Inside... - The Immokalee Foundation

Vol. 44 No. 4
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Inside...
Take
Stock in
Children
photos
... Pages
5 and 8
Special to the Immokalee Bulletin/Immokalee Foundation
Cowboy
Poet
...Page 8
The Board of Directors of the Immokalee Foundation joined with mentors, program supporters, proud parents and others on
January 24, at the Bethel Assembly of God in Immokalee to induct this year’s students into the Take Stock in Children Program.
Thirty-two Immokalee students were named with each student earning a place and an opportunity to excel through education.
Firefighters to collect
for MDA at intersections
Fundraising drive
set for Feb. 4 - 6
See Page 2 for information about
how to contact the newspaper.
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Local firefighters will be out
in force on the first weekend in
February asking for your help!
Firefighters will participate in
their “MDA - Fill the Boot Campaign very soon and collections
are scheduled to take place on
the Friday, Feb. 4, from 8:3010:30 a.m. and 2:30-6:30 p.m.,
and from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5 and Sunday, Feb.
6, at the intersections of Main St
and 1st Street and Lake Trafford
and S.R. 29. Look for the local
Fire Trucks at the intersections
and help out the MDA!
s collected $9,000 during
their ‘Fill the Boot’ campaign,
with local firefighters appearing this past September on the
annual Labor Day Telethon to
personally deliver their check to
the MDA. Their goal in 2011 is
$10,000.
For more information on any
of MDA’s programs or events
please contact the local MDA
District Office at 239-437-6900
or
ftmyersdistrict@mdausa.
org.
Take Stock in Children
program inducts
Immokalee students
The Immokalee Foundation
continued its mission to provide
sustained educational opportunities for Immokalee’s youth with
the induction of 32 middle and
high school students into the Take
Stock in Children Immokalee college scholarship and mentoring
program.
John Costigan, chairperson of
the Immokalee foundation greeted
students to be inducted into the
program with encouragement and
congratulations.
“Your induction will have a significant effect on education opportunities and will come with many
challenges,” stated Costigan.
Presenters at the induction ceremony included former graduates
of the program now either moving
onto higher education with scholarships or who are already enjoying the benefits of their successes
in the program.
“Getting the most out of Take
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See TSIC — Page 2
2
Immokalee Bulletin
TSIC
Continued From Page 1
Stock in Children” was the topic for presenters, Maria Plata, a senior at Immokalee High
School and an early admission student at
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). She is
studying Public Relations. Marisela Mendoza
Aguilar, a former graduate of the program
also spoke to new inductees about their upcoming journey. She is a freshman student
at FGCU majoring in Elementary Education.
Inductions of the 2011 inductees were
made by Chairperson Costigan, Liz Albrit-
ten, executive director of the Immokalee
Foundation and Dr. Cynthia Janssen of the
Immokalee Foundation Board of Directors.
The seventh, eighth and ninth grade students at Immokalee Middle and Immokalee
High schools pledged at the ceremony to
remain drug and crime-free, meet regularly
with a mentor and maintain good grades
throughout middle and high school. Their
reward for fulfilling that commitment will be
a four-year scholarship to any Florida state
college, university or vocational school. The
Immokalee Foundation supports and operates the Take Stock in Children program in
Immokalee.
Special to the Immokalee Bulletin/Immokalee Foundation
John Costigan, chairperson of the Immokalee Foundation, Liz Albritten, executive director of The Immokalee Foundation and 2010 Take Stock in Children
Program inductee and Immokalee Middle School eighth grade student, Destiny
Perez celebrate as 32 of Destiny’s classmates join her in the program.
Public Meetings
• The Collier County Board of County Commissioners will meet Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 9 a.m. in the Board of
County Commissioners chambers, third floor, Collier
County Government Center, 3299 Tamiami Trail East,
Naples.
• Hearings of the Collier County Value Adjustment
Board Special Magistrate will be held Monday, Jan. 31, at
9 a.m. in the VAB Hearing Room, Suite 419, Fourth Floor,
Collier County Government Center, 3299 Tamiami Trail
East, Naples.
Published by
• The Environmental Advisory Council will hold a
public meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 9 a.m. at the
Board of County Commissioners chambers, third floor,
Collier County Government Center, 3299 Tamiami Trail
East, Naples.
• The Collier County Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Hearing will be held on Friday, Feb. 4, at 9 a.m.
in the Board of County Commissioners chambers, third
floor, Collier County Government Center, 3299 Tamiami
Trail East, Naples.
