Ahfachkee’s Students vs. Annual Celeb Charity BC Holiday Toy Giveaways Staff Basketball Game Pro-Am back at HR Rocks The Rez EDUCATION 1B SPORTS 2C COMMUNITY 3A Volume XXX • Number 12 December 25, 2009 Brighton Wins Senior Trike Fest Competition BY NAJI TOBIAS Staff Reporter BIG CYPRESS — With the Brighton Reservation coming into the Trike Fest as the overwhelming favorite to win a third consecutive Trike Fest, Big Cypress Tribal Council Rep. David Cypress did everything he could to pump up the competitors early on. “The pressure is on Brighton, but we all got to try hard,” Rep. Cypress said. “We expect this every fall in No- vember, so let’s have a good time and compete.” Hollywood Board of Directors Rep. Marcellus Osceo- la Jr. also rooted for his reservation before the start of the 5th annual Senior Trike Fest, held Nov. 19 at the Big Cy- press Airplane Hangar. “I’m not looking to be a senior with the competition we have here,” Rep. Osceola said as he rooted for the Hol- lywood Reservation to win its fi rst Trike Fest title since 2006. “David [Cypress], you have your work cut out for you here at Big Cypress. Let’s go Hollywood!” None of that fazed the Brighton Reservation’s seniors, however, as Brighton took home the coveted Senior Trike Fest’s traveling trophy. The Brighton team triumphed against the Hollywood, Big Cypress, Tampa and Immo- kalee teams at the event. Please see TRIKE on page 2A Reese Bert Promoted to Assistant Housing Director BY RACHEL BUXTON Judy Weeks Staff Reporter Jaylee Jimmie, 3, is intrigued by the Thanksgiving cake at the Immokalee Preschool dinner held at the Senior Center on the evening of Nov. 13. BRIGHTON — Tribal citizen Reese Bert was recent- ly promoted to Assistant Housing Director of Brighton’s Housing Department by Exec- utive Housing Director Holly Immokalee Reservation Celebrates Thanksgiving Tiger Bowers. Bert, a resident of the BY JUDY WEEKS time on our blessings and we do our Brighton Reservation, has Freelance Reportter problems.” been a part of the Housing Preschool Thanksgiving Dinner Department for more than 10 IMMOKALEE — Immokalee The Immokalee Preschool kicked years and has worked within Tribal Council Liaison Elaine Aguilar off the Thanksgiving season with a fes- the Tribe for more than 20. summed up the essence of Thanksgiv- tive dinner on the evening of Nov. 13 at During those years Bert ing and what it means to the Seminole the Senior Center. It was a joyous occa- has held a variety of positions Tribe of Florida. sion for the children as they welcomed in the Housing Dept. includ- “When things don’t go right, it their parents and grandparents. ing junior project manager, doesn’t take long for our problems to be- The room was decorated in the property manager and most come the center of our thoughts and ac- traditional Thanksgiving manner with recently, service manager. tions. Unfortunately, it seems as though turkeys, harvest vegetables, and the “It’s a process to build a we move from one problem to another,” colored leaves of fall. However, these house,” Bert explained. “It is Reese Bert said Liaison Aguilar. “Thanksgiving is a things were insignifi cant compared to always a challenge and once a time to set aside our troubles and con- the wonderful decorations that the chil- new house goes up. I feel ex- fl icts and think about all the wonderful dren had created. Feathered headdress- cited that it is completed and everything is in order.” things in our lives.” es, little turkeys fashioned from fi nger- Bert began his experience in the Housing Department “We have so much to be grateful paint, hand prints and crayon drawings handling construction and general maintenance issues on for each day,” continued Aguilar. “Our adorned the tables. the Hollywood and Big Cypress Reservations. ancestors welcomed the sunshine that Seniors’ Fall Festivities He joined the department with a certifi cate for techni- brightened their day, the rainfall that The Immokalee seniors extended cal support in air conditioning and later received his state made their gardens grow and the com- an open invitation to all senior Tribal panionship of their family and friends. citizens on Nov. 18 for a Thanksgiving Please see BERT on page 2A Judy Weeks If you stop to think about it, you will Party. Participants in Immokalee’s Turkey Trot follow the Seminole Pathway to better health. realize how fortunate we are and how wonderful it would be to spend as much Please see THANKS on page 2A Tribal Council Holds Tribal Youth Volleyball Team End With Perfect Season Special Meeting BY RACHEL BUXTON BY RACHEL BUXTON Staff Reporter Staff Reporter FORT PIERCE — The Tribal Council gathered at the OKEECHOBEE — The Yearling Chupco Youth Ranch in Fort Pierce for a special session on Middle School (YMS) volleyball team com- Nov. 30. They passed 33 resolutions