Photos From Barney Fife & Scooter Ted Barney's Other Page
PLEASE REFRESH YOUR BROWSER
Scootergoods Homepage
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Most Scootergoods readers have heard of ‘Barney’
Fife. NO, I am not referring to the Barney Fife of Mayberry TV fame. For several
years, Scootergoods had it’s own Barney Fife on the magazine’s staff; a
real, bigger-than-life Deputy Sheriff (Retired) who endeared himself to almost
everyone who had the good fortune to meet him. Barney was honest about what he
said said and always "told it like it was." Barney was always the
same; he was gruff but loving, aggrevating but comforting. He was prejudiced,
argumentative, and quick tempered -- but only if you insisted on being wrong
about something important. He didn’t tolerate ‘foolishness,’ and if he
didn’t like someone, he let them know about it without hesitation. For those
who knew him well, including DonV, owner and editor of Scootergoods, and the
rest of the Scootergods staff, Barney’s best trait was his honesty and genuine
friendliness, followed closely by his memory and his dedication to the world of
motorcycling. Even though he rode a trike, he was the most real biker that I
have ever known. Barney Fife went down two years ago, struck by a young,
impatient ass-wipe driving a pickup truck on the wrong side of the road. Barney
saw the truck coming, but couldn’t get out of the way. I’m sure that he went
down with his trike’s twin air-horns blaring in anger. Barney died of his
injuries the following morning, December 2, 2006. Barney’s birthday was
December 4th, and he and I were looking forward to a big party on that day,
which was also my birthday. Barney would have been 69. He is away now on the
eternal ride, but he will always be alive in my memory. Barney was my best
friend.
Scooter Ted
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FLORIDA LAWMAKERS AGAINST BIKERS! OK, Brothers and Sisters of the Wheel; here’s how it looks from where I sit: DonV has been warning all of us about "HB 137" for several months, starting back when it was just the idea of one of "Florida’s Finest Lawmakers" looking for a shot at re-election. The bill was introduced by State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who developed an irrational fear of bikers after he witnessed some bikes pulling wheelies and ‘driving dangerously’ during a ride-along with Miami police. This fine example of a statesman has a record of trying to interfere with the rights of others. Well, the smart-ass lawyer/real-estate tycoon from Coral Gables has succeeded this time. The bill has been passed and signed into law by our great Governor, Charlie Christ. But that’s enough about who did it to us. What I really want to tell you -- in easy-to-understand language -- is what CS/HB 137 actually means to bikers in the State of Florida. It doesn’t matter whether you live in Florida, or are just visiting, your right to equal protection under the law is out the window when it comes to how you ride your bike, and even how your license plate looks! "Scooter Ted" |
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Willard’s "HOWLIN’ AT THE MOON" PartyThe first weekend in October brought good weather, and a great party at Willard’s Restaurant and Lounge in Morriston,11 miles south of Bronson on FL-337 -- just south of the intersection of 337
and 326. The outdoor bar and bandstand area provided a great Halloween Party atmosphere, with plenty of cold beer and hot music by the THICKER THAN WATER BAND, the LOCAL TRAFFIC BAND and WILLIE AND THE PO’ BOYS. The Lounge area inside was a cool place to relax between times spent looking at the exhibits and watching the biker games.The very large outdoor area provided more than enough space for biker games, exhibit areas and the bike and trike show. At the back of the outdoor area was plenty of uncrowded space for RVs and tent camping. The Bar-B-Q and serving area -- for the benefit dinner for the Morriston Fire Department (pulled pork, potato salad and baked beans) -- was located near the bandstand. There were beautiful bikes, trikes and lovely ladies everywhere you looked....
Best Bike in Show BEST BIKE IN SHOW went to the chopper customized by GULF COAST SLEDZ and owned by Robert Pearce, owner of KNUCKLEHEADZ SALOON in Chiefland.
