By Terry Brady.tbrady@news-press.com

Since the 1800s, Groundhog Day has belonged to Punxsutawney, Pa., and its world-famous, weather-predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.
But it looks like Punxsutawney’s favorite rodent will have to share the spotlight now that The Shell Factory and Nature Park in North Fort Myers has a new groundhog exhibit to be christened with a Groundhog Day celebration on Feb. 2.

That’s what The Shell Factory volunteer Richard L. Dunmire, 73, is hoping for, anyway.
Dunmire, who as a boy growing up in Punxsutawney had a pet groundhog, donated more than $5,000 for the creation of the 20-by-21-foot habitat. The habitat will be the year-round home of three groundhogs — two of which Dunmire said are pregnant.

The groundhogs are scheduled to arrive at the park this week, in time to offer insight on winter’s end at the celebration.
“I think one day it might grow to be as popular as Punxsutawney’s,” he said of the celebration. “I want it to become a Lee County tradition.”
While The Shell Factory is preparing for about 500 people to attend the ceremony, it has a long way to go before it matches Punxsutawney’s thousands of spectators.

Like the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, The Shell Factory and Nature Park Groundhog Club, a newly formed chapter of the Punxsutawney club, has named fifteen local dignitaries to its “Inner Circle.” Traditionally, the Inner Circle is responsible for planning the event, as well as feeding and caring for the groundhog.

It is more likely that park director Danika Fornear will be taking on the feeding and care — something for which Inner Circle members such as Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott are thankful.

A groundhog’s jaw and teeth are strong enough to chew through cinder block, Fornear said. The habitat is reinforced with steel so they cannot escape.

Although Scott has no plans to get too close to the animal, he said the ceremony would have a positive effect on the community.
“I think these type of things are good,” Scott said. “I don’t see any negativity. It’s human interest. It’s warm and fuzzy. It’s good to see a piece of Americana.”

Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall, who also is in the Inner Circle, said it was exciting that Lee County residents can take part in their own ceremony instead of just watching the event on television.
“I think it’s fun when we can participate in national events and bring a local flair,” Hall said.

Dunmire said a part of that flair would be a slight modification to the wardrobe from that of the Punxsutawney Inner Circle, who wear tuxedos and top hats at their event.
The Shell Factory’s Inner Circle will have the top hats but will be dressed in shorts and flip-flops, he said.

Pam Cronin, Shell Factory vice president of fun stuff, said the park holds about 200 events a year, but the amount of interest shown by the community in the form of phone calls and e-mails has been “amazing.”

“It’s exciting,” said Cronin, who also is Dunmire’s daughter. “We are adding a new exhibit and tying it into a fun holiday.”

Dunmire said The Shell Factory will hold a naming contest in the weeks after the groundhog celebration. Although there were no details available on the contest, Dunmire said only children would be able to enter.