Groundhog Day
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 | 2 February 2025 |
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, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, 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 in July 15.
Historical origins
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/DogGroundHog-small.jpg/200px-DogGroundHog-small.jpg)
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.
In Scotland, the poem:
If Candle-mas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.
If Candle mas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.
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] and 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
Date | Prediction | Groundhog | Location |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | 6 more weeks of winter[21] | Punxsutawney Phil | Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania |
2015 | Early spring[22] | Staten Island Chuck | Staten Island, New York City, New York |
2015 | Early spring[23] | Dunkirk Dave | Dunkirk, New York |
2014 | 6 more weeks of winter[24] | Poor Richard | York, Pennsylvania |
2014 | 6 more weeks of winter | Dundas Donna | Toronto, Ontario |
2014 | 6 more weeks of winter[24] | Dover Doug | Dover, Pennsylvania |
2014 | Early spring[25] | Dunkirk Dave | Dunkirk, New York |
2014 | Early spring[26] | Susquehanna Sherman | Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania |
2014 | 6 more weeks of winter[27] | Charlotte Sr. (stand-in for Staten Island Chuck) |
Staten Island, New York City, New York |
2014 | Early spring[28] | Malverne Mel | Malverne, New York |
2014 | Early spring[28] | Holtsville Hal | Holtsville, New York |
2014 | Early spring [29] | Fred | Val d'Espoir, Quebec |
2014 | 6 more weeks of winter[30] | Stormy Marmot | Aurora, Colorado |
2014 | Early spring[31] | Winnipeg Willow | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
2014 | 6 more weeks of winter[32] | Punxsutawney Phil | Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania |
2013 | Early spring[33] | Jimmy the Groundhog | Sun Prairie, Wisconsin |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[34] | Flatiron Freddy | Boulder, Colorado |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[35] | Malverne Mel | Malverne, New York |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[34] | Stormy Marmot | Aurora, Colorado |
2013 | Early spring[36] | Shubenacadie Sam | Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[36] | Fred | Val d'Espoir, Quebec |
2013 | Early spring[36] | Wiarton Willie | Wiarton, Ontario |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[36] | Manitoba Merv | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
2013 | Early spring[36] | Winnipeg Willow | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
2013 | Early spring[37] | Potomac Phil | Washington, DC |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[38] | Western Maryland Murray | Cumberland, Maryland |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[39] | Octorara Orphie | Quarryville, Pennsylvania |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[40] | Poor Richard | York, Pennsylvania |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[40] | Dover Doug | Dover, Pennsylvania |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[40] | Susquehanna Sherman | Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania |
2013 | 6 more weeks of winter[41] | Pine Grove Grover | Pine Grove, Pennsylvania |
2013 | Early spring[42] | Nibbles | Asheville, North Carolina |
2013 | Early spring[43] | Dunkirk Dave | Dunkirk, New York |
2013 | Early spring[44] | Woody | Howell, Michigan |
2013 | Early spring[45] | Punxsutawney Phil | Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania |
2012 | Early spring[46] | Stormy Marmot | Aurora, Colorado |
2012 | Early spring[47] | Woody | Howell, Michigan |
2012 | 6 more weeks of winter[48] | Western Maryland Murray | Cumberland, Maryland |
2012 | 6 more weeks of winter[49] | Grady the Groundhog | Chimney Rock, North Carolina |