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The LARC RIDE, Sept. 6. Was A Big Success
LARC -- the Levy County Association for Retarded Citizens -- is an
organization formed in 1972 to provide an agency for training and
assistance to the retarded citizens of Levy County. The RIDE TO PROVIDE was started three years ago by officers of the LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF Department with the goal of providing community awareness and supplemental funding for the Levy ARC. The 3rd Annual Ride, on Sept. 6th, saw the participation of 250 bikes that signed in at Williston, joined by other motorcycles coming from all directions to the LARC Training Center in Otter Creek.An estimated 300 bikes participated in the day’s activities at the Levy LARC
Net proceeds from food sales as well as rider sign-in, shirt sales, etc., along with other donations, totaled more than $9,000, all of which goes to the Larc operating budget. Good friends, clear weather and support for a worthy cause made for a GREAT ride! Article and Photos by Scooter Ted |
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JAYNE’S CANCER RUN -- SATURDAY JULY 26, 2008: Jayne Rocks is now going through her second bout with Breast Cancer for which she again underwent chemo-therapy and radiation treatment. Jayne and her husband Keith are well known bikers in the Tri-Counties area. On Saturday, July 26, a POKER RUN was held to raise money for Jayne’s treatment expenses. The event was sponsored by firms and individduals in Levy and Dixie Counties. Run fee was $10.00 per hand. (340 bikes signed in at 10 bucks a hand, that's . . . . . hell, you do the math!) All proceeds from the run (and raffle at the end of the run) go to help support Haven Hospice, the Rocks family and the Cancer Research Foundation. The run started at SOB’s in Newberry, left there at 12 NOON. and passed through Archer on the way to The JUNCTION in Williston. Next stop was at COLE'S 4-CORNERS in Bronson, then on to WILLARD’S (10 miles south of Bronson), and from there to KNUCKLEHEADZ SALOON in Chiefland. The final stop was at The BRICK GRILL on US-19 in Dixie County, just across the river from Fanning Springs. After all the riders arrived at the BRICK GRILL, a newly customized Harley, prepared for Jayne by GULF COAST SLEDZ in support of her cancer fight, was presented to Jayne. The right-hand shift 1974 1000cc Sporster has a springer front-end, complete top and bottom end rebuild, and everything new that needs to be new -- and a custom paint job. At the BRICK GRILL there were lots of Door Prizes, including a $100 bottle of Patrone, and also the raffle of a 100 quart cooler with wheels, filled with a grill set, beach towels, a Margarita set with glasses, shaker, pitcher, napkins and a good supply of Rum, Tequila (Jose), Vodka, Whiskey (Jack Daniels, of course) and other drinkables. WHAT A DAY... 340 bikes signed in at S.O.B.s in Newberry
The Jayne Rocks Bike Run for Cancer was a HUGE success, thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of everyone involved. Benefit run arrangements were handled by Pro-Tire in Old Town, 'Rip' and the staff at The Brick Grill, and the representative from Haven Hospice, as well as many others whose identity this writer doesn't know. Everyone's thanks and gratitude to the run's sponsors, among which were The Brick Grill, Haven Hospice, Chiefland Motorcycles, Pro-Tire, K&J Lawn Care, Val's Automotive and Gulf Coast SLEDZ, and the business at all six stops. SCOOTERGOODS MAGAZINE staff worked on publicity for the event, as did many other biker-friendly businesses in the area.
From Newberry
the bikes went through Archer on the way to The JUNCTION in Williston.
From Williston it was on to the second card stop at COLE'S
4-Corners in Bronson.
Rain was headed toward Bronson, so no one stayed at COLE'S for very long!
The 3rd -- and midway beer-and-lunch stop -- was at WILLARDS in Morriston.
At WILLARDS'S -- bikes, bikes and MORE BIKES!
From Morriston it was a clear and cool
run of about 25 miles to KNUCKLEHEADZ SALOON in Chiefland, the
fourth card stop for the day.
