PAGE 8 - March 25, 2009
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
Remembering History At Fort Cooper
Special to The Newscaster by Courtney Vacca
“Essentially there are three types of horses, regardless of breed.” George Moor said
“The kind that can’t handle gun fire, the ones that are tolerant of it, but don’t like it and the
ones that love the excitement.”
Moor, the re-enactor of Mark Anthony Cooper is fortunate enough to have Hershey,
a three-year-old Kentucky Mountain horse, who was anything but intolerant of the massive
clouds of gunpowder and thunderous booms from Kentucky rifles surrounding Fort Cooper
State Park during Fort Cooper Days; the event was held last Saturday and Sunday in Floral
City. The festival included an action-packed re-enactment simulating a battle between the
Seminole Indians and the United States Army Calvary Division.
During his first reenactment Hershey had the disposition of a seasoned veteran. He
stayed calm, and collected even while standing next to firing cannons. He also made many
friends with the local children attending the event.
Unlike police dogs, these “beasts of burden” were normally disregarded when
killed during battle, and all soldiers were required to provide their own mounts. According to
Mr. Moor more than six million horses were killed during the Civil War. However, Hershey and
his fellow horses along with all of the re-enactors were perfectly safe because of there was no
actual ammunition used during the re-enactment.
The men weren’t the only ones playing an important roll in the battles. It was the
women’s job to reload the guns, in addition to running the camp, cooking alligator, corn,
beans, squash, pumpkins and other plants, cleaning, making clothing, feeding the horses,
and taking care of the children. If they were lucky enough to have free time, they did beadwork,
Back to the Beach - Last week was a great time for water activities at the Levy County park
with beads that they got from the French, English, and Spanish.
at the end of Hwy 40. . Mike Harris of Ocala tried a little kayak fishing with no luck. The
Over all, this event brought excitement and a piece of living history to Floral City.
Arochos from Ft Pierce and Amanda Storey and her children 2 to 5 years old from Ocala
Fort Cooper days was a great way to bring knowledge to locals about the history of Florida,
enjoyed splashing in the water and getting some sun. Photo by Sally Price
and the re-enactors left people with a new interest in Florida’s past.
Gilley-Long-O’Steen VFW Post 8698
520 Hwy. 40 Eas t • Inglis, FL • (352) 447-3495
520 Hwy.
East
44
1 mile EAST of Highway 19 on Highway 40
Chili Cook-Of f & Yard Sale..!
Chili
Saturday, March 28, 8am-5pm
Saturda
Chili to be at VFW by 11am & Judged by 12pm
Chili to
by 11am
by 12pm
Yar d Sale Table Rent al - $10
For more info, please call (352) 447-3495
Realty
Sally Price, Realtor
19 Hwy 40 W.
(352) 302-8556 cell
Inglis
LARGE HOME GREAT PRICE 67 COVE RD $159,000
Great home/office/4 bedroom. Immaculate home with
George Moor and Hershey the war-horse actor greeting re-enactment enthusiasts after the "Semi-
large rooms for entertaining or family life. If you like
nole Wars" battle show during Fort Cooper Days last Saturday and Sunday. Hershey's temperament
space and quality, this is it with beautiful tilework floor-
is obvious as he is just as comfortable nuzzling the visitors as charging to the sounds of exploding
ing and in the 2.5 baths. Woodstove in giant great
cannons and muskets. Newscaster photo by Mike Moore
room with incredible stonework. Large bedrooms &
Transportation Consensus Building Workshop March 26
closets with lots of storage. Large 4th bedroom with
Interested citizens are invited to a Consensus Building Workshop on March 26 de-
glass doors would make a great office, bar, or play/
signed to guide the development of Citrus County’s 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan
game room for teens or tots. 1.09 acre, landscaped with
(LRTP). The plan will identify major transportation improvements needed by 2035 to accom-
well for garden and lawn. Large garage on paved street
modate future travel demand and to maintain the efficient operation of the transportation
in Inglis near boat ramps and bike path.
system in the county.
I desperately need mobile home listings under $60,000 if you are in the
The workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Citrus County Community
market to sell. My listings in this price range are "SOLD".
Resource Center in Room 121 (Cafe), Lecanto. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to call
Cynthia Jones at 527-5247.
Buddy & Fred’s Hardware Foster Perry, Realtor 7
ERA Suncoast Realty
BuddyandFreds.com
Plumbing - Electrical - Garden - Paint - Lumber
Large Selection of Standard & Hard-to-Find Ammo
1206 S.E. U.S. Hwy. 19
Tools -Keys - Nuts - Bolts - Stainless
Crystal River, Florida 34429
We’re Hosting a
RV Sewer Parts - Water Hose
Interested Buyers?
Concealed Weapons Class
352-447-2600
Saturday, April 25th
Est. 1983
Limited Seating-Must Pre-Register
(352) 795-6811 OFFICE
3/4 mile W. of US-19 on 40 W., Inglis
...IT’S TIME TO TALK
(352) 257-2181 CELL
352-447-5595
352-447-5595
Equal Housing Opportunity
TURKEY SEASON...!
Mon-Fri. 8-6 Sat. 8-2 Closed Sun.
(352) 447-8055 HOME
EMAIL foster233@bellsouth.net
(352) 795-2662 FAX
Celebrating 26Years Thank You!
947 Hwy. 40 East, INGLIS, FL • 1.8 mile east of Hwy. 19 on left
WEBSITE www.ERASuncoast.com