Punxsutawney Phil
Punxsutawney Phil is the famous groundhog in Punxsutawney, PA who is the central figure in the borough's annual event called Groundhog Day celebration. On February 2 each year, the town holds a civic festival with music and food. During the ceremony, which begins well before the winter sunrise, Phil emerges from his temporary home on Gobbler's Knob located in a rural area about 2 miles southeast of town. According to tradition if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, he has predicted six more weeks of winter-like weather. If Phil does not see his shadow, he has predicted an "early spring". The town's event is the most famous of the many Groundhog Day festivals held in the United States and Canada. The event began in 1887, although its roots go back even farther.
The event is based upon a communal light-hearted suspension of disbelief. It is organized by the "Inner Circle" which is a group of men recognizable from their top hats and black overcoats. The Vice President of the Inner Circle prepares two scrolls in advance of the actual ceremony, one proclaiming six more weeks of winter and one proclaiming an early Spring.
According to the Stormfax Almanac, which has been tracking Phil's predictions since 1887, Phil has been correct only 39% of the time. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which analyzed Phil's predicitions from 2008 to 2018, he was right only 40% of the time.
Here Ye, Here Ye, Here Ye
Now this second day of February, two thousand and twenty-one, the one hundred and thirty fifth annual trek of the Punxsutawney Ground Club.
Punxsutawney Phil the Seer of Seers, the Prognosticator of all Prognosticators, was awakened from his borrow at 7:25 a.m. by his handler and friend, on this quiet morning where few can attend.
In Groundhogese, Phil directed the President of the Inner Circle to his prediction scroll that reads.
It is a beautiful morning this I can see,
With all my fans viewing virtually.
With my faithful followers being safe and secure,
Our tradition of Groundhog day must endure.
We all have passed through the darkness of night,
But now see hope of morning's bright light.
When I turn to see, there is a perfect shadow cast of me.
Six more weeks of winter there will be!
Punxsutawney Phil isn't the only famous groundhog on February 2. On the list are Chattanooga Chuck in Chattanooga, TN; French Creek Freddie in French Creek, West Virginia; Buckeye Chuck in Marion, Ohio; Essex Ed in West Orange, New Jersey; Jimmy the Groundhog in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; General Beauregard Lee in Jackson; Georgia; Staten Island Chuck in the Staten Island Zoo, NYC; Chuckles IX in Manchester, Connecticut; Sir Walter Wally in Raleigh, North Carolina and Pierre C. Shadeaux, the Cajun Groundhog in Broussard, Louisiana and Queen Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina and Buffalo Bert in Buffalo NY.
A groundhog named Grover is giving Punxsutawney Phil a run for his money in the State of Pennsylvania. Over in Schuylkill County's Pine Grove, Grover has been known to make a different weather prediction than famous Phil. Imagine that! Locals in that PA County say "Grover's prediction is more centralized for Schuylkill County".
So let's give a round of applause for these other little guys who aim to predict the arrival of Spring.
Last, but not least is DUNKIRK DAVE, a local groundhog who resides in nearby Dunkirk NY. Dunkirk Dave holds the auspicious title of being the world's "second-longest prognosticating groundhog" reports his official website (www.dunkirkdave.com). In 2019, the New York-based animal predicted an early Spring. Bob Will, Dunkirk Dave's handler, attributes his furry friend's popularity to an article that appeared in the Dunkirk Evening Observer. "I have used a groundhog for over 58 years to predict the coming of spring weather," says Will. On the website, Dunkirk Dave has a guestbook so sign it and let him know you came by.
The town of Punxsutawney PA is 15 miles South of my husband, Bill's hometown of Brookville PA. Several years ago while visiting Brookville we drove to Punxy as the locals call the town and paid a visit to the town's famous groundhog. Even though there are many groundhogs who seem to predict the weather, there is only one original and he resides in Punxy!
If you know of other weather-predicting groundhogs that I have not mentioned, leave a comment. Thanks and Happy Groundhogs Day!
Be Safe.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
