By “Kneecap”

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It is said that Florida only has two seasons January and Summer. I believe it has four seasons:
Tolerable, Hot, Very Hot and ARE YOU KIDDING ME. The Red Knights MC Chapter 11 that sponsored the 9th Annual Shands Burn Center Poker Run picked a day right between the two seasons of Tolerable and Hot. As Mister Rogers would say, “It was a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”.

We started out in Ormond Beach at the Beaver Bar, had a great breakfast and headed off to the ocean to Finn’s Beachside Pub in Flagler Beach. The view of the ocean from the upper deck was awesome. Heading South on A1A with the ocean on our left, we rode to Highbridge and turned onto The Loop for a stop in Korona/Bunnell at the White Eagle Lounge. Next, we headed down Route 1 to Port Orange, and stopped at the Roadside Tavern on S. Nova Road. It was then off to the First Turn Steakhouse & Sports Lounge on S. Ridgewood Avenue, where we were greeted by the very personable owner Denise Hilliard. Here we had great food and enjoyed the entertainment by the Mistreater Band. There was 50/50, a silent auction, door prizes and of course, the best poker hand. The Red Knights have one of the best organized poker runs that I go on. I’m looking forward to next year and hope the weather is as good.

A check was presented for $1500 to Janet Popp and Laura Roberson from Shand’s Hospital at Cracker Barrel which is greatly appreciated by the foundation.

By Amy Poole

Don’t forget every first Sunday is Dirty Harry’s free Bar-B-Q with rippin’ tunes and pretty promo ladies! If that’s not plenty enough check out their bike night on these hot summer Friday nights! And add more spark to your nights and join Dirty Harry’s during the 4th of July weekend festivals up and down Main Street!

As most of you know I generally write the Bull’s Eye each month, but the following was submitted by Rich from Rolling Thunder Chapter 8 about the passing of a man that I admired and loved greatly…Bill Gruber. The only thing I would have added to his tribute is that Bill lived his life with passion and compassion, and those two traits set him apart from many we walk with daily. I have been blessed to travel the highways with Bill and Nancy due to his passion for Rolling Thunder’s Ride to the Wall and have witnessed his compassion for fellow veterans when his passion moved me to follow his friends while they moved homeless veterans into houses, complete with all the things that make a house a home. I have seen Bill’s tears of pride for the work his friends accomplished and tears for the work left to do. In his honor I ask you to live life to its fullest with passion for living, compassion for all and take up a past time that helps others; put down the remote or golf clubs and do something for others. Bill’s watch is over and it will take many to continue the work this one man did. I will miss you my friend…Lulu

WILLIAM “BILL” GRUBER A FINAL SALUTE

By Rich Malfitano

It is with saddened heart that we pay final honor to a long time friend and Brother in Cause, William “Bill” Gruber. Bill passed away from injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident on May 31st 2014. Bill Gruber an Army veteran, served from 1961-1964. He served with Battery B, 5th Battalion, 30th Artillery Division. Specialist William Gruber was awarded the marksmanship medal for M14 Riffle and earned the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Cold War Medal eligible. Bill donated much of his time helping veterans and supporting local community charities. Whether it be, clothing or food drives, honor events, military funerals or homecomings Bill was there. He even made a point of visiting the nursing home and the Haven Centers for Veterans. He was always eager to help out whenever and wherever he could. He was a charted member of Rolling Thunder FL Chapter 8 since 2008. He served several terms on the board of directors and was the chapter’s road captain, runs & events coordinator and the liaison for the VCVC and the Emory L. Bennett Memorial Veterans Nursing Home. Bill launched the chapter’s weekly dinner runs to bring the membership together on a social level, while gaining support from local restaurants and businesses. In spite of his continued dedication and busy volunteer schedule with RT FL-8 and other local charities he also supported the Veterans Assistance Collation. Bill was a true patriot. He believed in the basic principles in which our country was founded. His work with Rolling Thunder Fl-8, the VAC and the many other organizations he supported was nothing short of exemplary. He honored all veterans and active military. His love for country and the work he did for others was second only to that of his loving wife Nancy, his Mom and their families. To them we offer our deepest sympathy and prayers. Bill Gruber; a fine man, an old school American, and of course a true friend. RIP. Bill, you have served well. You will always have a place in our formation and will never be forgotten.

