October 18 Observations from the Grand Lake Bum

Cloudy, rainy weekdays gave way to a beautiful weekend on Grand Lake last weekend, albeit a little cooler than is preferred by guys like me. Folks who relish bonfires, wiener roasts, and building s’mores over an open fire were happy, I’m sure. Personally, I don’t remember much good ever happening in my world when the temperature dips below 50; but…here we are. Welcome to autumn. At least it’s football, basketball and the tail end of baseball season. My new home is in front of those giant video walls and multiple monitors in the sports bar at The Anchor at Shangri-La.

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We’ve wrapped up Fall Break at Grand Lake. I don’t remember having such a thing when I was in school, but it’s fun to see all the kids enjoying the lake in October. I just wish their parents wouldn’t use golf carts as babysitters for their little ones. Seeing these 10-year-old kids driving their 6-year-old siblings around is making me crazy. Hopefully the kids all survived unhurt – and hopefully their parents will come to their senses. SMH

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It’s fun to have all the kids around, but it’s no wonder they’re falling behind the rest of the world on the education front. Fall Break. Thanksgiving Break. Christmas Break. Teachers’ Meeting Break. Easter Break. Spring Break. With so many breaks, it’s no wonder we have to start school in August and don’t get out until after Memorial Day. If I was a kid, I’d rather save up all those chilly-weather “breaks” and have a longer fun-in-the-sun summer instead!

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Fall break for the kids seemed to spark the travel bug in almost all my friends. They’re scattered from Florida to Seattle, South Caarolina to South Dakota, the Bahamas to Belize. I couldn’t resist the urge myself. I decided, if the low temperatures at Grand Lake are going to start dipping into the 30s, If I’m going to have to endure those temperatures, I figured I could at least find a different view for a few days. Hello, Santa Fe!

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The really cool thing is this – those of us who spend all of the year at Grand Lake may have gone somewhere else, but we were replaced by even more people who chose Grand Lake as their vacay destination. I have been here a long time, but I’ve never seen the lake so busy in October! And this is just the beginning. Shangri-La’s continuing investment in their new Par 3 Course and gigantic event center is not the only story on fast-developing Monkey Island. There are big things coming right at the entrance to the Island. I can’t say, yet. But watch this space!

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There’s no shortage of hypocrisy in public office, but this one really confused me. When the President asked OSHA for a rule requiring private businesses with more than 100 employees to mandate vaccines, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said government shouldn’t tell private businesses how to run their own business. But now, Abbott has issued an executive order prohibiting private businesses from mandating vaccines. I’m not sure how that’s different. Things that make you go, “Hmmmm.”

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Just in case you think your life is under undue scrutiny, Queen Elizabeth attended a Thanksgiving event last week. The screaming headlines in British tabloids were all about “Queen is Using a Cane!” In other news….she’s 95 years old!!!

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s a busy, busy week on the lake. Wednesday night is a big event raising money for the Monkey Island FUNdraisers’ Kids Christmas Fund – “Guest Chef” featuring Dan Arnold and Jack Kern. There’s a Grove Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at Grand River Abstract Grove Thursday at 5:00. The Bass Pro Shops National Amateur Bass Fishing Championship runs Thursday-Sunday. Friday & Saturday are the Ghosts of Grove Haunted History Tours from the Grove Community Center. Saturday night is a Haunted Historical Hayride at Har-Ber Village (5:30). Sunday morning features a Couple Mixer at Shangri-La Golf Club (9:30 shotgun). Next Tuesday, there’s a Free Social Media Marketing Workshop at Grove Area Chamber of Commerce (1:00). Next Tuesday is also WORLD SERIES GAME 1.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The last Falstaff brewery closed in 1990.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: “Miss Kitty” had lots of kitties of her own. In fact, Amanda Blake, the actress who portrayed the legendary Kitty Russell in the long-running series “Gunsmoke,” was one of the first people on the planet to successfully breed cheetahs in captivity.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: The majority of people think the most washed body part in 2021 was the hands. It was, in fact, the brain.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: I’m sure they meant “tongs,” but the actual sign at the baker read like this: Please use tongue! Do not touch bread with hands.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I always carry a pebble with me to throw at people who sing Christmas carols in October. I call it my jingle bell rock.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: My friend Jack claims he can communicate with vegetables. Hmm. Jack and the beans talk.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What if UFOs are just billionaires from other planets?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I enjoy a glass of bourbon each night for its health benefits. The other glasses are for my witty comebacks, unequaled wisdom, and flawless dance moves.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Dame Angela Lansbury, iconic star of everything from “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” to “Nanny McPhee;” “Mary Poppins Returns” to “Murder, She Wrote,” turned 96 years old last Friday. Legendary musician Paul Simon (Simon & Garfunkel, etc.) turned 80 years old last week.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Vaccine mandates are causing teachers who don’t believe in science to quit, nurses who don’t believe in medicine to quit, and cops who don’t believe in public safety to quit. I’m failing to see the downside in this.” Jeff Tiedrich

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Karen Baxter, Karin Goss, Sandy Harrell, Mark Kidd, Aileen Oldaker, Robin Purdie, Mark Muse, Kelly Hudelson, Justin Ruzicka, Victoria Perry, Shawn Russell, Vince Freeman, Caryl Blanchat, Richard Bell, Kenny King, and Roger Pelcher.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil and Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Jon Moody entertains at Doc’s. Terry Jordan entertains Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang provides great karaoke fun with Kerry Kimmons Friday and Saturday nights (now starting at 6:00 pm); and just across the street, DJ K-Bandito leads the cavalcade of great DJs and dance music at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Saturday night is also great dancing and singing at Monkey Island Pub -  Karaoke with Tim. Erin Fitzgibbon performs at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island both Wednesday and Friday nights; and Tuesday is Karaoke Night at the Swine.

