December 16, 2024
I hope everyone survived Friday the 13th okay. By the way, did you get a tattoo? Seriously. Friday the 13th is like the “Black Friday” of the tattoo industry. More people get tattoos on Friday the 13th than any other day of the year. If that’s not strange enough for you, how about this? The most popular tattoo requested on that day is….Felix the Cat.
It’s getting to be that time of year! No, no. Not Christmas. I’m talking about College Football Bowl Games and the newly expanded College Football Playoffs. There are 13 bowl games between now and next Tuesday. Round one of the College Football Playoff games is this week – Indiana vs. Notre Dame (Friday) and SMU vs. Penn State, Clemson vs. Texas, and Tennessee vs. Ohio State, all on Saturday. Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State are waiting in the wings for the winners of those games.
The holiday season is also right on top of us, of course. The parade portion of the season is now behind us, for the most part. There were parades everywhere you looked over the past weekend – both on land and on Grand – and the weather couldn’t have been better! The 35th Annual Cherokee Yacht Club Boat Parade is the one that caught my attention because the drinking party started on the docks about three hours before the parade. If you were at the big parade in Grove and missed the one-the-water boat parade, there are plenty of opportunities to catch the televised coverage of the boat parade this weekend. It will air on KSNF (Joplin) both Saturday at 6:30 and again Sunday morning at 10:30. Wichita’s KSNW will broadcast the parade at noon Sunday. Kansas City viewers can catch coverage at 11:30 Sunday morning and again Christmas Eve at 9:00 a.m. Oklahoma City’s KSBI will also televise the boat parade twice – once Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and again that afternoon at 4:30. In Tulsa, coverage is on KTUL, Channel 8 Sunday afternoon at 12:30. It’s worth watching if you weren’t on hand for the big dock party. Now…on to the indoor Christmas party season – and wrapping up that shopping!
The “Grand Lake Holiday Celebration” at Shangri-La Hotel Sunday afternoon was great fun. Terry Jordan is always great entertainment – and Andre Jones & The Showstoppers were “showstoppers” for sure. There’s another celebration at Shangri-La this Sunday 2:00-5:00. If you missed the first one, you won’t want to miss the second!
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Several Grove merchants held a “Ladies Night Sip & Shop” event last week where ladies could leave tips and hints for the men in their lives about their Christmas wish-lists. Those wish-lists will be available at the same merchants who have scheduled “Last Minute Men’s Shopping Night” for the guys Friday, December 20. I’m confused. Do the merchants not know any men? “Last minute” Christmas shopping for men is not December 20. It’s December 24.
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If you need a little assistance wrapping up your Christmas shopping, I have a tip. Have you ever wondered what happens to all the lost and unclaimed gifts that are mailed and shipped? Well, they’re actually available for purchase. Check out www.fundelivered.com. They sell wrapped “mystery boxes” of unclaimed gifts that could make great Christmas surprises for those on your shopping list. They’ll never know what they’re getting for Christmas – and you’ll never know what you’re giving them!
