October 2 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

I can’t believe it’s October. We’ll be seeing cooler weather over the next couple of weeks, along with changing foliage and reduced hours of operation at a lot of Grand Lake venues. October is also a gigantic sports intersection. It’s where seasons meet for football, baseball, soccer, golf, tennis, and basketball. As you watch your favorite football teams, don’t forget to watch for the tip-off of the OKC Thunder season. It happens right before the World Series starts! MLB playoffs are already underway. By the way, it’s also the very best month for both boating and golf at Grand Lake! Get out an enjoy this awesome weather.

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Congratulations to Rob Yanovitch and his golf crew at Shangri-La Resort for their work putting together a fabulous golf tournament over the past weekend. The “Courage Under Fire Classic” tournament was more than just a fun golf weekend. It also raised several thousand dollars to support the Monkey Island Fire Department. I know there are great national and worldwide charities that do great work, but it’s great to see such support for those closest to home who touch our lives every day. Lots of folks say “shop local.” Shangri-La also said “support local.”

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I want to give a special shout-out to longtime Broadway performer and ardent Grand Laker Ron Young. He kicked off the “Courage Under Fire Classic” with his awesome performance of the National Anthem. He’s quickly closing in on 200 performances of the Anthem to open events.

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It went right down to the wire, but America woke up Sunday morning with our government still intact. Republicans and Democrats joined together to keep the ball rolling for important government services – or at least kick the can down the road 45 days. Congratulations to us all. I wondered how long we were going to let 10 or 12 wackos run the country.

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In a “sort of” related situation, I saw where bail bondsman Sam Scott pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in the Fulton County, Georgia election interference case. I’m not a lawyer, but if you and I are accused of conspiring with each other – and you plead guilty – I don’t think that would bode well for me in my trial.

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Grand Laker Toby Keith brought tears to the Grand Old Opry and a nationwide TV audience with his performance of “Don’t Let The Old Man In,” at The People’s Choice Country Awards last week where he was honored with the inaugural People’s Choice Country Icon Award; but the song may not have been inspired by what you think. Toby was sharing a golf cart with Clint Eastwood in 2017 when Eastwood was preparing for a three-day shoot of his movie The Mule. “How do you do it?” Toby asked. Eastwood’s reply was, “I just don’t let the old man in.” That inspired Toby’s song, and the song so inspired Eastwood that he included it in the The Mule.

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State Representative Kevin West is heading up an interim legislative study in what I hope is an accidental destructive path for tourism. He’s studying the “potential benefits of moving state to permanent Standard Time.” He has witnesses all lined up – an aerospace engineer, a professor of communication from New Mexico, and both the founder and the vice-president of something called “Save Standard Time.” Nobody from tourism, which would lose many millions of dollars if we had to give up Daylight Saving Time in the summer. My hero is Senator Blake “Cowboy” Stephens, author of legislation to put Oklahoma on permanent Daylight Saving Time. That would actually increase tourism dollars by many millions of dollars by giving us more daylight to use at the end of winter days. Tourism is Oklahoma’s third largest industry. I hope somebody stops Kevin West from killing it.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Cari Williams, Jared Jeffers, Erik Frost, Colleen Garrett, Amy Kidd, Lauria Givens, Sherry Wolf, Joe Wilburn, Nancy Saamer, Barry Eller, Luke Curley, Peggy Richards, Lane Worley, Mark Funke, Saunie Boeve, Art Couch, Richard Leuszler, Joe Ferguson, and Bob Altmiller.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. There is a lot happening around Grand Lake to kick off a new month. The Annual Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove is this week – Thursday through Sunday with the parade in downtown Grove Saturday morning at 9:30. There’s a lot happening at the festival – a carnival, live music, arts & crafts, food trucks, car & bike show, animal adventures, caricature artist, and more. Friday is the Grove Rotary Golf Tournament at Patricia Island Country Club (1:00 p.m. shotgun). Saturday, there is a GLOC Performance Challenge organizational meeting at Disney City Hall (10:00 a.m.). Saturday is a huge football day! The Red River Rivalry OU-Texas Hooray Grill Tailgate & Watch Party is at The Anchor at Shangri-La beginning at 10:00 a.m. (11:00 o’clock kickoff). Saturday is also the 12^th Annual Craft Show & Bake Sale at Otterbein Country Church in Langley (8:00-4:00). Saturday evening is the Chuckwagon Dinner Under the Stars Fundraiser at Har-Ber Village Museum (6:00 p.m.); and Sunday is the Inaugural Fall Festival at Blue Bluff Harbor Resort (4:00 p.m.). Next Monday is the Lake O’ the Cherokees Sub-Watershed Association Annual Stakeholder Meeting at the NEO Student Union (4:00 p.m.) in coordination with the Tar Creek Conference next Tuesday-Thursday, also at the NEO Student Union.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The most common denomination of U.S. currency is the $100 bill, largely for use outside the country.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: It would take 400 years for an average auto worker to make what their CEO makes in a single year.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The Fox network calls their featured Saturday college football game “Big Noon Kickoff” despite the fact it’s only actually noon in less than one-third of the country.

