Groundhog Day 2011: Bring on spring!

As winter throws its weight around unlike anything we have seen in years, even people who have never believed in Punxsutawney Phil’s powers of prognostication were thrilled when Groundhog Day 2011 resulted in our furry friend forecasting an early spring. Phil didn’t see his shadow (mostly because of the gray skies and icy rain), so six more weeks of winter aren’t in the cards this year. That was welcome news to most Americans, as everyone from the Dakotas down to Texas over to the Carolinas and up through New England are sick and tired of the cold.Snowfall across the US has reached record levels, so even if you don’t believe that a groundhog can predict the weather, surely you can appreciate that any sign of hope is welcome. On behalf of everyone who has had a flight canceled, spent hours digging out their cars or slipped on some ice, we salute you, Punxsutawney Phil. But if you’re wrong, we’ve got some groundhog stew recipes ready.

Photo by Flickr user alemaxale.

Groundhog Day: Look out for Phil

If you head to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 2, Groundhog Day, you’ll find a town that knows how to throw itself a good time in the middle of winter. This is where the groundhog is looked to with humorous reverence just in case he might herald in an early spring if the 2nd is cloudy. Regardless of what the groundhog does, there are activities all day long–a few that stand out as purely Punxsutawney. It’s not called “home of the groundhog” for any old reason.

Sensibly, the Groundhog Jog is at 2:00 in the afternoon. Why get up early in the winter to run? It’s cold in Punxsutawney this time of year. A person’s joints need some time to warm up.

Phil’s Dream Wedding at 2:30 really intrigues me. Do groundhogs get married? Do people? Another unusual happening is ice fishing on an area lake. If your birthday is the same as Phil’s and you can prove it with an ID card, you can join in Phil’s birthday celebration.

If you ever are in Punxsutawney for Groundhog’s Day or any other time, look for the statues of Phil. These are the type where area artists start out with the same basic template and create their own versions. There are 32 painted fiberglass statues gracing the fronts of the town’s significant buildings and businesses.

Pux Phil Says More Winter

Global warming threatens to swap our coastal cities and
change the very way we live. Life on the planet is getting increasingly and dangerously warmer. But don’t tell this to
Punxsutawney Phil, the prognosticating groundhog. Pux-Phil apparently saw his shadow today
and promises us six more weeks of winter. Frankly, I’ve never understood the Pux-Phil-Phenom (P3), but I will say I
enjoyed immensely the Bill Murray film and can’t hear Sonny and Cher on the radio anymore without thinking about it.

Anyway, travel-wise, the Washington Post runs a
piece
on P3’s appeal and how it has turned into a boom for litle ol’ Punxsutawney, PA.