September 2 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Just when everybody thinks they’re lined out for the holiday, someone comes up with something to stir up trouble. Labor Day weekend was no different. The New York Times ran an article blaming U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe for wanting to keep the Grand Lake level high because he owns a house here – and the Mayor of Miami was more than happy to pour gas on the fire, claiming once again the long disproven theory that Grand Lake causes the flooding in Miami. And the Facebook war was ON! I guess if I were the Mayor of Miami, I would look for someone to blame, too; but I would have thought he had a television. If so, he would have noticed that Grand Lake was flooded, too, as was every lake and town both upstream and downstream from the Great Lakes to New Orleans.  Hell, half the United States was flooded. I had no idea Senator Inhofe had that kind of power! The next thing you know, people will be petitioning to lower the water level in the Gulf of Mexico so we can run more water through New Orleans.

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There were plenty of raft-outs in virtually every cove of Grand Lake over the holiday weekend, but none like the Redneck Raft-Out in Check-In Bay. And that sound system! Wow! You didn’t have to be in Check-In Bay to enjoy the music, that’s for sure. Jeff & Amanda Silvers did a great job organizing that even this year – and for a great cause, too – South Grand Lakers Helping Children. Congratulations to everybody who was involved and everybody who came to play!

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I talk a lot about the best boating season on Grand Lake starting the day after Labor Day – and it’s true, by the way. Apparently, Oklahoma’s college football teams are supporting the concept. The first weekend after Labor Day is just ahead – and OU, OSU and TU are all playing such nothing teams that you don’t need to worry about missing them. I would say you could watch them on TV, but they’re so bad no TV networks are even carrying them. Sounds like a good excuse to go boating!

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I think bureaucrats sometimes run out of things to do. What parent hasn’t reminded their kids to go to the bathroom before starting out on a road trip? In New Hampshire, Wendy Auger took the message to her car tag, and the state threatened to make her give it up. Fortunately, she won the battle, so that little bathroom reminder is now still prominently displayed for her children to see on her car tag – PB4WEGO.

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I was in an actual city last week and I saw a coffee shop advertising Pumpkin Spice Latte. That sounds so awful it ought to be like the groundhog event of September. If someone offers that beverage, pour it out and bring on six more weeks of summer!

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DINING AND DRINKING BY BOAT ON GRAND LAKE: Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda will remain open Friday-Sunday through September 21 – no breakfast service, though. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina remains open Friday, Saturday & Sunday through September. Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay remains open Friday-Sunday through September, as well. Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina is closed for the season.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The last words of Crawford "Cherokee Bill" Goldsby before his hanging on March 17, 1896, were, "I came here to die, not make a speech."

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Rhinos are just Unicorns that have let themselves go.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Be careful when you follow the masses. Sometimes the “m” is silent.

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SIGN WARS: When Popeye’s started selling delicious chicken sandwiches in competition with Chic-fil-A, demand was so great they ran out of sandwiches. The next day and enterprising Chic-fil-A manager posted a marquee sign that read, “FYI We don’t run out of chicken sandwiches.” An equally enterprising Popeye’s manager posted a marquee sign of his own: “FYI People need to eat on Sundays.”

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I joined Alcoholics Anonymous. I still drink, but under a different name.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: It’s funny how red, white & blue represent freedom until they’re flashing behind you.

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HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK: If you add raisins to your bag of M&Ms, it becomes Trail Mix and you can eat the whole thing.

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INSTANT KARMA: Early Sunday morning, police in Kennewick, Washington responded to a call about a stolen truck. When they met William Kelley to get details, they found out their was video surveillance. When they checked the video to see if they could identify the truck thief, they also discovered why Kelley had left his truck parked carelessly. He was across the street robbing a store. I don’t know if he got his truck back yet or not…but he won’t need it for a while, anyway.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Plateaus are the highest form of flattery.

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ENGLISH LESSON OF THE WEEK: I don’t judge people based on race, creed, color, or gender. I judge people based on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.

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FAILED EFFORT OF THE WEEK: I went down to the paint store to get thinner. It didn’t work.  

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Beautiful and iconic Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed in an auto accident 22 years ago in 1997. She was just 35. Had she not died tragically, she would have been 58 years old.  Valerie Harper, best known as the spunky, street-smart Rhoda Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, died last week at the age of 80.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Mike Magoulas, Stephanie Hollingshead, Sally Cole, Dennis Loudermilk, Randy Phillips, Kim Quillin, Kenton Wheatley, Bob Prine, Emily Baggett, Kim Shearer, Kate Lindley, Theresa Swift, Jack McDonald, Amanda Silvers, Krista Bruggeman, and Eddy Gibbs.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How do you know when you’ve run out of invisible ink?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Mahogany & Chrome Classic Boat Show is at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Monkey Islanders have an advance opportunity to check out the classics when they take a little shakedown cruise to Shangri-La Friday for lunch at Doc’s. Saturday is also the Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd) 70^th birthday celebration at The Coleman Theater in Miami (3:00 p.m.). Should be some great music and great memories of one of our most famous locals.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s great entertainment around the lake again this weekend. On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan will kick off the Labor Day weekend at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La Thursday at 6:00 with DJ and karaoke fun combined with the weekly Thursday night Shrimp Boil. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La features the music of The Lucas Gates Band Saturday night. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang is open Friday & Saturday nights for karaoke fun; and there’s great dance music featuring DJ $way right across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze Friday & Saturday nights, as well. At Monkey Island Pub, there’s great dance music Friday & Saturday nights. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night followed by DJ Deeko. Sunday nights are Open Jam Sessions for musicians at the Swine. Tuesday is DJ fun with Deeko and Wednesday nights, Erin Fitzgibbon is back for karaoke fun. At Littlefield Corner, there’s always great live music Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon.

