Prayers aplenty at the flagpole for Big Cypress community Education by Eileen Soler - October 24, 2013April 13, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — The sun had barely risen Sept. 25 when Ahfachkee School students, Big Cypress Reservation religious leaders and community elders gathered for prayer at the Herman L. Osceola Gymnasium flagpole memorial. “When the public schools took prayer and the salute to the flag out of the classroom, a group
Golf season wraps par for course Sports by Eileen Soler - October 23, 2013April 13, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Middle school athlete Dasani Cypress ended the golf season on a high note Oct. 14 at the district tournament in Naples. “For only playing competitive golf for a short time, and playing on the school’s volleyball team at the same time, Dasani is showing good strength,” coach Amos
Fort Pierce community center to rise Community by Eileen Soler - September 24, 2013April 9, 2015 FORT PIERCE — Three years ago Tribe officials put shovels in the dirt at Chupco Landing and broke ground on the proposed Fort Pierce Community Hope Center. After 35 months of near inactivity, "hope" was restored when a bulldozer ceremoniously roared onto the job site to officially launch construction. About 30
It’s grow time on Big Cypress Reservation Community by Eileen Soler - September 24, 2013April 9, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Heavy equipment and men in hard hats will be part of the scenery on the Big Cypress Reservation during the next several years as the community blooms under major construction projects. "We are improving . . . at the same time we’re protecting the wildlife and our way
Bigger, better stop ’n go Community by Eileen Soler - September 24, 2013April 9, 2015 ALLIGATOR ALLEY — You’re hungry, you’re thirsty, you need to stretch or you really "gotta go" on that long drive across Alligator Alley between Weston and Naples. Be advised: There is one less place to make a pit stop. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is in the process of constructing a
Tribal Council decides on more than 50 items Community by Eileen Soler - September 24, 2013April 9, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — The Sept. 13 Tribal Council meeting in Hollywood resulted in decisions on more than 50 Tribal concerns including a unanimous vote to "bank" 881 acres of popular Brighton hunting land for wetland mitigation. Per the federal Clean Water Act, wildlife habitat, natural streams or wetlands that are disrupted for
Teens cross the pond, explore European cultures Education by Eileen Soler - September 24, 2013April 13, 2015 Most people only fantasize about taking a whirlwind European tour. For a dozen Tribal members, seven summertime days recently spent discovering the art, culture and religions of Paris and Rome was a fantasy come to life. "It was my first time out of the States, so it was awesome and overwhelming,"
Ahfachkee volleyball aims for team-building season Sports by Eileen Soler - September 24, 2013April 13, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Ahfachkee School’s Lady Warriors volleyball program is off to a sure start when it comes to learning the game and building a competitive team. With a 0-1 record for the middle school team and 0-2 for the varsity team as of Sept. 11, the girls charge the court
New gym courts the future Sports by Eileen Soler - September 24, 2013April 13, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — The 27-year-old basketball court mural that decked the Herman L. Osceola Gymnasium floor, long covered in heavy foam squares of protective mats, is history. "We’re on to big improvements," said Josh Jumper, Big Cypress site manager for the Recreation Department. Jumper practically grew up in the gym having spent
Cowhands put careers to competition Sports by Eileen Soler - September 24, 2013April 13, 2015 BRIGHTON — Extraordinary cowboys and cowgirls from ranches throughout Florida put talent to the test at the two weekend-long Ranch Rodeo Shootout hosted by Tribal Council and the Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association. "I’ve been all around the country from one professional rodeo to the next and sometimes it’s just good to get