October 9 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Kudos to the Grand Lake Association for another fantastic Pelican Festival. There was a little lull during the incredible OU-Texas game (predictably), but the crowds returned for great fun, great music, a cool fall atmosphere and great arts & crafts. There was another great showing by the actual pelicans again this year. I think they’ve figured out when their festival is at Grand Lake. Maybe we’re the only ones who honor them. We love watching them, that’s for sure!

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I discovered over the past weekend that I’m not ready for Fall. I suppose it won’t be long before I’ll be happy to see low temperatures that start with a “4,” but I’m not happy to see them, yet. We probably should prepare, though, because after a couple of days of warm relief, we’ll be looking at the same over the upcoming weekend. You’d better be sure your washer & dryer are in good shape. The worst thing about cooler weather is the related increase in laundry!

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It’s important to know that, if you need help, you only need to dial 911; but it is important to know what kind of help is available – and what is not. For example, the two people in Florida who called 911 to get help moving their belongings apparently did not understand the exact purpose of 911. Authorities did show up to help, though. The couple wanted help moving their belongings and they wanted transportation assistance. When authorities arrived on the scene, they determined the people couple did not own or rent the house, but were in fact burglarizing the house. Cops did not help them move the “belongings,” but they did help them with transportation – to jail. You can’t fix stupid, but you can put it in jail! Thanks to Jane Collinson for sharing this story with me. Only in Florida!

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Punctuation is still important. The producers at “Wheel of Fortune” were reminded of that when they kicked off celebration of “Teacher’s Week” on that program. Oops. Unless they were only honoring one single teacher, that should be “Teachers’ Week” with the apostrophe after the “s” instead of before it. It wasn’t bad enough that the popular TV show made the punctuation faux pas on a week when they were honoring teachers – but both the contestants and the fill-in guest host for absent co-host Vanna White were all teachers!

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NBA Superstar and arguable GOAT Michael Jordan is celebrating his 60^th birthday. By the way, he celebrated by making the largest donation in history to the Make-A-Wish Foundation - $10 million!

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End of an Era. After 40 years as one of Grand Lake’s premiere “Smoking & Drinking Bars,” Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill has converted to non-smoking. Thankfully, you can still take your drinks outside where you can still smoke.

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There are plenty of Halloween and Fall Festival events around the lake October 28, but if you had the return of “Punkin’ Chunkin’” competition at John’s Tractor Works in Vinita on your list of things to do, mark it off your list. Issues with liability insurance and contractual agreements couldn’t be worked out in time to save the event. If this news sends you into withdrawal, I’m sure you’ll still be okay staying home and chunkin’ your own punkin.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Jim Fowler, John Walter, Gene Pearcy, Brian Brandwein, Sarah Williams, Michelle Robertson, Jan Briggs, Ben Hampton, Jennifer Gallagher, Russell Briggs, Joe Goodeyon, John Turner, Linda Elmburg, Trey Howard, David Stansfield, Michele Martin, and Rick Miller.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. There is a lot happening around Grand Lake this weekend. Thursday, County Clerk Barbara Barnes will be the featured speaker at the Grove Chamber Membership Luncheon at Grove Community Center (12:00). Fiber Arts Day is Saturday & Sunday at the Har-Ber Village Museum. Crawlapalooza is Friday-Sunday at the offroad area in Disney with lots of fun activities. Saturday is a Taco Bar fundraiser for the Women’s Auxiliary Association of Monkey Island – 11:00-2:00 at the Monkey Island Community Center. Saturday is also the 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 night is a big “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.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Omaha advertising executive Billie Dale Fries actually originated his character C.W. McCall, best remembered for the 1970’s hit “Convoy,” for a series of tv commercials for Old Home Bread of Sioux City, Iowa.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Australia has 10,685 beaches. You could visit a new beach in Australia every day for more than 29 years.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The highest paid football coach in the Big 12 Conference is Oklahoma State University Head Coach Mike Gundy - $7.625 million per year.

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OXYMORON OF THE WEEK: Limited Lifetime Guarantee

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I can’t decide if people who wear pajamas in public have given up on life or are living it to the fullest.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Please Use Trash Receptacles Only to Discard Unwanted Items

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: The single star on the Texas flag is actually a review.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: If it’s true that no two people see colors exactly the same way, I guess colors are really just pigments of our imagination.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do croutons come in airtight packages?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I’m “wax Coke bottles and candy cigarettes” years old.      

