Great American Cooter Festival

The 2010 Great American Cooterfest will be even bigger and better this year. Once again, the City of Inverness has partnered with the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce to make this the best festival in the area. This year's festival will have something for everyone. Food, crafts, entertainment, young and older children's games and plenty of the world famous "Cooter Races" on Saturday. Sunday the vendors return for the City's Annual "Cooterween" costume contests. Plan now to make the City of Inverness your destination this weekend!

Mark your calendar: October 29, 30 and 31st!

From Wikipedia

Pseudemys is a genus of pond turtles also known as Cooter Turtles, especially in the state of Florida.

The river cooter is a fairly large turtle (up to 12 inches) often observed basking on rocks and logs along the banks or in rivers. The olive or brown carapace is slightly flared posteriorly and often highlighted with lighter markings. On the river cooter, a light, backward-facing C-shaped mark on the second scute on each side of the carapace can be used to distinguish it from the Florida cooter turtle. The underside of some marginals are marked by doughnut-shaped dark spots with light centers. The plastron and bridge have dark markings, particularly along the seams between scutes. The head and neck have numerous yellow "hairpin" stripes. The postorbital stripe is not as broad as in the slider turtle, with which it might be confused. Males have straight, elongated foreclaws. Female river cooters lay about 20 eggs in May to June. They can only lay eggs when adults.

The Legend Of the Cooter: A Southern-fried fable

One day long, long ago Possum called the animals of what is now Citrus County to a meeting on the banks of Lake Tsala Apopka. There was a difficulty to be addressed.

"My friends," Possum said, nervously flicking his skinny, hairless tail back and forth, "we have a problem. Old Gator has been makin' a terrible ruckus, and none of us can get a wink of sleep. Somebody needs to go and see what's wrong."

"Turtle!" Raccoon exclaimed. "Turtle's perfect-good at swimmin', and he's got a hard shell to protect himself."

The other animals, fearing Gator's sharp teeth and sharper hunger, also urged Turtle to go. Too shy to protest, he swam out to the center of the lake. There, he saw Gator-big, green and splashing fiercely. How could he ever confront the beast?

Turtle paddled nearer and was about to ask him what was wrong when, suddenly, Gator lunged at him. He withdrew into his shell just in time to hide from Gator's crushing jaws. Next, he felt himself being lifted upward, then sinking rapidly.

Turtle peeked out of his shell and saw that he was in the great lizard's belly. And he saw a sharp spike from a trout's fin imbedded in the side of Gator's stomach. Turtle pulled the spike out, and a great roar resounded around him. Then he abruptly tumbled out of Gator's belly and into the lake.

Gator felt so much better that he returned Turtle to shore on his massive back, promising friendship-and quiet-forever. Turtle's remarkable bravery received cheers and great praise from all the animals.

"From now on," Possum said, "we'll call you 'Courageous Turtle'."

"Cooter!" echoed baby Mouse. And that was the name that stuck.

Today, The Great American Cooter Festival in Inverness celebrates the little turtle with the big heart. Come join in all the fun!

General Lee - Dukes of Hazard 2009 Calendar #995089

Size: 11.5 x 11.5 The Dukes of Hazzard General Lee Wall Calendar: Orange may have been the only paint color in Cooter?s garage, but Uncle Jesse named the General Lee after the Dixie horn and Confederate flag were added. The now-famous Dodge Charger was ready for racin?. Since the popular TV show went off the air, a major-motion picture released and now The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning DVD will hit stores on March 13 to keep up with the demand for all things Dukes.

General Lee - Dukes of Hazard 2009 Calendar #995089

1969 DODGE CHARGER DUKES OF HAZARD 1:18 DIECAST MODEL

Diecast Body Opening Doors Opening Hood Detailed Interior Rubber Tires Steerable Wheels Perfectly modeled engine Accurate Gauges and dash inside Dimensions L-10 (Approximate) H-4 (Approximate) W-6 (Approximate)

1969 DODGE CHARGER DUKES OF HAZARD 1:18 DIECAST MODEL

"Blue Camo Cooter Turtle" Stretched Canvas Wall Art

Fun whimsical and full of imagination this is a wonderful addition to any childs room. Delicately hand-stretched over wood bars the sides are decoratively finished so no framing is necessary. The artwork comes with a wire hanger on back so it's easy to hang. The canvas can be easily wiped clean so children can feel free to touch and explore. Proudly made in the USA. This artwork is a beautiful nursery dcor for your baby or children's room. Some of the U.S.s most noted celebrities have Oopsy Daisy art hanging in their baby's nurseries and children's playrooms. Artist: Donna Ingemanson of Oopsy Daisy. A portion of the sale is donated to national childrens charities. Size: 12" x 12" Shipping Time: This item is custom made especially for you upon order. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks to ship out. Please read our on custom-made items.

"Blue Camo Cooter Turtle" Stretched Canvas Wall Art

Brass turtles on seabed

Quietly swimming among the verdigris coral, these sea turtles are finished in bronze over brass, and rest on a wooden base. 9" x 5" x 12 3/4" high.

Brass turtles on seabed