Off the Cuff

[#1]

As the midwest and New Yorker's were buried under ice and snow, over in Punxsutawney, PA, thousands waited with bated breath to see if our weather predicting groundhog would forecast an end to the winter. Great news! He did...and so meterorologists around the world took note to revise their own predictions for spring. Okay, maybe not. It's all in good fun, but this year, I think many were secretly hoping that there is truth to our furry friend's prediction.

You might be asking yourself, how did a groundhog get the coveted job of predicting the weather? This esteemed position comes with it a year of pampering, generous praise and accolades, published tributes and worldwide fame. Not a bad job if you can get it. But of course, it takes certain attributes to land this profession…namely, you have to be a groundhog. 

Groundhog Day is officially held February 2, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania each year. Here’s how it works. If the ground hog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow, we’re stuck with six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, we’re in for an early spring.

This event was made even more famous by the 1993 classic, and extremely funny, “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray and Andie McDowell. Stephen Tobolowsky stars as nerdy insurance salesman, Ned Ryerson, who shares some of the funniest scenes in the film. Murray’s character Phil relives the same day, which happens to be Groundhog Day while he’s in Punxsutawney, over and over.  It's definately worth checking out to celebrate the holiday. Check out the video.

The tradition dates back to 1887, and though the origins are unclear, it is said to have originated from ancient European weather lore in which a badger or sacred bear predicts the weather, rather than a groundhog. It also has religious origins, as it shares similarities with Candlemas Day, which is also on Feb. 2. According to an old English song…

    "If Candlemas be fair and bright,

    Come, Winter, have another flight."

Every year, thousands attend this 5-day celebration that includes everything from art shows, to book readings and magic shows, ultimately culminating with the official event at Gobbler’s Knob, starring of course, Phil.  

Tim Beggy recaps the history and event in his video at left.

Learn more and find fun facts at the official Punxsutawney Groundhog Day Club website.

[#2]

Groundhog Day is one of my favorite movies of all time!  I've never gone to Punxsutawney, but every time I see the movie I want to go!

[#3]

That IS a great movie, but my fondness for groundhogs dissipated last summer when we had one (or perhaps several) dig enormous tunnels through our gardens and under our foundation.  Besides destroying a huge number of beautiful perennials, they regularly aggravated our dogs who would bark for hours at the nearby intruder.  I had never faced their destructiveness before.  By the way, in case anyone else runs into this, there is a natural solution which seemed to work.  Instead of filling in the holes (which they just dig up again), you should fill it up with gravel.  They do not like the sensation of that material, and it also fills back in as quickly as they dig.  They seemed to abandon our foundation (finally!) and probably moved next door!  

[#4]

All my life I've wondered this and no one can explain...Groundhog Day is if the ground hog see his shadow it means 6 more weeks of winter. My question is WHY ???? In order for the ground hog to see a shadow it requires sun light. If the sun is out, why is winter predicted instead of spring, ( which should be sunny ) Can anyone give logic to that ? I'd really like to understand.

[#5]

i've always wondered about this too....does anyone know the inside scoop on this?

[#6]

I'm personally thinking it's a load of hooey. It's obviously loads of fun for the people who run the ceremony. I watched it online this year and everyone was dressed up in tophats and whatnot, and there were speeches and scrolls and much ritual to the whole thing. They pulled a very fat groundhog out of his "den", who had clearly been eating all winter and not actually hibernating. lol I think someone just checks a farmer's almanac for the weather predictions and goes from there. Because otherwise, for northerners who are desperate for an early spring, if the groundhog predicted more winter, wouldn't they just want to kick his furry little butt?!

[#7]

That would be me, gardendigger. I want to drop kick that little rodent like nobody's business. Didn't he say an early spring this year? I'm not seeeeeing it, little rodent. You have some 'splaining to do, Phil.

[#8]

But how do they know where to find the groundhog? What if he moves his burrow? And do they have to wake him up ahead of time? I would have thought if he was hibernating he'd be sleeping really deeply and would be like totally groggy. I cannot imagine what it would be like if someone woke me up really early and expected me to go perform in the cold, with just a little fur coat on, in front of news cameras. I would freak. Does he at least get a latte out of it?

[#9]

Personally, I find the groundhog thing to be very questionable.  Sounds like a very weak excuse to have a party, to me.  You'd think they could find something legitimate to have a party about.  Like a saint.  Now, there's a reason to throw a party!  Think of it, the dignity, the poise, the purity of a saint.  Ah, yes.  hehe

Actually, I think if you lived in Western PA, this might just be the social highlight of the year.