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HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Hello, everyone! We sincerely hope that 2019 has gotten off to a healthy, happy, and prosperous start. We are so excited about this new year and all of its possibilities. We have big plans in store for SISCA, but before we discuss our plans for the future, we’d like to quickly bring you all up-to-date on what’s happened since our last newsletter. If you haven’t had a chance to read our last newsletter, here is a link:  September 2018 September was a busy month for us. Along with planning for and celebrating Seminole Days, we also had a membership vote that we were completing. As many of you know, in June of 2018, we made an agreement with Lee Young and the Absentee Seminole Tribe of Texas to have our active members vote on what they wanted to happen to the entrance of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery. The vote consisted of three proposals. Two were designs submitted by Lee Young, and the third design was SISCA's proposal. Originally, the vote was supposed to be counted by September 28, 2018, but because of several unforeseen circumstances and because of Seminole Days, we didn't tally the vote until October 5, 2018. October 2018 On October 5, 2018, the votes were tallied by the Kinney County Judge's secretary Yvette Garcia. Of the 41 votes that were received before the September 28 deadline, all the votes were unanimous for SISCA's proposal, which was to return the entrance to its original design. Of the 14 votes received after the deadline, 13 voted for the original entrance as well. SISCA informed the Conoly family and Lee Young about the results via email on October 5. November 2018 On November 12, 2018, SISCA was cc'd on a letter that David Conoly wrote to Lee Young stating that the Conoly family feels that SISCA has fulfilled our side of the agreement made on June 4 and that the community has spoken with a vote that clearly indicates that most active SISCA members are in favor of the entrance being returned to its original design. On November 13, 2018, Lee Young responded to David Conoly's letter. In this letter, he accepts the outcome of the vote and agrees to restore the entrance to its former appearance. In addition, he states that the Absentee Seminole Tribe had discontinue its plans regarding further improvements and modifications to the cemetery. He also mentions that the article in the ASTT's constitution which stated their jurisdiction was the Carver School Grounds and the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery was removed on September 14, 2018. Currently, the ASTT has removed the rock from the poles but has not yet reattached the gate or addressed the issue of the cement pad the rocks were on, which sticks up above ground level and is dangerous. SISCA is looking forward to the completion of the restoration so that we can begin our own plans to renovate the entrance by cleaning and painting and giving it some TLC. Also on November 9, several SISCA members traveled to Castroville, Texas (just outside of San Antonio) to attend Field Trip Day. Check out some of the photo from the event below December 2018 December proved to be a very fun and productive month for SISCA. We had a very special meeting on December 1st. This meeting served as our Thanksgiving/Christmas celebration. Several members arrived with special dishes they had prepared, and many were delighted by the Christmas tree and decorations that greeted them. (Special thank you to Mary and Al Nofi for decorating the school.) And a few days later, we had the opportunity to visit with a curator from the Smithsonian and a writer who is completing her book about John Horse. A Special Message From Augusta Pines, President of SISCA The Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association would like to say “thank you” for another successful year. As you all know we had some tough things that occurred in this past year — the lawsuit (that was dropped) and the cemetery entrance project (which is being restored). Now , we’re in the healing process, and going forward, there is so much we’d like to accomplish. We are looking forward to Juneteenth (Saturday, June 15, 2019) and Seminole Days (Friday, September 20 - Sunday, September 22, 2019). As many of you may recall, our Seminole Days 2018 flourished in spite of the bad weather because of the hard work of so many who stepped up and volunteered to assist. And even though the weather was bad, we managed to work around it, thanks to everyone who came forward and helped wherever help was needed. I hope this willingness to help continues as we find new opportunities and challenges in the next year. As as an all volunteer organization, SISCA relies on the support of our family and friends to keep the organization moving forward. We need to continue to pull together. If we stay focused on this association, we will accomplish so much. Next Monthly Meeting - January 2019 Our next monthly meeting will take place on Saturday, January 19 at 1PM at the Carver School. We look forward to seeing you there. Membership Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew your membership. Or you can send us your check by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you!  We would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped us in 2018 and those who are on board to help in 2019. Your time and dedication mean so much to us.
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September 2024
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