By Kathleen Angelone

Children know about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. But do they know the story of Groundhog Day? 
If not, Peter J. Welling's entrancing new children's book, “Andrew McGroundhog and His Shady Shadow,” hopes to impart this legendary celebration to the young and young at heart.

The book starts with stories about Thane Andrew McGroundhog's activities. He wears a tartan kilt, eats hagis, hikes and fishes. The colorful, cartoonlike illustrations feature wonderful pictures of the Loch Ness Monster, the signs for the high and low roads, Hadrian's Heights and other Scottish themes.  

One day the groundhog meets his shadow and is surprised that the shadow is unhappy with him. As he learns why and how to deal with it, the story of the groundhog's prediction of the timing of the winter's transformation into spring emerges. The book even includes a Scottish word glossary.

The book is cute and fun and offers the opportunity for children to begin to learn about the popular images of Scotland and the holiday we celebrate annually on Feb. 2.

Welling will be at Bookmamas, 9 S. Johnson Ave., at 2 p.m. Saturday to read his story. Groundhog cookies and tea will be served, and the author will sell and sign copies of the book.
Reservations are not required for the free event but can be arranged by emailing [email protected].

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s next production begins Feb. 12 with the Gershwin brothers’ “Crazy for You,” a three-time Tony Award-winning show that features a sweet story, dancing and songs such as “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

 Based on the 1930 musical “Girl Crazy,” the story centers around Bobby Child, who is sent to Nevada to foreclose on a theater. But when he falls in love with Polly Baker, the local postmistress, he devises a plan to save the playhouse. 

Blake Patrick Spellacy, seen in several of the Beef & Boards’ productions last season, stars as Bobby Child. Hillary Smith, most recently seen as Beverly in the theater’s “Church Basement Ladies” series, plays Polly Baker.
Eddie Curry and Jeff Stockberger, who are starring in the theater’s season-opening production of “The Odd Couple,” will play Bela Zangler and Lank Hawkins, respectively. The cast also includes Vickie Cornelius Phipps, Bob Payne, Erin Cohenour, Lily Lewis, AnnaLee Traeger, Jennifer Ladner, Joan Heeringa, Doug King, Sam Weber, Kenny Shepard, Sam McKanney, Ian Frazier, John Vessels and Carol Worcell.

The musical will be on stage through April 4. Tickets range from $40 to $65 and include a buffet dinner. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. A show schedule is posted at www.beefandboards.com, and tickets are available by calling 872-9664.