Thanksgiving Holiday in Immokalee

By Judy Weeks

IMMOKALEE — The Immokalee Seminole community looks forward to the Thanksgiving holiday each year when they set aside time to count their blessings and reflect on the many achievements of the previous year. Thanksgiving is a time for strengthening family ties and renewing friendships as everyone takes time out of their busy lifestyle to relax and enjoy a bountiful dinner together.

Immokalee Preschool

The Immokalee Preschool students and their parents gathered at the Senior Center on the evening of Nov. 8 for their annual Thanksgiving Dinner. The hall had been decorated for the occasion in fall colors with traditional designs, characters and symbols of the seasonal harvest.

The lavish buffet included both turkey and ham prepared by the Preschool staff. This was accompanied by generous side dishes contributed by the parents, who had made allowances for a kid-friendly menu to satisfy all age groups.

Seminole Preschool Director Leona Tommie Williams remarked: “Although Immokalee is a small community with a limited number of preschoolers, the families are very supportive of their children, as evidenced by this evening’s turnout. Your commitment to these youngsters helps to lay the foundation for the future of the Seminole Tribe.”

Speaking on behalf of her staff, Preschool Manager Michelle Ford said: “We are all so busy throughout the year that we often neglect to acknowledge the differences that others make in our lives. A great deal of our daily routine involves teaching your children and we appreciate your support. Your added effort, contributions to projects, field trips and willing participation make our jobs much easier. We are grateful for everything you do.”

Immokalee Seniors

Nov. 14 was a great day for the Immokalee seniors when they were joined by their friends from the Brighton and Trail reservations for a Thanksgiving party. An unfortunate conflict in scheduling prevented Big Cypress from joining them; however, they were included in everyone’s thoughts.

Site Manager Gail Greer remarked: “We had over 50 participants and it was a blast. The seniors always have a great time when they get to socialize and renew old friendships and catch up on the current gossip.”

Tablecloths and centerpieces carried a fall harvest theme that was complemented by festive wall hangings and a beautiful Thanksgiving cake. Individual Cornish hens were served with a fresh salad, tasty vegetables and dressing. Fry bread and sofkee gave a traditional flare to the meal.

The Recreation Department assisted in organizing a Bingo tournament with the following results: Regular Bingo: Ahnee Osceola; Double Bingo: Elaine Aguilar and Alice Snow; Double Postage Stamp: Rachel Billie; and Full Card: Nancy Motlow.

Drawings were conducted throughout the party for door prizes and the winners were: Alice Snow, Nancy Motlow, Agnes Cypress, Rosie Billie, Tony Sanchez and Delores Jumper.

4-H Thanksgiving

The 4-H program is built around the concepts of agriculture, domestic activities and family life. The first Thanksgiving was created to give thanks to the Creator and recognize the contributions of friends and neighbors who were willing to share to achieve these goals of survival.

Teaching youngsters responsibility as they successfully grow crops, raise livestock, cook, sew and provide a good home in which to raise their families is the foundation of most cultures all over the world. Thanksgiving can certainly be perceived as a 4-H holiday.

In the true Thanksgiving tradition, Immokalee 4-H’ers and their families each brought a portion of the buffet that was served in the Gym on the evening of Nov. 20. Like the Native Americans and pilgrims who initiated that first Thanksgiving, the participants offered thanks for the blessings of the year and shared with their companions.

Immokalee Community Thanksgiving

White tables and chairs draped in autumn colors with a scattering of fall leaves, berries and shafts of grain awaited the members of the Immokalee community as they entered the Gym on Nov. 19 to celebrate Thanksgiving together.

Immokalee Tribal Council Liaison Elaine Aguilar had provided each table with a delicious centerpiece comprised of fresh fruits, which had been carved in the shapes of flowers, leaves and stars. Accenting the bouquets were fresh roses and chocolate dipped strawberries. Both young and old found it difficult to resist the temptation of sampling pieces of the mock floral arrangements.

Reflecting on the spiritual aspects of the celebration, the gathering became silent for several moments and then listened intently to the blessing offered by Mary Sanchez.

Immokalee Board Liaison Delores Jumper and her assistant, Edward Aguilar, provided a delicious dinner with all the traditional favorites of the holiday. The Culture Department supplied both pumpkin and plain fry bread for the occasion and huge slices of pumpkin, pecan and apple pie completed the meal. Door prizes were also raffled at the end of the evening.