By Lulu

Our monthly Twisted Tea parties take us to great bars we sometimes haven’t had a chance to visit and in July we were quite impressed by Fast Freddie’s Bar & Grill in Jacksonville on N. Main St. Not only do they have a really cool outdoor place to party, the band Highway Jones was awesome, patrons were friendly and the owner Fred was lots of fun, even donning one of our Thunder Roads T-shirts to wear with his ass showing costume. They have food including great wings, full liquor and a Thursday night bike night. We raised 40 pounds of food and $103 dollars for the Duval food pantry so a great night also made for a bit of grub for those less fortunate. The Twisted Tea sampling got many to try Twisted Tea for the first time and if you haven’t tried it you really must! Our next Twisted Tea Party is in Ocala at Tilted Kilt on August 7th so ride out and join us for great music from 6-9pm and don’t forget some canned goods to enter for the $50 we give away!

By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

It’s often said that we should never talk about religion, faith, or politics in fear that we may offend someone. The best defense is a good offense. So I offend as many people as possible. Religion is the ritual observance of faith. Faith is the confidence or trust in a person or thing or the belief in God or the doctrine or teachings of religion. Politics is the use of strategy in obtaining a position of power or control.

Now, that we know my definition of religion, faith, and politics I will combine them in my thoughts in this article. I was brought up in a very religious family but as I got older I lost my faith in organized religion because of its politics. However, I never lost my faith in God. You who read my column know that I was diagnosed stage IV oral cancer. Nothing like a bit of reality to arise your faith not only in God but in medical providers.

When I was growing up, all we knew was our local doctor who if you were too sick to come to his office, he would come to your house. Hard to believe in this day and age but doctors were treated like gods, and they deserved it, being called out at all times of the day and night while having an intimate relationship with their patients. Doctors are no longer held in such high esteem as they were decades ago. I never paid much attention to this.

Being a normal male (matter of opinion) I had to be in really bad shape before I went to a doctor, so when I was diagnosed I had second thoughts where to put my faith. Should I put it in God or my medical providers? At my age I had a major decision to make. Should I throw the towel in and let my faith in God direct the way, or should I put my faith in the medical providers? The first thing I did go was to go to the Internet to see what kind of treatment I would need. Secondly, I questioned people I knew who had gone through the same thing.

God has gifted all kinds of people in all kinds of ways with the ability to study medicine in order to heal people. After talking to a few doctors I decided to put my faith in both God and the medical providers. What I found out was that the patient had little to say about the doctors or the treatments. Politics now rule the medical world. The government tells health insurance companies what they have to cover and what to pay. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?

Even with all the government intervention I got lucky. I was directed to Island Doctors in Flagler Beach for my primary care. They referred me to Florida Hospital Flagler for radiation treatment and Medcare in Ormond Beach for chemotherapy. Both teams in radiation and chemotherapy were five-star. I’m on the road to recovery despite the politics in medicine and government intervention. So I’ll be around to write more offensive articles.

My doctor said I should cut back on my drinking because in my last x-ray my liver was wearing a party hat. So today I celebrate my 10 days sober, not in a row just total. Then again I don’t drink alcohol, I drink distilled spirits. So I’m not an alcoholic, I’m spiritual. After all, Tequila lets me appreciate small things in life, like shot glasses.

Check out my website nobodiesopinion.com
See you on the shiny side of tomorrow

By Lulu

People come into your life some you will never know but for the moment your paths cross. Others you feel like you are meant to be their friend. And let me tell you Donna is one of those girls! We met her tending bar several months ago at Pug’s Pub in Eustis. She was friendly and just seemed to include us in her “circle” instantly. A perfect personality for a bartender…and certainly a perfect personality to call your friend. Recently we heard she was facing a major battle with the “C” word and we were stunned. She is a little bitty thing and seemed frail for the fight. But her friends and patrons of the Pug rallied around her to raise a bit of money and to RAISE her spirits giving back some of the love she has bestowed on anyone who walks through the door. A great day was held for her with Patty the owner hosting a meal and the band Shaky Puddin’. We had a blast and seeing her determination and that big smile on her face, even in the face of this fight, made everyone there feel better!

By Lulu

The great customers, employees and owners at Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson in Clermont got a chance to celebrate in June. They celebrated 14 years of success which I am sure hasn’t always been easy, having to survive a recession during the course of 14 years of business! But hard work, community involvement and good customer service is something to celebrate. AND it didn’t hurt that they were giving away a brand new Harley. The winner of the Harley, Christopher Brown was beaming when they called his name. It is easy to go home a winner…but I have to say I love the guy who won the 50/50, John Gitzy, who donated his winnings right back to Hospice! The Andrew Williams Band rocked the place while we were there and I hated to have to leave to run up to check out Ocala Bike Fest. On your travels of the Florida highways check out Stormy Hill they have great apparel, friendly staff AND you can always check out their brand new bikes!!

