Photos From Barney Fife Scootergoods Homepage

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

Chrome Divas are a ladies only motorcycle group, consisting of both riders and passengers and even some non-riding women who just love motorcycles and participating in charity functions. Originating in Tallahassee, Florida in 2002, Chrome Divas, a female motorcycle organization, was formed to provide a means of camaraderie, community participation, and a national link to all women who ride motorcycles and strive to be known as outstanding citizens in their communities with a preference to ride, have fun and share their talents and compassion in group effort. Chrome Divas are incorporated and has a trademark logo that identifies them as a female motorcycle organization. However, Chrome Divas do not wear colors and is not a "MC." Chrome Divas support many worthwhile causes; including breast cancer, Children’s Home Society, rape crisis center, Angel Flight, and juvenile diabetes to name a few. Diva fundraisers have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities, with more events on the horizon. Chrome Divas are indeed “on a roll” and rolling into Europe, Canada and parts unknown! www.chromedivas.com Scooter Ted

JAYNE’S CANCER RUN -- SATURDAY JULY 26, 2008 Jayne Rocks is now going through her second bout with Breast Cancer for which she is again undergoing chemo-therapy and radiation treatment. Jayne and her husband, Keith are well known bikers in the Tri-Counties area. On Saturday, July 26, there will be a POKER RUN to raise money for Jayne’s treatment expenses. The event is being sponsored by the following firms in Levy and Dixie Counties: Haven Hospice, Car Quest, Chiefland Motorcycles, The Brick Grill and Val’s Automotive. (Other sponsors are expected to be added soon.) Poker Run fee will be $10.00 per hand; all proceeds from the run (and raffle at the end of the run) will go to Haven Hospice and to the Cancer Research Foundation. The run will start at SOB’s in Newberry, leaving there at 12 NOON. Next stop will be at The JUNCTION in Williston, then on to 4-CORNERS in Bronson. Next stop is WILLARD’S (10 miles south of Bronson), and from there to KNUCKLEHEADZ SALOON in Chiefland. The final stop will be at The BRICK GRILL in Dixie County, just across the river from Fanning Springs. After all the riders have arrived at the BRICK GRILL, a newly customized Harley, now being prepared for Jayne by GULF COAST SLEDZ in support of her cancer fight, will be on display. The right-hand shift 1974 1000cc Sporster will have a springer front-end, everything new that needs to be new, and a custom paint job. At the BRICK GRILL there will be lots of Door Prizes and also the raffle of a 100 quart cooler with wheels, that is now that on display at the BRICK GRILL, and is already filled with a grill set, beach towels, Margarita set with glasses, shaker, pitcher, napkins and a good supply of Rum, Tequila (Jose), Vodka, Whiskey (Jack Daniels, of course) and some other drinkables. (Delivery of the cooler will be arranged if it won’t fit in your saddlebags or you don’t want to pull it home.)
Story by Scooter Ted

A well-known biker in the Crystal River/Chiefland area, MIKE JONES, was seriously injured on May 13, 2008 in Crystal River in another 'Careless Cager vs. Motorcycle' accident. Mike was riding his new Harley when he was T-boned by an older couple who pulled out into him, obviously without looking. So now Mike and Terri -- who were married just last year -- face a future with Mike as a quadraplegic unless operations and therapy can work the hoped-for miracle needed to put Mike on the road to recovery. In a move to help two of oiur own in their time of great need, a Poker Run was organized. Starting at the ALACHUA SPORTS BAR in Alachua on Saturday, June 7th, 80 riders had kickstands up at NOON. Riders then went to the WEST END BAR in Newberry. Next stop was at ELLIE RAY'S, 8 miles north of Bell (250 yards west of US-129 on the Santa Fe River). From there, next stop was the BRICK GRILL on US-19 in Dixie County, about a mile west of the Suwannee River Bridge. The run ended up at KNUCKLEHEADZ SALOON, 909 S. Main Street ( US-19) in Chiefland.

I checked out Bike Night on Wednesday, April 2, and found about 20 bikes already in the parking lot at 7:30PM, and two long tables filled with bikers and their ladies enjoying dinner. After dinner, the crowd enjoyed dancing and karaoke by "Starz 'N Barz Karaoke" until around 11:00PM. For good food, good drinks and good company, look for the tall sign on the west side of US-19, two miles over the bridge and just past the
BP Station between Fanning Springs and Old Town.

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.

KNUCKLEHEADZ SALOON
Located on US-19 on the south end of Chiefland,
Across the streeet from the VFW Hall

NOW OPEN and READY FOR BIKERS

KNUCKLEHEADZ opened in Chiefland, FL on February 27, 2008 and held a Grand Opening Bar-B-Q feed for customers on March 1.

I guess biI guess bikers smelled the pork & chicken cooking over the oak fire.e oak fire.

Food, ice cold drinks and friendly faces.