County community foundation
continues assistance programs
By Rick Heers
Special to the Immokalee Bulletin
The Immokalee Community was again
blessed by the continued benevolence and
direction of the CFCC under the direction
of its new CEO, Colleen Murphy, thanks
to the generosity of Lowry Hill, Private Asset Management of Naples. Together they
brought to Immokalee, Dr. Don Pemberton of the University of Florida who spoke
to many Immokalee and Naples individuals
at the iTECH Center on the wonderful programs that are working among the families
in Immokalee. Dr. Pemberton, through the
Lastinger Group has been studying lower
economic areas in the state and has been
working to use business resources to continue to assist those living and working with
children and families.
In his presentation he commended the
positive enterprising activities of such groups
as the Naples Children’s Education Foundation, the Community Foundation of Collier
County, and the Immokalee Foundation as
they continue to serve the underprivileged
and under-served population of rural Collier County. The group enjoyed special foods
prepared by the Culinary Arts division of the
iTECH and took advantage of a tour of this
state of the art post-high school education
facility that is one of 46 in the state, and is the
most recent, and has some of the most advanced technical and service-oriented training services in the state.
Special to the Immokalee Bulletin/Rick Heers
Dr. Don Pemberton commended the
Collier County Community Foundation for its continued work in providing resources for communities such
as Immokalee assisting working families with children. Dr. Pemberton of the
University of Florida, spoke with the
group about his studies on areas with
lower economics in the state and how
communty efforts can help.
Family Literacy Carnival set
“Out of this World with Space Exploration” Saturday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at
Immokalee Middle School in the plaza and cafeteria.
Your entire family is invited to the Immokalee Community Fam-ily Literacy Carnival!
Our day will be “Out of this World” as we focus on science and space exploration! There
will be free books for each family, fun family stations like rocket launching, Star Lab,
make-your-own space slime, crater creator, healthy snack making, space food tasting,
laptop computer games, make your own bookmark, planet bouncers, math ball toss,
and more! Various Immokalee schools, student and community organizations and local businesses will be present as well. There will be food, music, performances, and a
chance to try out some great ways to incorporate more reading, science, and math into
your family activities! All ages welcome!
Can’t wait to see you there! Questions? Call Ms. Courtney Cassidy at 239-377-4238.
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News Editor: Patty Brant
Community News Editor: Dee Hamilton
Advertising Services Coordinator: Dale Conyers
Advertising Services: Barbara Calfee
Publisher: Tom Byrd
Executive Editor: Katrina Elsken
• To operate this newspaper as a public trust
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live and work, through our dedication to conscientious journalism.
• To provide the information citizens need to make
their own intelligent decisions about public
issues.
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debate, not to dominate it with our own opinions.
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• To correct our errors and to give each correction
the prominence it deserves.
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about.
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compassion.
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January 27, 2011
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The Immokalee Bulletin is published by Independent
Newspapers of Florida. Independent is owned by a unique
trust that enables this newspaper to pursue a mission of
journalistic service to the citizens of the community.
Since no dividends are paid, the company is able to thrive
on profit margins below industry standards. All after-tax
surpluses are reinvested in Independent’s mission of journalistic service, commitment to the ideals of the First
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and support of the
community’s deliberation of public issues.
Immokalee Bulletin
January 27, 2011
Letters to the Editor
Thank you for your support!
The Immokalee Foundation Board of Directors would like to extend a special thank
you to the following individuals for generously supporting our Immokalee Foundation children by purchasing TSIC Scholarships at the 2010 Charity Classic Fund A
Dream™. If it were not for the compassion
of these individuals, our children would not
have the opportunity to be inducted this
evening. We are deeply grateful and continue to be inspired by their on-going commitment to The Immokalee Foundation.
Nancy Carlin, John and Emily Costigan, Bill
and Sue Dalton, Tom and Sandy Doyle, Amy
Weather Forecast
Gravina, Don and Mosey Gunther, Burt and
Marissa Hartington, John and Kate Henry,
Kevin and Jenna Johnson, Donna Kletjian,
Mac and Sonia McDonald, Richard Miller
and Jan Eveleigh, Becky Moore, Peter and
Kaye Negri, Don and Ellen O’Neill, Bill and
Wilma Paterson, Don and Peggy Redlinger,
Tom and Sue Robertson, John Rosenberg,
Larry and Betty Settle, Melinda Steel, Dick
and Marie Stonesifer, Noel Tichy and Patty
Stacey, Bill and Julia Van Domelen, Joe and
Dee Zednik.
The Immokalee Foundation
Take Stock in Children Program
Sun N Fun opens for Winter Season
Sun-N-Fun Lagoon will be open weekends 10 a.m.-5 p.m., February-May Come
to Sun-N-Fun Lagoon to celebrate Championship Weekend! Wear your favorite NFL
team shirt on Saturday, Feb. 5 and Sunday
Feb. 6 and get in for only $8 for those 48”
and over and $4.50 for those under 48”.
