Groundhog Day

For the film, see Groundhog Day (film). For other uses, see Groundhog Day (disambiguation).
Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day 2005 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Type Cultural
Significance Predicts the arrival of spring
Celebrations Announcing whether a groundhog sees its shadow after it emerges from its burrow
Date February 2
Next time February 2, 2016
Frequency annual

Groundhog Day (Canadian French: Jour de la Marmotte; Pennsylvania German: Grundsaudaag, Murmeltiertag) is a day celebrated on February 2. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will persist for six more weeks.[1]

Modern customs of the holiday involve celebrations where early morning festivals are held to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow.

In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge,[2] social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime, or quarter per word spoken, with the money put into a bowl in the center of the table.[3]

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with Punxsutawney Phil. Groundhog Day, already a widely recognized and popular tradition,[4] received widespread attention as a result of the 1993 film Groundhog Day.[5]

History

The celebration began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries. It has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator, as opposed to a groundhog.[6] It also bears similarities to the Pagan festival of Imbolc (the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar, which is celebrated on February 2 and also involves weather prognostication[7]), and to St. Swithun's Day on July 15.

Historical origins

The groundhog (Marmota monax) is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels.
Banner of Grundsow Lodsh Nummer Sivva (Groundhog Lodge Number Seven), of Pennsburg, Pennsylvania.

The first documented American reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry,[8] dated February 4, 1841, of Morgantown, Pennsylvania, storekeeper James Morris:

Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans,[9] 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.

From England, the poem:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.[1]

  1. ^ "Groundhog Day". Stormfax Weather Almanac. Stormfax, Inc. 2014. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2015. 

From Scotland, the poem:

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.[1]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Stormfax was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

From Germany, the poem:

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.[1]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Stormfax was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

Alternative origin theories

In western countries in the Northern Hemisphere, the official first day of spring is almost seven weeks (46–48 days) after Groundhog Day, on March 20 or March 21. The custom could have been a folk embodiment of the confusion created by the collision of two calendrical systems. Some ancient traditions marked the change of season at cross-quarter days such as Imbolc when daylight first makes significant progress against the night. Other traditions held that spring did not begin until the length of daylight overtook night at the Vernal Equinox. So an arbiter, the groundhog/hedgehog, was incorporated as a yearly custom to settle the two traditions. Sometimes spring begins at Imbolc, and sometimes winter lasts six more weeks until the equinox.[10]

Locations

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as large as 40,000[11] have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886.[12] Other celebrations of note in Pennsylvania take place in Quarryville in Lancaster County,[13] the Anthracite Region of Schuylkill County,[14] the Sinnamahoning Valley[15] of Bucks County.[16]

The day is observed with various ceremonies at other communities in North America,[17] including in Wiarton, Ontario,[18] at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park in Nova Scotia,[19] and at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas (which has what is claimed to be the second largest Groundhog celebration in the world).[20]