What a small, tall, table full of bikers looks like!

Grand Opening Night entertainment was by the band UNDERDAWGS

(They have an awesome girl singer!)

KNUCKLEHEADZ SALOON is owned by bikers, run by bikers, and

dedicated to the biker lifestyle!

Look for the KNUCKLEHEADZ SALOON full-page ad in the
April issue of Scootergoods Magazine.

Photos, comments and information by Scooter Ted

February 2008

LEATHERS ARE ‘BIKER COOL’

On Christmas Day, 2007, another member of our biker community, Scootergoods staffer "Beanie," got slammed by a careless cager; -- another ASSWIPE, to use Scootergoods terminology. Another injured rider, wasted bike, and unnecessary pain, inconvenience, expense and time in the hospital. Fortunately, this incident was not a fatality, but Beanie did get a lot of road-rash. How long will it be before someone you know, a good friend of yours -- or maybe even you -- has to ride the asphalt? We all have to face it; shit happens. Will you have done all that you can do to make your potential injuries less? I know; you probably think I’m going to tell you to wear your helmet. That might not be a bad idea but it is a matter of personal judgement; does the advantage out-weigh the disadvantage? When I hit the asphalt back in early October, I wasn’t wearing a helmet -- MY CHOICE -- and I took a good shot, scraping my face hard. your hands, protective gear is also a great idea. In cold weather most riders wear insulated gloves, and they do a good job of protecting your hands from cold and injury. In warm weather, the most popular gloves are the fingerless type, and fingerless gloves help keep your hands from getting sore, but are not much protection for your hands and fingers if you hit the asphalt. (Ask me about THAT one, too!) The doctor who repaired my left forehead and cheek said that if I had been wearing a helmet my face might not have been hurt. BUT -- and this might surprise some of you -- he added that from the angle that I hit the pavement, the weight of a helmet might have broken my neck. As I said before, helmet use is YOUR CHOICE, as it was mine. Now, how about the possibility of road rash on arms, legs and back? How about burned legs and ripped toes? The most obvious protection -- and protection that too many riders, particularly new riders (and careless older ones) -- often fail to use, is protective clothing. I’m speaking of leathers and boots for most riders, or manufacturer’s padded gear for sport-bike riders. Good, hard leathers -- jackets, vests, pants or chaps and boots -- or padded riding suits offer a sliding surface between your skin and the asphalt. Keep in mind that biker leathers and riding suits are also ‘biker fashion cool.’ Of course, protective clothing can’t save you from all injuries, including bad bruises. But believe me when I say this: A long-sleeve T-shirt doesn’t help a damn bit! What about torn or broken fingers? Fingers are very vulnerable in a slide. Every rider should remember that for I’ve heard the old story about, "Leathers are too uncomfortable to wear in warm weather; too hot and binding." I’ve used that one a few times, myself. But think about spending a couple weeks in a hospital bed while the skin-grafts heal, the bandages are painfully changed, and you are getting poked and prodded 24 hours a day and can‘t even have a cold beer. Then you will get an idea of what REAL discomfort is. Bottom line, and I am speaking from recent and painful experience, having full leathers (jacket, vests and brand new, never worn chaps) hanging in your closet is a bitch to think about when you are lying in a hospital bed! (Believe me on this one, too; Leathers are a lot cheaper and much more comfortable than skin grafts.) So let’s ALL face it; -- You do have to be a bit crazy to ride a bike in present-day traffic, but you don’t have to be stupid…..

Article by Scooter Ted

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".

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"

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.

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.

                                                                           Tribute to a Brother
Dec 1st 2006 Always willing to help, Kind, Caring, a true friend to the end. That was Tom "Barney" Fife! I will miss him greatly and so will the rest of his Biker Family. Our friends life was taken needlessly by an impatient cager, reminding us of how vulnerable we are to recklessness. I believe if Tom could speak from beyond he would tell us all to be kind to those around us and live everyday as if it where our last. His contributions to the biker community are countless. He was always willing to give his time to both friends and groups for the good of us all. He was a fine example of how one man should treat another and proved it everyday! We where all fortunate to know Tom"Barney" Fife and PROUD to call him BROTHER & FRIEND
The message above was written by Barney about his friend KC, 3 weeks before his own death AT THE HANDS OF A CARELESS CAGER!
                                                                                                                     R.I.P. Barney, DonV

