Brighton Seminole Trading Post Holds Grand Reopening
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Tribal members graduate Family Services hosts Tribal youth excels in vocational school Wellness Conference rodeo competitions EDUCATION v 1B COMMUNITY v 3A SPORTS v 1C Volume XXXIII • Number 8 August 31, 2012 Brighton Seminole Trading Post holds grand reopening BY RACHEL BUXTON Freelance Writer BRIGHTON — After about 45 years in existence, the Seminole Trading Post on the Brighton Reservation underwent a much-needed renovation. Tribal officials and members, as well as people from surrounding counties, made the trek to Brighton on July 26 for the grand reopening of the improved Brighton Trading Post. “This is a project that we have been working on since I took seat exactly a year ago,” Brighton Board Rep. Larry Howard said. “We had to blow this thing up as big as possible so we could generate more people to come here and do business with us from the outside.” The day brought energy and excitement with Seminole Tribe regular Mobile Mike and several radio stations, including Wild 95.5 and Y100 Miami, giving away CDs, DVDs, and waterpark and concert tickets. Beverly Bidney Cars also lined up in both directions The Brighton Seminole Trading Post reopens with a complete makeover. along Highway 721 hoping to be one of the first 200 patrons to arrive at the Trading Post to receive $25 of free gas. complete makeover with the addition all new amenities, including the infamous James Holt, along with his brother of about 1,000 square feet. The original Beer Vault. Clinton Holt, kept Seminole heritage building was completely gutted, which “We actually added more things in our alive by putting on alligator wrestling included not only the convenience store but store,” Rep. Howard said. “We have hot and venomous snake demonstrations also a Laundromat and manager’s office for foods – something we never had before throughout the day. Also, Mobile Mike’s the RV park, which is also a Tribal entity. – mocha, cold coffee and a brand-new Gourmet Burgers and Fries provided a A trailer facility was brought in slushie machine for the kids.” free lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs and to accommodate the Laundromat and Rep. Howard said he wanted to prevent refreshments for the crowd, while people manager’s office, as well as serve as the this project from sitting on the backburner. popped in and out of the newly constructed point of sale system for the Trading Post’s “He was very psyched about the convenience store to see the transformation. gasoline services. project,” Menendez said about Rep. Brett Daly “It’s a step up from the old one,” “We were able to [keep] the store open Howard. “He was out here every day Lynvetta Myers, of Moore Haven, said. for the community because that was very during construction.” President Tony Sanchez Jr. said he was important on Larry Howard’s list,” said The Brighton Trading Post is an entity Alexis Aguilar crowned surprised when he got his first peek inside. Juan Menendez, the manager for the Board of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. under “I was here last week, and when I Construction Division. the Board of Representatives. walked in I didn’t know where I was at,” The construction lasted roughly Miss Florida Seminole he said. “It just looks so great.” four months and resulted in an almost The Brighton Trading Post got a 2,500-square-foot convenience store with F See TRADING POST on page 6A Brianna Nunez takes Jr. Miss title Tribal youth attend Camp Kulaqua BY BRETT DALY Tribe. “They’re so rich in culture. It makes Senior Editor my heart sing when I see so many young ladies embracing their [heritage]. They’re keeping their culture strong.” HOLLYWOOD — Thirteen young Event emcee Van Samuels also women celebrated their Seminole heritage announced other individual awards in and culture on July 28, vying for the both the Miss and Jr. Miss competitions. coveted Miss and Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Aguilar and Nunez won best talent; Braudie crowns. While all wanted the responsibility Blais-Billie and Kirsten Doney won best of serving as their Tribe’s ambassadors, essay; and Aguilar also secured the Miss only two received the honor. Congeniality title. Alexis Aguilar, one of five Immokalee In addition, Jr. Miss contestants Doney, contestants, shined during the 55th annual Tia Blais-Billie and Brooke Osceola were Princess Pageant and earned the Miss named first, second and third runners-up, Florida Seminole Princess crown. Aguilar, respectively. the first runner-up in last year’s Jr. Miss In keeping with this year’s theme, category, is a senior at Immokalee High “Unconquered Seminole Women: Leading School and succeeds Princess Jewel Buck. by Example,” Princess Committee “I put my whole heart into it,” she said. Chairwoman Wanda Bowers recognized “It’s a big responsibility, and I hope I can past Princesses who pursued higher make my Tribe proud.” education and awarded them special Brighton resident Brianna Nunez took necklaces adorned with graduation and the Jr. Miss title for her performance during princess insignias. the pageant, held at the Tribal Headquarters “I want to empower our Seminole Auditorium. After not placing in last year’s women and make sure they know they pageant, Nunez said hearing her name can do what they want in our Tribe,” said called as the winner this time around was one recipient, Christine McCall, Princess bittersweet. Committee secretary. She graduated from “I feel ecstatic,” she said moments after Florida State University with a bachelor’s outgoing Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Jaryaca degree in 2009. “Miss Florida Seminole Baker crowned her. “There are no words to has not only achieved higher education but describe how I feel. It’s the most amazing has worked in many ways to contribute to Beverly Bidney feeling I’ve ever felt.” the Tribe that supported them during their Each contestant – two competed for reign.” Campers start down the Ichetucknee River in the rain during Camp Kulaqua. Miss Florida Seminole and 11 for Jr. Miss The Tribal Council elected the first – was judged in the areas of traditional Seminole Princess in 1957 to act as the BY BEVERLY BIDNEY their ancestors foraged and hunted food. choices helps Jonas manage his diabetes. wear, talent and impromptu questions. In Tribe’s official ambassador and to educate addition, a five-person panel of judges Staff Reporter “We want kids to learn to be healthy SPD taught a class on Stranger people about the Seminole Tribe of Florida. and fit because we are apt to diabetes,” said Danger and how to stay safe. Lessons interviewed each contestant individually, Current Princess Committee member and each completed an essay answering HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. — Summer Helene Buster, camp director and director included knowing parents’ full names, Connie Gowen had the honor of wearing of Family Services in Big Cypress. “The home telephone numbers and addresses, as the question, “Where would you take Miss the first crown. The first official pageant camp is a place for kids to learn who they Florida USA in the Tribe and why?” are by participating in activities they don’t focus is to teach them there is a healthier well as knowing who can pick them up at took place in 1960 in conjunction with the lifestyle.” school. Aguilar stood out in the talent portion grand opening of Okalee Village, and 51 usually do at home. Instead of sitting for demonstrating how to make a baby around watching TV, playing video games During the first week, 102 teens Making a Difference, presented by Princesses have since been crowned. attended, and during the second week, 90 Family Services, asked the kids to think hammock. Once finished, she sang a lullaby For outgoing Miss Florida Seminole and spending time online, campers spend in her native language. Nunez sang Amazing their time running, swimming, learning kids, ages 7-11, attended. The camp didn’t about what they would like changed on their Princess Jewel Buck, the experience offered allow junk food or downtime; the kids reservations and how they would go about Grace in English and Creek, while fellow her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. During and bonding with their peers. contestants Alexis Jumper demonstrated For the ninth year, youth from the awoke at 6 a.m. and kept busy until lights making the changes. Some of the changes her reign, she attended events like FSU’s out at 9:30 p.m. Equipped with a staff of 55 the campers mentioned included stopping how to sew a Seminole patchwork skirt, Homecoming and the Miss Indian World Tribal community spent two weeks from Thomlyn Billie explained the significance July 29 through Aug. 10 at Camp Kulaqua adults, 13 junior counselors, 14 members drug and alcohol use, decreasing bullying Pageant (her favorite experience, she said), of the Seminole Police Department and and planting more trees. Their solutions of the Tribal flag and Randee Osceola all while sharing her culture with the world in High Springs in northern Florida. taught the crowd how to bead a Seminole Health, wellness and culture were the six firefighters, the campers were well included forming clubs to have anti-drug and serving as a role model for youth. supervised. and anti-alcohol activities, talking to Tribal necklace, just to name a few. “I can’t say enough about my themes at camp, so in addition to usual “I see growth in the development of camp activities, the campers attended A nutrition class presented by Allied leaders, donating money for more trees, experience and what I’ve learned over the Health focused on healthy eating and respecting elders and staying in school.