On South Grand Lake, Moon Nation Reserve provides the entertainment Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

In Grove, Brett and Terri will provide the music Thursday night at The Regatta, There will be karaoke fun Friday night, as well as music by JR Neal.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents TJ Scarlett in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Big Smitty Friday night and Whisky Outlaws Saturday. Black Stone Cherry will be in concert at The Indoor Peoria Showplace at Buffalo Run Casino Thursday night. Retro Rockerz will perform Friday night at Legends Sports Bar at Downstream Casino, with The Uncrowned Kings on stage Saturday night. Stonehorse performs Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by The Rusty Meyers Band Saturday.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: There’s a major “Guest Chef” charity fundraising event Wednesday night at The Shebang featuring Jack Kern and Dan Arnold. The Landings Market & Grill on Monkey Island is closed for remodeling. Road Hog Saloon is now closed on Tuesdays. Blind Swine on Duck Creek is now open only Friday-Sunday (11:00 a.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday) – and will close for the season at the end of October. Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill has new operating hours – open at noon daily, closed Tuesdays. Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda now has reduced hours of operation – 4:00-9:00 Thursday, 11:00-9:00 Friday & Saturday, 11:00-8:00 Sunday. Stuff’ns Café in Ketchum is now closing at 2:00 p.m.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Blacklist returns Thursday night at 7:00 on NBC. CBS Sunday Morning returns at 8:00 a.m.after a one week hiatus, and 60 Minutes is underway with a new season at 6:00, both on CBS. Insecure debuts Sunday night at 9:00 on HBO followed at 9:40 by the return of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Season two of B Positive airs Thursday night at 8:30 on CBS. The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:00.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Ron’s Gone Wrong, The French Dispatch, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, and Dune all debut in theaters this week. Dune is also available on HBO Max.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, October 28 – Shangri-La President & CEO Barry Willingham is the featured speaker at the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon at 11:30 at the GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley. Saturday, October 30 – Barrels, Broncs & Bulls Rodeo at Grover Round-Up Club (6:00). Saturday, October 30 – Halloween Party at Monkey Island Pub. Saturday, October 30 – Haunted Historical Hayride at Har-Ber Village (5:30). Saturday, October 30 – Halloween Party & Costume Contest at Road Hog Saloon. Saturday, October 30 – Mad Mixologists Black Light Party at Blind Swine Monkey Island. Wednesday-Thursday, November 3-4 – Oklahoma Marinas Association Annual Conference at Shangri-La. Saturday, November 6 – Last day of Daylight Saving Time. Thursday, November 11 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Member Luncheon at Grove Civic Center. Thursday, November 18 – South Grand Chamber Annual Banquet at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, November 20 – Grand Lake Christmas Light Boat Parade (Cherokee Yacht Club). Saturday, December 11 – Lights on the Lake Grove Christmas Parade (6:00).

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SPORTS WATCH: College football is in week #8 and Tulsa has the week off. OU and OSU are both on the road, the Sooners at Kansas and the Cowboys at Iowa State. Arkansas hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

In the NFL, Denver is at Cleveland Thursday night to get the action started. Kansas City is at Tennessee, Washington is at Green Bay, and Cincinnati is at Baltimore – all at noon Sunday. Arizona hosts Houston and Chicago travels to Tampa Bay, both at 3:30. Sunday night, Indianapolis is at San Francisco. Monday Night Football features New Orleans at Seattle.

We’ll wrap up the ACLS and NLCS this weekend in Major League Baseball – and Game 1 of the World Series is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 26.

NBA action kicks off this week, believe it or not. The OKC Thunder start on the road – at Utah Wednesday at 8:00 and at Houston Friday night at 7:00 – before returning home to host Philadelphia Sunday at 6:00, Golden State Tuesday at 7:00, and the Lakers next Wednesday at 7:00. All games are on Bally Sports 1.

PGA players return to Japan this week for the Zozo Championship. Because of the dramatic time difference, live coverage will be on the Golf Channel beginning at 10:00 Wednesday and Thursday nights, and 9:30 Friday & Saturday nights.

NASCAR drivers are in Kansas City Sunday for the Hollywood Casino 400. Coverage begins at 2:00 on NBCSN.

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It should be another spectacular fall weather weekend on Grand Lake! We may have a few showers Saturday morning, but other than that, we’ll have sunny skies with highs around 70 and lows in the mid 50s! There’s plenty happening around the lake this weekend, so get out an enjoy all you can – indoors or outdoors! I’ll be out and about, so 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)

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

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove

Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)

Cove Club in Langley

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

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 Public House in Grove

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

Marina’s Place at Littlefield Corner

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

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

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

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)

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 Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)

The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)

The Pourhouse at The Regatta in Grove

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