Predictions of various groundhogs since 2008

DatePredictionGroundhogLocation
2015Early spring[21]Stormy MarmotAurora, Colorado
20156 more weeks of winter[22]Punxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2015Early spring[23]Staten Island Chuck Staten Island, New York City, New York
2015Early spring[24]Dunkirk DaveDunkirk, New York
2015Early spring[25]Balzac BillyBalzac, Alberta
2015Early spring[26]Buckeye ChuckMarion, Ohio
20156 more weeks of winter[27]Chattanooga ChuckChattanooga, Tennessee
20156 more weeks of winter[28]ChucklesManchester, Connecticut
2015Early spring[29]Cocalico CalEphrata, Pennsylvania
2015Early spring[30]Lawrenceville LucyLawrenceville, Pennsylvania
2015Early spring[31]Dover DougDover, Pennsylvania
20156 more weeks of winter[32]FredVal d'Espoir, Quebec
2015Early spring[33]French Creek FreddieFrench Creek, West Virginia
2015Early spring[34]General Beauregard LeeLilburn, Georgia
20156 more weeks of winter[35] Grady the GroundhogChimney Rock, North Carolina
20156 more weeks of winter[36]Holtsville HalHoltsville, New York
2015Disputed[37] Jimmy the GroundhogSun Prairie, Wisconsin
20156 more weeks of winter[36]Malverne MelMalverne, New York
2015Early spring[38]Manitoba MervWinnipeg, Manitoba
20156 more weeks of winter[29]Mount Joy MinnieLancaster County, Pennsylvania
2015Early spring[35]NibblesAsheville, North Carolina
2015Early spring[29]Octorara OrphieQuarryville, Pennsylvania
20156 more weeks of winter[39]Oil Springs OllieOil Springs, Ontario
20156 more weeks of winter[31]Poor RichardYork, Pennsylvania
20156 more weeks of winter[40]Queen CharlotteCharlotte, North Carolina
20156 more weeks of winter[41]Shubenacadie SamShubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2015Early spring[42]Sir Walter WallyRaleigh, North Carolina
2015Early spring[43]Susquehanna ShermanMount Wolf, Pennsylvania
20156 more weeks of winter[44]UniMyerstown, Pennsylvania
2015 6 more weeks of winter[45]Western Maryland MurrayCumberland, Maryland
2015Early spring[41] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
2015Early spring[38]Winnipeg WillowWinnipeg, Manitoba
20156 more weeks of winter[46]Woodstock WillieWoodstock, Illinois
20156 more weeks of winter[47]Murray
(stand-in for Woody)		Howell, Michigan
20146 more weeks of winter[48] Poor RichardYork, Pennsylvania
20146 more weeks of winterDundas DonnaToronto, Ontario
20146 more weeks of winter[48]Dover DougDover, Pennsylvania
2014Early spring[49]Dunkirk DaveDunkirk, New York
2014Early spring[50]Susquehanna ShermanMount Wolf, Pennsylvania
20146 more weeks of winter[51]Charlotte Sr.
(stand-in for Staten Island Chuck)		Staten Island, New York City, New York
2014Early spring[52]Malverne MelMalverne, New York
2014Early spring[52]Holtsville HalHoltsville, New York
2014Early spring [53]Fred Val d'Espoir, Quebec
20146 more weeks of winter[54]Stormy MarmotAurora, Colorado
2014Early spring[55]Winnipeg WillowWinnipeg, Manitoba
20146 more weeks of winter[56]Punxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2013Early spring[57]Jimmy the GroundhogSun Prairie, Wisconsin
20136 more weeks of winter[58]Flatiron FreddyBoulder, Colorado
20136 more weeks of winter[59]Malverne MelMalverne, New York
20136 more weeks of winter[58]Stormy MarmotAurora, Colorado
2013Early spring[60]Shubenacadie SamShubenacadie, Nova Scotia
20136 more weeks of winter[60]FredVal d'Espoir, Quebec
2013Early spring[60] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
20136 more weeks of winter[60]Manitoba MervWinnipeg, Manitoba
2013Early spring[60]Winnipeg WillowWinnipeg, Manitoba
