Fredericksburg's Famous Groundhog

On Feb. 2, everyone looks to Punxsutawney, Pa., for a six-week forecast. But the antics of a real groundhog have resulted in Fredericksburg's very own Digger.

As local author Noelle Chason Hall tells the story, a groundhog living under the survey shed next to a dig site at George Washington's Ferry Farm in Fredericksburg 'borrowed' tools for his den.

"This was only discovered when one of our archaeologists went searching for the missing tools," Hall writes in the introduction to her book "I Dig George."

Staff wanted to relocate the "poor ole critter" when Hall, who works at Ferry Farm, came to his defense. She said he was a "Groundhog Archaeologist."

"I Dig George: A Story of Ferry Farm" resulted. The chapter book introduces kids to Jenny, a fourth-grader who visits Ferry Farm and learns its history from the animals she meets there, including Professor Digger Dave the groundhog and his human sidekick Paul.

Local artist Collette Caprara, a member of Brush Strokes Gallery in Fredericksburg, illustrated the book. 

"I Dig George: A Story of Ferry Farm" is available at Jabberwocky Children's Books and Toys in the city.  A portion of the profits from sales of the book go to the George Washington Foundation's Education Department.

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