The Groundhog

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The Groundhog

The Groundhog is a monthly community newspaper published by Mentone Educational Resources Foundation

The Groundhog is a community newspaper published monthly by MERF, a rural education and community development nonprofit organization supporting life-long learning in the Mentone area through a variety of programs for every age.

01/09/2026

✨ CALLING ALL COOKS! ✨
Enter the Crock-Pot Cook-Off at the Groundhog Day Celebration

Ready to show off your best slow-cooker recipe? Join us for the Groundhog Day Crock-Pot Cook-Off! We’re accepting entries in THREE categories:
🥣 Soups
🍲 Stews
🌶 Chilis

🏆 One winner will be chosen in each category!

📍 Moon Lake Gym – Mentone, AL
🗓 Saturday, February 7 • 10 AM–2 PM

Follow the link to sign up! https://forms.gle/zzqTauEyWzcxb5qX6

Proceeds from the sale of the soups will benefit the Rhododendron Garden Club, who is coordinating the cook-off.

The Groundhog Day Community Celebration is sponsored by The Groundhog and MERF.

01/07/2026

✨ MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Groundhog Day Community Celebration 2026 ✨

The Groundhog and MERF are thrilled to once again sponsor a Groundhog Day Community Celebration — and you’re invited! Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day of games, good food, and community spirit.

🗓 Saturday, February 7 • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Moon Lake Gym — Mentone, AL

What’s happening?
✅ Kids’ Games & Art Activities
✅ Cake Walk
✅ Crock-Pot Cookoff
✅ Community Fun!
👉 Save the date and watch for more details in the coming days!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year, Mentone! Here’s to a joyful, hopeful, wonderful 2026. 🎉✨ From all of us at The Groundhog, thank you for sharing your stories with us.

12/30/2025

DeSoto State Park is welcoming the new year with its annual First Day Hike, a three-mile guided trek that showcases some of the mountain’s most beautiful waterfalls and forest trails. It’s a chance for hikers of all ages — and leashed pups — to start 2026 with fresh air, community, and the quiet magic of Lookout Mountain.

The free hike runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning at the Country Store, and winds past Lost Falls, Laurel Creek, Indian Falls, and more. Winter weather can be unpredictable, so participants are encouraged to call ahead, dress warmly, and bring water and snacks.

A simple, scenic way to step into a new year with wonder.

Read more online: https://readthegroundhog.com/first-day-hike-a-new-years-tradition-of-adventure/

12/29/2025

Moon Lake Library is stepping into 2026 with a full slate of programs to learn from, enjoy, and look forward to. Free tax prep returns in February, along with an author talk from Jim Tinker, and spring will bring photography workshops with both world-traveling and local experts. Children’s programs are getting a refresh, including a summer reading theme of “Unearth a Story” — perfect for dinosaur fans.

The year ahead also features a visit from James Spann and a special October screening of Zombieland with behind-the-scenes insights from local crew members. Thanks to a supportive community, the library continues to grow as a welcoming place for everyone.

Read more online: https://readthegroundhog.com/looking-ahead-to-2026-at-moon-lake-library/

12/25/2025

From all of us at The Groundhog, Merry Christmas to our mountain community. May your holidays be filled with light, laughter, and the small moments that become the memories we treasure most. Thank you for sharing another beautiful year with us.

12/22/2025

In a world that rarely slows down, Lynn Hixson offers simple, steady ways to soften the edges of everyday stress — from moving your body and getting enough rest to unplugging from constant news and reconnecting with the people who care about you. Small habits like practicing gratitude and talking things out can make a big difference in how we feel, both physically and emotionally.

These gentle reminders are a nudge to care for ourselves a little more thoughtfully each day.

Read more online: https://readthegroundhog.com/take-these-steps-to-help-manage-stress/

12/20/2025

Barry Morton explores the deep history woven into the Marine Corps flag — a symbol that carries centuries of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering duty. From its Revolutionary War origins to the scarlet banner we know today, the flag reflects the Marines’ legacy on land, at sea, and in the air.

Its emblem — the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor — and its battle streamers speak to generations of service and the countless Marines who have carried its spirit into conflict and home again. More than a military standard, it’s a tribute to honor, resilience, and the enduring brotherhood of the Corps.

Read more online: https://readthegroundhog.com/the-united-states-marine-corps-flag-a-symbol-of-valor-and-tradition/

12/19/2025

What began as a spontaneous detour during the “World’s Longest Yard Sale” became a calling for Roger and Pam Wald — one that led them to Mentone, to a whimsical old house on the mountain, and eventually to The Hatter Cafe, now celebrating five joyful years.

Their story is one of faith, serendipity, and a shared desire to create a place where people could gather, connect, and feel at home. Today, The Hatter is a wonderland of teapots, vintage treasures, and Southern comfort food — a space where strangers become friends and celebrations happen at every table. Through pandemic delays, long days in the kitchen, and endless creativity, the Walds have built something magical, full of heart and hospitality.

Five years in, the story keeps unfolding — with new ideas, new memories, and the same warm welcome that started it all.

Read more online: https://readthegroundhog.com/the-hatter-cafe-celebrates-5-successful-years-in-mentone/

12/18/2025

As the year winds down and winter settles in, deJoly LaBrier reflects on the simple light that carries us through the season — the glow of kindness, shared moments, and small acts that mean more than we realize. A memory of singing Christmas carols on a cold December night becomes a reminder of how joy multiplies when we give it away, and how even the smallest gestures can brighten someone’s world.

With a new year approaching like a blank page, we’re invited to step into 2026 with gratitude, open hearts, and a renewed sense of hope. May love be the compass that guides us toward gentler days and new beginnings.

Read more online: https://readthegroundhog.com/a-season-of-light-and-new-beginnings/

12/17/2025

Hank Allen reflects on the magic of misfits — from Rudolph’s Island of Misfit Toys to a lively circle of ukulele players gathered at the Moon Lake Library. The Mentone Ukes are a joyful mix of ages, backgrounds, and musical styles, proof that community can grow anywhere people show up with open hearts and a willingness to play together.

What makes the group special isn’t perfection, but the way their differences blend into something better than any one voice alone. It’s a reminder that there’s a place for everyone — sometimes you just have to find your island.

The Mentone Ukes will meet on Dec. 20 and Jan. 3, 17, and 31 at 1 p.m., with free beginner sessions and loaner ukuleles available.

Read more online: https://readthegroundhog.com/the-island-of-misfit-ukes/

12/16/2025

This fall, MERF helped Valley Head FFA officers travel to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis — a first big trip for many and an experience that broadened their sense of what’s possible. From leadership sessions in Lucas Oil Stadium to meeting agricultural professionals from across the country and abroad, the students returned home with new confidence and direction.

Along the way, they toured the Louisville Slugger Museum and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, adding unforgettable learning moments to the journey. MERF is grateful for the community support that makes opportunities like this real, helping students grow as leaders and thinkers.

Read more online: https://readthegroundhog.com/merf-helps-send-ffa-to-national-convention/

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PO Box 384
Mentone, AL
35984

Website

http://ReadTheGroundhog.com/

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