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Tina Sholl, Jill Walther, Rodney Richardson, Casey Davis, Jeff Horany, Casey Musgrove, Laurie Kelly, Justine Brooks, Tiffany Cogle, Scott Roberts, A.G. Meyers, Denise Whitson, Shannon Watkins, Rick Huskey, Houston Brittain, Sam Rader, Pat Jurgensmeyer, Carolyn Piguet, and Jeff Hartman.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: The Christmas lights are up and ready for drive-thru visits at Twin Bridges State Park. Thursday morning is the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast with Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell in the Roosevelt Ballroom of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (9:00 a.m.). Thursday afternoon is a special ribbon cutting and Grand Opening of the Bill Skea and Joan Vermaire Gymnasium at Grand Lake YMCA (1:00 p.m.). Thursday night is the Skate with Santa Winter Bash at the Grove Community Center ice rink (6:00-8:00 p.m.) and Friday-Sunday is Costumed Character Skate fun (3:00-9:00 p.m.). Thursday night is also “Karaoke & Prime Rib Night” at Doc’s at Shangri-La and “Thursday Trivia Night” at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village will be open Friday & Saturday nights at Har-Ber Village (5:30-8:30). Friday night is also a “S’Mores & More” party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday night is a Christmas Movie night in the Overton Room at Shangri-La Resort Hotel at 6:00 (“The Santa Claus”). Sunday afternoon is a Grand Lake Christmas Celebration Christmas Carol sing-along party with Terry Jordan at Shangri-La Resort Hotel Lobby (2:00-5:00 p.m.). Sunday is also a Kids Christmas Crafts Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (1:00-4:00 p.m.), and a Dirty Santa Christmas Party at Pickles Pub in Langley.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Sydney, Australia, was established as a British penal colony in 1788 because after the American Revolution British prisoners could no longer be sent here.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has become the first and only song to hit 2 billion streams on Spotify. She makes approximately $3 million per year off of that one song.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: The richest town in Oklahoma is Nichols Hills with a median household income of $194,576. Forty-nine percent of the households earn more than $200,000 per year. The unemployment rate is 0.3% and 96.1% of the residents have health insurance. A more important ranking might be the newly published list of “The Drunkest Cities in Each State.” In Oklahoma, the honor this year goes to…Lawton.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: You’re not really drinking alone if your dog is home.
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PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “Too bad I hid a boot” spelled backwards is still “Too bad I hid a boot.”
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Meet people the old-fashioned way – through alcohol and poor judgment.
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BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: The word “queue” is sort of strange. It’s just a “Q” with a bunch of silent letters waiting in line.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Avoid dangerous cults. Practice safe sects.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What if soy milk is just regular milk introducing itself in Spanish?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Picking a real estate agent at Grand Lake is like selecting a wine. You can choose a cheap one, but don’t complain about where you wake up.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We don’t talk enough about how looking at our phones while someone is trying to connect with us is a form of rejection.” – Jillian Turecki
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: It’s that time of the year again, believe it or not. Legendary singer/songwriter/musician/producer Keith Richards is having another birthday. He turns 81 this week. Iconic filmmaker/producer/director Steven Spielberg will be 78 this week. Fresh off of her record-breaking Eras Tour, superstar Taylor Swift celebrated her over-the-hill birthday Friday. Yep. She’s 35!
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend begins Thursday night with Jason Morgan hosting the karaoke fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Friday night, Kevin Price will perform at Doc’s. DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar. DJ Kyle Bandito provides the late-night music at Big Shots both Friday & Saturday nights. Sunday afternoon, Terry Jordan will lead a special holiday sing-along celebration in the lobby of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (2:00-5:00 p.m.).
On South Grand, Clint & Frank will perform Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Blues Doctors will entertain at Juan Montez Saturday night.
In Grove, there are two nights of entertainment at Cherokee Casino’s 1897 Bar – The Swade Diablos Friday night, followed by Erin Fitzgibbon Saturday. DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon. Phil’s Cheesesteak Band performs Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by Eddie Valen Saturday night.
There’s karaoke fun Friday night and Steve Hamby & The Ways will be on stage Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Backwoods Bar. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, there is live music early Saturday night by Dewayne Bowman followed by karaoke with DJ Kay at 11:00 p.m. The Brothers Moore will entertain at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Thursday night, followed by FM Live Friday night and Plush Saturday night. There are also three nights of live music this week at Indigo Sky Casino – The Sweet Trouble Trio Thursday night, The Sweet Trouble Band Friday, and Diversity Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Blind Swine on Monkey Island has closed until Spring. The Grill at Indian Hills Marina is closed until January 3. Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill will be open for potluck fun Christmas Day from 2:00-7:00 p.m. Mooney’s has also added “Saturday Brunch” from 9:00 a.m.-11:45 every week. Speedy’s Chophouse is now open in Grove at the former Grand Lake Public House location. Grand Lake Kitchen at Har-Ber Village is open throughout the winter months. Hours are 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday & Monday, and 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (Closed Tuesday).