2013Early spring[61]Potomac PhilWashington, D.C.
20136 more weeks of winter[62]Western Maryland MurrayCumberland, Maryland
20136 more weeks of winter[63]Octorara OrphieQuarryville, Pennsylvania
20136 more weeks of winter[64]Poor RichardYork, Pennsylvania
20136 more weeks of winter[64]Dover DougDover, Pennsylvania
20136 more weeks of winter[64]Susquehanna ShermanMount Wolf, Pennsylvania
20136 more weeks of winter[65]Pine Grove GroverPine Grove, Pennsylvania
2013Early spring[66]NibblesAsheville, North Carolina
2013Early spring[67]Dunkirk DaveDunkirk, New York
2013Early spring[68]WoodyHowell, Michigan
2013Early spring[69] Punxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2012Early spring[70]Stormy MarmotAurora, Colorado
2012Early spring[71]WoodyHowell, Michigan
20126 more weeks of winter[72]Western Maryland MurrayCumberland, Maryland
20126 more weeks of winter[73]Grady the GroundhogChimney Rock, North Carolina
2012Early spring[73]NibblesAsheville, North Carolina
20126 more weeks of winter[74]Queen CharlotteCharlotte, North Carolina
20126 more weeks of winter[75]Sir Walter WallyRaleigh, North Carolina
2012Early spring[75]MortimerGarner, North Carolina
2012Early spring[76]Chattanooga ChuckChattanooga, Tennessee
20126 more weeks of winter[77]UniMyerstown, Pennsylvania
20126 more weeks of winter[78]Mount Joy MinnieLancaster County, Pennsylvania
2012Early spring[78]Patty PagodaReading, Pennsylvania
2012Early spring[79]French Creek FreddieFrench Creek, West Virginia
2012Early spring[80]Woodstock WillieWoodstock, Illinois
20126 more weeks of winter[81]Balzac BillyBalzac, Alberta
2012Early spring[82]Sir Thomas HastingsHastings, Nebraska
2012Early spring[83]GusAthens, Georgia
2012Early spring[84]Octoraro OrphieQuarryville, Pennsylvania
2012Early spring[85]Dunkirk DaveDunkirk, New York
2012Early spring[86]ChucklesManchester, Connecticut
2012Early spring[87]Wynter the GroundhogMilwaukee, Wisconsin
2012Early spring[88]Dover DougDover, Pennsylvania
2012Early spring[88]Susquehanna ShermanMount Wolf, Pennsylvania
2012Early spring[88]Poor RichardYork, Pennsylvania
2012Early spring[89]Jimmy the GroundhogSun Prairie, Wisconsin
2012Early spring[90] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
20126 more weeks of winter[91]FredVal d'Espoir, Quebec
2012Early spring[92]General Beauregard LeeLilburn, Georgia
20126 more weeks of winter[93]Malverne MelMalverne, New York
2012Early spring[94]Holtsville HalHoltsville, New York
2012Early spring[95] Buckeye Chuck Marion, Ohio
2012Early spring[96]Staten Island Chuck Staten Island, New York City, New York
2012Early spring[97]Shubenacadie SamShubenacadie, Nova Scotia
20126 more weeks of winter[98]Punxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania
20116 more weeks of winter[99]Stormy MarmotAurora, Colorado
20116 more weeks of winter[71]WoodyHowell, Michigan
2011Early spring[100]French Creek FreddieFrench Creek, West Virginia
2011Early spring[101]TumbleweedBrookfield, Illinois
2011Early spring[102]GusAthens, Georgia
20116 more weeks of winter[103]Octoraro OrphieQuarryville, Pennsylvania
20116 more weeks of winter[104]Balzac BillyBalzac, Alberta
20116 more weeks of winter[105]Sir Walter WallyRaleigh, North Carolina
2011Early spring[106]Grady the GroundhogChimney Rock, North Carolina
2011Early spring[107]ChucklesManchester, Connecticut
2011Early spring[108]Susquehanna ShermanMount Wolf, Pennsylvania
20116 more weeks of winter[108]Poor RichardYork, Pennsylvania
20116 more weeks of winter[108]Dover DougDover, Pennsylvania
