What's in a Groundhog Name?

From the McHenry County 2022 Visitors Guide.

We had Groundhog Day early last month.  The famous movie "Groundhog Day" was filmed in Woodstock, Illinois, which is in McHenry County.  (County Seat)

The groundhog is an animal of many names.  Here are some:

woodchuck

wood-shock

groundpig

whistlepig

thickwood badger

Canada marmot

monax

red monk

land beaver

siffleux  (if you're French-Canadian)

How Much Wood Can a Woodchuck Chuck?  --CootHog

Top Prices Paid for Skins, Hides and Junk in DeKalb in 1919

From the Nov.  27, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

Advertisement in local newspaper.

"WANTED FURS--  Skunks, $2 and $6;  Muskrats, 75c to $3;  Mink, $3 to $7;  also horse hide, beef hides, sheep hides.  And also pay the highest prices for junk.

"Call 1026, Ike Gordon, 232 South 5th, DeKalb, Ill."

Got Junk?  Got Hides?  --CootSkunk

No More Fox Bounty Money in 1969

From the April 3, 2019 MidWeek "Looking Back."

1969, 50 Years Ago.

"The bounty paid on fox carcasses was eliminated by a ruling of the DeKalb County Board of Supervisors.  The measure was taken because the amount of money paid to bounty hunters is in excess of the money appropriated for that  purpose."

Was This Just Temporary?  --Cooter

Of Dogs and Foxes in DeKalb County in 1919

From the March 27, 2019, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1919. 100 Years Ago.

**  "Two families are mourning the deaths of pet dogs, and a third home on Third Street, another dog has been poisoned. :  Residents are nor certain whether the poison was set for the dogs or  whether it was put out to catch pests."

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**  "A resident of Kingston township brought to the office of the county clerk a pelt of an animal shot by him, and supposed to be a wolf, claiming the $100 bounty.

"The fur was a rich red color and there were earmarks of a fox.  After several of the county seat experts had examined it, it was adjudged a fox pelt and bounty refused."

--CootPelt

A Fox Bounty in DeKalb County in 1944

From the March 20, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1944, 75 Years Ago.

"Enos A. Baie of Hinckley this week was awarded county bounty on several foxes, which, according to E.W. Joiner, county clerk,  is the largest bounty paid to one individual so far this season."

How Much Is That Fox Pelt in the Window?  --CootFox

Back in 2012: Rescued World War I Tortoise Needs New Home

From the August 11, 2012, New York Daily News.

The tortoise was rescued from the 1915 Battle of Gallipoli by a British soldier and taken back to Britain to begin a new life in the Tommy's (British soldiers were often referred to as Tommys) garden in Blakeny, Norfolk, England.

The owner was thought to have been named Morris and died more than 30 years ago.

The tortoise, named Blake, is a spur-thighed tortoise who was taken in by animal lover Marion Skinner in 1983, but she now has a bad back and can no longer care for it.

Blake was found as a very small tortoise and is estimated to be 98 years old now.

A retired tortoise breeder would like Blake returned to Gallipoli, but there have been over 300 other offers for a new home.

Keep Blake in England.  --Cooter

Seven Most Mysterious Archaeological Finds on Earth

From the July 22, 2010, Love Science by Heather Whipps.

I'm just listing. The site has pictures and more information:

1. Atlantis

2. Stonehenge

3. Ancient Animal Traps? in Israel, Egypt and Jordan

4. ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM-- Found on a sunken Greek cargo ship believed to be at least 2,000 years old with a maze of interlocking gears and mysterious etched characters.

5. Nazca Lines

6. Great Pyramids

7. GOBEKLI TEPE-- Turkey, considered to be the oldest place of worship.

I'd never heard of 3. 4 or 7. I've seen 2 and 6 thanks to Mom.

--DaCoot

The World War I Donkey: Jimmy "The Sergeant"

From the April 2012 Mail Online "The donkey born in a First World War trench which became a mascot for British troops."

** Jimmy "The Sergeant" donkey was born at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

** Wounded by shellfire three times in two years on the frontlines.

** Taught to raise a hoof in salute by the soldiers who raised him.

** After the war, he raised thousands of pounds for the RSPCA.

** Was weaned on cans of condensed milk.

** Carried equipment and soldiers.

The Long-Eared, Braying Soldier. --DaCoot

Top Ten Animal Actors

From the Jan. 11, 2012 Listverse.

Check out the actual site as they have pictures and write ups. I'm just listing and commenting.

10. J. Fred Mugs-- Heard of him. Never saw him.
9. Bamboo Harvester-- Mr. Ed's real name. "W-i-l-b-e-r!!"
8. Hiland Dale-- Black Beauty's real name.

7. Old Yeller Don't start crying.
6. Golden Cloud-- Trigger, Roy's horsie.
5. Terry-- Toto's real name from the Wizard

4. Pal-- Lassie
3. Skippy-- from the Thin Man
2. Rin-Tin-Tin "Go Rennie!!"

1. Higgins-- star of TV and movies. "Petticoat Junction" and Benji.

What, no Lone Ranger's horse? Hi-Yo Silver...Away!! --Cooter