Faithful gather to offer prayers for Tribal leaders, youth Community by Eileen Soler - April 2, 2013April 9, 2015 IMMOKALEE — Chaplain Dan Harris, of the Seminole Police and Fire departments, prepared a guest for what was about to happen at the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s 14th Intercessory Prayer Gathering. "Get ready to receive the Holy Spirit," Harris said, as nearly 100 faithful flocked into Immokalee First Seminole Baptist Church
Junior sleuths play CSI Big Cypress Education by Eileen Soler - April 2, 2013April 13, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Picture the scene: A man is found dead in the desert, clutching a straw; he has no external wounds and there are no signs of any other human presence – no tire tracks or footprints. How did the man get there? Feb. 27 was Crime Scene Investigation night for
Big Cypress ball field now bears name of beloved coach Sports by Eileen Soler - April 2, 2013April 13, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — No one knows for sure how many children Billie Johns Sr. coached on hardscrabble baseball fields at the Big Cypress Reservation – not even Johns himself. "Twenty-five? Maybe 30," he guessed. "All I know is I had my best times giving kids practice out there." On March 5, more
Rack ’em up: Weekly billiards tourney offers big fun in Big Cypress Sports by Eileen Soler - April 2, 2013April 13, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Anyone with competitive spirit is invited to battle for bucks at weekly billiard tournaments on the Big Cypress Reservation. Hosted by the Big Cypress Recreation Department at Big Cypress Billiards, the Thursday night pool tourneys are so far drawing about a dozen pool players. At the 10-table venue,
Crowns, sashes for Tribe’s littlest royalty Community by Eileen Soler - February 20, 2013April 9, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Pint-sized princesses and princes dressed in Seminole regalia strutted across the stage at the Hollywood Headquarters auditorium to vie for the title of Little Miss and Little Mr. Seminole 2013. Nine boys and 20 girls, ages 5 to 7 from all reservations, showcased poise and personality while answering important
Rez Rally continues on Health by Eileen Soler - February 20, 2013April 9, 2015 The spirit of Rez Rally is pushing forward into 2013. "It’s about being fit for life with healthy eating and exercise," said Amy Kimberlain, a Youth Health specialist for the Seminole Health Department. On Jan. 28 at the Learning Resources Center on the Big Cypress Reservation, Kimberlain put her words to work
Senior profile: Mitchell Cypress Community by Eileen Soler - February 20, 2013April 9, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Mitchell Cypress is a sober reminder that redemption after addiction is possible. The 65-year-old has lived for the past two decades painfully aware that his past had caused those he loved the most to suffer the worst. "I drank alcohol all the time, and when I met my wife
Museum hosts FSU Day Community by Eileen Soler - February 20, 2013April 9, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — FSU Day with the Seminole Tribe at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum was like homecoming of a different kind. Nearly 175 Florida State University alumni, called FSU Seminoles, were welcomed on Jan. 26 with open arms by Museum staff and Tribal members for a daylong experience on Seminole Indian turf
Ahfachkee basketball season ends with hope for next year Sports by Eileen Soler - February 20, 2013April 13, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — The regular season for Ahfachkee School varsity basketball teams wrapped up without a championship title but with pride in knowing that every battle fought on the court was honorable. “Sometimes you can’t measure a win by the score on the board,” said Ahfachkee’s athletic program director Danielle Jumper-Frye.
Students ‘dig’ history at Museum Archaeology Day Education by Eileen Soler - February 20, 2013April 13, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — With garden trowels and a little muscle, students from Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School (PECS) filled buckets with discoveries during Archaeology Day at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. "We get to learn a little of what our ancestors did and how they did it," said Sage Motlow, 12. "We’re archeologists for