2011Early spring[109]Malverne MelMalverne, New York
20116 more weeks of winter[110]Holtsville HalHoltsville, New York
20116 more weeks of winter[111]UniMyerstown, Pennsylvania
2011Early spring[112] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
2011Early spring[112]Shubenacadie SamShubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2011Early spring[113]Jimmy the GroundhogSun Prairie, Wisconsin
20116 more weeks of winter[114]Western Maryland MurrayCumberland, Maryland
2011Early spring[115]Staten Island Chuck Staten Island, New York City, New York
2011Early spring[116] Buckeye Chuck Marion, Ohio
2011Early spring[117]Dunkirk DaveDunkirk, New York
2011Early spring[118]General Beauregard LeeLilburn, Georgia
2011Early spring[119]Punxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2010Early spring[120]GusAthens, Georgia
2010Early spring[120]Queen CharlotteCharlotte, North Carolina
2010Early spring[121]Octoraro OrphieQuarryville, Pennsylvania
2010Early spring[122]Sir Walter WallyRaleigh, North Carolina
2010Early spring[123]Jimmy the GroundhogSun Prairie, Wisconsin
2010Early spring[124]General Beauregard LeeLilburn, Georgia
20106 more weeks of winter[125]Smith Lake JakeGraysville, Alabama
2010Early spring[126]Staten Island ChuckStaten Island, New York City, New York
2010Early spring[127]Woodstock WillieWoodstock, Illinois
20106 more weeks of winter[128] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
20106 more weeks of winter[98]Punxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2010Early spring[129]UniMyerstown, Pennsylvania
20106 more weeks of winterPoor RichardYork, Pennsylvania
2010Early spring[130]Dunkirk DaveDunkirk, New York
2010Early spring[131] Buckeye Chuck Marion, Ohio
2010Early spring[132]Balzac BillyBalzac, Alberta
20106 more weeks of winterShubenacadie SamShubenacadie, Nova Scotia
2010Early spring[133]French Creek FreddieFrench Creek, West Virginia
20096 more weeks of winter[120]GusAthens, Georgia
2009Early spring[134]Queen Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina
2009Early spring[135]French Creek FreddieFrench Creek, West Virginia
20096 more weeks of winter[136] Buckeye Chuck Marion, Ohio
2009Early spring[137]Malverne MelMalverne, New York
20096 more weeks of winter[138]Woodstock WillieWoodstock, Illinois
20096 more weeks of winter[139]Jimmy the GroundhogSun Prairie, Wisconsin
20096 more weeks of winter[140]Octoraro OrphieQuarryville, Pennsylvania
2009Early spring[141]Staten Island Chuck Staten Island, New York City, New York
20096 more weeks of winter[142] Wiarton Willie Wiarton, Ontario
20096 more weeks of winter[142]Shubenacadie SamShubenacadie, Nova Scotia
20086 more weeks of winter[143]Punxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2009Early spring[144]Dunkirk DaveDunkirk, New York
20086 more weeks of winter[143]Smith Lake JakeGraysville, Alabama
2008Early spring[145]Jimmy the GroundhogSun Prairie, Wisconsin
2008Early spring[146]Dunkirk DaveDunkirk, New York
2008Early spring[147]Balzac BillyBalzac, Alberta
20086 more weeks of winter[148]Sir Walter WallyRaleigh, North Carolina
2008Early spring[147]Wiarton WillieWiarton, Ontario
2008Early spring[149]General Beauregard LeeLilburn, Georgia
20086 more weeks of winter[149]Queen CharlotteCharlotte, North Carolina
20086 more weeks of winter[98]Punxsutawney PhilPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania
2008Early spring[150]Malverne MelMalverne, New York
2008Early spring[150]Staten Island ChuckStaten Island, New York City, New York
2008Early spring[151] Buckeye ChuckMarion, Ohio

