On February 2nd every year, the top-hatted elder statesmen of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club head to Gobbler’s Knob to watch Punxsutawney Phil emerge from his burrow to predict the weather. According to the old tradition, if the groundhog sees his own shadow then there will be six more weeks of winter. If the sky is cloudy and the day is shadowless, on the other hand, then spring is on the way.
The earliest written reference to Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania dates from 1841, but the event really took on its modern form in the 1880s when Clymer H Freas, the enterprising editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper, started using the event to promote the town as the “Weather Capital of the World”.
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania was also the location of the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day” staring Bill Murray. In Wausa it is a little bit different as we do not have a groundhog, but when Kenny B. and Tim come out for coffee they always check for their shadows.
Category: News
Phil’s official forecast as read February 2nd, 2009 at sunrise at Gobbler’s Knob:
Hear Ye Hear Ye
On Gobbler’s Knob this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2009
Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators
Awoke to the call of President Bill Cooper
And greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths
After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,
Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time
And a bright sky above me
Showed my shadow beside me.
So 6 more weeks of winter it will be.
Tim and kenny B…. could you guys see your shadows this morning????
Wausa should start a ‘shadow searching – weather predicting’ rodent. Ever heard of a Swedish Weasel? Could make national headlines and it’s a whole lot easier than enunciating ‘puctx to winnie’ Phyllis!