THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
PAGE 8 - April 27, 2016
Moving Historic Caboose an
Sandgnat News
Amvets Honors Contest Winners
Enormous Task
Special to The Newscaster by -Kyndal Kennedy and Shyann Roberts
Special to The Newscaster by Toni Collins
The Levy County Historical Society has turned yet another page in the history of
In the month of January 2016, Yankeetown school hosted a competition sponsored
Levy County by purchasing from a local family the Atlantic Coast Line caboose located on
by the AMVETS of Yankeetown and Inglis. The competition inspired students to think and
CR 326 in Gulf Hammock. After the purchase, Director Toni Collins set about finding out
reflect on flag protection. Kindergarten through Fifth grade was given the task to make a
how one moves a caboose from one place to another. The caboose had been located on CR
poster about "What Does Flag Protection Mean To Me", while Sixth through Eighth grade
326 for 14 years. Today it rests on the Gulf Hammock Wild Hog Canoe Race property at
had to write an essay explaining their standpoint on the same topic. The students of Yan-
US 19/98 and the Waccasassa River.
keetown found this contest to be an important one to participate in because it allowed them
Collins wanted the move accomplished by the date of the Gulf Hammock Wild
to show our U.S. soldiers, veterans, and their families that we appreciate their service, com-
Hog Canoe Race on April 23rd, so her first stop was at Bronson ACE Hardware to place
mitment, and loss. It was very important to the staff of Yankeetown School to encourage
an order for 24 cross ties. Then she went by A Materials Group in Chiefland to order base
participation in this assignment because it gives the students an opportunity to show their
gravel and track ballast. Keith Maynard, sons Justin and Daniel, David Kunkleman, and
standpoint and understanding of what flag protection means. Mr. Chuck Gatton, Mrs. Mel-
Frank Couch then went to work measuring distances to set up the rail bed at the new site.
ody Carson, Mrs. Sandy Watson, Ms. Cara Dunford, and Mrs. Paula Yaws all made time for
Collins then spoke to Marc Nussel of Williston Crane and told him of her plans to
students to partake in this contest and the results were GREAT! The local AMVETs choose
move the caboose. Marc advised that due to the tonnage of the caboose, two cranes would
winners from all grade levels that submitted an entry - from there, winners were sent to the
be needed and directed her to Mitch Wilcox at Sims Crane & Equipment of Ocala. The
state level of the contest and Yankeetown School made an impact! The winners include....
final contact was with Larry Roberts of Roberts Trucking of Williston for two lowboys to
DISTRICT LEVEL WINNERS Kindergarten Flag Coloring 1st Place Andrew
move the caboose in two segments - cab and trucks (wheels).
Turner 2nd Place Anna Green 3rd Place Serenity Silva First Grade Flag Coloring 1st Place
The move took place on Thursday, April 21st and at 8:45 AM, connected by head-
Kaylee Seamen 2nd Place Shannon Keim 3rd Place Ciara Blanford Fourth Grade Poster
set mikes, the workers from the three companies came together to make it all happen with-
Contest 1st place Brooke Hurst 2nd place Emily Stines 3rd Place Madeline Rohrer Fifth
out incident. The caboose was relocated and set in place by 10:30 AM. Bill Squires, who
Grade Poster Contest 1st Place Christopher Tiesmeyer 2nd Place Bryanna Pank 3rd Place
lives across the road from the old caboose site said he will miss seeing the caboose every
Brooke McCarthy Sixth Grade Essay Contest 1st Place Patrick Stewart 2nd Place Adam
morning when he has his coffee on his front porch.
White 3rd Tate Howard Seventh Grade Essay Contest 1 st Place Wyatt Wallace 2nd Place
The caboose, number 0795, was built in 1967 and refurbished in 1977. The local
Shyann Roberts 3rd Place Madison Contreras Eighth Grade Essay Contest 1st Place Han-
family purchased the caboose 17 years ago to commemorate the birth of their daughter. It
nah Snyder 2nd Place Kyndal Kennedy 3rd Place Raven Langenburg FIRST PLACE
was moved from Jacksonville to the cattle field on CR 326 in 2004.
STATE WINNERS Brooke Hurst Adam White SECOND AND THIRD PLACE STATE
The exterior needs sanding, repairing and repainting and the interior of the cab
WINNERS Andrew Turner Bryanna Pank Hannah Snyder Shyann Roberts Kyndal Ken-
needs even more work! However, several volunteers have stepped forward to offer their
nedy Christopher Tiesmeyer
help. In addition, Collins has contacted the North Carolina Transportation Museum in
We are so very proud of our students and we wish best of luck to Brooke Hurst and
Spencer, North Carolina, to invite their volunteers to Levy County to offer guidance and
Adam White as their essays will be sent to the national division of this competition. Yan-
direction. The North Carolina Museum volunteers just completed restoring their second
keetown School would like to thank the AMVETS for including us in on this contest; our
ACL caboose.
students loved having the opportunity to participate. We appreciate the AMVETS donating
We invite the public to drive by and look at the caboose in its new location, across
their time and money for these winners. We are sure it helped our students get a greater
the road from the abandoned Atlantic Coast Line railroad tracks. However, for safety rea-
viewpoint on how important the flag and all that it stands for really is!
sons the platforms and interior of the caboose are not accessible.
For more information contact Historical Society members Lindon Lindsey (352)
493-4066 or Toni Collins (352) 4905636.
he Newscaster
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The caboose on the flatbed trailer moving down the road to its new home. Photo by Toni
Proof: Ad Starts 3-20-13 to: news1@thenewscaster.com
Collins.
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Photos courtesy Yankeetown School
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