Meteorological accuracy

According to Groundhog Day organizers, the rodents' forecasts are accurate 75% to 90% of the time.[152] However, a Canadian study for 13 cities in the past 30 to 40 years found that the weather patterns predicted on Groundhog Day were only 37% accurate over that time period.[152] According to the StormFax Weather Almanac and records kept since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil's weather predictions have been correct 39% of the time.[153] The National Climatic Data Center has described the forecasts as "on average, inaccurate" and stated that "[t]he groundhog has shown no talent for predicting the arrival of spring, especially in recent years."[154]

In popular culture

Similar customs

A similar custom is celebrated among Orthodox Christians in Serbia on February 15 (February 2 according to local Julian calendar) during the feast of celebration of Sretenje or The Meeting of the Lord. It is believed that the bear will awaken from winter dormancy on this day, and if it sees (meets) its own shadow in this sleepy and confused state, it will get scared and go back to sleep for an additional 40 days, thus prolonging the winter. Thus, if it is sunny on Sretenje, it is the sign that the winter is not over yet. If it is cloudy, it is a good sign that the winter is about to end.

In Germany, June 27 is "Siebenschläfertag" (Seven Sleepers Day). If it rains that day, the rest of summer is supposedly going to be rainy. It might seem to refer to the "Siebenschläfer" squirrel (Glis glis), also known as the "edible dormouse", but it actually commemorates the Seven Sleepers (the actual commemoration day is July 25).

In the United Kingdom, July 15 is known as St. Swithun's day. It was traditionally believed that, if it rained on that day, it would rain for the next 40 days and nights.

In Alaska, February 2 is observed as Marmot Day rather than Groundhog Day because few groundhogs exist in the state.[157]

Incidents

Several unforeseen incidents have involved animals handled during Groundhog Day events. During New York City's annual Groundhog Day event at the Staten Island Zoo on February 2, 2009, a groundhog named "Chuck" drew blood when biting Mayor Michael Bloomberg's gloved finger while Bloomberg was trying to lure Chuck out of his wooden shelter.[158] Five years later, on February 2, 2014, Bloomberg's mayoral successor, Bill de Blasio, dropped "Chuck" (subsequently revealed to be Chuck's granddaughter, "Charlotte"), who seven days later died of "acute internal injuries".[51][159] At the city's next Groundhog Day event on February 2, 2015, "Staten Island Chuck" walked out of a hutch that an elevator had lifted onto the stage of a portable Plexiglass-enclosed habitat, while de Blasio watched from six feet away.[23][160]

During Sun Prairie, Wisconsin's annual Groundhog Day celebration on February 2, 2015, "Jimmy the Groundhog" bit Mayor Jonathan Freund's ear while being held by Jimmy's caretaker.[37] The next day, Freund issued a proclamation that officially pardoned and absolved Jimmy "of any perceived wrongdoing and charges" under the city's ordinance. The proclamation stated that Jimmy had "created an international media sensation, thereby helping the world to learn more about our great City".[161] Two weeks later, Freund came in last of three candidates in the city's mayoral primary election.[162]

