September 26 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

This weather is awesome, isn’t it? We sure had a beautiful weekend for all the incredible outdoor events – and it was really fun seeing all the old boats on the lake who were on hand for the Mahogany & Chrome Classic Boat Show!

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Congratulations to Kristi Wallace and her entire crew for another absolutely phenomenal Taste of Grand Event. I had no idea I could eat and drink that much in one evening! Everyone who is always complaining about not knowing about all the restaurants on Grand Lake should have been at that event. I’m pretty sure they were all there! Shout-outs to all the winners – Changos Locos topped the night as winner of the “Supreme Cuisine” trophy. The Market at 216 was “People’s Choice” winner. “Best Dessert” honors went to Back Porch Ice Cream, and the coveted Five-Star Awards of Excellence honored Shangri-La, Blind Swine, Moon Soups, and Lighthouse Restaurant.

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Family Affair. The odds against this have to be higher than odds against winning the lottery. NSU Golf Team member Christian Yanovitch made an Albatross (shot a 2 on a par 5) on Heritage #4 a Shangri-La last week. The only other person to ever double-eagle that particular hole is Shangri-La’s PGA Director of Golf, Rob Yanovitch – Christian’s uncle!

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I’m ready to pass out my “Ripoff of the Year Award.” I won’t name the restaurant, because I’m just not that guy. I don’t want to be the one to close a place down and cost innocent staffers their jobs. But this the greatest story of “creative billing” I’ve seen in my long and distinguished drinking career. I am accustomed to a mark-up for specifying a particular bourbon, but this place offered “bourbon & water” for five bucks – or six bucks for Jim Beam. I ordered Beam. When my bill came, it was for $11. Five bucks for the drink, and another $6 charge for specifying a brand! I argued, but to no avail. One drink for the price of two! That should be a place that’s making serious money, but it won’t make any more off of me. The only bright spot is…I only had one drink.

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Oklahoma made it onto another “Top Ten” list – “Top FIVE,” in fact. A new survey by Forbes Advisor says Oklahoma drivers are the fourth most confrontational of drivers across the nation. Our inclination to engage in Road Rage outperforms drivers in 46 other states. Imagine That!

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“The Right Stuff,” the new ultra-conservative dating site backed by PayPal founder Peter Thiel is in trouble. It was designed to get MAGA supporters together, but it has run into two problems: 1) They have received a “cease and desist” order from a group who has already utilized that name for a dating site for 20 years, and 2) They don’t seem to be attracting any women to the site. That’s awkward. Since the name is already taken, a buddy of mine suggested a good name to make their intent more clear – Q-pid.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Congratulations to Shangri-La Resort for nailing down another award. Tulsa World readers voted Shangri-La as “Best Lake Resort” in the newspaper’s “Best in the World” voting.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to William Durrett, Mickey Tyrrell, Susan Satterlee, Tim McCrary, Jack Counts, Chris Bolt, Danny Head, Jim Anderson, Robin Bergstrom, Andy Newman, Mike Lillie, Carl Fiddner, Mike Mitchell, Gary Hardman, Chris Merillat, Mary Bulten, Mark Athey, Randy Wheeler, Jerry Lee, Gary Nichols, Kira McDonald, Reggie Stone, Thane Swisher, Sue Wilkinson, Jan Castelli, Colleen Garrett, Angela Estep, Jared Jeffers, and Cari Williams.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: There are plenty of fun options on this week’s Grand Lake activities list. Friday- Sunday, Sept 30-Oct. 2 – Round 7 of the MAO Racing SXS Championship Series and the Pit Bike Championship Series are at Mid-America Outdoors in Jay Friday-Sunday. Saturday is a Benefit Pancake Breakfast at the Monkey Island Fire Department (8:00-11:00), and Saturday evening is the Miss Pelican Festival Pageant at The Legacy Event Center in Grove (6:30). Saturday & Sunday, The Anchor Racquet Club hosts the Shangri-La Open Pickleball Tournament benefiting NEO A&M. Sunday is also one of the biggest charity golf tournaments of the year at Shangri-La Resort – The Stars & Stripes Classic benefiting the John Daly/Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation (12:30 shotgun). That tournament will be followed by the three-day Okie Quota Golf Tournament next Monday-Wednesday, also at Shangri-La.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The "s" on the end of many English family names is a vestigial patronym meaning "son." The name Williams, for instance, means "son of William."

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Over 100 marijuana plants sprouted on the Anaheim Stadium playing field in 1976 after The Who played a concert there.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: My Mom was cleaning out their liquor cabinet and offered me a bottle of vodka they’ve had for ages. I had to say no because I know it’s 70% water from me stealing it when I was sixteen.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: No soliciting! We are too broke to buy anything. We know who we are voting for. We have found Jesus. Seriously, unless you are giving away beer, please go away!

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right and exercise…but that was 4 hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I have had Duck in orange sauce in France, and I have had Figgy Pudding in raisin sauce in London, but I always come back to the United States for Eggs Benedict because there’s no place like home for the Hollandaise.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If I write a book about all the things I should have done in my life, would it be called an oughtobiography?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I don’t know what to call this season in the South, but it’s the one where the grocery store has a pallet of watermelons next to the Halloween candy, right in front of the Thanksgiving specials and Christmas decorations.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Can you still hear “The Sound of Music”? Super-actress/singer Julie Andrews turns 87 years old this week. The popular show Perry Mason premiered on CBS 65 years ago!