At the BRICK GRILL -- time for good food, cold
beer and then party hearty!
The crew from GULF COAST SLEDZ, who
donated the labor and materials for the complete
rebuild and customizing of Jayne Rocks bike, enjoyed dinner and the
festivities.
And now, THE MAIN EVENT OF THE DAY.......
Jayne sees her 'new' 1974 customed Harley for the first
time, and climbs aboard!
Article
and Photos by Scooter Ted
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The Chrome Diva's
We
Miss you Barney
Greetings from Knuckleheads in Cheifland
BENEFIT POLER RUN for MIKE JONES
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Barney Memorial 2008
On March 14th 2008 I met some of my fellow
Scootergoods Staff
Members at the Memorial Cross site for our good friend and well known
Scootergoods photographer, Tom ‘Barney’ Fife. In the long-observed biker
tribute to a fallen brother, we"Cracked the Jack" for Barney. The
ceremony consists of taking an unopenned bottle of Jack Daniels -- today we used
a half-pint -- and the rider who was closest to the fallen brother ‘cracks’
the seal and takes the first drink. The bottle is then passed around, each
brother/sister taking a drink, and the last person to drink is one who was close
to the fallen rider. In this case it was DonV, who Barney had worked with for a
couple years. There is always a couple shots of ‘Jack’ left in the bottle
that is poured on the grave (or memorial site) as the drink for the fallen
brother. It was a very emotional ceremony, as all of us had known and worked
with Barney, and we all loved him dearly. Barney’s Memorial‘Fresh’
artificial flowers are keptthere year-round. The Memorial is located on CR 345
about 8 milessouth of Chiefland. After the memorial ceremony we went to the new
biker bar in Chiefland, KNUCKLEHEADZ SALOON, and toasted Barney with a couple
cold ones.
Story & Pics Scooter Ted
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BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR A SCOOTERGOODS FAVORITE
On November 17, 2007, a Birthday Party for Amy Cook was held at The DAWG HOUSE Sports Lounge in Fanning Springs. Many close friends and fanily members attended, and the event was made even more special by the presence of many local bikers, who are also Amy’s friends, and who call the DAWG HOUSE their "home bar."
Some of you who may not know Amy well may remember her as the "JAGERBOMB LADY" from November’s Old Fashioned Biker rodeo in Brooksville. Several dozen of Amy’s acquaintances attended the party and enjoyed the evenings happenings, including music by The Biker’s Favorite Rock Band, CORE, which rocked the DAWG HOUSE until 2AM. Amy really got into the festivities of her "Big 30".
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 The Band CORE,(left) with their significant others and family members. |
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 At the DAWG HOUSE, motorcycles park in front.on the porch. |
The DAWG HOUSE Sports Lounge and the band CORE were really a
special part of AMY’s Birthday celebration, because Amy’s Mom, PATTI, is the
owner of the DAWG HOUSE, and Amy’s long-time partner, GREG, is a member of the
band CORE.