By Lulu

Hot Girls On Every Stage

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Great Faces

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Fun Everywhere

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One of my favorite events each year is by far Leesburg Bike Fest, about the only complaint I come up with is the heat, and this year didn’t seem quite so bad, that may simply be due to the fact we snuck away and got some pool time in during the hottest part of the day. The girls on all stages were hot too, which kept the crowds entertained. This year Twisted Tea brought in gator wrestling and some of my friends gave it their best pose! To me a huge surprise was how absolutely awesome Vanilla Ice was. His show was complete with clowns, water bottle and Ice, Ice Baby was WAY too COOL! From all accounts the crowds were up and there were vendors as far as the eye could see.

By Raven Van Pelt

It is a heart filled with pride that I get to tell you about the 2nd Annual Boots on the Ground, Heroes
and Bikers U.S.A Poker Run, that the American Legion Riders, Chapter 9, held at the Flamingo Lake RV Resort in Jacksonville on Saturday, May 10th.

It was an amazing and huge success, with over 500 riders and thanks to sponsors, volunteers and participants, the unofficial total amount raised was over 23 thousand dollars Legion Posts 283 & 401, along with VFW Posts 4351 and 10095 were the stops and back at the RV resort, Second Shot and Big Engine kept everyone entertained, along with the Dreamland Squadron, raffles, silent auctions, food, and drinks and just plain good old fashioned American spirit.

Mothers of AMF is a non-profit organization of volunteers, primarily Gold Star Mothers, who provide support for our deployed American Troops, honors Gold Star Mothers and Families, and pays tribute to the Fallen by initiating projects that serve others. Fund raisers and special events throughout the year help them achieve commitments.
They offer much needed support for deployed troops via letters and packages, sprinkled with lots of love and well wishes! Currently, American Heroes. “Boots On The Ground – America Remembers” will become a traveling memorial of over 7000 used combat, firefighter bunker, and law enforcement boots. Every boot will hold the picture, name, rank and information of a fallen warrior on or after 9-11. Each boot will carry an American Flag and items placed on or in the boot by families and friends of the fallen.

Mothers of America’s Military Fallen is an organization of volunteers, primarily Gold Star Mothers, who found solace through serving others in need. Their motivated in honor of our children, our Hero’s, who bravely served and died for our freedom.

By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

I get tired of eating out so I decided to have a homemade meal for change. So I opened the freezer got out a Hungry Man dinner and put it in the microwave. Hey, I made it at home, didn’t I? While I was waiting for my dinner I decided to listen to the news. I turned on, tuned in, and dropped out. They were excoriating some 82-year-old basketball team owner who was far from being politically correct. He had been taped in the privacy of his bedroom. Even though the guy is a complete idiot; was his constitutional rights infringed upon?

I don’t need ice cream to get a brain freeze. All I need is some progressive liberal telling me that a convicted murderer was subject to a botched execution. His 8th amendment rights were violated. REALLY? What about the rights of the 19-year-old girl he beat, sodomized, raped, shot twice with a shotgun, and buried alive? Was her right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness violated or terminated? Of course, our illustrious White House had to criticize the so-called botched execution. It said the execution of a death row prisoner in Oklahoma fell short of the humane standards that must apply to carrying out the death penalty. I wonder if being buried alive fell short of humane standards.

Executions are now being postponed all around the country for various reasons. One reason was a shortage of lethal injection drugs. Do we have a shortage of bullets, electricity, ropes, or stones? Another reason used was intellectual disability. If that’s the case we would have a hard time executing anybody in Congress.

