September 14 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

Remember the old days when the Grand Lake season was over Labor Day weekend? Obviously, that’s no longer the case. A buddy of mine called Shangri-La Resort to book a room for this weekend – and they are sold out! People are finally catching on that Grand Lake is the year-round place to be! Cooler weather doesn’t mean the fun is over. It just means you don’t sweat as much. I have argued for years that the very best boating season on Grand Lake is from Labor Day through Thanksgiving! And it is absolutely the best time for golf! Enjoy.

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The Starlight Club in Ardmore apparently noticed there is a national anthem prior to the start of some sporting events, so they’ve decided to take a stand (rather than a knee). They announced this week they will no longer be showing NFL, NBA, NASCAR, MLB, MLS, or NHL action because of the players kneeling. It has gotten a lot of attention in the past, because nobody ever noticed the national anthem before, since it has normally been played during commercials; but they noticed it now. The owner figures, if the players can express their opinion, he can do the same.  So…if you want someplace to drink, there may not be much to watch at the Starlight Club, but there will undoubtedly be plenty of good seats.

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I have good news! 2020 is NOT the worst year ever. Historians have agreed that the worst year ever was 536 AD. A dense fog kept most of the world in darkness for two years. That resulted in the coldest decade in 2,000 years (the Dark Ages). It was brought on by a huge Icelandic volcanic eruption that spread ash through the skies worldwide. Oh, yeah…then there was that bubonic plague which killed 100 million people to top it all off. There! Do you feel better now?

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This is the week for the closing of the Pensacola Dam between Langley and Disney for a few months of roadway and structural work. I sure hope people will take the detour to help keep all our businesses alive. Maybe it’s a good time to reinstate the old ferry that used to run between the two towns. Cedar Port to the Langley Public Docks? Maybe Jerry Cookson can put that together. By the way, since they’ll be working on the dam, I wonder if Dave Bendel might reinstate operation of the old stills they used to have at Whiskey Point during the dam construction. If we just put our heads together, we might turn this dam news (or is it damn news?) into a big ol’ party! That’s what we do around here, right? In the meantime, I hope everyone on the south end will use the detour route. We need to support those important Disney businesses now more than ever!

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Gambino’s Pizza in Ketchum has reopened for business. The Quarterdeck Restaurant at Tera Miranda will remain open through November 15 (Monday, Thursday, Friday 4:00-9:00 and Saturday & Sunday 8:00-9:00).  The last day for the 2020 season at Eddy’s Lakeside Bar is this Sunday - September 20.  Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La will reopen for dine-in service September 24. The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La is open to the public Sunday evening. Congratulations, by the way, to Eddy’s Lakeside Bar. The tourism website Onlyinyourstate.com last week spotlighted Eddy’s as “The One Restaurant in Oklahoma that offers lakeside views unlike any other.”

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PUBLIC EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE: The Cherokee Golf Classic originally scheduled for September 18 has been cancelled. A Taste of Grand, scheduled for September 26, has been cancelled, as well. Shangri-La Resort’s Fall Festival planned for October 24 has been cancelled, as has the October 23-24 “Ghosts of Grove” tour.

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-9:00). The Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is Friday at Patricia Island Golf Club. Saturday, there’s a fun way to shop with seven different merchants in Grove – a no-charge progressive dinner from 5:00-7:00. Locations are Rustic Rehab, Journey Home, Muddy Pearl, French Girl Farm, Fired Up, and The Pour House at The Regatta. The Grand Lake Queen riverboat runs regular sightseeing cruises at 7:00 Friday and 6:00 Saturday evenings from Royal Bay Marina in Grove.

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Jason Morgan starts the weekend with karaoke fun at the Thursday Night Shrimp Boil & Karaoke on the patio at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort.  KJ Flip leads the Thursday night karaoke fun at the Blind Swine; and he’s back Sunday night for Karaoke & Cocktails. Friday night, you can catch the official weigh-in of MSE Boxers at Blind Swine at 6:00.  Terry Jordan performs at the Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Big Shots will feature DJ Bandito Friday & Saturday nights. Karaoke with Kerry on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday & Saturday, as well; and Monkey Island Pub features Karaoke with DJ Tim Saturday night.

Area casinos are slowly easing back into the musical entertainment business. Indigo Sky Casino this week presents John Dooly Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Runnin on Empty Friday night and 5^th Element Saturday. Downstream Casino will host Rackensak Friday night in Legends Sports Bar, followed by Scott Ellison Saturday night.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Pharaoh Ramesses II, ruler of Egypt from 1279 B.C. to 1213 B.C., is believed to have fathered at least 88 children and perhaps as many as 103.