2012 | Early spring[49] | Nibbles | Asheville, North Carolina |
2012 | 6 more weeks of winter[50] | Queen Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina |
2012 | 6 more weeks of winter[51] | Sir Walter Wally | Raleigh, North Carolina |
2012 | Early spring[51] | Mortimer | Garner, North Carolina |
2012 | Early spring[52] | Chattanooga Chuck | Chattanooga, Tennessee |
2012 | 6 more weeks of winter[53] | Uni | Myerstown, Pennsylvania |
2012 | 6 more weeks of winter[54] | Mount Joy Minnie | Lancaster County, Pennsylvania |
2012 | Early spring[54] | Patty Pagoda | Reading, Pennsylvania |
2012 | Early spring[55] | French Creek Freddie | French Creek, West Virginia |
2012 | Early spring[56] | Woodstock Willie | Woodstock, Illinois |
2012 | 6 more weeks of winter[57] | Balzac Billy | Balzac, Alberta |
2012 | Early spring[58] | Sir Thomas Hastings | Hastings, Nebraska |
2012 | Early spring[59] | Gus | Athens, Georgia |
2012 | Early spring[60] | Octoraro Orphie | Quarryville, Pennsylvania |
2012 | Early spring[61] | Dunkirk Dave | Dunkirk, New York |
2012 | Early spring[62] | Chuckles | Manchester, Connecticut |
2012 | Early spring[63] | Wynter the Groundhog | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
2012 | Early spring[64] | Dover Doug | Dover, Pennsylvania |
2012 | Early spring[64] | Susquehanna Sherman | Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania |
2012 | Early spring[64] | Poor Richard | York, Pennsylvania |
2012 | Early spring[65] | Jimmy the Groundhog | Sun Prairie, Wisconsin |
2012 | Early spring[66] | Wiarton Willie | Wiarton, Ontario |
2012 | 6 more weeks of winter[67] | Fred | Val d'Espoir, Quebec |
2012 | Early spring[68] | General Beauregard Lee | Lilburn, Georgia |
2012 | 6 more weeks of winter[69] | Malverne Mel | Malverne, New York |
2012 | Early spring[70] | Holtsville Hal | Holtsville, New York |
2012 | Early spring[71] | Buckeye Chuck | Marion, Ohio |
2012 | Early spring[72] | Staten Island Chuck | Staten Island (New York City) |
2012 | Early spring[73] | Shubenacadie Sam | Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia |
2012 | 6 more weeks of winter[74] | Punxsutawney Phil | Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania |
2011 | 6 more weeks of winter[75] | Stormy Marmot | Aurora, Colorado |
2011 | 6 more weeks of winter[47] | Woody | Howell, Michigan |
2011 | Early spring[76] | French Creek Freddie | French Creek, West Virginia |
2011 | Early spring[77] | Tumbleweed | Brookfield, Illinois |
2011 | Early spring[78] | Gus | Athens, Georgia |
2011 | 6 more weeks of winter[79] | Octoraro Orphie | Quarryville, Pennsylvania |
2011 | 6 more weeks of winter[80] | Balzac Billy | Balzac, Alberta |
2011 | 6 more weeks of winter[81] | Sir Walter Wally | Raleigh, North Carolina |
2011 | Early spring[82] | Grady the Groundhog | Chimney Rock, North Carolina |
2011 | Early spring[83] | Chuckles | Manchester, Connecticut |
2011 | Early spring[84] | Susquehanna Sherman | Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania |
2011 | 6 more weeks of winter[84] | Poor Richard | York, Pennsylvania |
2011 | 6 more weeks of winter[84] | Dover Doug | Dover, Pennsylvania |
2011 | Early spring[85] | Malverne Mel | Malverne, New York |
2011 | 6 more weeks of winter[86] | Holtsville Hal | Holtsville, New York |
2011 | 6 more weeks of winter[87] | Uni | Myerstown, Pennsylvania |
2011 | Early spring[88] | Wiarton Willie | Wiarton, Ontario |
2011 | Early spring[88] | Shubenacadie Sam | Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia |
2011 | Early spring[89] | Jimmy the Groundhog | Sun Prairie, Wisconsin |
2011 | 6 more weeks of winter[90] | Western Maryland Murray | Cumberland, Maryland |
2011 | Early spring[91] | Staten Island Chuck | Staten Island (New York City) |
2011 | Early spring[92] | Buckeye Chuck | Marion, Ohio |
2011 | Early spring[93] | Dunkirk Dave | Dunkirk, New York |
2011 | Early spring[94] | General Beauregard Lee | Lilburn, Georgia |
2011 | Early spring[95] | Punxsutawney Phil | Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania |
2010 | Early spring[96] | Gus | Athens, Georgia |
2010 | Early spring[96] | Queen Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina |
2010 | Early spring[97] | Octoraro Orphie | Quarryville, Pennsylvania |
2010 | Early spring[98] | Sir Walter Wally | Raleigh, North Carolina |
2010 | Early spring[99] | Jimmy the Groundhog | Sun Prairie, Wisconsin |
2010 | Early spring[100] | General Beauregard Lee | Lilburn, Georgia |
2010 | 6 more weeks of winter[101] | Smith Lake Jake | Graysville, Alabama |
2010 | Early spring[102] | Staten Island Chuck | Staten Island |
2010 | Early spring[103] | Woodstock Willie | Woodstock, Illinois |
2010 | 6 more weeks of winter[104] | Wiarton Willie | Wiarton, Ontario |
2010 | 6 more weeks of winter[74] | Punxsutawney Phil | Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania |
2010 | Early spring[105] | Uni | Myerstown, Pennsylvania |
2010 | 6 more weeks of winter | Poor Richard | York, Pennsylvania |
2010 | Early spring[106] | Dunkirk Dave | Dunkirk, New York |
2010 | Early spring[107] | Buckeye Chuck | Marion, Ohio |
2010 | Early spring[108] | Balzac Billy | Balzac, Alberta |
2010 | 6 more weeks of winter | Shubenacadie Sam | Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia |
2010 | Early spring[109] | French Creek Freddie | French Creek, West Virginia |
2009 | 6 more weeks of winter[96] | Gus | Athens, Georgia |
2009 | Early spring[110] | Queen Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina |
2009 | Early spring[111] | French Creek Freddie | French Creek, West Virginia |
2009 | 6 more weeks of winter[112] | Buckeye Chuck | Marion, Ohio |
2009 | Early spring[113] | Malverne Mel | Malverne, New York |
2009 | 6 more weeks of winter[114] | Woodstock Willie | Woodstock, Illinois |
2009 | 6 more weeks of winter[115] | Jimmy the Groundhog | Sun Prairie, Wisconsin |
2009 | 6 more weeks of winter[116] | Octoraro Orphie | Quarryville, Pennsylvania |
2009 | Early spring[117] | Staten Island Chuck | Staten Island (New York City) |
2009 | 6 more weeks of winter[118] | Wiarton Willie | Wiarton, Ontario |
2009 | 6 more weeks of winter[118] | Shubenacadie Sam | Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia |
2008 | 6 more weeks of winter[119] | Punxsutawney Phil | Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania |
2009 | Early spring[120] | Dunkirk Dave | Dunkirk, New York |
2008 | 6 more weeks of winter[119] | Smith Lake Jake | Graysville, Alabama |
2008 | Early spring[121] | Jimmy the Groundhog | Sun Prairie, Wisconsin |
2008 | Early spring[122] | Dunkirk Dave | Dunkirk, New York |
2008 | Early spring[123] | Balzac Billy | Balzac, Alberta |
2008 | 6 more weeks of winter[124] | Sir Walter Wally | Raleigh, North Carolina |
2008 | Early spring[123] | Wiarton Willie | Wiarton, Ontario |
2008 | Early spring[125] | General Beauregard Lee | Lilburn, Georgia |
2008 | 6 more weeks of winter[125] | Queen Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina |
2008 | 6 more weeks of winter[74] | Punxsutawney Phil | Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania |
2008 | Early spring[126] | Malverne Mel | Malverne, New York |
2008 | Early spring[126] | Staten Island Chuck | Staten Island (New York City) |
2008 | Early spring[127] | Buckeye Chuck | Marion, Ohio |
Meteorological accuracy
According to Groundhog Day organizers, the rodents' forecasts are accurate 75% to 90% of the time.[128] 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.[128] According to the StormFax Weather Almanac and records kept since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil's weather predictions have been correct 39% of the time.[129] 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."[130]
In popular culture
- At the end of Disney's 1930 Silly Symphonies short film Winter, Mr. Groundhog the Weather Prophet comes out of his hole to determine whether or not there will be more winter. At first, he does not see his shadow, but the clouds clear and his shadow appears, causing him to run back inside. At this point, the winds picks up again and winter continues.
