September 21 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

It’s the first week of Fall. Admittedly, the weather is nice for boating and golf, but I’ll never understand why people look forward to Fall so much. They talk about sweaters and bonfires and wiener roasts…all things that just create more laundry. More required clothing makes it harder to pack for vacations – and we just sit around and watch everything die. I’m a summer boy, myself. I hate winter so much it’s made me hate Fall and Spring just because they touch it!

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Last Friday night was a nice surprise for folks who stayed around the Summit Restaurant after dinner. Toby Keith decided to join Terry Jordan at the piano to sing a song or two – or ten – or twenty. He held the mike for two-and-a-half hours. I particularly liked his change in lyrics to the song Kansas City: “I might take a train. I might take a plane; but if I have to walk it’s not too far from Shangri-La.” It was a pretty special night for some very surprised members & guests at The Summit. Thanks, Toby!

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Speaking of celebrities at Shangri-La, Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell is throwing a big party this week. Thursday & Friday he’ll host his second annual “Luau on the Green & Golf Tournament” at Shangri-La. It’s always great to have Oklahoma’s head tourism cheerleader bringing folks to Grand Lake!

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Trying on clothes is one thing, but there are some items you probably should just purchase – and take them directly home – without trying them first. In Fort Pierce, Florida, Theresa Stanley learned that lesson when she stole a pink sex toy from a store shelf, then proceeded to try it out. Store employees said she took the sex toy, removed the packaging – then removed her pants and began to try it out! By the time police arrived, she had moved to a storage room and was completely nude while still “testing” the effectiveness of the sex toy. She was arrested for shoplifting and indecent exposure. Wonder if it was worth it.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Sadly, 1909 Restaurant in Grove has closed – permanently. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La will reopen Thursday, September 24 for dine-in lunch and dinner service seven days a week. 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 Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La is open to the public Sunday evening.

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PUBLIC EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE: Saturday’s planned Gretchen Wilson concert at Buffalo Run Casino has been postponed. A Taste of Grand, also scheduled for Saturday, 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). Thursday night, Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell hosts his annual “Luau on the Green” at Shangri-La Resort, followed by his annual Golf Tournament Friday at Shangri-La Golf Club.  The Grand Lake Queen riverboat runs regular sightseeing cruises at 7:00 Friday and 6:00 Saturday evenings from Royal Bay Marina in Grove. Farmers Market is open at the Grove Community Center Saturday from 9:00-2:00.

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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. 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.

Some area casinos are also back into the musical entertainment business. Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Lucas Gates Thursday night in the Echo Bar, followed by Jesse Joice Friday night and Encore Saturday. Downstream Casino will host Retrorockerz Friday night in Legends Sports Bar, followed by Travis Kidd Saturday night.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired what became the American National Anthem, has 15 stripes.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Alice Roosevelt smoked cigarettes in public, chewed gum, placed bets with bookies, rode in cars with men, stayed out late partying, and kept a pet snake named Emily Spinach, which she often wore wrapped around one arm and took to parties. Her father, President Theodore Roosevelt, once said of her, “I can either run the country or I can attend to Alice. I cannot possibly do both.” (thanks to Yana Livesay for sharing this)

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Instead of blowing things up at a gender reveal party, the parents should hand out wallets. If there’s a dollar inside, it’s a boy. If there’s 72 cents, it’s a girl.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: We live in a country full of people who think science is fake but professional wrestling is real.

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BEST T-SHIRT SEEN THIS WEEK: Cremation is my last hope for a smoking hot body.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: FYI…you pee on a jellyfish sting, not a jelly stain. Again, my apologies to the lady at the Waffle House this morning.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I suffer from kleptomania. But, I take something for it.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: After six months of listening to people talk with masks on, I finally understand what Charlie Brown’s teacher was saying.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Novelists Winston Groom, undoubtedly best known for his novel “Forrest Gump,” died last week. He was 77. Legendary actor/comedian Bob Newhart turned 91 this month.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Susan Jones, Lyn Moore, Vernon Ellis, Justin May, Corey Black, Angela Good, Gay Cornell, Jerry Parrish, Sheila Bond, Jill Kelly, Fred Northrop, Barbara Oden, Debbie Mitchell, Mickey Tyrrell, Bill Durrett, and Jack Counts.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why are all the “Save the Trees” signs made out of wood?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Masked Singer returns to Fox Wednesday at 7:00 followed by the debut of I Can See Your Voice. Living Grand on Grand Lake airs Thursday at 7:30 on RSU (repeat Saturday morning at 10:00). Star Trek: Discovery premieres Thursday night at 9:00on CBS. The much-awaited Season 4 of Fargo premieres on FX Sunday night at 8:00. JL Family Ranch: The Wedding Gift also airs Sunday night at 8:00 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. The first Presidential Debate airs on various networks next Tuesday, September 29 beginning at 8:00 p.m.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Greenland, Kajillionaire, Ava, and Rogue Warfare: Death of a Nation 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: “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” – Benjamin Franklin

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, October 3 – Classic Car Auction at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace. Saturday, October 3 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber Car Show & Cruise Night in Langley. Saturday, October 3 – Cedar Port Marina Customer Appreciation. 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. Saturday, October 10 – Fall Fest at the Courthouse Square in Jay (9:00-4:00). Sunday-Monday, October 11-12 – 2020 Shangri-La Invitational Golf Tournament. Thursday-Sunday, October 15-18 – Rocktoberfest at the off-road area by the Pensacola Dam. Friday, October 23 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at The Coves Golf Club. Saturday, October 24 – Grand Meridian Halloween Bash. Saturday, October 31 – Halloween Hayride & Party at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday, December 5 – Cherokee Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade. Saturday, December 12 – Grove Christmas Parade.

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SPORTS WATCH: College football is underway. OU hosts Kansas State Saturday morning at 11:00 on Fox.  OSU opens conference play hosting West Virginia Saturday at 2:30 on ABC (or ESPN), and Tulsa plays at Arkansas State Saturday at 2:30 on ESPN2. Kansas is at Baylor Saturday night for a 6:30 kick-off on ESPNU.

The NFL season heads into week #3 following tonight’s New Orleans at Las Vegas game. Miami is at Jacksonville Thursday night at 7:30 on the NFL Network. Sunday, the Cowboys are at Seattle at 3:30 on Fox and Green Bay is at New Orleans Sunday night at 7:30 on NBC. Monday Night Football on ESPN should be a great one – Kansas City at Baltimore.

The NBA playoff Conference Championship games continue this week, as we narrow the field to two teams. Games are on ESPN, ABC and TNT. Target date for Game 1 of the Championship series is next Wednesday, September 30. If the Western Conference finals go a full seven games, that date will be moved back.

The PGA Tour will be in the Caribbean this week for the first-ever PGA Tour event in the Dominican Republic. Coverage of the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship will be on the Golf Channel beginning at 2:00 p.m. Thursday & Friday, then at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday for the final two rounds on NBC.

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 in Las Vegas this weekend for some Sunday night prime time racing as they begin the Round of 12 Playoffs. Coverage of the South Point 400 begins Sunday at 6:00 on NBCSN.

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You’ve gotta love this weather! The upcoming weekend looks like a repeat of the last one. The forecast calls for sunshine, light winds, high temperatures around 80 and lows around 60. Football season is here. I hope your team wins; and please remember - 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.

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 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)

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