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Crocodiles are easy. They try to kill and eat you. People are harder. Sometimes they pretend to be your friend first.” – Steve Irwin

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary Chicago Bear Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus died last week at the age of 80. OU and Dallas Cowboy coaching legend Barry Switzer turned 86 last week.

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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. Chloe Johns 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. Saturday night, The O’Banion Band will play a benefit show at The Barn.

On South Grand Lake, the weekend musical fun always starts on Thursday nights with karaoke fun at The Drunken Rooster. Casey West will provide Friday night’s music at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill followed by The Michelle Warren Duo Saturday night.

In Grove, Just Sayin’ will be on stage at R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon Saturday night. There is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music by Swade Diablos Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. Morgan Squared entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Downbeat Saturday night. Scott Eastman will perform next Wednesday night at Cherokee Casino.

Jon Dooly kicks off the weekend Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, with The Johnny Dale Roberts Band taking over Friday night followed by Diversity Saturday.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: The Monkey Grind at Shangri-La now closes at noon Monday-Thursday, still open until 3:00 Friday-Sunday. Monkey Island Pub is now open Friday & Saturday at 4:00. The new Starbucks in Grove is now open. The Grill at Indian Hills has begun winter hours – Thursday-Sunday from 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Road Hog Saloon is now closing their kitchen at 8:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and at 9:00 Friday & Saturday. 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.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Transplant returns to NBC Thursday night at 8:00. A new season of Saturday Night Live returns to NBC Saturday night at 10:30 with host Pete Davidson. The new version of Frasier is available Thursday on Paramount+.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and The Exorcist Believer both debut in movie theaters Friday.

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SAVE THE DATE: 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 & Sunday, October 28-29 – Youth Theater presentation of “Forest Paths” at Playmakers in Grove (2:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 28 – GLOC Wheels & Water Christmas 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 – 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. Tuesday, October 31 – Wolf Creek Harvest Fest – 6:00-8:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, November 4-5 - Mary Bulten Memorial Pickleball Open Tournament at The Anchor Racquet Club. Frida & Saturday, November 10-11 – Grove Merchants Christmas Open House. Saturday, November 11 – DCCSAN Winterset Gala at Shangri-La resort (6:00 p.m.)

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In the college football world, OU and Tulsa are both idle this week. OU certainly deserves a week of rest after their incredible last minute (literally) win over Texas. Oklahoma State hosts Kansas Saturday at 2:30. There are lots of other games of interest this week, too. Houston hosts West Virginia Thursday night at 6:00. Stanford is at Colorado Friday night at 9:00. In addition to the OSU-Kansas battle, other Saturday games include Arkansas at Alabama (11:00), Oregon at Washington and BYU at TCU, both at 2:30, and USC at Notre Dame at 6:30.

In the NFL, Denver is at Kansas City Thursday night at 7:00 (remember, the Thursday night games are now on Prime Video). Sunday games start early again – Baltimore takes on Tennessee from London at 8:30 a.m. (NFL Network only). Noon games include Seattle at Cincinnati and San Francisco at Cleveland. Tampa Bay hosts Detroit at 3:30, and the Giants are at Buffalo at 7:00. Monday Night Football features Dallas in L.A. to face the Chargers.

Major League Baseball playoffs continue daily this week. We’ll wrap up the Division Championships Saturday. The American League Championship Series begins Sunday and the NLCS starts Monday.

It’s a busy sports week in Las Vegas. PGA players are in Vegas this week for the Shriners Children’s Open. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 4:00 Thursday-Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are also in Vegas Sunday for the continuation of the Round of 8 playoffs. Coverage of the South Point 400 is on NBC Sunday beginning at 1:30.

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We have been blessed with beautiful weather, but it’s going to cool off for the weekend ahead. We’ll have sunshine, for the most part, but it’ll be a little breezy with high temperatures in the mid-60s and lows around 40 degrees. Fall is arriving with an attitude. There’s a lot happening this weekend. Go have some fun! 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