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If you need the threat of hell to be a good person, then you’re just a bad person on a leash.” – Paul Kinsella

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off Thursday night at the Karaoke & Shrimp Boil with Jason Morgan at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Eli Mattson performs indoors at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night; and Terry Jordan tickles the ivories both Friday and Saturday nights at The Summit. Thursday and Tuesday nights are karaoke nights with DJ Mo at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, and Erin Fitzgibbon entertains early both Wednesday and Friday nights. There is karaoke fun on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday and Saturday nights; and DJ K-Bandito is now hosting Big Shots Big Saturdays across the street at Big Shots. Saturday is Rockstar Karaoke night with DJ Chris Kennedy at Monkey Island Pub.

On South Grand Lake, Ryan Graham performs Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill (9:00) and Gusto Dave will entertain Saturday night. At the Drunken Rooster, Brent Giddens provides the entertainment Friday night.

In Grove, this is the final weekend of the live theater production of 2 Across at Playmakers with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night performances at 7:30. There is karaoke fun every Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music Friday night from Western Justice, and more karaoke Saturday. Encore performs Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by The Widowmakers Saturday.

Erin Detherage starts the weekend music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Diversity Friday night and Thomas Martinez Saturday. Wheeler Walker, Jr. will host a concert Friday night at Downstream Casino; and Warrant & Winger will be on stage Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La, Blind Swine on Duck Creek, and Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina are now closed for the season (although VIP Pizza is still open). Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now closed Sunday & Monday. Ugly’s Grill & Bar is now open Friday 5:00-9:00, Saturday 12:00-9:00, and Sunday 12:00-4:00. A new restaurant is coming to The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island. Bailey’s Bistro plans opening October 18. Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La now offers a breakfast buffet seven days a week from 7:00 a.m.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The new Fall season has arrived. Young Sheldon returns for a new season Thursday night at 7:00 and So Help Me Todd debuts at 8:00 followed by a season premiere of CSI: Vegas at 9:00, all on CBS. on NBC. Welcome to Flatch and Call me Kat also debut Thursday night at 8:00 and 8:30 respectively on Fox. America’s Funniest Home Videos returns Sunday night at 6:00 on ABC, opposite 60 Minutes on CBS. The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday at 7:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Smile and Bros both open in movie theaters this week. Hocus Pocus 2 is available on Disney+. The Greatest Beer Run Ever is available beginning Friday on Apple TV+ and My Best Friend’s Exorcism is on Prime Video.

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday-Sunday, October 6-9 – Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Friday, October 7 – South Grand Lake Chamber’s 25^th Annual Coves Golf Tournament. Saturday, Saturday, October 8 – OU-Texas Watch Party and Cookout at The Anchor at Shangri-La. October 8 – River Bend Car Show at River Bend Casino in Wyandotte. Tuesday, October 11 –Lake O’ The Cherokees Sub-Watershed Association Annual Meeting at NEO Student Union (4:00). Saturday, October 15 – Octoberfest Celebration at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort (noon-8:00 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, October 15-16 – The Race to Shangri-La Tour Championship Golf Tournament at Shangri-La Golf Club. Friday, October 28 – Halloween Costume Pickleball Mixer at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (7:00-8:30 p.m.). Friday, October 28 – Crawl-O-Ween off-road spook trail in the South Grand Lake Recreation Area (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, October 29 – Mary Moore Pickleball Charity Challenge benefitting Special Olympics at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.). Saturday, October 29 – Kids’ Spooktacular Halloween Party & Costume Contest at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00-8:00 p.m.).

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It’s another big college football weekend. OU is on the road at TCU at 11:00 Saturday morning. OSU is at Baylor at 2:30, and Arkansas hosts Alabama, also at 2:30.

Other great Saturday matchups include Kentucky at Ole Miss and Texas Tech at Kansas State, both at 11:00, Texas A&M at Mississippi State at 3:00, LSU at Auburn and Tulane at Houston, both at 6:00, Georgia at Missouri, and North Carolina State at Clemson at 6:30, and Arizona State at USC at 9:30.

NFL action gets underway Thursday night with Miami at Cincinnati. Sunday games include an early start with Minnesota facing New Orleans in London at 8:30 a.m. Noon games feature Washington at Dallas and Buffalo at Baltimore. Arizona takes on Carolina in a battle of former OU quarterbacks at 3:00, and Green Bay hosts New England at 3:30. Kansas City is at Tampa Bay Sunday night at 7:00; and Monday Night Football features the L.A. Rams at San Francisco.

PGA Players are in Jackson, Mississippi this week for the Sanderson Farms Championship. Coverage is exclusively on the Golf Channel beginning at 2:30 Thursday & Friday and 3:00 Saturday & Sunday.

NASCAR drivers are in Talladega. Coverage of the YellaWood 500 begins at 1:00 Sunday afternoon on NBC.

Some of the great Major League Baseball games this weekend include the Yankees hosting Baltimore Friday at 6:00 and St. Louis at Pittsburgh Monday at 5:30. Next Wednesday, the Yankees are at Texas at 3:00.

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Weekend weather to kick off the month of October looks absolutely fabulous! We’ll have clear skies, light winds, highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-50s; so get out there and enjoy all the many weekend Grand Lake entertainment options. Remember, though, no matter where 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

Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)

Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina

Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Café at Har-Ber Village

Café Yum in Grove

Cafeteria at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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 in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

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

Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina

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 (smoking)

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Forage in downtown Grove & The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island

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

Hatfield’s Saloon 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

Lester’s Third Street Diner in 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)

Monkey Island RV Resort

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

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)

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 (smoking...but not at lunch)

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 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