From February through May, we invite you
to visit Sun-N-Fun Lagoon located inside
North Collier Regional Park. The park will
also be open during the week of Collier
County Public School’s Spring Break, 10
a.m. to 5 p.m., March 21 through March 28
in addition to the normal weekend hours.
Sun-N-Fun Lagoon Water Park
Facility Attractions:
•One waterslide drops into Sunny’s
Lazy River
•Five water slides take you to a drop
pool
•Heated family pool
•Tadpole Pool, a children’s activity wading water area with a fish slide and more
•Turtle Cove, a pool for ages 5 - 12 years
old with lily pads and ropes for climbing
•Sunny’s Lazy River, 1200 feet long
•All pools except Tadpole wading area
are heated
The park is offering a special discount
this year to Collier County residents with
a Florida Driver’s License. With a Florida
Driver’s License showing a Collier County
address, you and your party will receive $2
off any 48 inch or taller entry, normally $12.
Children three and under enter free and
those shorter than 48 inches are just $5.50.
Add sales tax to all fees listed above.
Group rates, seasonal passes and party
packages are also available. Call 239-2524073.
For more information about Sun-NFun Lagoon or other public pool facilities,
please visit the Parks and Recreation Department online at www.collierparks.com.
The public may call Sun-N-Fun Lagoon at
239-252-4021.
News in Brief
Register for Little League
Lions Club offers
free eye testing
Immokalee Little League is currently holding registrations for this upcoming baseball/
Immokalee Lions Club will offer free eye
softball season. Space is limited, so register
early, as we will operate on a first come, first screening tests for adults and children on
serve basis and there may be a penalty for Sunday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
late registrations after Feb. 15.
Registration closes promptly at 12:30 p.m.
and the screenings will be held at the iTECH
Free Baseball Clinic
Center, 508 Ninth Street, Immokalee.
The Minnesota Twins will be visiting
Immokalee Little League on Feb. 5, from 2-4
p.m., please come out ready to learn, improve or share unique baseball skills. This is
a free event and all are welcomed. For more
information please call Juan Garcia at 239634-2407, Hector Ramos at 239-564-9645, or
Publish it yourself! 100 words
Terrie Aviles at 239-503-5569.
Resource and Education
Fair date set
The Immokalee Education and Resource
Fair will be held at the I-Tech Center this
coming Feb. 12, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Over 35 local, State, and Federal agencies
and organizations are scheduled to participate.
3
Weather forecast for Collier County from
the National Weather Service
Local Forecast
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high
near 70. Calm wind becoming northwest
between 5 and 8 mph.
Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low
around 42. Northwest wind around 6 mph.
Extended Forecast
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
North wind around 7 mph.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low
around 42. Light north wind.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near
74.
Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low
around 47. Sunday: Sunny, with a high
near 75.
Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low
around 49.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Everglades Seafood Fest set to start
Imagine 50,000 people in a town with a
permanent population of 500. That’s what
happens during the first weekend in February when Everglades City holds its Seafood
Festival.
Visitors come from all over Florida and
beyond to sample the food and listen to top
Country Music groups entertain on the big
stage in front of City Hall. The streets are
cordoned off so that walkers can stroll past
hundreds of craft booths and enjoy their
meals at picnic tables under shade-giving
tents. For the kiddies (and those youngat-heart) there are the carnival rides and
games you’d expect at a country fair.
Everglades City, on the fringes of the Ten
Thousand Islands in Southwest Florida, is
known as the “stone crab capital” for its
harvest of these delicious delicacies. The
Free program helps
smokers quit the habit
Free program for all those smokers
who want to make this their LAST New
Years resolution to stop smoking. The
Quit Smoking Now program will assist
you in learning about your dependence
to Nicotine in a Positive, Supportive, Nonjudgmental environment. Participants
may also receive Free NRT (patches,
gum, and lozenges) to assist them in the
process of becoming tobacco free. Space
is limited so call today and register for
the upcoming groups. For more information or to register call Eliseo Rangel at
239.989.9809.
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City was settled in the 1880s and was once
the seat of Collier County, as evidenced
by the majestic old Courthouse building
which is now Everglades City Hall. When
the population density shifted to Naples,
the little remote town returned to its selfsufficient roots.
In 1970 residents held the first Seafood
Festival to pay for playground equipment in
the city park, named after long-time mayor
Daniel W. McLeod.
The goal is still to raise funds for local
good causes and scholarships. A 501(c)
(3) not-for-profit organization called the
Betterment Association of the Everglades
Area, Inc., runs the Festival.
For more info, see: www.evergladesseafoodfestival.com or phone 239-695-4100.
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Immokalee Bulletin
January 27, 2011
5
Immokalee Foundation Take Stock in Children 2010 Inductees
“We are happy for you and for your families, and proud of what
you have accomplished to arrive at this day. We look forward to
many more celebrations in your lives as you travel down your
pathways to success.” -John Costigan-chairperson Immokalee
Foundation
Adrian Salas
Grade 7 IMS
Alejandro
Arreguin Gr 8
Amos Francois
Grd 7 IMS
Adan Hernandez
Grade 8 IMS
Adaysha
Chambers - Grd 7
Adilene
Guadarrama Gr 7
Ana Martinez
Grade 7 IMS
Adreana Herrera
Grade 7 IMS
Angelina Perez
Grade 7 IMS
Araceli Soriano
Grade 7 IMS
David Francisco
Grade 7 IMS
Destiny Perez
Grade 8
Eric Garcia
Grade 7 IMS
Horace Means
Grade 7 IMS
Amy Montez
Grade 7 IMS
Bianca Juarez
Grade 7 IMS
Charity Gonzalez
Grade 8 IMS
Charlene Baez
Grade 8 IMS
Christopher Ortiz
Grade 8 IMS
Jenasia Gourdet
Grade 7 IMS
Johnathan Garza
Grade 7 IMS
Jojouna Pierre
Grade 7 IMS
Jordan Rios
Grade 7 IMS
Letitia Martinez
Grade 7 IMS
Manuel Calabrese Mariana Galvan
Grade 9 IHS
Grade 7 IMS
Melissa Alcime
Grade 7 IMS
Miranda Herrera
Grade 7 IMS
Osbaldo Matias
Grade 7 IMS
Abraham Herrera
Grade 7 IMS
Marycruz
Mendoza Gr 7
Sandra Andres
Grade 7 IMS
8
Immokalee Bulletin
January 27, 2011
Cowboy poet has natural talent
By Patty Brant
Immokalee Bulletin
Writing comes from the heart, from the
soul. It’s art that transcends the differences
in people and can bring them together, from
kings to cowboys.
One Immokalee cowboy has the soul
of a writer. Huey Howard has been writing
since 1976 and just self published a book of
poetry called Child of Light, A Collection of
Poems.
At 15, he felt called to put down his
thoughts and feelings in paper and ink. His
own musings on life and the stories of people’s lives supply him with unending material, he said. People are a lifelong fascination
for Huey.
Born in Fort Myers in 1958, Huey graduated from Immokalee High School in 1976.
Huey’s mother was a writer as well and
he credits her with awakening the writer in
him. She never published anything but always wrote from the heart, he said. Huey
went with her to her editor and soaked up
everything he could from listening to those
meetings. He observed, gathering knowledge and information for his own future
writings.
He also learned the importance of writing the truth as he sees it, but never in a
hurtful way. That was one of his mother’s
big lessons, he said. You can write the truth
without ugliness, she taught him.
She died when Huey was just 15, leaving
behind several books she wrote, which are
now in the care of his sister.
Huey’s first book was published by Xlibris
and may be found at Barnes & Nobles and
Amazon. com, both in softback and ebook
form.
Poetry comes natural to him, he said, his
subjects include nature, love and human nature.
As a cowboy on his dad’s ranch, the
Howard Cattle Company at Keri in Hendry
County, Huey is surrounded by nature every
day.
“I’ve worked with cows all my life,” he
said. The family ranch claims about 1,000
head.
Nature is always there, surrounding him.
All he has to do is pay attention to what she’s
saying to him.
Huey said he has stacks of poems and
short stories in his collection. He is already
planning his next book. It will be a collection of short stories he has gleaned from his
own experience as well as observing other
people.
He said ideas just “pop into my head” as
Special to the Immokalee Bulletin/Immokalee Foundation
Taking Stock in Children
On the left is Marisela Mendoza-Aguilar, a Florida Gulf Coast student majoring in elementary education and a former graduate of the Immokalee Foundation Take Stock in Children Program student. She speaks to Foundation
members, educators, mentors, students and parents about the program and
how students can get the most from it. Maria Plata, a senior at Immokalee
High School and also an early admission student to college where she is
majoring in Public Relations also speaks to 32 newly inducted students to
the program telling them what the program has done for her and...what it can
do for them.
Special to the Immokalee Bulletin
Writer, cowboy, Huey Howard takes his
writing seriously and has published
his first book.
well as visions of the future he regards as a
gift.
Having no formal training in writing gives
Huey no cause for being reticent about writing. He writes from the heart, like his mother
- and hearts always speak to other hearts. He
knows that words are just the vehicles for
the really important things in life.