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry will be televised Monday night 7:00 on NBC. iHeartradio Jingle Ball 2024 airs Wednesday night at 7:00 on ABC and A Saturday Night Live Christmas airs at 8:00 Wednesday on NBC. Matlock airs Thursday night at 8:00 on CBS and Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas airs at 9:00 Thursday on NBC. The legendary Carol Burnett will be the featured guest on Sunday Today at 7:00 Sunday morning on NBC. The 47th Kennedy Center Honors will be televised on CBS Sunday night at 7:30.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Mufasa: The Lion King, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and Homestead open in movie theaters this weekend. A Complete Unknown, Babygirl, The Fire Inside, and Nosferatu all open in theaters next week on Christmas Day.
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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, December 27 – Armed Forces Bowl Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La – OU vs. Navy (11:00 a.m.). Friday, December 27 – Armed Forces Bowl Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La-OU vs. Navy (11:00 a.m.). Tuesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Bowl Games Watch Party at The Anchor (11:00 a.m.). Tuesday, December 31 – Special holiday hours at The Anchor at Shangri-La (11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.). Tuesday, December 31 – “Studio 54 New Year’s Eve Gala” in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La Resort (9:00 p.m.). Tuesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Party at R Bar Dance Hall and Saloon in Grove. Tuesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Party at the Drunken Rooster. Tuesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve “Sparkle Party” at Big Shots. Tuesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Party at Mulligans at Patricia Island Country Club. Wednesday, January 1 – Special “New Year’s Day” hours of operation at The Anchor & Galley at Shangri-La for CFP Championship Quarterfinal Bowl Games (11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, January 10-12 – Oklahoma Boat Expo at Cox Business Convention Center in Tulsa. Saturday, January 18 – An Event with Ron Young-Ninety Years of the Broadway Music Man in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La Hotel (6:30 p.m.). Saturday, January 18 – The Golden Sounds of the Platters at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center (7:00 p.m.). Monday, January 20 – CFP Championship Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:30 p.m.). Saturday, January 25 – “The Kornfield Friends”-Remembering Hee Haw Original Cast Members at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center (7:00 p.m.).
In the college football world, it’s playoff time! There are four first round CFP playoff games this week – Indiana at Notre Dame Friday night at 7:00 and three big games Saturday – SMU at Penn State (11:00), Clemson at Texas (3:00), and Tennessee at Ohio State (7:00).
The NFL season rolls into week #16 with a full schedule including a couple of Saturday games. There’s a great game Thursday night as the Chargers host the Broncos. Saturday games feature Houston at Kansas City (12:00) and Pittsburgh at Baltimore (3:30). Sunday games include Detroit at Chicago (12:00), New England at Buffalo (12:00), San Francisco at Miami (3:30), and Tampa Bay at Dallas (7:20). Monday Night Football features New Orleans at Green Bay (7:30). Next week, there are a couple of big NFL games on Christmas Day, but they’re only available on NETFLIX – Kansas City at Pittsburgh (12:00) and Baltimore at Houston (3:30).
The NBA has a busy holiday schedule beginning Tuesday night when the OKC Thunder take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup Championship Game before they travel to Florida for a Thursday night Game in Orlando (6:00) and a Friday night game in Miami (7:00). They return home to host Washington Monday at 7:00. There’s a full line-up of Christmas Day NBA Games, too – San Antonio at New York (11:00), Minnesota at Dallas (1:30), Philadelphia at Boston (4:00), the L.A. Lakers at Golden State (7:00), and Denver at Phoenix (9:30).
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The pre-Christmas weekend weather looks like you would expect. High temperatures in the 40s and lows in the 20s. Stay inside. There’s plenty of football, basketball, and lots of holiday parties. Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM
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