Groundhog's Day

Long ago, German peoples picked up on the Candlemas custom. If the sun shone on Candlemas Day, the Germans believed, the hedgehog would cast a shadow and another six weeks of winter was inevitable.

A HEDGEHOG STAND-IN

When the Germans arrived in the Americas, no hedgehogs were to be found. But another similar animal, the groundhog -- or woodchuck -- was here. Believed by the native Indians to be "a wise and sensible animal," the groundhog became a hedgehog stand-in.

So it is that the tradition was born. Today, we call each February 2nd "Groundhog Day." And when one thinks of Groundhog Day, one always thinks first of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania's best-known citizen -- Punxsutawney Phil! If Phil sees his shadow when he comes out of his burrow, we're in for six more weeks of winter weather. Or so the story goes.

A STORY WORTH TELLING

Please read Punxsutawney Phil's Story. The story offers many interesting details about the history of this world-renown, annual media event that each year draws thousands of people to Punxsutawney.

More facts of intrest:

• The word "woodchuck" comes from the Indian word Oijik (wejak), or Wojak. Indian lore has it that their forbears began life as animals; the woodchuck was recognized as the "grandfather" of the earliest inhabitants of the area.
• Early settlers ate woodchuck.
• Punxsutawney Phil's complete nickname is "The Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary."
• Promoting Punxsutawney Phil was the idea of the owner of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper. He thought promoting the area would bring more business to develop in the town.
• Punxsutawney is sometimes called "The Weather Capitol of the World."
• Punxsutawney Phil has visited the White House and been on Oprah's TV show.
• The town in which the movie Groundhog Day was filmed isn't really Punxsutawney at all. The movie was filmed in Woodstock, Illinois!

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Be sure to set aside a time for some special Groundhog Day Activities. Play games called Hot Dog, Toss the Hog, Groundhog Bingo, or Sshh! Silent Groundhog! There you'll also find the rules for a game called Spring or Snow: