E-Mail to the Editor
Dear Editor,
It’s that time of year again for school bells, backpacks, and yellow buses. Most importantly, it’s a time when children are on our roads and sidewalks, eager to get to school. This is an exciting time for both children and parents, and we can all help to assure them a safe start to the school year.
Drivers need to be extra cautious now that summer has come to an end. Thousands of children will be waiting at school bus stops or walking and biking to school, often at dawn when it can be particularly hard to see them. Statistics show that one-fifth of all children age 14 and under who die in motor vehicle crashes are pedestrians. Many of these fatalities are children who run across the street, not paying attention to oncoming vehicles.
Children are at a disadvantage because they are less visible to motorists. Children are also less capable than adults of judging where and when it’s safe to cross the street and less likely to fully understand the consequences of their potential misjudgments. Motorists need to keep this in mind and pay extra attention so that we can keep the children safe, not only in these first few critical weeks, but throughout the entire school year.
AAA Auto Club South will be carrying out its annual “School’s Open–Drive Carefully” educational campaign throughout the months of August and September and AAA School Safety Patrol members will be on full alert at schools for dangerous situations. We ask that all motorists be on full alert too.
The best protection to avoid a fatal mistake is for drivers to slow down. Every mile per hour you reduce your speed allows for greater reaction time. This could be the difference between life and death for a child that unexpectedly darts across the street. And that child could be yours!
Whether it’s the beginning, middle, or end of the year, always remember, “School’s Open–Drive Carefully.”
Sincerely,
Sojeila Orengo
Manager of Traffic Safety Programs
AAA Auto Club South
Dear Editor,
Thank you so much for supporting Florida State University by allowing them to keep the Seminole name.
After learning about Osceola in elementary school, he became one of my heroes. Attached is a little song I wrote several years ago. I sent Bobby Bowden a copy two years ago and he wrote back saying how much he enjoyed reading it. I hope you enjoy it also!
Thanks again,
Edward Lee Johnson
“Seminole Hillbilly”
[Chant]
Hey ya Hey ya - Hey ya Hey ya
I’m just a proud young Seminole fan living in the Tennessee hills. I work hard for a living and I always pay my bills. Now the girls of Tennessee are beautiful and a lot of fun out on a date, but when it comes to football, I always root for Florida State
[Chant]
Everywhere I go I see orange and white - in the brightness of day and the darkness of night. And that’s fine with me if folks want to wear a big ole “T,“ but I’ll be bold and wear the garland and gold.
All my friends at work are Tennessee fans when the Vols are playing in Knoxville I can see them cheering in the stands; and I can spot them quite easily because they always paint their faces bright orange and wave a banner which says Tennessee; Then those clowns want to make fun of me and call me a “Seminole Hillbilly”!
[Chant]
The real Osceola has always been one of my heroes and his courage and his name lives on through the Florida State Seminoles. The chop and the chant may not be popular with everyone today, but the Seminole elders said, “Hey, its okay!”
Now I hope all of you fans know where I’m coming fro. Football’s a sport and it should be a lot of fun. So we’ll play and we’ll cheer and hopefully shake hands at the end of the year
[Chant]
I finally married my Tennessee girlfriend and now she’s my spouse. When she found out I wrote this song she sent me to the dog house. I said, “Move over Rover” but he wouldn’t let me in, seems my old hound dog and Smokey are some kind of kin. Oh! It ain’t easy being me for I’m a Seminole Fan Hillbilly.
[Chant]
Osceola Lives On!
Dear Editor,
My wife and I have just moved to Valrico, Fla. She now works for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, but would love to tour the Seminole Tribe areas. She wants to learn more about the American Indian called the Seminole Tribe.
Could you please let me know how we can go about seeing first hand how the Seminole Indians live and survive in their native culture.
Thank you,
Mr. & Mrs. Edward O’keeke
Dear O’keefe family,
The Big Cypress reservation is host to numerous opportunities to learn more about our Tribe. Please visit the following two websites to learn more: www.semtribe.com and www.ahtahthiki.com.
Sincerely,
Tina M. Osceola
Executive Director
Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
Dear Editor,
Could you tell me where to find a list of traditional Seminole names and their meanings?
Thanks,
Scott
Dear Scott,
You can find a list in “The Seminole Indians of Florida” by Clay MacCauley, published in late 1800s. It was republished by University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. If you have any other questions, please call our local library.