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OXYMORON OF THE WEEK: Friendly takeover.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: We should be able to call in to work healthy. “Look, I’m not coming into the office today. I feel really good and I don’t want to waste it being at work.”

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (seen at a golf course): “Players must put out on 18^th hole.” (spelling counts)

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: They should make an alarm clock that sounds like a dog about to puke. Nothing gets you out of bed faster.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I just bought a Humpty Dumpty set from Aldi. It comes with Aldi Kings horses and Aldi Kings men.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when someone throws a gun at him?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I never thought I would be the kind of person who gets up early in the morning to exercise…and I was right.     

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” – Jimi Hendrix

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: The popular television series “The Beverly Hillbillies” premiered 61 years ago on CBS. It has been 64 years since “Rocky and His Friends” (later “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle”) made its debut on ABC. Hulk Hogan is 70 years old. Actor David McCallum, first known best as secret agent Illy Kuryakin on “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” and later as Dr. Ducky Mallard on “NCIS,” died last week. He was 90 years old.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off on Doc’s Patio Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun at the Thursday night Shrimp Boil. KJ Flip leads the Thursday karaoke at Big Shots and DJ K-Bandito hosts the weekend musical fun Friday & Saturday nights. Kevin Price performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Friday night and Terry Jordan entertains both Friday & Saturday nights at The Summit. There’s still karaoke on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday and Saturday nights, and Saturday night is Rockstar Karaoke fun at Monkey Island Pub featuring DJ Kennedy.

On South Grand Lake, the weekend musical fun always starts on Thursday nights with karaoke fun at The Drunken Rooster. This week, Glam R Us will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at the Rooster. Magen Faulconer will provide Friday night’s music at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill followed by Wilkie Jay Saturday.

In Grove, there is plenty of live music in the entertainment tent at the Pelican Festival in Wolf Creek Park. Mid-Life Crisis entertains Friday evening 7:30-9:30. Saturday afternoon, Hollywood Riot provides the music from 2:00-4:00, followed by Fleetwood X (a Fleetwood Mac tribute band) from 7:30-9:30. There is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music by Uncrowned Kings Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. Audio Crush entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Travis Kidd Saturday night. Sunday, Sarah Lea Mason and Johnny Dale Roberts will provide the entertainment at the Blue Bluff Harbor Resort Fall Festival.