It was my honor to do the photos and article. "Scooter
Ted"
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Another Tom "BARNEY" Fife Memorial Ride. The (Tri-County) Tom "Barney" Fife Memorial Toys for Tots ride, sponsored by the local Marine Corps Reserve Unit and organized by Bill "Hutch" Hutchinson, was held on Saturday, November 17, 2007. More than 150 bikes -- including about a dozen trikes -- left Bell’s Restaurant in Chiefland at 12 noon for the 21 mile ride escorted by 5 Levy County Sheriff vehicles. The procession was met in Fanning Springs by escort vehicles from the Dixie County Sheriff Department. The mile long motorcade arrived at the events grounds behind Charlie’s Tavern -- about 5 miles west of Old Town on US-19 -- without incident and riders were directed to the secure bike parking area. The stage area was already set up, and it and the food pavilion were beautifully decorated with Toys for Tots banners and posters. Four Marines in full-dress ‘blues’ kept things moving along smoothly. A five dollar donation provided more funds for the Toys for Tots Foundation and also provided the donor with a great meal of pulled pork, roasted chicken, baked beans, potato salad and cole slaw. There was cake for dessert, and soft drinks or water included with the meal. A full afternoon of musical entertainment was provided by The Rick Gordon Band and the classic rock band, K-9. Several items were auctioned off for the benefit of the Foundation, and a total of about $3,000 was raised by the event. A highlight of the event was the display of the trike that formerly belonged to "Barney" Fife. The trike is nearing complete restoration by Ballengee Auto-Body of Chiefland, who transported it to the event on a decorated trailer. The new owners of the trike, Lee (‘Capt. Ron’) and Krista Campbell of Old Town, who were long time friends of Barney, obtained the trike to rebuild in Barney’s honor. If you missed the Tri-County "Barney" Fife Memorial Toys for Tots Ride this year, we hope to see you in 2008 on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Photo and Article by Scooter Ted
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The
ballots have again been tallied, and the readers have spoken. Florida
Monthly magazine has again selected The
Best of Florida,
from best attraction and best performing arts center to friendliest small
town and best annual sporting event. Votes are submitted each year by
readers from all around the state in numerous categories, and
the results are in and published in the current (September) issue of the
magazine. (Check the link at http://www.floridamagazine.com/bestof2007.html.)
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HE LOST AN ARM, BUT DIDN’T LOSE HIS RIDE.
In November, 1997, then 26 year old Gary Sullivan lost most of his right arm in an industrial accident. He had been riding dirt bikes for quite a while, but the loss of his arm put an end to the jumps and whoop-de-dos.Gary missed riding, but how do you ride with no right arm? About three years ago, he contacted a physician in Gainesville, FL, who worked with him to craft an ‘artificial’ arm that would let Gary ride again. He now rides a 2002 Suzuki INTRUDER 1500cc ‘dresser’ with the ease and skill of any rider. His prosthetic right arm remains on the bike when he is not actually riding, and it takes less than a minute to ‘put on his right arm’ when he gets on the bike. If you ever run into Gary Sullivan and his big INTRUDER, do yourself the honor of shaking the left hand of a truly dedicated biker.
Photo & Story By Scooter Ted
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| CORE -- The BIKER BAND -- where Classic Rock
meets New Rock. The average age of the band members is 43, so they grew up
listening to the great rock bands of the70s and 80s.CORE claims to have
not one leader, but SIX, each member contributing his own skills and style
to the great shows that the band puts on at each appearance. Mike Ginn,
keyboard and vocals, from Citra; Greg Hopkins, on the lead guitar, hails
from Fanning Springs; Rob Touchton, from Alalchua, is the lead singer;
George Covington, who keeps the beat (and beats the hell out of the
drums), is from Gainesville; Paul Turner, from Newberry, is on guitar, and
the newest member of the group, the bass player Ryan Walker, lives in Lake
City. Why do I call them "The Biker Band"? Because 4 of the 6
band members ride bikes.Another good reason: Did you see and hear them at
the Brooksville Old School Biker Rodeo in May? According to the bikers and
their ladies who saw them, DonV and myself (and who ya gonna believe?) --
CORE really kicked ass!The band plays at The DAWG HOUSE in Fanning
Springs, The ROUND BAR in Gainesville, PANAMA HATTIES in St. Augustine,
The SPINDRIFTER in Alachua, HENNESSY’S in Tampa, and MUNEGINS in
Gainesville. Don’t miss their Special Appearance at 4:00PM this July 4th
at the City of Alachua’s FIREWORKS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL. For
more information on CORE, and the band’s upcoming schedule, go to
coreroxx.com.
Picture and Story By: Scooter Ted |
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Tribute to a Brother |
Scooter Ted is now sending photos in The Barney Fife Tradition!
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Photo NOT
TAKEN by Scooter Ted
(dammit...)
