Too Many Groundhogs

Which immediately brings up a question. If he or she is only a few weeks or months old, is it a groundpig?

I should not admit this, but back in the 1970s/80s when I was still in the NWS, we used to write groundhog stories on the midnight shift on February 1 or 2 . We even posted them on the statewide Alabama Weather Wire (a statewide teletype network)

We also honored female groundhogs.

Bill Herrmann, who worked with me on those delightful midnight shifts, coined the names “Birmingham Bill” and “Alabaster Al.” The Birmingham Bill name is still used today.

This is some of the names that I can remember:

Birmingham Bill
Alabaster Al
Helena Helen
Tuscaloosa Lucy
Jasper Jim
Pelham Peggy
Pelham Paul
Cullman Colleen
Talladega Ted
Sylacauga Sally
Mobile Molly
Anniston Ann
Dora Dolly
Boaz Bob
Livingston Lilly
Jacksonville Joe
Oneonta Opal
Selma Sue
Hanceville Henry
Moulton Marlene
Russellville Russ
Roanoke Rob

This is, by far, the silliest material that I have ever posted on the blog. You have my apology and I am truly embarrassed!

Category: Pre-November 2010 Posts