On South Grand Lake, Reverse Reaction will be on stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of Blake Turner Friday night, followed by Material Girl Saturday.  At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke, and James Muns will be on stage at Bordertown Friday night, followed by Asphalt Cowboys Saturday.  Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features music by Western Justice Friday night and karaoke fun Saturday night. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Event Center, Dr. Funk and the Soul Vaccinations perform. Saturday night Chris Bassett will be on stage in the Club 60 West Bar. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill there is live DJ action every Friday & Saturday night at 10:00. There are three nights of weekend entertainment at Indigo Sky Casino’s Echo Bar. Brett & Terri will provide the music Thursday night followed by Donnie Ray Stevens Friday night and Sweet Trouble Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action including College Football, Major League Baseball and NFL football are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Living Grand on Grand Lake airs Thursday night at 7:30 on RSU-TV. Discover Oklahoma airs Saturday’s at 6:30 on KTUL-Channel 8, Tulsa. The series premiere of Couples Therapy airs Friday night at 9:00 on Showtime. Monday night at 7:00, Cedric the Entertainer hosts Lip Sync to the Rescue on CBS followed by the CBS Fall Preview Show at 8:00; and a great documentary 9/11: Inside Air Force One airs next Wednesday night at 8:00 on The History Channel.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: God Blessed the Broken Road, Peppermint and The Nun

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.” – Mark Twain

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, September 12 – Cave Karaoke & Shrimp Boil on the patio at Doc’s at Shangri-La Resort. Thursday, September 19 – Northeast Oklahoma Board of Realtors Charity Golf Tournament at The Coves. Thursday-Friday, September 19-20 – Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell’s Luau on the Green & Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Thursday, September 19 – South Grand Chamber Business After Hours at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (5:00-7:00). Saturday, September 21 – REC Day at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, September 21 – WAAMI Chili Feed Fundraiser 11:00-2:00 at the Monkey Island Fire Department. Saturday, September 21 – Sunset Dam 5K Run from Summerside Park in Disney (registration starts at 2:00). Saturday, September 21 – Martha Betterfield’s Sparkling Desserts Cruise adventure aboard the Grand Lake Queen. Saturday, September 21 – Shangri-La Member Appreciation Party. Friday-Saturday, September 27-28 – GCO Off-Road Expo at Pensacola Dam off-road area. Saturday, September 28 – Hook N Cookoff at South Grand Lake Regional Airport. Saturday, September 28 – A Taste of Grand at the INTEGRIS hospital campus in Grove. Saturday, October 5 – Chuckwagon Dinner & Dance at Har-Ber Village. Sunday, October 6 – Folds of Honor Classic Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Monday, October 7 – Progress Shopping Dinner in Grove. Thursday-Sunday, October 10-13 – Pelican Festival in Grove.

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NFL regular season has arrived, and a great kick-off rivalry to get things started Thursday night as the Bears host the Packers (7:00 on NBC). Sunday games include Tennessee at Cleveland, Kansas City at Jacksonville, Atlanta at Minnesota, the NY Giants at Dallas, and a Sunday night match-up between the Steelers and the Patriots. Monday night’s season-opening double-header features Houston at New Orleans at 6:00 and Denver at Oakland at 9:15, both on ESPN.

It’s week #2 of the college football season. OU, OSU and TU all have games that are so ho-hum they’re not even televised. OU hosts South Dakota Saturday at 6:00 (PPV) and OSU hosts McNeese at the same time (ESPN+). TU is at San Jose State Saturday night at 8:00 (ESPN3). There are some good Saturday games, though. Texas A&M is at Clemson (2:30 on ABC), Nebraska is at Colorado (2:30 on Fox), and LSU is at Texas (6:30 on ABC).

The U.S. Open Tennis Tournament wraps up this week. Tournament coverage continues daily, but the Women’s Final is Saturday at 3:00 and the Men’s Final is Sunday at 3:00, both on ESPN.

There’s some good Major League Baseball action on the tube this weekend. The Red Sox host the Yankees Saturday afternoon at 3:00 (FS1) and again Sunday night at 6:00 (ESPN).

NASCAR drivers will hit the track Sunday afternoon at the Brickyard in Indy for the Big Machine Vodka 400. Coverage starts at 1:00 on NBC.

The PGA Tour has wrapped up the 2018-2019 season, but they’re not off for long. The 2019-2020 season starts next week at The Greenbrier.

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The weather for the weekend ahead looks terrific. Look for and light winds for the most part, with high temperatures in the 80s and lows in the 60s. We may have a little shower Sunday morning early but, other than that, sunshine!  Get out and have a fabulous time both on the lake and at your favorite club or restaurant.  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.

1909 in Downtown Grove

Ailey’s Café in Langley

American Grill in Grove

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

Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)

Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

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

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)

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

Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)

Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)

Morrow’s Bar & Grill at Morrow’s Landing

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)

Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum

Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)

The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice

The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)

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