On October 5 and 6, most of us in Central Florida were gathering water and praying that Hurricane Matthew would take a right turn and head back out into the Atlantic and it did, but not far enough. The category 4 hurricane came inland around Daytona and took out its anger on areas north of the World’s Most Famous Beach. By Sunday the 8th most of our area turned out to be a pretty good day for riding. And I headed up to Pug’s Pub in Eustis. Patty Fox and her crew had another Customer Appreciation Day planned with discounted refreshments and barbecue. It was also the location for a Twisted Tea party with music by Double Shot. If that wasn’t enough to pack into one day—it was the site of a fundraiser by a new group in Lake County called Friends Helping Families. This is not an MC but it is supported by several local riding clubs as well as others like me who just want to make a difference and help out some others who need some TLC. One of their recent projects has been to host several events in support of the Run for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, which took place on November 19. FHF was busy a few weeks back with a bike wash at Gator Harley and a spaghetti dinner at the Golden Horseshoe where I heard that raised about $700 for the cause… Seminole Harley had a good weekend planned with a special guest, Michael Ballard of the Full Throttle Saloon, but things got canceled when Hurricane Matthew blew in… Earlier in the month on the 1st the South Lake County Moose Lodge hosted a Bikes, Blues and BBQ event. The ride started at Stormy Hill Harley before heading to the Ruby Street Grill in Tavares, JJ’s in Sorrento, the Eustis Moose Lodge and ending at the Little Lake Harris Pub in Astatula. The BBQ judging started at 3:00 p.m. with winners announced at 4:00. Meantime the blues were provided by two local favorite groups—the Jim Howell Blues Band and the Kim Hartman Band. All proceeds from the day’s events were donated to the Bradley Summersill Foundation… Gator Harley was getting into the Halloween spirit that same weekend with a Howl-O-Ween event. Justin Heet and the Daniel Heitz Band were the bands of choice to provide the entertainment. For some seasonal fun there was a pumpkin carving contest and apple bobbing… While many of us were in Daytona for Biketoberfest, Orlando Harley hosted their annual Hogtoberfest Dark Carnival as an alternative to making the trek up I-4. It wasn’t for the faint of heart, though, as the Ives Brothers provided thrills and chills with their Wall of Death stunts. Beastly bands, freakish food and shocktails rounded out the afternoon fun… I haven’t had the time to get out to Mascotte yet but I hear there’s a new biker-friendly establishment on Highway 50. Rumor has it that the ribs are darn good and so is the barbecue but not half as good as the gals serving up the cold ones inside. I might have to check the place out—not for the girls but for the ribs. I’ll let you know what I think. Till next time, be safe and take care of each other. God bless.
