Here we are at one of my very favorite holidays of the year. I love Halloween because there is no expected gift-giving and, unlike all of the other major holidays, if you put together an effective costume, you can get by with doing virtually anything you want – and nobody knows it’s you! The bad news is, you can’t always get even with the people you want to target because, if they have an equally effective costume, you can’t be sure it’s them!
There’s another big day coming up next week, as well. Next Tuesday is Midterm General Election Day. Everyone who is registered can vote – Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents. Everyone can vote in every race and on two terrible state questions – one that cuts funding for local schools and county government, and another that makes selection of judges a partisan selection. No matter how many times President Trump tries to tell you he’s on the ballot – he’s not! And remember, most officials are elected by people who decide not to vote – and, if you don’t vote, you give up your right to complain; and Okies never want to give up that right!
Since the U.S. Senate decided to take the month off instead of considering pending legislation like the “Sunshine Protection Act,” we all have to set our clocks back after we wrap up trick-or-treating Saturday night. The bright side is, if you’re still eating candy at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, you can think, “Oh, it’s really just 1:00 a.m. I can eat some more.” By the way, that theory doesn’t work at the bars around Grand Lake. I’ve tried it. So, prepare for the “dark season” ahead. Oversleep Sunday and spend the day adjusting, because Monday you’ll be driving home from work in the dark.
It seems like the older I get, the more mistakes I make that put me in Facebook jail. I’m out of jail now, but I’ve decided, at my age, instead of facing more “Facebook Jail,” I’ll just call it “Metapause.”
By the way, you don’t need to waste your time posting those bogus enticements about “I do not give the right to Facebook to share my photos or information.” It’s a waste of time. A New Mexico judge has ruled that Meta must pay $25 billion for the “systematically broadcast lies” the social media giant offered the public regarding its data privacy practices. So, I guess it must be true after all – you can’t believe everything you see on the internet. Who knew?
Nobody knows for sure what it will mean to Grove & Miami where Integris Health has hospitals and medical clinics…but the state’s largest health care provider (and largest private employer) is being purchased by Resant Health, a subsidiary of Kaiser Permanente. Never heard of either one of them? Me, neither. But I’ll bet the health care picture is getting ready to change in Oklahoma – one way or another.
We all know the old saying, “Be careful what you ask for.” As it turns out, that applies to the President of the United States, as well. President Trump announced a new Department of Justice “fraud hotline,” offering up to $30,000 in reward money for fraud tips. Within hours, the hotline was flooded with fraud accusations about Donald Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, every member of the President’s Cabinet, and Donald Trump himself. (That reward money probably isn’t available anymore.)
Disneyworld has now put a price on trash. They still want to sell you stuff, but they apparently don’t want you to throw it away. They have now put a $2 fee on utilization of their numerous trash cans – and a $20 fine if you toss your trash n the ground. Approximately 50 million people visit Disneyworld each year. If each of them tosses one piece of trash, that’s over $100 million. And you thought disposing of your household trash was expensive!
The World Series is underway and no matter who wins, we will crown a first-time World Champion. Neither the Brewers nor the Rays has ever won a World Series (and Fox is still furious they don’t have a New York or Los Angeles team in the series to boost their ratings).
Sometimes there are good reasons to plan schedules carefully. Take, for example, the new movie “Spaceballs” which is now in production, starring Mel Brooks. Brooks asked the production team to film his scenes first, just to make sure he’s in the movie. He explained, “I’m 100 years old, you know.”
Grand Lake Bum Shout-Outs
Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Bruce Brookby, Jeff Pelcher, Kathy Barnes, Shelly Sparks, Justin Morgan, Christal Lavery, Jeromy McMorris, Mitch Whitehead, Michael DiPasquale, and Linda Wilburn.