In order to unfreeze my brain I think I’ll go have a toddy. I think I need a cafe-whiskey-mocha-Prozaclatte. As a matter fact, I’m thinking about opening a new bar but I need a name. Here are some of them I’ve come up with. Full Of Bull Bar, Greasy Dicks, Bull and Politician Pub, Hic Up Haven, Fragrant Flatulence, Barfer’s Bar, Get Pickled Pub, The Beer Gut, No Apparent Reason, Assorted Butts Bar, Hot Nuts Inn, Blue Balls, Big Weenies, Dick and Bush Bar, Get Nagged, He’s Not Here, You Fell Inn, Big Hairy Haven, A Little Fuzzy, Skunks Hole, Camel Toe, and Dog And Duck. If you have any suggestions write a letter to my editor she would love to hear from you.

I got a lot more to say about the death penalty and many other topics.

Go to my website: nobodiesopinion.com to read more.

See you on the shiny side up tomorrow.

By Lulu

If you spend any time at all in the Ormond Beach/Daytona area and frequent one of my favorite watering holes…the Iron Horse Saloon, you probably have had the pleasure of meeting this month’s Bull’s Eye, Dennis Snyder, a.k.a. Grog.

Originally from Toledo, Ohio this 56 year old has spent most of his life on a motorcycle. At 8 years old his father started his two wheeled passion with a mini bike, and as most, once hooked he progressed rapidly through Hondas to Harleys. He bought his first bike in high school a 750 Honda and at 18 became a Harley owner purchasing a 1978 Low Rider. He has only gone about two years without a bike when he was buying a house for his family.

Grog has two daughters Tania and Denise, who have blessed him with three grandchildren Skylar, Jerrald and Andre. He spent 30 years as an insulator with Local 45 and retired. He moved to Florida in 1982 after visiting Bike Week for years. When a friend asked what are you still up in the snow for, he simply “loaded his tools, motorcycle, two TVs; gave his house to one of his daughters and moved south.”

Other than motorcycles he has a passion for speed having raced Street Rods. His father owned Sprint cars and Grog crewed on the team. His dad also rode a 650 BSA which I am sure Grog regrets not having now.

He has ridden from Toledo to Sturgis twice and to Laconia. He spends most of his days riding by himself, although he has a posse of a few friends that he rides with occasionally. You are apt to find him in the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach, Main Street Station or Froggy’s. His present ride is a 2004 Police Special that he bought with 4,200 miles on it and now has over 61,000!

When asked what he loves about being on a motorcycle he was quick to answer “the freedom of not thinking about anything but the ride and the wind on my face”. Grog may be a bad ass looking biker but he has a sweet heart and I consider him a great friend. If you see him out and about ask Grog…What’s up with that?

By Lulu

In May the Sunshine Chapter AMCA started their spring ride at J&P Cycles in Ormond Beach. I was lucky enough to catch a ride and share their ride through Volusia, Flagler and Putnam counties. A group of about 50 classic motorcycles started their engines after filling up on coffee and donuts provided by J&P Cycles. The ride ended with an antique bike show at Iron Horse Saloon and an afternoon of live music by Crashrockets. If you have an antique motorcycle you won’t meet a nicer group of enthusiasts to join!

By Lulu

At the end of Bike Week and Biketoberfest a ritual is spending the last Sunday kicked back listening to good music on the back or front porch of the Dog Pound Saloon in Bunnell. This year the crowd was larger than usual and the BBQ was awesome! If you haven’t ridden out to the Dog Pound in Bunnell you really should. They have two for Tuesdays, you get 2 for 1 all day and all night and Bike Night is on Thursday with U Name It You Drink It for $2.50!!!!

Well, the weather man certainly DID NOT cooperate for the 2014 Moving Wall Reunion, held as always, at Wickham Park, Melbourne, Fl. Skies were mostly cloudy and very overcast, along with long periods of rain…some very heavy, causing parking headaches all over the park. But, as always, this did not deter a large crowd of vets as well as non-vets, plus live bands, and Ace DJ, Doc Holiday!!

