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Reliving hostilities
Re-enactors will re-create Army clashes with Seminole Indians.
By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published March 16, 2007
INVERNESS - Seminole Indians will whoop and holler and shoot from behind pine trees at besieged Army soldiers this weekend. Afterward, they'll probably get together and share a laugh or two. It's all part of the Fort Cooper Days battle re-enactments Saturday and Sunday The mock battles take place this weekend during Fort Cooper Days, held at Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 Old Floral City Road, Inverness. During the battle re-enactments, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, re-enactors portray Seminole Indian warriors who lay siege to a medical base camp staffed by U.S. Army soldiers, circa 1836. The event will be at the site of the fort, which is on the far side of the lake at Fort Cooper. A sandy foot trail provides for a hike to the site, for those who don't mind walking about a half-mile round trip. The park provides a flat-bed trailer outfitted with bus seats and accommodations for wheelchairs for those who need it. Park officials recommend arriving at least one hour before the re-enactment times. The battle pits re-enactors portraying Seminole Indians wearing authentic outfits and weapons. The Seminoles attack by filtering in through the oaks, taking potshots at the soldiers. The soldiers respond with cavalry charges and blasts from a small cannon. In addition to the re-enactments, Fort Cooper Days includes both period and modern crafts, live music by Tom Sjoberg and Lee Pinkerson, and storytelling by Earl Jant. Food vendors also will be on site. The period crafts feature soapmaking, weaving and spinning, coopers pots and pans, a bladesmith and trappers. The Seminole and Army camps are also open to the public. Modern craft displays include metal, woodworking, leather, scrollworking and quilts. Jorge Sanchez covers arts and entertainment in Citrus. Contact him at sanchez@sptimes.com or (352)860-7313 or toll free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 7313. IF YOU GO Battle re-enactments and more Fort Cooper Days, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 S Old Floral City Road, Inverness. Admission is $5 for adults; $1 for children age 6 to 17. Call 726-0315.
[Last modified March 15, 2007, 22:16:04]
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Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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