By Ron Cox

Six Bends Harley-Davidson (Ft. Myers) celebrated the 4th of July by hosting its Inaugural Independence Ride to the Veteran’s Memorial Area of the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve in Cape Coral. Eighty motorcycles and more than 100 riders/passengers made the ride led by Six Bends General Manager Curtis McKinley, owner Scott Fischer and HOG Chapter Director Bob Hotovy.

McKinley spoke about the gratitude we all feel for our comrades in arms who made the ultimate sacrifice that enable us to have a day like today. Many in the assemblage were Veterans. In unison the group recited the Pledge of Allegiance and other patriotic songs.

The group photo was taken in front of The Marine Corps War Memorial, also called the Iwo Jima Statue. This monument is a one third scale replica of the original located near the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Upon returning to Six Bends the riders were treated to a cookout, live entertainment and door prizes.

The principals have indicated that this Independence Ride will become an annual event.

By Lulu

Up in the Panhandle of Florida almost to the Alabama line is Ft. Walton Beach and during the same weekend as the Thunder Beach Spring Rally Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson sets up at the Boardwalk with a huge tent of motorcycles, demo rides, live music, poker runs, bike shows and vendors. The 3 days of poker runs benefit children giving the proceeds to Children in Crisis and the Children’s Advocacy Center. It was a nice ride over from Panama City Beach, so get on your bike and ride next time you are up at Thunder Beach Rally and check out the good peeps at Emerald Coast H-D.

By Raven Van Pelt

On Saturday May 21st, the Pediatric Cancer Treatment Foundation, a 501c (3) nonprofit organization, hosted its 2nd Annual Riders Against Cancer Poker Run. The event once again was co-hosted by Fast Freddie’s Bar and Grill in Oceanway and supported by the American Legion Riders 5th District Florida. All proceeds from the poker run will once again be provided to the Wolfson Children’s Hospital to help with their cancer treatment and support programs for the children affected by this horrible disease. All the riders enjoyed beautiful sunny weather and mild temperatures as they did the Fernandina Loop stopping at AL Post 9, Knuckleheads, Hammerheads, AL Post 283 and then returned to Fast Freddie’s. Upon their return, they were treated to a great BBQ chicken dinner and live music by the Ghost Rider Band, one of Jacksonville’s premier rock and roll bands. There were live auction items, raffle prizes and a 50/50 as well. The party went well into the night and everyone involved had a BLAST. $500 first place, $250 second place, $100 worst hand and $200 largest club or organization were the payouts. And we know what bikers do with the winnings…they give it back.

The Pediatric Cancer Treatment Foundation devotes its energy to advocate for children battling cancer. Find out how you can help by contributing to the future of a child in need. For more information, contact Robert Trigueros at 828-329-9250

By Deborah Speicher

Every Memorial Day, Florida National Cemetery (Bushnell) holds a ceremony to honor those buried there and their families. The Florida motorcycle communities were out in full force to support this event and several military riding organizations participated. With approximately 400+ bikes, the largest group riding into the cemetery was the Defenders MC (Tampa Bay Chapter). The Defenders MC is a group comprised of active and retired military, law enforcement, emergency services and public safety professionals.

The Defenders’ ride was coordinated by Colonel Ron “Paladin” Rook, USMC (Ret.), who has done so for the past several years. Local HOG and other riding groups were invited to join the Defenders for this ride. Thanks to a police escort and the excellent road captains from the Defenders MC, this 30+ mile ride went off without a hitch.

The ceremony had many poignant speakers, patriotic music and a “missing man” flyover by Ye Mystic Air Krewe. While the actual meaning and traditions of Memorial Day may have been forgotten by some people, those attending the ceremony came out to remember, honor and salute those who had defended our country as well as to those currently keeping our country and citizens safe. Once again, the group “Flags for Fallen Veterans” and a couple of thousand volunteers made sure that several thousand flags were placed on the grave sites. A big THANK YOU to this group and all the volunteers that came out the day before to make this happen.

By Lulu

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A parking lot FULL of women on their bikes is what we saw when we rode into Crystal River Harley-Davidson, what we weren’t expecting was how well these women could ride!! We ride on rides all over the country and there always are some who just aren’t ready to be riding in a pack but these ladies led by the Road Queens…put miles on their wheels and KNOW how to ride. Women rode from outlying states including the Carolinas and Nashville, Tennessee for this event. Over 340 bikes participated and Linda Dalton the organizer of this event challenged the group to pass 1,003 next year. A record set in Australia by women riders MUST be broken!