A Newberry, Fl area couple were killed Monday afternoon when a pickup pulled out in front of their motorcycle as they drove near Micanopy on a Memorial Day ride, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. Bobby Ray Wilkerson, 35, and Jaime Gail Wilkerson, 31, who were husband and wife, were riding west along County Road 234 near Micanopy when a pickup pulled out in front of the couple as they were driving underneath the Interstate 75 overpass, according to Sgt. Nick Causey with the Florida Highway Patrol.The pickup, driven by Thomas Lawrence Brown Jr., 46, of Alachua, had stopped at the stop sign after exiting I-75 on the southbound exit ramp, but then he pulled out in front of the motorcycle as he attempted to turn east onto CR 234, according to reports.The Wilkersons were thrown from the motorcycle and suffered fatal head injuries from the crash. Neither was wearing a helmet, and they were pronounced dead at the scene."This is a case where a helmet probably could have saved their lives," said Causey, who also mentioned the Wilkersons were in Micanopy on Monday to visit family for Memorial Day.                                                          Scooter Ted

Scooter Ted

Regarding the Fatal Accident of "Barney" Fife -- To all of our Brothers and Sisters of the Wheel; Tom "Barney" Fife, a long time resident of Old Town, FL and a retired Sheriff's Deputy from Naples, Florida was fatally injured in a near head-on sideswipe accident on highway 345 (about 7 miles south of Chiefland, Florida) at around 6:00PM on Friday, December 1, 2006. Barney, as he was affectionatly known by hundreds in the central Florida area, was headed north from spending an afternoon with friends in Cedar Key when he was sideswiped by a pickup truck headed south toward Cedar Key. An eyewitness to the accident, Donald Guynn of Fort White, said that he was pulling his boat southbound at about 55 mph when he was passed by a white pickup truck going south at an excessive speed. The white truck returned rapidly into the southbound lane, but seemed to lose control, weave across the center of the highway corrected back toward the center and collided with Barney's trike a cou-ple hundred feet in front of Mr. Guynn. The truck was truck just in front of the driver's side door by Barney's trike. Barney then lost control of the trike -- the left rim of the trike was badly bent, as was the left front tire of the truck. The left side handgrip as found near the point of impact and apparently ripped from the trike at the time of contact. Barney's trike then went into an uncontrolled ride along side of the highway, then apparently cartwheeled along the pavement, coming to rest about 300 feet from point of initial impact. Debris from the trike -- body panel parts, lights, mirror, etc. -- were strewn along the route of the bikes final trip. Barney was semi-conscious when Mr. Guynn reached him. With the aid of two young men who arrive at that time, the trike, which was on top of Barney, was righted. At that time Barney then told Mr. Guynn that he was awake, but said nothing more after that. The FHP investigators arrived at the scene at about 12:00 NOON on Saturday to investigate. They knew nothing of Mr. Guynn having witnessed the accident priot to that time. I had accidentally encountered Mr. Guynn in Cedar Key earlier Saturday and was able to relay information from him, as well as his name and phone number, to the FHP investigators at the scene of the accident. Barney was a regular riding companion of mine, and I will always treasure the hundreds of miles that we rode together, as well as the many fun afternoons at the Dawg House in Fanning Springs. "Scooter" Ted



Where The Hell Is That? That pink pig is on top of HUCKLEBERRY BAR-B-QUE in Fanning Springs. Fanning Springs is located on US-19/98, just south of the Suwannee River Bridge. HUCKLEBERRY is open for breakfast at 7:00AM, 7 days a week, and stays open until 8PM. No better bar-b-que, seasoned fries and coleslaw in the area and they also serve Fried Green Tomatoes most of the year. Almost opposite HUCKLEBERRY is located FANNING SPRINGS STATE PARK, one of the most beautiful natural spring-fed swimming areas in Florida. The Park area has baseball diamonds, volley-ball courts, covered pavilions, a modern playground for the little ones, bath-houses, and swimming and sunning areas for everyone. An elevated boardwalk leads to a large covered gazebo among huge cypress trees and overhanging the Suwannee River. Canoe rentals are available. There are also some beautiful new Park Service Cottages that may be reserved by calling the Park Office at (352) 463-3199. The biker-friendly DAWG HOUSE LOUNGE, located on US-19/98 a couple hundred yards south of the ‘main drag,’ is presently completing a full interior remodeling, and is open 7 days a week from 11AM until 2AM, with ‘live entertainment’ 7 nights a week. -- SHELTERED BIKE PARKING UNDER THE FRONT OVERHANG! -- Just south of that on 19/98, across the highway from the 24-hour CITGO station, is the HOMESTEAD restaurant that has a great buffet 7 days a week specializing in seafood on Friday and Saturday evenings. Just a quarater-mile south of the CITGO station is the newest eatery in the area, the 19/98 GRILL and COUNTRY STORE. You have to look for this one, because it is about 200 feet back from the highway in a shady grove of old oak trees. Believe me, the food makes it worth looking for! When you are out for a leiurely ride, look for the little town just 8 miles north of Chiefland, Florida. Fanning Springs is known as the "Gateway to the Suwannee River," and has enough things to keep you busy for as long as you want to stay. There are 4 motels in the town. Photo & Article by Scooter Ted Photo NOT TAKEN by Scooter Ted (dammit...)





				Photo not taken by Scooter Ted