- Tex Avery's 1940 Warner Brothers cartoon Wacky Wildlife features a brief gag with a groundhog that peeks outside, then retreats into a burrow filled with high-tech (for the time) weather equipment.
- The 1941 Woody Woodpecker short Pantry Panic portrays the groundhog as a weather forecaster, although in this case he forecasts the timing of the beginning of winter, not the end of it.
- The 1947 Warner Bros. cartoon One Meat Brawl features Grover Groundhog singing the "Groundhog Song" with music by Carl W. Stalling and lyrics by Warren Foster.[131]
- In the 1979 Rankin-Bass Christmas TV special Jack Frost, a crucial plot point in the story involves Jack casting his own shadow on Groundhog Day for six more weeks of winter. At the end of the story it is revealed that the narrator (voiced by Buddy Hackett) is the groundhog.
- From the 1990 album Frizzle Fry by the San Francisco area trio Primus, Ground Hog's Day appears as the second track. The song is set on Ground Hog's day, from the anthropomorphic perspective of the groundhog. The song's theme deals with growth, perseverance, and fresh starts.
- The 1993 comedy movie Groundhog Day takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on this day (although the majority of the movie was actually filmed in Woodstock, Illinois). The main character (played by Bill Murray) is forced to relive the day over and over again until he can learn to give up his selfishness and become a better person.[132]
- In "Franklin and the Grump" from Franklin (Season 3, 2000), the character Mr. Groundhog was an anthropomorphic groundhog with a great interest in meteorology who didn't want to participate in Groundhog Day anymore because there were always those who were upset regardless of what he predicted. He "officially canceled" the holiday, but the title character told his friends and family about the problem and the entire community gathered to give him a day just for him. Mr. Groundhog was later featured as more regular character in the series.
- In Disney's 2006 film Bambi II, Bambi accompanies his friends Thumper and Flower to go and see the Groundhog, whose shadow will foretell if winter will end soon.
- In the 2012 Dreamworks film Rise of the Guardians, when the Man in the Moon is about to choose a new Guardian, Bunnymund hopes that it isn't the Groundhog.
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 on this day the bear will awake from winter dormancy, and if in this sleepy and confused state it sees (meets) its own shadow, 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. While it might seem to refer to the "Siebenschläfer" squirrel (Glis glis), also known as the "edible dormouse", 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 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.[133]
See also
Notes
- ^ Cohen, p. 57.
- ^ Yoder, p. xii.
- ^ Rosenberger, Homer Tope (1966). The Pennsylvania Germans: 1891–1965. Lancaster, PA: Pennsylvania German Society. pp. 194–199. OCLC 1745108.
- ^ "Pennsylvania Town Awaits Groundhog Day". New York Times. February 2, 1986. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
- ^ Yoder, pp. 14–15.
- ^ Yoder, p. i.
- ^ Yoder, p. 43.
- ^ History Society of Berks County, Reading, Pennsylvania.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Groundhog Day, Margaret Kruesi. Journal of American Folklore. Washington: Summer 2007. Vol. 120, Iss. 477; p. 367+.
- ^ Park, PhD, David (2006). "Happy Groundhog Day to You!". Retrieved February 2, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Yoder, p. 9.
- ^ Yoder, pp. 19–28.
- ^ Yoder, pp. 29–30.
- ^ Yoder, pp. 30–31.
- ^ Yoder, p. 31.
- ^ Yoder, pp. 33.
- ^ "Hopeful Canadians look to Groundhog Day for predictions of an early spring". Canadian Press. February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ^ "Shubenacadie Sam prepping for Groundhog Day". King's County Register. January 30, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ^ Colleges in the Midwest: Compare Colleges in Your Region (24 ed.). Peterson's. 2009. p. 298. ISBN 9780768926903. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
- ^ Benson, Preston (February 2, 2015). "Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow; six more weeks of winter!". WNHT.
- ^ Steussy, Lauren (February 2, 2015). "Groundhog Day 2015: Staten Island Chuck calls for an early spring". Staten Island Advance.
- ^ Will, Bob (February 2, 2015). "Ground Hog Day 2015".