The day started with a great breakfast at Crystal River Harley-Davidson and shopping. The ride itself was along beautiful country roads with wildflowers and tree canopies along the route. The end party was at High Octane with Greg Billings Band rocking the huge bar! Ladies put this event on your calendar for next year the date is May 6th, 2017…let’s help them break the record of most ladies on a women’s run, get a room for the weekend and enjoy the “Sisterhood”!

There is a fall event billed as the Women Riders Weekend Bash in Crystal River October 7-10…women will be coming from all over the U.S. for this women get your reservations early!

By Lulu

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This year’s Leesburg Bike Fest was one of the most pleasant one’s that I can recall, it seems it wasn’t nearly as hot as usual and the weather stayed nice most of the event. The multiple stages had music of every nature and the bikini contests and hot male contests drew huge crowds. The Tattoo expo and bike shows also were well attended. Gator Harley and Stormy Hill had huge crowds too. I think other than being one of the largest compact areas for vendor shopping what sets Leesburg apart from many other rallies is the riding in the Clermont area with pretty hills which is rare in Florida. Next year’s dates for the rally area April 28-30^th.

By Raven Van Pelt

The benefit at Knucklehead’s Tavern off of Highway 17 in Yulee. Started with a poker run @ 11am, $15 per bike & $5 per rider. The ride went from Knuckleheads to Hammerheads (Fernandina Beach) to Bar Z (beside the Ferry off Heckscher Dr.) to Fast Freddy’s on Main St. (Jax) and back to Knuckleheads! Everyone participating in the poker run received a free dinner plate! Dinner plates were sold for $8 and they included BBQ Chicken and 2 sides.

Several bands played, there were raffle prizes and an auction. This event was for Howard Word, a loving father of 4, and grandfather to a newborn grandson. He has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Liver Cirrhosis and Stage 1 Bladder Cancer. His oldest son Colby Word (BlackJack Band), with the help of many others, set up this benefit May 14th from 2pm-close in order to raise money to cover his medical costs, travel and lodging for out of town doctors’ appointments and his liver transplant. He has been bed-ridden for over a year, and his wife is left to take care of him and their 5-year-old son. He has always been active in the community, coaching many years of football, baseball, and softball for kids and has always been a hard worker. It kills him to ask for help, but we know everyone needs it from time to time! ALL donations of any kind went to him.

The family would like to thank, Wayne and Rhonda McCormick the owners of Knuckleheads, and all those who have donated their time and raffle prizes, as well as, the many bands who played for this event.

By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

Here we are in July, celebrating the 240th birthday of this great country of ours. 240 years ago brave men fought against inconceivable odds and defeated the most powerful Empire in the world, after which they created the greatest country the world has ever seen. They may not have been able to imagine computers, e-mails or cell phones but they knew about freedom. They intended that 95% of all governance should come from local governments, with the remaining 5% from the federal level.

When they wrote the Constitution they included safeguards like the 1st, 2nd and 4th amendments. They designed a country that would be subject to the rule of law and not the rule of man. Where life, liberty, and property would be protected. The 1st Amendment provides for freedom of speech. George Washington said, “If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to slaughter”.

The 2nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms. Old George had something to say about that also, “Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth”. The 4th Amendment protects its citizens from unlawful search and seizure. The Feds tell us that they mean no harm when they search our e-mails, phone calls and financial transactions. They say “trust us”. That would be like telling a blind man who is playing strip poker with four gypsy women that he won’t lose his shirt. “In God We Trust”, not government.

All confidence and credibility in the federal government has been lost. We are now living in a surveillance state. When they want to know where you’ve been, where you are, or who you talk to, all they need to do is track your cell phone. (The next time you want to order a pizza don’t call Domino’s. Call the White House they get the call first.) They claim it’s for our safety. Benjamin Franklin had something to say about that “He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither”. It seems like each morning that we are awakened to a new government scandal. Each time a new scandal arises, nobody in the government has any knowledge of the facts. I feel like I’m watching Hogan’s Heroes’ Capt. Schultz who is known to say “I know nothin’, I see nothin’” and “I didn’t even get out of bed this morning”. “Uncle Sam” has been replaced by “Captain Clueless”.

This Fourth of July take a couple minutes to reflect on what our founding fathers gave up in order for us to have freedom. Maybe even mention to your children the importance of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. You may even mention another historical writing. It set forth the idea of a progressive income tax, mandatory government controlled education, high estate taxes, a central bank like the Federal Reserve, and government control of the means of communication by an agency like the FCC. As a matter of fact, this historical writing was called “The Communist Manifesto”. Just wanted to give you some food for thought while you are eating your hot dogs, watching the fireworks, and waving the flag of freedom. Remember, had it not been for the brave men of the Revolution, we probably would be having tea and crumpets instead of hamburgers and beer. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July, but remember why we’re celebrating it. It’s called “Independence Day”.

