Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney

Whether you love Willie, Phil or Sam, Groundhog Day is something to be marveled and admired.

The idea of predicting the coming of spring by looking at certain other conditions has been with us as long as winter has. The desire to know when spring will arrive is understandable as knowing the right time for planting is essential for a successful crop.

When the early settlers arrived in North America they brought many of their European customs with them. In Europe, many groups used the weather on Candlemas Day, the Christian festival of lights, to predict the length of winter. Not surprising Candlemas Day and Groundhog Day both fall on February 2, the mid-point of winter.

I have long been intrigued by the fact that a small furry rodent can cause news outlets across the continent and in some cases around the world, to forget science and to wait with bated breath while the groundhog predicts the coming of spring. Weather stations with all their science and equipment bow to the predictions of this creature. According to groundhog legend, if the groundhog sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter.  If he doesn’t see his shadow, there will be an early spring. He has a fifty fifty chance of getting it right – not bad odds.

While driving through the United States we had the opportunity to come within a short detour of Punxsutawney, PA where the famous Punxsutawney Phil, the great weather prognosticator, resides. Unable to resist the opportunity to visit this very unique little town, we headed off.

When we arrived it didn’t take long to realize that Punxsutawney has done one thing very well, they have embraced their little rodent. The entire town centres on their fame as the home to Phil.

We stopped for breakfast on our way in and enjoyed a surprisingly good nosh at Punxy Phil’s Family Restaurant, a diner just on the edge of town. The food was good and the service was very friendly. When they found out we were visiting, the waiter offered up a number of ‘must sees’.

Littered throughout the town are decorated fiberglass Phils sponsored by community groups, companies and residents. Phil himself has a public ‘den of honour’ right beside the library where he and his lady-friend reside and hold court.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gobbler’s Knob, not located in the main square as suggested in the now famous Groundhog Day movie, is about a mile out of downtown and currently undergoing a face lift. You can head up onto the stage and recreate your own Groundhog Day experience.

It was a fun morning checking out the home of my second favourite groundhog, my first being Wiarton Willie, a Canadian groundhog prognosticator.

Punxsutawney, PA USA ‎