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Will, Bob (January 11, 2014). "Dunkirk Dave Did NOT See His Shadow". Dunkirk Dave. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ Puskar, Gene (February 2, 2014). Punxsutawney Phil, Poor Richard, Dover Doug predict longer winter. Associated Press. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
- ^ Wrobleski, Tom. Fumbled Chuck joins 'forkgate' among de Blasio's Staten Island flubs (photos, video). Staten Island Advance. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "It's Groundhog Day!". asnaggydime.com. February 2, 2014.
- ^ Prest, Ashley (February 2, 2014). "Willow the groundhog says early spring coming". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, MB.
- ^ Sturtz, Ken (February 2, 2014). "Groundhog Day 2014: Did Punxsutawney Phill see his shadow?". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, NY.
- ^ Punzel, Denis (February 11, 2013). "Sun Prairie's Jimmy the Groundhog predicts early spring". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, WI.
- ^ a b Bates, Jim (February 2, 2013). "Happy Groundhog Day, Colorado-style". The Denver Post. Denver, CO.
- ^ Conry, Tara (February 2, 2013). "Groundhog Day: Malverne Mel Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter". Patch.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Winnipeg Willow predicts an early spring on Groundhog Day, while Manitoba Merv says more winter to come". CTV Winnipeg. February 2, 2013.
- ^ Gomez, Luis (February 2, 2013). "Potomac Phil Predicts an Early Spring and More Political Gridlock". Borderstan.
- ^ "Murray's meaning". Cumberland Times-News. Cumberland, MD. February 2, 2013.
- ^ "Octorara Orphie predicts more winter". WGAL. February 2, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Groundhog Day: Local groundhogs disagree with Punxsutawney Phil, say more winter". The Evening Sun. Hanover, PA. February 2, 2013.
- ^ Marchiano, Amy (February 3, 2013). "Pine Grove's Grover: 6 more weeks of winter". The Republican-Herald. Pottsville, PA.
- ^ Motsinger, Carol (February 2, 2013). "Local groundhog: Spring on the way". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville, NC.
- ^ "Dunkirk Dave predicts early spring". Dunkirk Observer. Dunkirk, NY. February 2, 2013.
- ^ "Michigan's Official Groundhog 'Woody' Predicts An Early Spring". CBS Detroit. Detroit, MI. February 2, 2013.
- ^ Samenow, Jason (February 2, 2013). "Groundhog Day 2013: No shadow for Punxsutawney Phil, so spring is around the corner". The Washington Post. Washington, DC.
- ^ "Michigan's Official Groundhog Predicts An Early Spring". WKBD-TV CBS Detroit. February 2, 2012.
- ^ a b Brookbank, Mike (February 2, 2012). "Woody the Woodchuck predicts early spring for Michigan". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, MI.
- ^ "African, American concur with six more weeks of winter prediction". WCBC. Cumberland, MD. February 2, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Spring is here to stay, says Asheville's groundhog, Nibbles". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville, NC. February 2, 2012.(subscription required)
- ^ Needham, Nick (February 2, 2012). "Queen Charlotte sees shadow, 6 more weeks of winter". WBTV. Charlotte, NC.
- ^ a b "Sir Walter Wally, Mortimer disagree about spring again". Raleigh News Observer. Raleigh, NC. February 2, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Chattanooga Chuck predicts warm, wet weather". Nooga.com. February 2, 2012.
- ^ Snyder, Steve (February 2, 2012). "Uni's close call: 6 more weeks of winter". Lebanon Daily News. Lebanon, PA.
- ^ a b "Groundhogs Predict Fate Of Winter; Punxsutawney Phil Joined By Others In Valley". WGAL. Lancaster, PA. February 2, 2012.
- ^ "Groundhog Day 2012". WTRF. Wheeling, WV. February 2, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Woodstock Willie Predicts Early Spring: Midwestern Groundhog Disagrees With Punxsutawney Phil". Huffington Post. February 2, 2012.
- ^ "Groundhog Day 2012: Wiarton Willie, Shubenacadie Sam predict early spring; Punxsutawney Phil calls for more winter". National Post. February 2, 2012.
