Congratulations to Stormy Hill Harley on their 14th anniversary that was celebrated on June 4 with an all-day party. The fun kicked off about 10:00 a.m. with an open registration for a bike giveaway, a Street XG500. Local radio station 97 Country was on site to add the tunes and keep the day in full swing with area sponsors including the Texas Roadhouse and Attorney Fran Haasch… Also on the 4th, JOSH (Just Our Soldiers Helpers) hosted their annual event at the Barn in Sanford. This group raises money to purchase toiletries and snacks and then assembles care packages for our troops around the world. The event was sponsored by M.F.C., an organization made up of folks from the military, firemen and cops, hence the M.F.C. acronym. This group started with only 17 original members back in 2012 but it’s growing rapidly and now boasts 10 chapters totaling about 300 members. Each chapter has their own charity they support but they all support each other in events like this. Outside riders competed in the bike rodeo while others escaped the heat for the AC inside the newly-renovated Barn. The pool tables were loaded with all kinds of raffle prizes ranging from huge baskets of various liquors and snacks to autographed guitars. The icing on the cake, however, was the performance by the band Confederate Railroad that wrapped up the day. For more information on JOSH, visit their website at www.justoursoldiershelpers.org… A little further south on the east coast, Space Coast Harley-Davidson was kicking into high gear as well with a full June calendar. On the 11th an event was hosted in support of Paws for Veterans with proceeds being donated to secure and train dogs to aid with PTSD in local veterans and first responders. And just for fun, there was a dog show with eight classes and trophies being awarded in each class. Not to rest on their laurels, the very next day, the dealership held their own rocking birthday bash with “Rockfest” from morning to late afternoon… On June 12 I was proud to partner up with the JC Road Dogs and support an event to help the family of a young husband and father, Chris Liddy. Chris was severely injured last July and had been in the hospital ever since. Needless to say, his family needed some financial help with the mounting medical bills and moral support in dealing with the trauma. The JC Road Dogs are a Christian group based out of Bridges Church in Tavares and Whistling Pines Church in Umatilla. They are not a big group by any means but they are well supported by members of their respective churches and benefits with them are always uplifting and fun. The ride ended at Hurricanes Bar & Grill in Tavares with good food, raffles, tears and hugs. Unfortunately, Chris lost his battle a few days prior to the event but his wife and children know they are loved and supported… In closing, I’d like to add this follow-up to my article on the Leesburg Rally in April. It was recently published in the local newspaper that over $186,000 was raised for charities during the rally. That totals up to over $20,000 more than the 2015 rally. And people say all we care about is spending our money on gas and more chrome for our bikes! It just shows (as if there was any doubt) that bikers have the biggest hearts of any group of people on this planet. That’s it for me this month. Take care, ride safe and God bless.
