Groundhog Day

January 30, 2012

February 2nd is Groundhog Day. Did you ever wonder why we celebrate Groundhog Day? The legend says that if the groundhog sees his shadow, we will have 6 more weeks of winter. If not, we should expect an early spring! Okay..... But why should we trust such a monumental decision each year to a rodent? Think about it! We have been counting on a furry woodchuck since 1887! 

If you read about groundhogs, they usually only live about 8 to 9 years, But the most famous of these shaggy prognosticators - Punxsutawney Phil -has supposedly been the ONLY groundhog used in Punxsutawney, PA - ever! There has never been a Punxsutawney Pete, or Patrick, or even Phyllis! That would mean that fuzzy Phil has been heralding the weather for 125 years! That's a lot of forecasting - even for such a fine fellow as Phil! When you come to think about this, should we have put all this pressure on what is basically a hairy giant squirrel? While the 7,500 residents of Punxsutawney, PA claim that Phil has been 100% accurate, the National Climatic Data Center places him at about 39% accuracy! I think the pressure may be getting to Phil!

This tradition has grown out of an old German celebration for Candlemas day. The strong Pennsylvania Dutch population in that state have long celebrated this holiday. Other cultures believe in similar stories that have to do with sunny/cloudy days, a bear, squirrel, or marmot coming out of dormancy. If they see their shadow, they are frightened and return to their winter nap for 6 more weeks. Whatever your heritage or custom and no matter whom you trust to do the forecasting, most of us look forward to Spring – without a shadow of a doubt! 
 
Laura C.
Smithville Branch