Obituary - Samuel Willie Mitchell, Age 88

Samuel Willie Mitchell knew the value of a hard day's work and the simple joy of a life well-lived. Born in Cragford, Alabama, on June 8, 1938, Samuel carried the lessons of his upbringing throughout his life. He often spoke to his family about the old days, reflecting on the challenges of his youth with the perspective of a man who had truly seen it all.

He was a person who did not tolerate excuses. His philosophy was simple and uncompromising, a phrase he repeated often to encourage those around him: "I don't want to hear the word can't, because can't never could do nothing."

For twenty-six years, Samuel applied that grit to his work at Mitchell's Septic Service. He was a self-employed businessman, a provider who took pride in his trade until he retired in 2009. When he wasn't working, you could usually find him outdoors. He loved the quiet focus of fishing and hunting, or the communal joy of camping at River Ranch. Above all, he cherished time spent with his friends and family.

His greatest legacy is his seventy-year marriage to his wife, Johnnie Clarice Bell. They built a life together in Clewiston, Florida, rooted in generosity and deep faith. As a devoted Baptist, Samuel found strength in his belief in the resurrection, and he was known to everyone who knew him as a truly generous soul.

He leaves behind a family who will carry his stories forward: his children, Paul Mitchell of Clewiston, Ronnie Mitchell of Clewiston, and Tammie Mitchell Green of Clewiston; his sister, Diane Byars; six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is gone, but the lessons he taught about hard work, faith, and the refusal to let "can't" stop progress will remain with those who loved him.

LaBelle Dog Park Closed For Maintenance

Hendry LaBelle Dog Park Closed for Maintenance

(September 11, 2026) – Please be advised that the Hendry LaBelle Dog Park is currently closed while crews perform maintenance.

Additional notice will be provided when the park is reopened to the public.

Residents with questions regarding the park are asked to call Hendry-LaBelle Recreation at 863-675-5347.

FCC Threatens Kimmel - Talarico Hits Hard On Opponent

Jimmy Kimmel Forced to Move James Talarico Interview to YouTube Following FCC Threats

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing war between late-night television and federal regulators, Jimmy Kimmel bypassed traditional broadcast airwaves on Thursday night, moving his high-profile interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico exclusively to YouTube.

During the interview Talarico pointed out apparent corruption by his political opponent.

The unprecedented decision, announced during Wednesday's monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, comes amid what Kimmel described as direct regulatory pressure and censorship threats from President Donald Trump’s administration and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Kimmel pulled the interview from ABC's televised lineup to shield local broadcast affiliates, particularly those in the politically volatile state of Texas, from potential federal retaliation.

Kimmel highlighted a shift in policy, noting that while he has interviewed political figures from all parties for over two decades, the current administration's FCC has issued threats over traditional editorial decisions. 

By moving the segment to the Jimmy Kimmel Live! YouTube Channel, the show avoided FCC jurisdiction, which does not cover internet streaming.

This friction stems from FCC enforcement under Chairman Brendan Carr regarding strict "equal time" political regulations, creating a chilling effect that previously affected The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as well. The conflict has led to local station boycotts and a lawsuit by Disney against the FCC. Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle rejected Kimmel's assertions as a false narrative.

During the digital broadcast, Talarico, running against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, argued that the broadcast restriction attempts to suppress his campaign against a corrupt political system. Talarico criticized the blockade as dangerous political censorship and used the platform to focus on economic issues like the cost of living.

Delia Herrera Martinez Dies At 68

Delia Herrera Martinez was a woman of singular purpose and profound heart. Born on February 28, 1958, she walked through this life leaving the imprint of her care upon everything she touched.

Her legacy is written in the meticulous details she poured into her home and her family. Delia was a woman of strength, holding a will as steady as her devotion. She loved deeply and without reservation, and she carried a steadfast belief in God that guided her path. For forty-nine years, she walked alongside her husband, Gumaro Martinez Sr., building a life in Clewiston that was centered entirely on the people she held most dear.

She leaves behind a family that carries the echoes of her love. She is survived by her husband, Gumaro Martinez Sr., and her sons, Greg Martinez and Gumaro Martinez Jr., along with her daughters-in-law, Melisa Martinez and Marisela Martinez. She found her greatest joy in her seven grandchildren, Greg, Izac, Third, Goel, Gelisa, Gisela, and Israel.

Her memory remains cherished by her brother, Domingo Herrera, and her sisters, Olga Garcia, Melida Lopez, Corina Rodriguez, and Angelita Gomez. She has now been reunited with her sister, Juana Hernandez, who preceded her in death.

May she rest in the peace of the Lord, knowing her life was a testament to love and faithful service.

A Lodge Called Folkestone by Bob Kranich

A Lodge Called Folkestone

The Dream, The Challenge, The People
 by Bob Kranich

(Excerpt 27)

Now we’re off to England, Wales, and Scotland with my good army buddy, Ed Clement.

England, Wales, and Scotland

When June arrived, we drove across country from Rochester to Chicago. We left our vehicle at Ed’s dad’s car lot, and had his brother drop us four off at the Chicago O'Hara airport. It was a non-stop flight to Frankfort, Germany. We arrived at the airport and unloaded. We were sent to an elevator, and when the elevator door opened, they threw our luggage out. No fancy carousels like today. After going through customs, we went and exchanged American dollars for German money.

Regarding our luggage, we were traveling very light. We each had sleeping bags which had shoulder straps attached to the stuff sacks. These were wore on our shoulders like backpacks. There were four small pannier saddle bags, one for each of us which had handles. In addition, we also had brought two small backpack tents.

We found a bus, and got on it heading towards the main downtown of Frankfurt. Ed wanted to find a motorcycle shop so he could initiate his plan to buy some motorbikes. He wanted to travel on the Rhine River bike path. If we could find motorbikes with small enough engines, we would be allowed to ride both without required driver’s licenses, and on the bike path.

While we were driving on the bus, Ed said that we needed to get directions to a motorcycle shop. None of us could speak German, and Irene who was fluent in Spanish, found a man who could speak Spanish and German. This man found a German person who knew where we would find a motorcycle shop. The German man told Irene in Spanish who translated to us in English. What an international event!

The bike path along the Rhine River was great, and what beautiful scenery with castles along the sides, and even on islands in the center of the river. Those on the islands were castles built by river barons in ancient history. They charged a fee for boats going both ways on the river. If you didn’t pay, you didn’t pass.

We stayed at “pensions”, which is another name for bed and breakfasts, every evening. We had to be careful on the roads because of the slower speed of the motorbikes. In France, we came upon the remains of Second World War military bunkers along the side of the road. We finally made it to Calais. We bought our tickets, and loaded both us and our motorbikes on the ferry.

The Channel crossing was memorable. It was so impressive when we viewed looming up ahead, the white chalk Cliffs of Dover. Back on the road, we were in dangerous company. The road was a main artery, and next to the big trucks and the speeding cars, we were incremental nothings.

When we got to London, Irene and I decided that we wanted to tour the entire United Kingdom, and it would take a car. We found a car lot, and for $300 dollars American money, a Scottish salesman sold us a Morris Mini. We then left our motorbikes with Ed’s wife’s parents. That evening we took a bus to the car lot and picked up our vehicle.

We got the car in the evening because in England you drive on the left side of the road, and we wanted to practice without much traffic around. Talk about a shock. Every time you make a turn, you must end up on the left side. One side note is that when you are a pedestrian, you must be very careful to look both ways before crossing, or just stepping out. You might look the wrong way first. We got our practice in, and the next day headed out on our tour of England, Wales, and Scotland.

We had about 6 weeks, and we were to meet Ed and his wife at her brother’s house in Edinburgh, Scotland.

We started stopping at every castle. I found it so interesting. I am of the age of Prince Valiant in the newspaper comics. However, there are so many castles in England that we finally had to just pass them by, do other things, and get on with our travels and adventures. You might say, we were castled out!

In England, we stayed at bed and breakfast locations. Occasionally, we visited state or government parks, and put up the small backpack tent I had brought. Since we had thought Ed’s wife was going to be our tour guide, we had not done any prior research on places to visit. But now we were on our own, and had to rely on brochures and any map we might find as we traveled about. That is how we stumbled upon “Hadrian’s Wall.”

Just before we got into Wales, which is across the border from England, we came upon the Wall. It seems that the Romans could not subdue the wild Scottish clansmen, so they built a wall at a narrow place between the North Sea and the Irish Sea. Hadrian’s Wall was begun in 122 AD, built under the guidance of three Roman legions. It took about six years to complete the basic wall. The wall was composed of a stone base and wall filled with earth. The wall measured from eight to ten feet wide, and from eleven to twenty feet high. There were observation turrets and forts scattered along the wall. Many of the forts had cavalry that could move quickly to other locations as needed. Today, many places are reconstructed and preserved. There is a hiking path for tourists.

We then went into Wales. One day we were traveling on a road that had a great view down into some grazing fields. We stopped to look. Below us, we saw three horsemen. They were giving commands by whistling to black and white Welsh sheepdogs, who in turn were herding a large flock of sheep. It was fascinating to watch.

From the Author:

“The Lodge Called Folkestone”. You may wonder why the first half of the book is about my many adventures throughout the USA. Well, this first part explains just why my interests changed from hot rodding cars to backpacking. How the idea of a lodge came about, and just how the lodge came to be in North Carolina and next to the Smoky Mountain National Park, Deep Campground to be exact.