Happy Groundhog Day!
February has many of us dreaming of warmer weather and the joys of summer camp. As you may already know, Groundhog Day on February 2nd is the day on which we discover whether we’ll see an early spring or get six more weeks of winter. It hasn’t proven to be the most accurate method, but we like to go based off of whether or not a small, little critter called a groundhog spots his shadow upon leaving his den early in February. However, we can’t just get the word from any ol’ groundhog. Such a prognostication must come from no common groundhog, but from none other than Punxsutawney Phil.
This annual rodent Punxsutawney Phil delivers his annual prediction in his own language, ‘groundhogese’. And his word is translated by the president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club who reveals the answer to the Vice-President and then the entire gathering of Phil’s adoring fans. So, what else do we know about this special groundhog?
Nice Duds, Classy Hats
Some fifty-some years ago, it went into effect for members of the Groundhog Club Director’s Board (the Inner Circle) that they must wear a top hat and tuxedo uniform during the annual picnic at Gobbler’s Knob. The reasoning: A figure of such importance as Punxsutawney Phil must always be greeted with a tone of respect and formality.
Not your Ordinary Groundhog
A celebrity like Punxsutawney Phil makes just one public appearance a year at the Gobbler’s Knob picnic. Where is he for the rest of the year? He lives with his wife, Phyllis, and two other friends of theirs in a heated area of the Punxsutawney Memorial Library.
Hog Nog
It is said that Punxsutawney Phil has been giving us his forecast for 133 years now. How does one, little groundhog exceed the life expectancy of a super healthy person? Well, according to legend, Punxsutawney Phil takes a swig of ‘groundhog nog’ at the Gobbler’s Knob picnic which is a magic elixir of life that extends his life another seven years with each sip.
You can learn even more about the celebration of Groundhog Day on a previous post from a few years ago which traces back the origin of the Groundhog Day celebration. Check that post out by clicking right here and, as always, thanks for reading!
- John