The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 12 - May 9, 2007
Students Get "hands on"
Exerience
By Sally Price, Newscaster Correspondent
Out on a rock drive on the north side of Hwy 40 near 65th St in Yankeetown, sits a
jewel slowly being polished. The 413 acre original homestead of Tom Knotts and later Dr
Ohlwiler, was awarded to the Town Of Yankeetown by the Florida Communities Trust.
(FCT) FCT is a state land acquisition grant program that provides funding to local govern-
ments and eligible non-profit environmental organizations for acquisition of community-based
parks, open space and greenways that further outdoor recreation and natural resource protec-
tion needs identified in local government comprehensive plans.
To help with the progress of the preserve, Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf Pre-
serve (WGP) was formed for volunteer action and received non-profit status. Tom Hoffer is
president of the volunteer group with his wife Katie working at his side. According to Katie,
there are 12 volunteers at present and anyone from south Levy or northern Citrus (or further
away) are invited to join in the formulation and work at the preserve. Want to see some
excitement, just mention the preserve to Tom and Katie.
The 413 acre parcel has a double octagon house that is being remodeled for public
use. The first meeting on site is tentatively scheduled for June 12 and will feature a Levy
County forester talking on "how to prune your trees for hurricane season."
Plenty of goodies were on hand Saturday for Sky Harrington's doggy birthday party at Bark Central
Science teacher Genie Sturtevant takes her classes on field trips out to the site for
Dog Park in Inverness. On the menu: dog treats and other yummies. The entre of the day - hot dogs
hands on experience. Trails have been cut and marked and as she walks the students thru the
of course!--Newscaster Photo by Mike Moore
different habitats she ask for identification of the flora and fauna. Students on Friday prepared
the area of the old swimming pool that had been filled in as a future butterfly garden planned
by the Friends of WGP group. Sturtevant has been a supporter of this project since she was
part of the grant team that acquired the property.
Eventually the preserve will be open to the public with canoe and kayak launches,
trails, an observation tower and public use of the home for educational purposes.
Due to their hard work throughout the year the Ladies of the Yankeetown-Inglis Women's Club and the
support of the Community the Yankeetown-Inglis Women's Club awarded a record number of Schol-
arships this year. A grand total of 8 Scholarships of $500.00 each were awarded to very deserving
Students for the College of their choice. Every Student was an Alumni of the Yankeetown School. The
Scholarship Awards Ceremony was held at the Yankeetown-Inglis Women's Club in beautiful pictur-
esque Yankeetown.The Clubhouse and it's facilities is available for functions this Summer. It is the
perfect place for Weddings, Receptions, Meetings and Parties. Please contact June Proffit at 447-
3110 or Peg Spetz 447-4370.
The 7B science class of Genie Sturtevant prepared an area for a butterfly garden for the Friends of
"For
the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve--Photo and Story by Sally Price
Such
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A
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Time
Shannon Adams, Realtor7
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Florida Department of Elder Affairs may have the perfect volunteer position for you!
As
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Volunteers are needed in Levy County for the award-winning SHINE (Serving Health
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Toll Free: 888-664-1951
Insurance Needs of Elders) Program. SHINE is a free, unbiased Medicare and health insur-
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