Best Grand Lake Events This Week
Halloween dominates the event calendar this week beginning Thursday night with Trunk or Treat at Rose Rock on Monkey Island (5:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday is the Grove Chamber of Commerce Halloween Open House (10:00-2:00), Trunk or Treat in the north parking lot of Integris Grove Hospital (4:30-6:00 p.m.), a Trunk or Treat Halloween Party at Tera Miranda Resort (5:00-8:00 p.m.), and a Halloween Costume Pickleball Party at The Anchor Racquet Club (7:00 p.m.). Both Friday & Saturday, Har-Ber Village hosts an Evening walk through Haunted Village (5:30-8:30 p.m.). Playmakers in Grove also has two days of Halloween Fun – “Frightfully Funny,” a Halloween-ish Readers Theatre Event Friday night at 7:30 – and “Harvest Hollow Hunt – The Mystery of the Innocents” Saturday from 1:00-4:00. Saturday morning is a Pickleball Tournament for men, women, and mixed doubles at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La (10:00 a.m.). Saturday morning is also a Fall Fest Trick or Treat & Carnival games at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort (10 a.m.-noon). Other big Saturday Halloween events include Trunk or Treat at Woodshed in Langley (3:00-6:00 p.m.), Trunk or Treat at Grand Towne Center in Langley (5:00-7:00 p.m.), Trick or Treat at Shangri-La Resort (6:00-8:00) followed by Costume Party at The Anchor (9:00 p.m.), Trunk or Treat and Car Show at Rib Crib in Grove (6:00-8:00 p.m.), and the Wolf Creek Harvest Fest with Trunk O’ Treat & Games at Wolf Creek Park in Grove (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Kids eat for half price Saturday at the Drunken Rooster. There are also candy giveaways followed by a Kids’ Costume Contest at 7:00 and an Adult Costume Contest at 9:00.
Randy Krehbiel’S Random Factoid Of The Week
Bob Wiens, founder of Bob’s Big Boy restaurants, is generally considered the inventor of the double decker hamburger.
Fun Fact Of The Week
We’ll see if money can buy a political office…but we know it can’t necessarily buy a World Series trip. The Milwaukee Brewers rank 19th in MLB payrolls and the Tampa Bay Rays rank 28th.
Odd Fact Of The Week
A priest in Ecuador was in the middle of a sermon on the “spontaneity of death” last week when, in mid-sermon, an oversized crucifix fell from the wall and killed him. Point made!
Best Facebook Post Of The Week
Shopping in London is not what you expect. Went to Selfridges. They don’t sell fridges. Went to Boots. They don’t sell boots. Went to Curry’s. They don’t sell curry. Went to the Apple store. They don’t sell apples. As for the Virgin Megastore..what a huge disappointment!
Word Fun This Week
Dictionary publishers occasionally insert deliberate fake words or "trap entries" into their pages to catch copyright infringements and plagiarists who copy their dictionary content verbatim. If a competing dictionary shows up with the exact same fake word, it proves plagiarism. “Esquivalience” is such a manufactured word, loosely defined as the willful avoidance of official responsibilities – like stealing someone else’s dictionary instead of writing your own!
Best Sign Seen This Week
It would be ironic to die in your living room.
Best Bluesky Post Of The Week
Just a reminder: The Constitution wasn’t written to restrain the behavior of citizens. It was written to restrain the behavior of government.
Pun Of The Week
My neighbor’s wife is an undertaker. They have two vehicles – his and hearse.
Unanswered Question Of The Week
Why is it that when someone tells you there are one billion stars in the universe, you believe them, but if they tell you there is wet paint, you have to touch it to check?
Observation Of The Week
I hate when people can’t let go of the past. Debt collectors are the worst!
Quote Of The Week
“Maybe if we underpaid politicians and overpaid teachers, there would be smarter people and less stupid laws.” – Morgan Freeman
Feel-Old Moments Of The Week
Oklahoma’s own singer, songwriter, and “Rockabilly” music pioneer Wanda Jackson turned 89 last week. Award winning actor Chrstopher Lloyd turned 88. Jeannie C. Riley, the country & gospel singer best known for her hit single “Harper Valley PTA” turned 81; and we lost Country Music Hall-of-Famer John Anderson last week. He was 71.
Best Weekend Live Entertainment
On Monkey Island, there’s Karaoke with Sundown Entertainment Friday night at The Monkey Bar. Dillon Leggett takes the stage at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night at 7:00 and Lil’ Red & The Sidepiece will entertain Friday night at The Anchor at Shangri-La (8:30-11:30). DJ Phluf hosts “Fright Night” fun Friday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze followed by a Halloween Party Saturday night; and Randall George will entertain Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon.
On South Grand Lake, Megan Faulconer starts the weekend entertainment Wednesday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney followed by Michael Thompson Thursday night and Conor Culpepper Friday. Reverse Reaction takes the stage at Mooney’s Saturday night.
