Happy Groundhog Day
My favourite “holiday” of the year is Groundhog Day. The origins seem to date back to the Celts (European not Boston) to celebrate the “special days” between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. During these “special days” animals got special powers (mind reading, talking, etc.) that would freak out most anyone - especially in those early days (5th century, 1976, etc.).
The earliest known North American reference to Groundhog Day can be traced back to Reading, Pennsylvania. According to Wikipedia:
“The reference was made Feb. 4, 1841 in Morgantown, Berks County, Pennsylvania storekeeper James Morris’ diary: “Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.”
2007!!!
It looks like the likes of Balzac Billy, Punxsutawney Phil, Staten Island Chuck, Wiarton Willie, Shubenacadie Sam and General Beauregard Lee, Malverne Mel are all predicting an early Spring for 2007. There were two dissenters - Jimmy the Groundhog and Holtsville Hal - that predicted six more weeks of winter.
In 2006, this is how it broke down:
6 more weeks of winter — Dunkirk Dave, Punxsutawney Phil, Buckeye Chuck
Early Spring — Spanish Joe, Wiarton Willie, General Beauregard Lee, Staten Island Chuck, Shubenacadie Sam, Jimmy the Groundhog, Malverne Mel, French Creek Freddie
And in 2005:
6 more weeks of winter — Dunkirk Dave, Punxsutawney Phil, Shubenacadie Sam, Spanish Joe, Octorara Orphie, Malverne Mel
Early Spring — Wiarton Willie, Jimmy the Groundhog, General Beauregard Lee, Balzac Billy, Staten Island Chuck
Whatever happened to Spanish Joe? French Creek Freddie? Man I loved those groundhogs!!
Happy Groundhog Day suckers!!!!