Over by the Wall, viewers were paying homage to loved ones, whose names were on the Wall…some tracing the names on paper…others, kneeling in silent prayer…very emotional. Large water puddles couldn’t stop them from paying their respects to our fighting men and women listed on this huge structure. Many other Viet-era objects on display, and if anyone needed emotional help…it was there too. No aircraft fly-ins this year, because of the weather…too bad! Let’s hope it’s more pleasant next year. Always…support our troops everywhere…by attending events such as this. There were vendors galore, for food, drinks, and military merchandise, plus live bands, and Ace DJ, Doc Holiday!! There was a full program consisting of Massing of the Colors, singing of the National Anthem, and the introduction of the recently acknowledged Medal of Honor winner, SFC Melvin Morris.

By Ron Cox

More than 840 riders/passengers joined the Easter Bunny in bringing toys, boxed games and arts/crafts supplies to the patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital at HealthPark. The Southwest Florida Chapter of HOG and Ft. Myers Harley-Davidson hosted its annual “Bunny Run” on February 19th.

The event began on Friday night when FMHD hosted a Bike Night in its spacious parking lot. Complete with live entertainment and vendors, HOG Chapter volunteers dubbed “The Pumpkin Patch” for their orange t-shirts, cooked up some delicious burgers, tube steaks and grilled cheese sandwiches. More Chapter volunteers ran a pre-registration table and signed up more than 250 riders/passengers.

The weatherman cooperated and changed the forecast for Saturday to a bright, sunny day with low humidity. More than 500 riders/passengers arrived even before registration opened. Chapter members accepted the challenge of registration and positioning for parking and eventual departure. Every person received a “goodie bag” which included a commemorative pin.

Escort was provided by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department and led the bunny and his 800+ friends on the 19-mile ride to the hospital. Hospital staff and parents brought the ambulatory patients, some toting IV poles, to the entrance so they could welcome and cheer as all the riders passed them by. Some cheered and some covered their ears as the noise of horns and revving motors was somewhat loud!!!

Once inside the hospital’s Atrium, everyone had the chance for some refreshments. Lee County Health System President Jim Nathan spoke briefly and thanked the riders for the ongoing support of the bunny run and the patients.

Returning to FMHD, the riders enjoyed a FREE box lunch, beverages and more entertainment. Besides a 50/50 raffle, won by Leona Rendziniak a member of Estero ABATE, Scott Aly won the two tickets to anywhere Jet Blue flies. HOG Chapter member Eric Sprauer worked 25 hours to earn the tickets from Jet Blue.

Hospital officials estimated they received more than 2,000 toys. The toys will keep the toy chests on all the children’s wards stocked for a year.

SAVE THE DATE! 4/4/15 for the 12th Annual Easter Bunny Toy Run.

By Miserable George

Sunday, May 18, 2014, dawned bright and clear…no excuse what-so-ever NOT to see a biker!!! Good day to prove a point…most bikers make themselves as visible as possible, and this run was out to show exactly THAT!! Nearly 75 riders signed in to ride this year’s run…more of a local “fun-run” type of event; as opposed to the former out-of-town runs…I liked it!! Sign-in was at Armed Forces MC in Cocoa, then on to #359 American Legion, next a run out 405 past the KSC Visitor Center, and on down SR 3 to 528, with a stop at Jumps Tiny Tavern in Cape Canaveral, over to Vets Memorial Museum, and, ending at Doc’s Bait Shack…GOOD RIDE!!!  We were treated to some really fine grub at Doc’s…drinks…the works, beautiful scenic area, right on the Banana River, just off SR 520.I for one. Certainly hope this run drove home a point…WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES!!! Traveled all day with daughter, ValGal…nice and comfy in the Trailblazer…! Good weather…good crowd…good day, all around. Be careful out there, and remember our VETS, and support the A-VETS Project…they all thank you…

By Deborah Speicher

The TECO South Shore Community Center was packed on Saturday April 12. After several years of holding this annual pig roast at a smaller venue, the Nam Knights of America MC (Westside Chapter) moved their annual fundraiser. Not only was it large enough for all that showed up to chow down, but there was plenty of room for the Skybolts Parachute Demonstration Team to make their landings. Now that was really impressive! There was also ongoing music by two different bands – Single Malt Brothers Band and Stormbringer – as well as the Coyote Ugly Girls.