In Grove, Ty Bottorff hosts karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino, and Bobby DeGonia will be on stage Saturday night. Magic J will entertain Friday night at Cherokee Casino followed by The Beaty Creek Band Saturday night; and Laid-Back Larry hosts the karaoke fun at Alpha Bar Saturday night.
Incongnito starts the weekend music Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino followed by Diversity Friday and Damsel Saturday. Red Letters will be on stage at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Friday night followed by the Kiss tribute band Rock and Roll Over Saturday night at 8:00 and the Kurt Allen Band at 10:00. The John Mellencamp tribute band Crumblin’ Down will be featured both Friday and Saturday nights at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace. Torn is the featured entertainment Saturday night at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.
Dining & Drinking Update
Congratulations to Dennis & Melissa Patrick, owners of Clanton’s Café in Vinita. Clanton’s was awarded the prestigious “Route 66 Historic Diner Award” last week at the Route 66 Gala. This is the final weekend of the season for Blind Swine Duck Creek at Harbors View Marina. Bobber’s Café & Fresh Market is now open in Bernice (opens at 7:00 a.m.). The Fire Pit Restaurant at Wildwood Cove Resort is now located in Grove (the former Speedy’s Chophouse location). The Fire Pit got their liquor license, but cocktail service is temporarily delayed while they’re getting set up with distributors. Soon!
Bum Must-See TV
A two-part Halloween episode of Ghosts airs Thursday night at 8:00 on CBS. St. Denis Medical returns to NBC for another season Monday night at 7:00.
Bum Must-See Movies
Christmas at the Kringles, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, and Everest: The Other Side all open in theaters this week.
Save The Date
Friday, November 6 – First Friday Wine Share at Banks & Company in Grove (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Friday-Saturday, November 6-7 – Grove Merchants Christmas Open House Weekend. Saturday, November 7 – Sleigh Bells Market at Wolf Creek Expo Center in Grove (9:00-5:00). Saturday, November 7 – Zena Fall Fest – car show, chili cookoff, crafters & vendors – at the Zena Community Center (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Saturday & Sunday, November 7-8 – Patricia Island Couples Championship Tournament at Patricia Island Country Club (10:00 a.m.). Saturday & Sunday, November 14-15 – Vintage Market at Wolf Creek Expo (9:00-4:00). Thursday, November 26 – Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet at Doc’s at Shangri-La (12:00-5:00 p.m.). Thursday, November 26 – Silent Disco Party (headphones furnished) in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La. Friday, November 27 – Black Friday Seafood Buffet at The Summit at Shangri-La (5:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, November 28 – Native American Holiday Market at the Grove Community Center (10:00-6:00).
In the sports world, college football rolls on this week with OU hosting South Carolina Saturday at 2:30 followed by OSU at Iowa State at 6:00. Other great college games Saturday include Arizona at Texas Tech, Kansas State at Colorado, Kansas at TCU, Ohio State at USC, Northwestern at Oregon, Minnesota at Indiana, and Missouri at Arkansas.
The NFL has some good ones this week, too. The Packers host the Panthers Thursday night. Sunday games include Baltimore at Buffalo (12:00), Arizona at Dallas (12:00), Kansas City at Denver (3:30), and Philadelphia at Washington (7:20). Monday Night Football features Chicago at Seattle.
We’re in the final days of Major League Baseball. The World series continues with games Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday and, if necessary, Friday & Saturday.
In the WNBA, we’re nearing the end of the season with the Atlanta-Golden State WNBA Championship series continuing this week with the final two games, as necessary, Thursday & Saturday.
The NBA regular season is officially underway. After facing the Mavericks in Dallas Wednesday, the OKC Thunder head to Houston Saturday before a home-and-home series with the Cavaliers in Cleveland Monday and Oklahoma City next Wednesday.
NASCAR drivers are in Martinsville this week for Sunday afternoon action. Coverage of the Xfinity 500 begins at 1:00 p.m. on NBC.
PGA golfers are in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico this week for the Vidanta World Mexico Open. Coverage on the Golf Channel begins at 3:00 Thursday-Saturday, and 11:30 Sunday morning.
Another beautiful weekend is on the horizon. We may have a few showers Sunday but, for the most part, we’ll have nice weather with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s. There’s a lot happening around the lake this weekend, so get out and enjoy the Halloween weekend! And remember, wherever you party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM
