Q&A with the Python Huntress Amy Siewe: What does a 'road gift' mean for Florida hunters?
Note to readers: The News-Press and Naples Daily News recently caught up with Amy Siewe, famously known as the Python Huntress. Siewe gave a lecture at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel. We asked her questions about the invasive Burmese Python for this special video series.
More: Dancing with a python: Florida 'huntress' used quick moves to snag this squirrely snake
Today's question drills down on "python hunter lingo." During her presentation at Ding Darling, Siewe shared with the audience what a 'road gift' means for python hunters who are out trying to manage the population of the snake that is wreaking havoc with the South Florida ecosystem.
For the answer, watch the video at the top of this page.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Python hunter answers questions about Florida's invasive snake

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Do the right thing. Readers shared this and other advice to the class of 2025
As the Class of 2025 prepared to graduate, we asked readers: What advice would you give to your younger self if you were in the Class of 2025? Over 30 Naples Daily News readers shared their advice with us. Below are their submissions. Some entries have been edited for spelling. To the Graduating Class of 2025: Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone. As someone who recently moved to Naples and has spent years working as a graphic designer, I want to share something from the heart: the world needs your talent—but even more, it needs your purpose. Whatever path you choose — whether in medicine, art, technology, or education —remember this: you're not just working for a paycheck. You're working for people. Your actions, your ideas, and your effort can have a real impact on someone's life. I believe in the power of dreaming big — but not just for ourselves. Dream big for your community. Dream of ways to make the world more fair, more kind, more connected. The world changes when people like you decide that it can. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to care. Show up, listen, and use your skills to build, heal, and inspire. As a designer, I've learned that creativity isn't just about making things look good—it's about making life better for others. You can do that, too. Whatever your talent is, use it for good. The future isn't written yet. You are the ones who will design it, build it, and make it better. So go forward boldly — with open minds, big hearts, and the belief that you can make a difference. Because you absolutely can. — Andrea Descans Castro * Enjoy life embrace your parents through it all because when you are almost 40 and look back all the "small" things they did for you are the ones that mattered the most! Study Hard and achieve those goals so you won't be almost 40 and going to night classes. — Isela Aguilar * Hope you have started looking for a job. Remember to contact the alumni office. Many times there are posting by alumni for certain type of jobs they have available and you might qualify for. — Anina Bachrach * Enjoy. Stay safe, don't forget to be respectful. If you drive, don't drink. Thank your parents. — James Connor * Be yourself. Plain and simple. Do what you want to do. Set your mind to whatever and work hard to achieve that goal Don't listen to what others tell you to do Think big. Dream even bigger. You know yourself better than any else. Follow your heart and enjoy yourself! — Brian Roberts * Put the phone down and get to work. — Nancy Skelly * Congratulations Class of 2025. As you go forward in life, get older and gain life experiences, just remember to always do the right thing. It doesn't matter if it's in your world with family and friends, the business world or the larger picture of the entire world. Doing the right thing will bring you rewards, happiness and the best feelings when you show compassion, respect and courtesy to everyone you meet. This advice is not only for the human race, but for the animal race as well. Good Luck to all of you in your future and make a positive difference for the entire world to benefit from your actions. — Steven Lerman * Never forget that somebody out there needs you. When you get down or listen too much to the negative thoughts in your brain, get out of the house and do something good for someone else. It's easy to start making a difference — even a simple smile is a good place to start to change someone else's mood — and maybe even your own. — Darcy Eikenberg * Take your time with living in the present moment and do not overthink about the future. You have time in life, just manage and spend it well. Always strive for what you want the most, no matter what hindrances you may have. Keep going and do not give up! It will all be worth it in the long run. — Eileen Yearton * Open a Roth IRA, start contributing to it, even if it's only $10 a month to start. If you can afford a random late night McDonald's run, you can afford supporting your future self. Do the same buying bitcoin, even better if you can buy the bitcoin in that Roth IRA. — Jason LoRusso * My advice is timeless for all graduates ... use networking to leverage your contacts no matter what field of endeavor you choose to pursue. People in your network know people outside your network who may be able to help you in finding a job position/opening you never knew existed. Ask people in your network for referrals to aid in a targeted job search and ask for introductions. I guarantee this type of job search greatly raises your potential for success versus answering cold, generic job postings. Don't be afraid to talk to people in your chosen field who you know aren't hiring right now. They may be able to introduce you to someone in the field who has a current opening or at least keep you as a contact if future positions open up. Remember ... networking works! — John Boritzke * Pursue your passion! — James Westrick * The world is unlimited, and find value in what you choose in life. Be the best that you can be, education is found not only in books but in personal growth and experiences. Fear not mistakes, as we learn from all experience, and focus on going forward. Celebrate the smallest of wins, the blessing you are given, and rely on God for strength. Always know in life, you are never alone, friends, family and love will always be with you, wherever life leads you. The journey of life is short and the success of time here, is a small fragment of the world among us! — Jerelyn Clack * As you start your life journey there are four issues that you must understand, accept, and manage them as you will experience all of them. They are: adversity, failure, aging and death. Your first most critical decision is objectively balancing your aspirations with your abilities. aiming too high is as bad as aiming too low. Beyond that keep strong moral and financial discipline; avoid instant gratification and unwise leverage; and maintain respect for your family bonds. Your end objective should be to leave no scars on your legacy, friends or country. — Jerry Carson * Take some chances. — John Walker * Know the difference between Needs and Wants. — John Tepel * No matter how bad or tired you feel, show up! — Wayne Achey * If at all possible, get a college education preferably at a college in the northeast (I.e. NYC, NJ, MA, CT). This area has always outpaced the rest of the country in terms of opportunity and income. It's not too early to think about your career path. Not sure what your job interests and abilities are? Start networking now. And finally, when that first job opportunity comes along — take it! Job experience is invaluable going forward. Best of luck in your next journey. — Laurence Jones * Be responsive to the needs of everyone. — Vincent DiGiorno * Be confident in who you are. Believe that you can make a difference in the world and make the choice to do so. — Len Solcz * Be happy ... select choices that make you happy … nothing is written in stone, so changes will happen or can be made to happen. There are many steps in life you may go through. All we know is today. In your happiness, be kind, generous & loving. — Linda Gustafson Williams * There's an old story to always pay yourself when you get paid from your employer. Best to set aside $100 every month in a mutual fund. If you work for yourself the rule still applies. After 40 years you're going to have a nice chunk of change. — Laurence Jacks * Congrats! You've completed the easiest part of your life! Now, stay delusionally confident. It's your only real weapon. Doubt will scream, bills will threaten violence, and 'normal' will try to seduce you. Ignore it. Build the loud, messy, brilliant life your 10-year-old self would fist pump for. And remember, no one cool ever played it safe. — Cat Rives * Always look for the good in people. Learn to love and not hate. There is good in everyone. — Monica Goodwin * Willingness to be open to new potential employment opportunities and never be afraid of failing. — Nancy Daurio * In 1971. I graduated from Naples High School. After a teacher put a poster of a College in Paris, where I could receive American credits, I applied and was accepted. I was the first student from Naples to ever study abroad, right out of graduation. People asked me what I studied, and I tell them life. There is no better education than traveling and seeing how the rest of the world lives. Congratulations 2025! — Pedro Blanco * My advice to you is to always keep your options open. Things that may be of value now, may not be in the future. 3 things: 1) Invest in your Retirement- $100 this year will be worth thousands when you're 65, 2) never use your retirement savings to buy a car or a house, 3) Be all that you can be! Use your talents to do something that you like to do — but make sure you don't sell yourself short. If you like what you're doing, it's way better than a "drudge job" ... but don't limit yourself to the box people put you in. — Dave Paruti * My biggest advice is to try to live in the moment. I found when I was younger, I was always rushing — to the next meeting, to the next flight, to the next job, to the next child's event … and my thoughts were always on what I needed to do next. I wished I had taken a deep breath and enjoyed the moments more and not be so preoccupied with what was next. In the quest for more — better job, better car, better home — take the time and energy to make sure you are grateful for what you already have. If you aren't grateful for what you have how do you really know you will be happy with more. — Regina Kunkle * First and foremost, "congratulations!" This is a milestone in your life with which you can be proud! Be mindful of those who helped you during these years, from parents to teachers and all of the others that provided support and encouragement, these individuals have provided the "base" upon which you will build the successive dimensions of your life! At the same time, please be patient with yourself! Life is a process not an event! Whether you are starting a new job, or continuing your education, be aware of others around you that might serve as mentors (these individuals are very special and should be appreciated!). Learn (yes, it never stops!) at every opportunity that is before you! From small considerations, like being polite and respectful, to more comprehensive activities, like accepting responsibilities and seeing a job to completion, all of these activities will combine to provide a springboard to the next levels in your life's journey! Good luck! — R. Jury Richard Jury * Dear Graduates, My challenge to you today is to never underestimate the power of your ability to make a difference in the lives of those around you. You don't need money to do it, you only need the conviction of commitment and the courage to challenge today's status quo. Your strength to make a difference is not in your physical being but in your mental and moral compass that each of us possess. The instincts to know when someone needs help, when someone is hurting and needs the comfort and compassion of a receptive ear or an encouraging word of support. To those younger than you, be a role model, to those less fortunate be a beacon of hope, to those who despair, be a lightning bolt of inspiration and to those who may doubt you, challenge them to not only believe in the possibilities that lies within them, but also the power to make a positive difference in those around them. Challenge them to pay it forward, not with the wealth they might possess, but with the wisdom and power of the experiences and lessons of life that they themselves have experienced and have impacted their life's, both negatively, and positively, for learning from both of those spectrums, will provide a true life lesson to guide them for the rest of their life. I challenge you today, to leave this day of celebration committed to make, not only your life a better one for the experiences that have been your inspiration, but to share them, and pay it forward. 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Top 5 things to do this weekend in Naples: Free music, new TheatreZone musical
Hear a free youth concert or see a new art exhibit in Naples. What else is happening? Check out our events calendar, where you'll find plenty of things to do, including concerts, karaoke and more. And if there's an event you'd like to see featured in our weekly list of top events, please email it to dosborn@ Write something short in the format you see in this week's Top 5 and, if possible, please send photo as well. Head to Mercato the first Thursday of the month starting June 5 for an evening of live music from talented artists and cover bands. Music is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This week the classic rock band Thunder Beach performs. Lawn chairs are welcome. Outdoor drinks and coolers are not permitted. 9127 Strada Place. Naples Art Institute Exhibitions: Imogen Cunningham: a Timeless Lens on Nature, Form & Identity and Robert McCabe: Images of an Enchanted Land on display through Aug. 3. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members. 585 Park St., Naples. (239) 262-6517 or Comedian Adam Hunter performs standup June 6-8 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $25 general admission, plus a fee. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday June 6; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, June 7; and 6 p.m. Sunday, June 8. or (239) 389-6901 "Ghost: The Musical" is a new production based on the 1990 supernatural romance co-starring Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg and Patrick Swayze. See it at TheatreZone, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples, through June 15. Jacked dudes to fat cat: Rising comedian Zoltan Kaszas brings standup to Florida Naples Philharmonic Youth Symphonia members and other exceptional young string players ages 10 to 17 present the culmination of a one-week intensive youth camp. Free concert begins at 7 p.m. Friday, June 6. Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Contact him at dosborn@ and follow him on Instagram @lacrossewriter. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: What to do this weekend includes free music, new TheatreZone musical