See also


Notes

  1. ↑ Cohen, p. 57.
  2. ↑ Yoder, p. xii.
  3. ↑ Rosenberger, Homer Tope (1966). The Pennsylvania Germans: 1891–1965. Lancaster, PA: Pennsylvania German Society. pp. 194–199. OCLC 1745108.
  4. ↑ "Pennsylvania Town Awaits Groundhog Day". New York Times. February 2, 1986. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  5. ↑ Yoder, pp. 14–15.
  6. ↑ Yoder, p. i.
  7. ↑ Yoder, p. 43.
  8. ↑ History Society of Berks County, Reading, Pennsylvania.
  9. ↑ The attribution to the "Germans" may be based on some German Bauernregeln (farmers' rules) like this one: Wenn sich der Dachs zu Lichtmeß sonnt, so gehet er wieder auf vier Wochen in sein Loch. (If the badger is in the sun at Candlemas, he will have to go back into his hole for another four weeks. Joseph Arnold Lewenau : Der angewandte Fresenius; oder, Sammlung geordneter allgemeiner Witterungs- und sogenannter Bauernregeln: mit beygefügten Erklärungen ihres Grundes und vernünftigen Sinnes zu einem nützlichen Gebrauch ... vorzüglich beym Betriebe der Landwirthschaft. Vienna: J.G. Mösle, 1823, p. 20.
  10. ↑ Groundhog Day, Margaret Kruesi. Journal of American Folklore. Washington: Summer 2007. Vol. 120, Iss. 477; p. 367+.
  11. ↑ Park, PhD, David (2006). "Happy Groundhog Day to You!". Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  12. ↑ Yoder, p. 9.
  13. ↑ Yoder, pp. 19–28.
  14. ↑ Yoder, pp. 29–30.
  15. ↑ Yoder, pp. 30–31.
  16. ↑ Yoder, p. 31.
  17. ↑ Yoder, pp. 33.
  18. ↑ "Hopeful Canadians look to Groundhog Day for predictions of an early spring". Canadian Press. February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Shubenacadie Sam prepping for Groundhog Day". King's County Register. January 30, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  20. ↑ Colleges in the Midwest: Compare Colleges in Your Region (24 ed.). Peterson's. 2009. p. 298. ISBN 9780768926903. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Marmot Predicts an Early Spring". asnaggydime.com. February 2, 2015.
  22. ↑ Benson, Preston (February 2, 2015). "Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow; six more weeks of winter!". WNHT.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Steussy, Lauren (February 2, 2015). "Groundhog Day 2015: Staten Island Chuck calls for an early spring". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  24. ↑ Will, Bob (February 2, 2015). "Ground Hog Day 2015". Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  25. ↑ Ramsay, Melissa (February 2, 2015). "Balzac Billy predicts an early spring". CICT. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Chuck says early spring; Phil disagrees". The Marion Star. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Chattanooga Chuck Predicts 6 More Weeks Of Winter". WTVC. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Chuckles predicts six more weeks of winter". The Hartford Courant. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Rios, Alejandro (February 2, 2015). "2 of Lancaster County's 3 groundhogs predict early spring". LancasterOnline. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Lawrenceville Lucy Predicts Early Spring". February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Kauffmann, Christina (February 2, 2015). "York's groundhogs predict both more spring and more winter". The York Dispatch. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Fred la marmotte : encore six semaines d'hiver!". Radio-Canada. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  33. ↑ Watson, Lindsey (February 2, 2015). "French Creek Freddie Predicts an Early Spring". WDTV. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  34. ↑ Morris, Mike (February 2, 2015). "Georgia groundhog predicts early spring". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Wadington, Katie (February 2, 2015). “WNC groundhogs divided: No shadow & early spring for Nibbles at #WNCNatureCenter but @ChimneyRockPark's Grady predicts more winter.” Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved February 31, 2015 .
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Asbury, John (February 2, 2015). "Holtsville Hal, Malverne Mel, Punxsutawney Phil say six more weeks of winter; Staten Island Chuck predicts early spring". Newsday. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Ola, Mary Jo (February 2, 2015). "Jimmy the Groundhog's forecast debated; mayor bitten". Channel 3000.com (Madison, Wisconsin: WISC-TV). Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Groundhog Day: Manitoba rodents predict early spring". CBWT. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  39. ↑ Michaels, Lee (February 2, 2015). "Six More Weeks Of Winter". BlackburnNews.com. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  40. ↑ "'Queen Charlotte' sees shadow, predicts 6 more weeks of winter". WSOC-TV. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Casey, Liam (February 2, 2015). "Wiarton Willie predicts early spring, Shubenacadie Sam disagrees". The Canadian Press. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Sir Walter Wally predicts short winter". WNCN. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  43. ↑ Argento, Mike (February 2, 2015). "Dead York groundhog vs. meteorologists. Who wins?". York Daily Record. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  44. ↑ Long, Jeremy (February 2, 2015). "Uni, the groundhog, predicts six more weeks of winter". Lebanon Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  45. ↑ Bittner, Steven (February 2, 2015). "Groundhog Day in Cumberland". Cumberland Times-News. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  46. ↑ Starks, John (February 2, 2015). "Oh no! Woodstock Willie sees his shadow". Chicago Daily Herald. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Murray the Groundhog says six more weeks of winter". WSYM-TV. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Czech, Ted (February 2, 2014). NWS predicts 4 to 8 inches of snow; most groundhogs call for 6 more weeks of winter. Evening Sun (Hanover, PA). Retrieved 2014-2-02.
  49. ↑ Will, Bob (January 11, 2014). "Dunkirk Dave Did NOT See His Shadow". Dunkirk Dave. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  50. ↑ Puskar, Gene (February 2, 2014). Punxsutawney Phil, Poor Richard, Dover Doug predict longer winter. Associated Press. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Wrobleski, Tom. Fumbled Chuck joins 'forkgate' among de Blasio's Staten Island flubs (photos, video). Staten Island Advance. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 Armaghan, Sarah and Priscilla Korb (February 2, 2014). Malverne Mel, Holtsville Hal don't see shadows, call for early spring. Newsday. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  53. ↑ Costisella, Marie-Claude (February 2, 2014). "Fred de Val d’Espoir Predicts and Early Spring" (in French). Regional Weeklies Quebecor Media. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  54. ↑ "It’s Groundhog Day!". asnaggydime.com. February 2, 2014.
  55. ↑ Prest, Ashley (February 2, 2014). "Willow the groundhog says early spring coming". Winnipeg Free Press (Winnipeg, MB).
  56. ↑ Sturtz, Ken (February 2, 2014). "Groundhog Day 2014: Did Punxsutawney Phill see his shadow?". The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY).
  57. ↑ Punzel, Denis (February 11, 2013). "Sun Prairie's Jimmy the Groundhog predicts early spring". Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI).
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 Bates, Jim (February 2, 2013). "Happy Groundhog Day, Colorado-style". The Denver Post (Denver, CO).
  59. ↑ Conry, Tara (February 2, 2013). "Groundhog Day: Malverne Mel Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter". Patch.com.
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 60.2 60.3 60.4 "Winnipeg Willow predicts an early spring on Groundhog Day, while Manitoba Merv says more winter to come". CTV Winnipeg. February 2, 2013.
  61. ↑ Gomez, Luis (February 2, 2013). "Potomac Phil Predicts an Early Spring and More Political Gridlock". Borderstan.
  62. ↑ "Murray’s meaning". Cumberland Times-News (Cumberland, MD). February 2, 2013.
  63. ↑ "Octorara Orphie predicts more winter". WGAL. February 2, 2013.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2 "Groundhog Day: Local groundhogs disagree with Punxsutawney Phil, say more winter". The Evening Sun (Hanover, PA). February 2, 2013.
  65. ↑ Marchiano, Amy (February 3, 2013). "Pine Grove's Grover: 6 more weeks of winter". The Republican-Herald (Pottsville, PA).
  66. ↑ Motsinger, Carol (February 2, 2013). "Local groundhog: Spring on the way". Asheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, NC).
  67. ↑ "Dunkirk Dave predicts early spring". Dunkirk Observer (Dunkirk, NY). February 2, 2013.
  68. ↑ "Michigan’s Official Groundhog ‘Woody’ Predicts An Early Spring". CBS Detroit. Detroit, MI. February 2, 2013.
  69. ↑ Samenow, Jason (February 2, 2013). "Groundhog Day 2013: No shadow for Punxsutawney Phil, so spring is around the corner". The Washington Post (Washington, DC).
  70. ↑ "Michigan’s Official Groundhog Predicts An Early Spring". WKBD-TV CBS Detroit. February 2, 2012.
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 Brookbank, Mike (February 2, 2012). "Woody the Woodchuck predicts early spring for Michigan". Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI).
  72. ↑ "African, American concur with six more weeks of winter prediction". WCBC (Cumberland, MD). February 2, 2012.
  73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 "Spring is here to stay, says Asheville's groundhog, Nibbles". Asheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, NC). February 2, 2012.(subscription required)
  74. ↑ Needham, Nick (February 2, 2012). "Queen Charlotte sees shadow, 6 more weeks of winter". WBTV (Charlotte, NC).
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 "Sir Walter Wally, Mortimer disagree about spring again". Raleigh News Observer (Raleigh, NC). February 2, 2012.
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References

Further reading

External links