East Town performs Friday night at The Stables Casino. Brett N’ Terri kick off the weekend Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, with Swade Diablos taking over Friday night followed by Downbeat and The Brothers Moore Saturday.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Blind Swine on Duck Creek, Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina and Eddy’s at Shangri-La Marina are all closed for the season. Bella Donna’s is closed. I’ll update you when I hear any more news. Monkey Island Pub is currently open only Friday & Saturday nights. The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is open only Thursday-Sunday and has replaced its Saturday & Sunday morning breakfast buffet with an a la carte menu. The new Starbucks in Grove has pushed its opening back to Monday, October 9.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: A new season of America’s Funniest Home Videos on ABC and a new season of 60 Minutes on CBS both air Sunday night at 6:00. Fair Play is available Friday on NETFLIX. The Voice airs Monday & Tuesday nights at 7:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Amsterdam and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile both debut in movie theaters Friday.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, October 12 – Grove Chamber Membership Luncheon featuring County Clerk Barbara Barnes at Grove Community Center (12:00). Saturday, October 14 – Taco Bar fundraiser for the Women’s Auxiliary Association of Monkey Island – 11:00-2:00 at the Monkey Island Community Center. Saturday, October 14 – Grand Lake Famous Fish Fry at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grove (11:00-2:00) as part of the week long Family Fun Festival. Saturday, October 14 – “Rock the Barn” fundraising party at “The Barn” on Monkey Island featuring The O’Banion Band in a special benefit show to support the daughter of band member Craig Correll. Thursday, October 19 – Ketchum Scholastic Foundation fundraising dinner & auction at Cherokee Yacht Club (6:00 p.m.). Friday, October 20 – rescheduled South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce golf tournament at The Coves (noon shotgun). Saturday, October 21 – Pop Up Shopping and Fall Open House at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island (10:00-4:00). Saturday, October 21 – Hoot & Howl Camp-R-Treat at Grand Lake State Park in Bernice (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 28 – GLOC Fun Run Poker Run by boat, bike, or car. Saturday, October 28 – Autumn Moon Fall Festival at Church on the Lake (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) Saturday, October 28 – Punkin Chunkin at John’s Tractor Works in Venita (10:00 a.m.). Saturday, October 28 – Spooktober Halloween Party & Costume Contest at The Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda Resort. Saturday, October 28 – Fall Festival, Halloween Party & Costume Contest at The Anchor at Shangri-La Resort (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 28 – Halloween & Anniversary Party at the Drunken Rooster  with Carnival (3:00 p.m.) Saturday, October 28 – Drive-In Movie Night at Wolf Creek Park – double feature: Hocus Pocus and Beetlejuice (6:00 p.m.). Tuesday, October 31 – Trick or Treat at the Grove Library – 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, November 4-5 - Mary Bulten Memorial Pickleball Open Tournament at The Anchor Racquet Club. Saturday, November 11 – DCCSAN Winterset Gala at Shangri-La resort (6:00 p.m.)

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It’s a HUGE week for college football. Oklahoma State starts the weekend early hosting Kansas State Friday evening at 6:30. Saturday is OU-Texas at 11:00. Other great televised Saturday games include Alabama at Texas A&M (2:30), UCF at Kansas (3:00), Arkansas at Ole Miss (6:30), Texas Tech at Baylor (7:00), and Arizona at USC (9:30).

In the NFL, Chicago is at Washington Thursday night at 7:00 (remember, the Thursday night games are now on Prime Video). Sunday games start early – Jacksonville faces Buffalo from London at 8:30 a.m. (NFL Network only). Noon games include N.Y. Giants at Miami and Baltimore at Pittsburgh. Minnesota hosts Kansas City at 3:30, and Dallas is at San Francisco at 7:00. Monday Night Football features Green Bay at Las Vegas.

NASCAR drivers continue the playoffs this weekend in Las Vegas. Coverage of the Bank of America ROVAL 400 begins at 1:00 Sunday on NBC.

PGA players are in Jackson, Mississippi this week to kick off another year on the Tour. Coverage of the Sanderson Farms Championship is on the Golf Channel beginning at 3:00 Thursday-Sunday.

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We have been blessed with beautiful weather, but it looks even nicer this week for all the outdoor stuff including the Pelican Festival. We’ll have high temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s with lows ranging from the mid-40s to mid-50. Fall is arriving with an attitude. It looks like a fantastic weekend to enjoy all the outdoor festivities all around the lake! 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

Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley

Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove

Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Blue Cat Bistro at Har-Ber Village

BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

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 on Monkey Island

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove

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

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

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Flower Bar in 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 Coffee Company in Grove

Grand Lake Public House in Grove

Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek

Hero’s Deli 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

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

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

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)

R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove

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

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 Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

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