Just an update for my loyal readers who know I am getting treatment for cancer from smoking. I’m doing fine thanks to the excellent medical staff that is helping me. The chemo and radiation has caused me to lose my beard, but when asked I say “it was irritating my girlfriend’s thighs”.

Checkout my website http://nobodiesopinion.com

See you on the shiny side of tomorrow.

Motorcycle enthusiast and U.S. Army veteran Rich Malfitano was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. After a 36-year career of Federal Service he finally retired in 2007, but you would never know it based on the amount of hours he dedicates volunteering.

Since his retirement and residency in Port Orange, Florida. He has kicked up his volunteer service a notch or two. Rich has a long history of giving back. His volunteer service extends from NY, NJ, PA, DC, VA, TX and FL. A long time member of Rolling Thunder Inc., an organization for veterans, active military and public education and awareness of the 84,000 Americans still missing from past wars.

His volunteer service has rewarded him with over two-dozen awards from military commands, state and city officials and other charitable organizations. A few of his most honorable awards were the Defenders of Freedom Award presented to him by NYC Councilman Vincent Gentile, the Commanders Civilian Service Medal by U.S. Army Fort Hamilton Commander, Col. Terry Williams, the 911 Response & Support Team award by NY State Senator Marty Golden and the Florida State Governors Veterans Service Award presented by Governor Rick Scott.

His volunteer service covers a broad spectrum, working with the Military thrift store, the Army Chapel services, the Fort Hamilton Arts and Crafts center, Adopt A Lot and beautification programs and special project coordinator for Boy Scouts of America.

Rich presently volunteers as the Education Program Director and Public Relations for Rolling Thunder FL Chapter 8, and is the executive chairman of the newly chartered Fl chapter of “Sissy’s Angels” Advocates against domestic violence. He also volunteers at the Port Orange YMCA, and will now be adding Haven Hospice to the list. Rich visits schools, businesses and private organizations and has been instrumental in encouraging Americans young and old, in the importance of volunteering. He is also one of the states organizational representative for the Presidents Volunteer Service Award. One of the highest awards anyone can receive from the U.S. President for service to community and country.

Rich Explains: “Those who serve others know that It’s not about personal recognition, that’s why much of what we do is behind the scenes, but rather It’s about doing what is in your heart. And for me doing for others is just that. I grew up in a family where volunteering and helping others was the norm. My reward over the last 30 plus years volunteering has been: to be blessed yet another day, to do what I can do for others. In doing so I have met so many who have touched my life. I am so thankful to my children; Dawn, Richard Jr. and Michael and to Sue my life partner who has supported me from day one and for sharing in much of the volunteer service. Veterans make up a large part of our nations volunteers as do many motorcycle organizations and independent riders. Think of that when you see them in passing or on the road. Volunteers are essential in filling the voids of the needs of so many Americans. Become part of those who give! Volunteer in your community. There is something for everyone. I can help if you are looking to share some of your time in helping others. Feel free to contact me; Rich at: rollingthunderpr at aol.com

Approval for this article was given with the intent to encourage and promote community volunteer service.”

The motorcycle community lost a dear friend, “Too Tall” Pete. I am sorry that I never met Pete, somehow our paths never crossed. From all accounts Pete was a man with a heart of gold and it was said by Rick Hilliard, “Pete would help you before you even knew you needed help”. The memory wall at the old Grumpy’s on US 1 in Port Orange was signed by those who knew and loved him. Ride the ribbon of clouds now Pete knowing your memory is cherished by those you touched.

By Eric Darrow

A beautiful 60 mile ride by the BRADLEYSUMERSILLFOUNDATION.ORG through scenic central Florida to raise funds to purchase grave site markers for families who have lost a child and cannot afford a headstone. The day started out clear and cool at 39° (with wind chill on the highway -2°), to registration at the VFW in Winter Garden where they provided free hot breakfast and coffee and a warm reception.

This ride is a bit different. Participants were friendly and inclusive, including the MC’s like Fire and Iron, SCHOG, Street Forces and many others who came from as far north as Panama City and as far south as Sarasota and the Space Coast. This isn’t your typical hop from bar to bar, but a well-organized run (or you could venture out on your own), that provided plenty of open road to get up speed and twists other than parking lots.

Before next year rolls around (and you do notice the years get shorter as we get older), check out their site so you can plan to
RIDE FOR THE STONE.