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HOME SCHOOLING NOTIFICATION OF THE WEEK: Distance learning in progress. Please don’t ring the doorbell unless you teach math or brought wine.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: As a kid, I used to watch “The Wizard of Oz” and wonder how someone could talk if they didn’t have a brain. Then I got Facebook.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Wedding dress for sale. Worn once by mistake. Call Stephanie.

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BEST T-SHIRT SEEN THIS WEEK: Socialism is when the fire department arrives. Capitalism is when the insurance company refuses to pay.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: If you’re paying $3.00 for a bottle of Smart Water, it isn’t working.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: My friend went bald years ago, but he still carries an old comb around with him. He just can’t part with it.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Someone asked me if I had plans for the fall. It took me a moment to realize they meant “autumn,” not the collapse of civilization.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: OU head football coach Lincoln Riley turned 37 this month. His mentor – the young coach who preceded him, Bob Stoops – turned 60 last week. Remember these great movies – “The Help,” “Sounder,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “The Biography of Miss Jane Pittman,” “How to Get Away with Murder”? The star of all those movies was Cicely Tyson. She’s 95 years old.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Diane Bruenger, Trent Richey, Angie Drake, Phillip Lancaster, Robert Waller, Marcie Wallace Hill, Rich Lillard, Barry Willingham, Nick Bentley, Rami Masri, Joyce Duke, Renee Diver, Josh West, Larry Bolton, Therri Wadel, DeAnne McAbee, July Elizabeth Pace, Bill Howell, Juli Miller, Theresa McDougall, and Bryan Timberlake.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is it called a building after it’s already built?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Academy of Country Music Awards program is Wednesday at 7:00 on CBS. Living Grand on Grand Lake airs Thursday at 7:30 on RSU (repeat Saturday morning at 10:00). Ratched is available Friday on NETFLIX. 60 Minutes returns for a new season Sunday night at 6:30 on CBS. The 72^nd Prime Time Emmy Awards ceremony airs Sunday night at 7:00 ABC; and L.A.’s Finest makes its debut next Monday night at 7:00 on Fox, followed immediately by the debut of Filthy Rich.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Way I See It, Nest, Blackbird, and Infidel have limited releases in movie theaters this week. Antebellum, No Escape and Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs are all available streaming this week. The Devil All the Time is available on NETFLIX.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I never did give them hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.” – Harry S. Truman

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Friday, September 24-25 – Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s Luau on the Green and Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Saturday, September 26 – Gretchen Wilson LIVE at Buffalo Run Casino. Saturday, October 3 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber Car Show & Cruise Night in Langley. Sunday, October 4 – Folds of Honor Classic Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Thursday-Sunday, October 8-11 – Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek in Grove. Sunday-Monday, October 11-12 – 2020 Shangri-La Invitational Golf Tournament. Friday, October 23 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at The Coves Golf Club.

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SPORTS WATCH: College football is underway. Last week’s OSU-Tulsa game had to be postponed because of Covid-19 issues at TU; so the season opener for both teams is this weekend. OSU hosts Tulsa in the big in-state rivalry Saturday morning at 11:00 on ESPN. OU does not play this weekend. Neither does K-State. They’ll face each other in Norman next weekend. Kansas does not play this weekend, either. They’ll face Baylor next week.

The NFL season is into week #2. Cincinnati is at Cleveland Thursday night at 7:30 on the NFL Network. Sunday, the Cowboys host the Falcons at noon on Fox while the Steelers host the Broncos on CBS. The Chargers host the Chiefs at 3:30 on CBS and New England is at Seattle Sunday night at 7:30 on NBC. Monday Night Football on ESPN features New Orleans at Las Vegas.

The NBA playoff action moves into the conference championship series this weekend. Games are on ESPN, ABC and TNT.  

The PGA Tour will be in Mamaroneck, New York this weekend for the U.S. Open. Coverage will be on the Golf Channel beginning at 6:30 a.m. Thursday and 8:30 Friday morning on the Golf Channel, then 8:30 Saturday morning only on Peacock. The Golf Channel is back with coverage Sunday morning at 9:00. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 10:00 Saturday morning and 11:00 Sunday morning. Confusing enough?

Major League Baseball play continues daily. You’ll just have to flip around the channels – ESPN, Fox, FS1, and TNT – to see what games are still on for any given day.

NASCAR drivers are back at Bristol this week for some Saturday night prime time racing. Coverage of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race begins Saturday at 6:30 on NBCSN..

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You might want to keep a jacket close this weekend if you're going to be out early or late. The weekend forecast calls for sunshine, light winds, high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s and lows in the mid-50s. It should be a great weekend for golf, boating or any recreational activity you choose. Remember, though - wherever you party this weekend, 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.

1909 in Downtown Grove

Ailey’s Café in Langley

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 (Open Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café Italia on Monkey Island

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)

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

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

Henrie’s Grill 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

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.)

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

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)

Scooters in Langley (smoking)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

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 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