The proceeds from the barbeque, raffles and auction held that day benefitted two charities – the Haley House Fund and the Lynn Sowers Memorial Foundation. Tampa is home to the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. However, families of injured active duty and veterans cannot always afford housing to stay in the area. That is where the Haley House Fund steps in to assist with local living arrangements so families can stay close by. “No one left behind – including families” is their motto. Lynn Sowers was a local deputy who died in 1995. Her fellow employees took up a collection for her family and the family requested that the monies be used for Sheriff’s Office families in need. This foundation was set up in her honor and continues today to assist Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office employees who have suffered catastrophic events.

Great job Nam Knights!

By Raven Van Pelt

The 1st annual B.A.C.A. fund raiser was held on April 26th, along with Mind Ride Cycle’s custom bike giveaway by 106.9 Planet Radio. There were multiple stops throughout the city that started at The Southern Grill located on Flagler Ave. in San Marco. The final stop was at Wild Wings Cafe in Tinsel Town on South Side Blvd., where everyone enjoyed live music, food; raffles and the bike give away.

B.A.C.A. exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. They exist as a body of bikers to empower children not to feel afraid of the world in which they live.

It has been in existence since 1995, with Chapters across the U.S. and in 9 countries and growing. They are a non-profit organization of dedicated, background screened, volunteers who ride with the purpose of supporting our wounded warriors by their physical presence and will sit with a child for as long as it takes for that child to feel safe. An organization of men and women who will step up 24/7, whatever it takes, in order to protect and secure a sexually, physically or emotionally abused child’s basic right to be a kid.

BACA is there to give an ear, or to ride, to play, or just sit and talk to a child. BACA is there to help with therapy, depositions, and all court appearances. It is hard and we believe no child should have to go through that alone.

In Florida, we have 4 Chapters centered in Jacksonville, Orlando, Lakeland and Pensacola, with 2 temporary Chapters in Daytona and Tarpon Springs.  We are growing in South Florida as well.

How can you support your local BACA?  If you ride, why not ride with a purpose?  Contact your local Chapter and attend a monthly public meeting. Should you know a child or a family that you think BACA could help, tell them about us we are easy to find! Your tax deductible charitable donations are always welcome and help with a vest, road name, teddy bear and backpack for a kid.

B.A.C.A. ® OF FLORIDA CHAPTERS

Hurricane Alley Chapter     Helpline (850) 217.2366     Pensacola

Seven Bridges Chapter      Helpline (877) 848.3869     Jacksonville, Daytona

Tri – County Chapter           Helpline (407) 227.2134     Orlando

Thousand Lakes Chapter Helpline (863) 588.6560     Lakeland, Tarpon Springs

Remember to visit our International Website: WWW.BACAWORLD.ORG

By Amy Poole

Bad Boys Saloon’s first Bike Week seemed to go well considering this was the new spot on the block. Lou, owner of Bad Boy’s, has many friends and associates standing by him to help him succeed in the industry. Through Bike Week 14 bands performed and special appearances like Josh, Bill and Cutie Pie were made. Purchase your Bad Boy’s mug for free draft beer specials and even now you able to receive that on a daily basis or you could get your Shine on in the Ole Smokey Moonshine traveling bar! Make certain you check out Bad Boys ad in Thunder Roads to join in on the action…for instance Ladies Night on Wednesdays and Bike Night on Fridays for prizes! Don’t eat before you come though…you will want to order something off the menu…the food is delicious!! Tell Lou hello and that you saw his ad in Thunder Roads Florida!!