Treat at the Grove Civic Center (12:00-5:00 p.m.). Thursday, October 27 – Ketchum Scholastic Foundation Gala Fundraiser at Cherokee Yacht Club (6:00 p.m.). Friday, October 28 – Halloween Costume Pickleball Mixer at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (7:00-8:30 p.m.). Friday, October 28 – Crawl-O-Ween off-road spook trail in the South Grand Lake Recreation Area (4:00 p.m.). Friday, October 28 – World Series Game 1. Friday & Saturday, October 28-29 – Jetlahoma remote control jet airshow at South Grand Lake Regional Airport (10:00-5:00). Saturday, October 29 – Mary Moore Pickleball Charity Challenge benefitting Special Olympics at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.). Saturday, October 29 – Kids’ Spooktacular Halloween Party & Costume Contest at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 29 – Halloween Party at Grand Meridian RV, Cabin & Tiny Home Resort (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 29 – United Cherokee Alliance Fall Craft Show & Indian Taco Sale at Bernice Community Senior Center (10:00-4:00). Saturday, October 29 – One Year Anniversary Party & Halloween Bash at Drunken Rooster. Saturday, October 29 – Trick or Treat in Downtown Grove. Monday, October 31 – “Trunk or Treat” at the Courthouse Square in Jay (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Thursday, November 10 – South Grand Lake Chamber Luncheon & Election of Board Members at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (11:30 a.m.). Saturday, Friday & Saturday, November 11-12 – Church Bazaar & Bake Sale at Free Will Baptist Church in Grove (9:00-5:00). November 12 – DCCSN’s annual Winterset gala at Shangri-La Resort. Thursday, November 17 – South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce annual banquet – “The First Christmas Party” at Shangri-La Resort.

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It’s an extended college football weekend. West Virginia hosts Baylor Thursday night at 6:00 and Navy is at SMU Friday night. Saturday games include Kansas at OU and Iowa State at Texas, both at 11:00, OSU at TCU, Arkansas at BYU, and Alabama at Tennessee, all at 2:30, and Clemson at Florida State and Mississippi State at Kentucky at 6:30.

The Commanders and Bears kick off the NFL weekend Thursday night at 7:00. Sunday games include Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh and Cincinnati at New Orleans at noon, and Kansas City hosting Buffalo at 3:30Dallas is at Philadelphia Sunday night at 7:00; and Monday Night Football features the Denver Broncos and L.A. Chargers.

PGA Players are in Japan this week for the ZOZO Championship. If you’re a night owl, you can watch it live on the Golf Channel at 10:00 p.m. each night Wednesday-Saturday. I’m going to wait for the replay beginning at 5:00 Thursday-Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Las Vegas this week. Coverage of the South Point 400 begins at 1:30 Sunday afternoon on NBC.

It’s time to start paying close attention to Major League Baseball. Divisional Playoff action continues through the weekend. Both League Championship Series get underway next Tuesday, October 18. Playoffs continue throughout the month with the World Series set to begin with Game 1 October 28.

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Weekend weather looks like a a repeat of last week’s perfection! We’ll have clear skies, light winds, highs in the low 70s and lows in the high 40s; so get out there and enjoy all the many weekend Grand Lake entertainment options. Remember, though, no matter where 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

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