‘Sidewinding’ her way into many hearts
Book about local woodchuck and handlers is a success
December 29, 2013
BY REBECCA SCHWAB – OBSERVER Staff Writer , The OBSERVER
There aren’t many people in Chautauqua County who haven’t heard of Dunkirk Dave, Bob Will’s famous groundhog. Dunkirk Dave, whose non-stage name is Sidewinder, is a docile female groundhog with a unique story. That story was recently immortalized in the book “Animal Superstars” by Aline Alexander Newman, so that even more people can learn Sidewinder’s tale of survival, and how she became one of the country’s most famous “weatherhogs.”
Will has generously donated copies of “Animal Superstars” a part of National Geographic’s Kids Chapters series, to four local libraries: Silver Creek’s Anderson-Lee Library, the Dunkirk Free Library, Fredonia’s Barker Library, and Westfield’s Patterson Library. Now local kids can read about Sidewinder and the other incredible animals in Newman’s book.
Pamela Czarniak, coordinator of children’s services at the Dunkirk Free Library, says “I think children will love reading this book because they love reading books about animals. The local connection with Dunkirk Dave in the book will be fun for the kids to see.”