SHORELINES

9 a p c s hor e l i n e s.c om | 2015 Vol :1 just cracks me up. He's got friends in Italy, in Africa and all over the world. They think it's so cool to be friends with a groundhog." When she's not booking the next groundhog gig, rushing to the grocery to buy staples (Jake is addicted to Keebler's Pecan Sandies and Honey Smack Cereal with Barber's Vitamin D milk), Whitworth tends the social media. There's a video to be shot and posted for each holiday (often seen on YouTube), birthday greetings to be delivered to each Facebook friend on his/her birthday, and messages to answer. "I answer all the emails," she says. "I get them down to maybe 10, then go back the next day and he has another 200." In between, there's the wardrobe of 125 tiny hats to manage. Jake, it seems, collects chapeaux the way Imelda Marcos scarfed up shoes. From his Punxsutawney Phil-inspired top hat to happy flowers and winter toboggan caps, the groundhog head is fashionably covered. "I buy stuffed animals and use their hats," Whitworth says. "Then when we go to schools, Jake asks the children who their favorite groundhog is, and when they shout 'Smith Lake Jake,' we throw the stuffed animals into the crowd as a treat." On a recent day, Smith Lake Jake was comfy on the bed alongside dog friend Winnie the Pooh Bear, both absorbed in an episode of "Judge Judy." On workdays, he stars in the videos and even voices his own dialog through moving groundhog lips, a "talent trick" Whitworth chooses to keep secret. "You raise them and they think you're mama," says Whitworth of her protégé. "We had no idea it would get this big. We don't do this for money. We've just had fun with him. He's so sweet, he just loves people." GROUNDHOG SIGHTINGS Here's where to find (and perhaps friend) Alabama Power's favorite groundhog: • Facebook: Smith Lake Jake Agroundhog to connect with Jake and his "mom" here for potential bookings. • Website: www.easysite.com/ smithlakejake (include the "www") • LinkedIn: Smith Lake Jake, listed as self-employed and a graduate of the Pennsylvania School for Gifted Groundhogs. • YouTube: Search Smith Lake Jake videos, then view. JAKE FUN FACTS • Jake's Groundhog Day method has nothing to do with shadows. If the hair on his back stands up, we're doomed to more winter. • He's about 7 years old (life expectancy in captivity can run to 15 years). • Jake's forecasting accuracy is 95 percent, according to the slightly biased Whitworth, who's a partner in the prognosticating process. • Smith Lake Jake predictions have included Taylor Hicks' American Idol win, several baby gender picks and the outcome of University of Alabama football games. • A college sorority once tried to steal him as a hazing prank – unsuccessfully. • Jake returns to Smith Lake often but after one scary escape into nearby woods, he's content to remain inside the fenced in yard. – CAROLANNE ROBERTS Check Alabama Power's Shorelines website for more videos of Smith Lake Jake.

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