Burton sisters shine at Brighton pageant Community by Beverly Bidney - October 30, 2015October 30, 2015 BRIGHTON — Sisters Krysta and Leilani Burton shared the spotlight Sept. 26 when they were crowned Miss Brighton and Jr. Miss Brighton, respectively, during the 35th annual Miss Brighton Princess Pageant at the Florida Seminole Veterans Building. "I want to represent Brighton and help youth learn about their culture," said Krysta,
Healing on menu at Trail community annual Fish Fry Community by Beverly Bidney - October 30, 2015 TRAIL — Camaraderie, fellowship and fish lured about 75 Tribal members and others from the sober community Oct. 10 to the seventh annual Fish Fry in Trail. The group feasted on 50 pounds of tilapia, 30 pounds of snapper, nearly 40 slabs of ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, hush puppies and frybread,
Big Cypress thinks pink for breast cancer awareness Health by Beverly Bidney - October 30, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — A pink fire hydrant in Big Cypress helped mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Tribe land in October. Other members of the community showed their support by pulling pink clothes out of their closets Oct. 23 for Pink Out Day at the Frank Billie Field Office in
Creek immersion program speaking volumes at PECS Education by Beverly Bidney - October 29, 2015 BRIGHTON — The room was like any other day care center; babies sat on caregivers’ laps and clapped along to the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and the "ABCs." But what made this room special was language. Everything from the cartoons to the conversation was in Creek. The sign on the door to
Reese Bert Jr. finds his niche in auto repair Education by Beverly Bidney - October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 BRIGHTON — As a recent automotive graduate of Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Orlando, Reese Bert Jr. feels like a kid playing with Legos again. "It’s fun to put things together and know you did it right," said Bert, 21, who graduated Sept. 4. Bert wasn’t always interested in cars, but he
Kitchen competition boosts teen teamwork Education by Beverly Bidney - October 29, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — The Hollywood Boys & Girls Club kitchens were transformed into competitive arenas recently as teens worked to outdo each other in a pair of after-school cook-offs. At stake were bragging rights and popsicles; winners got the glory while losers had cleanup duty. The good-natured contests were designed to build camaraderie
EIRA winners to compete at INFR in Las Vegas Sports by Beverly Bidney - October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 BRIGHTON — Tribal rodeo riders competed in the Eastern Indian Rodeo Association (EIRA) regional finals Sept. 26 in Brighton, trying to secure their spot in the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR). Regionals featured the 30 competitors with the highest accumulated scores during EIRA’s six-rodeo season, which ran February to July. When
Young bucks rodeo across continent Sports by Beverly Bidney - October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 Young rodeo riders Kelton Smedley, Jobe Johns and Logan Hyatt lived the cowboy life out West this summer while competing on the rodeo circuit. Kelton traveled on his own, while Jobe and Logan traveled with Jobe’s mother, Tara Johns. A bull rider, Kelton, 18, spent about a month exploring Montana and
EIRA doles out season honors during banquet Sports by Beverly Bidney - October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 BRIGHTON — The end of the 2015 Eastern Indian Rodeo Association (EIRA) season was celebrated Oct. 17 at the Florida Seminole Veterans Building in Brighton with a parade of winners who collected buckles and saddles to commemorate their season. The banquet also featured the newly elected EIRA directors, who will
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts business fits Jason Billie Community by Beverly Bidney - September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Jason Billie went from broker to business owner in April when he opened the Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More store at 1614 Sheridan St. in Hollywood. The former printing broker and Seminole Gaming Tribal Career Development Program graduate felt the need to change direction after his business partner