on the agenda includ- pleted their season undefeated with a perfect ing: record (12-0). Resolution 22: Service agreement with Florida-Spec- The volleyball team was comprised of trum Environmental Services, Inc., to provide professional Tribal youth Jaide Micco, Trista Osceola, laboratory testing and analysis services for all Reservations Harley Johns, Acealyn Youngblood, Chey- and trust lands of the Seminole Tribe of Florida; enne Nunez, Airi Nunez, Delaney Osceola Resolution 24: Lease agreement between Pitney and Kirsten Doney. Bowes Global Financial Services, LLC., Pitney Bowes, “The girls have enthusiasm,” YMS vol- Inc., and Seminole Tribe of Florida Ahfachkee School; leyball coach Bruce Conrad said. Resolution 28: U.S. Foodservice Master Distribution The teammates wrapped up their sea- agreement to purchase, warehouse and distribute specifi ed son and held fundraisers, including a serve- food and non-food related products for Seminole Gaming; a-thon where each player was sponsored Resolution 29: Approval of agreement with Native for the number of serves made out of 100 American Construction, LLC, for utility improvements serves total. This event helped raise money to Harney Pond Road and Harney Canal Road - Brighton so they could attend the NCAA Champion- Seminole Indian Reservation; ship Tournament which was held in Tampa, Resolution 30: Approval of agreement with Seminole Dec. 17 and 19. Design-Build, Inc., for Billie Swamp Safari; ratifi cation of The Seminole Tribe of Florida was execution of the agreement; extremely supportive and generous and Resolution 35: Ha-Sho-Be Golf, LLC, new consult- provided the team with a sky box during ing agreement for purchase, development, construction, the tournament that was held in the Tampa fi nancing and/or management of a golf course; Bay Forum. The Tribe also chartered a bus Resolution 36: Issuance of revocable permit to Bill to make it easier for the team to travel to Rhodes Honey Co., LLC, for beehives - Big Cypress Semi- Tampa for the exciting event. Rachel Buxton nole Indian Reservation; and, “I can’t thank them enough,” Coach Resolution 37: Issuance of revocable permit to Benoit Conrad said about the Seminole Tribe of Yearling Middle School Tribal youth volleyball players (L-R) Acealyn Youngblood, Kirsten Doney, Delaney Osceola, Airi Nunez, Cheyenne Grenier for beehives - Brighton Seminole Indian Reserva- Florida. Nunez, Jaide Micco and Trista Osceola. Harley Johns is not pictured. tion. COMMUNITY: A EDUCATION: B INSIDE: Health ............... 4B 4A SPORTS: C ANNOUNCEMENTS: D Juanita Osceola Center in Naples Hires New Staff 2A • The Seminole Tribune • December 25, 2009 TRIKE THANKS From page 1A From page 1A Though the Brighton Reservation took No senior get-together home the biggest honor of the day, the Tam- would be complete without their pa Reservation took home the most team favorite pastime of Bingo. Play- trophies. Tampa, which brought along fi ve ing from six to eight cards each female seniors to this annual event, won for round, the players stayed busy best decorated trike and most participants stamping numbers and visiting based on reservation size. The fi ve compet- with friends. Laughter fi lled the ing seniors in Tampa represented 50 percent room as the caller occasionally of the community’s total senior population. slipped in an odd number just “Tampa doesn’t have too many people, to see if they were paying atten- but they’re always active,” said Andrew tion. Bowers Jr., Brighton Tribal Council Rep. The players had to stay on The event began with Seminole Fitness their toes as they attempted to be Department Trainer for the Hollywood Res- the fi rst one to achieve some dif- ervation “Jay” Garland leading the seniors fi cult combinations. Gift cards in a series of stretches before the races be- were awarded to the fi ve win- gan. ners as follows: Double Regular: “You guys have a great day and trike it Nancy Motlow, Double Postage out,” Garland said to the seniors. Stamp: Nancy Motlow, Crazy Following the warm-up and Trike Fest Letter “T”: Linda Frank, Doo- Judy Weeks Fashion Show, the event’s fi ve races, the Dad: Pete Aguilar, Full Monty: (L-R) Immokalee Tribal Council Liaison Elaine Aguilar and Syl- cone weave, the double fi gure-8, the maze, Nancy Motlow. via Marrero count their blessings. the ball toss and the team relays, began. Between rounds of Bingo, Mable Tichenor, a Tribal senior from raffl e ticket numbers were called Health and Nutrition Rep. Charlotte Por- the Brighton Reservation, was highly con- and the winners received tokens to play caro said. “The best way to combat this age fi dent in Brighton’s performance after the Plinko. Players held their breath as the chips old problem is to set aside time each day to races concluded. made their way through the maze and into walk.