- ^ "Spring's Right Around the Corner". Hastings Tribune. Hastings, NE. February 2, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Georgia's groundhog predicts early spring". Athens Banner-Herald. Athens, GA. February 2, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ Knapp, Tom (February 2, 2012). "Octoraro Orphie predicts an early spring". Intelligencer Journal. Lancaster, PA.
- ^ Riley, Ed (February 2, 2012). "Dunkirk Dave predicts early spring". WKBW-TV. Buffalo, NY.
- ^ DeRosa, Ronald (February 2, 2012). "POLL: Punxsutawney Phil Vs. Chuck". Naugatuck Patch. Naugatuck, CT.
- ^ Bilstad, Erik (2012). "Milwaukee's Groundhog Did Not See Shadow". Today's TMJ 4. Retrieved February 3, 2013.[dead link]
- ^ a b c Argento, Mike (February 2, 2012). "Is winter over? The local groundhogs say yes, Phil says six more weeks". York Daily News. York, PA.
- ^ "Groundhog's Forecast: More Winter". KBOI. Boise, ID. February 2, 2012.
- ^ "Ground Hog Day update". CFTR. Toronto. February 3, 2013.
- ^ "Groundhog Day: Quebec groundhog disagrees with Shubenacadie Sam, Wiarton Willie". The Gazette. Montreal, CA. February 2, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Beau doesn't see his shadow! An early spring is just around the corner". General Beauregard Lee's official Twitter. February 2, 2012.
- ^ Conry, Tara (February 2, 2012). "Malverne Mel predicts six more weeks of winter". Malverne-West Hempstead (Patch.com).
- ^ Dymski, Gary (February 2, 2012). "Holtsville Hal, Malverne Mel disagree on winter". Long Island Newsday. Melville, NY.
- ^ "Buckeye Chuck in Marion fails to see shadow, 'predicts' spring is near". Mansfield News Journal. Mansfield, OH. February 2, 2012.
- ^ Silverstein, Irving (February 2, 2012). "Groundhog Day 2012: Staten Island Chuck predicts early spring". Staten Island Advance. Staten Island, NY.
- ^ "This just in: ShubenacadieSam didn't see his shadow. Spring is on the way folks, as long as you trust adorable rodents". Global Halifax. February 2, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Past Predictions". The Punxutawney Groundhog Club. February 2, 2011.
- ^ "No matter what, there will be weather". Hudson, NY: Hudson Register-Star. February 3, 2011.
- ^ Schrock, Jeff (February 2, 2011). "French Creek Freddie Predicts Early Spring for 2011". The State Journal. Charleston, WV.[dead link]
- ^ "Snow even too much for Willie the groundhog". Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, IL. February 2, 2011.
- ^ "Athens' groundhog emerges to predict spring". The Red and Black. Athens, GA. February 2, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Octorara Orphie sees 6 more weeks of winter". Lancaster Online. Lancaster, PA. February 2, 2011.
- ^ "Winter's not over yet". CFCN-TV. Calgary, Alberta, CA. February 2, 2011.
- ^ "Sir Walter Wally predicts more winter". WTVD. Raleigh, NC. February 2, 2011.
- ^ "Chimney Rock groundhog doesn't see his shadow". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville, NC. February 2, 2011.
- ^ Soper, Kym (February 2, 2011). "No shadow! Chuckles predicts early spring at Lutz". Journal-Inquirer. Manchester, CT.
{{cite news}}
:|access-date=
requires|url=
(help) - ^ a b c "Dover Doug Delivers Groundhog Report". York Daily Record. York, PA. February 2, 2011.
- ^ Conry, Tara (February 2, 2011). "Malverne Mel Bids Grizzly Winter Early Goodbye". Malverne-WestHempstead (Patch.com). Malverne, NY.
- ^ Bolger, Timothy (February 2, 2011). "Holtsville Hal predicts long winter on Groundhog Day". Long Island Press. Syosset, NY.
- ^ Snyder, Steve (February 2, 2011). "Uni says we'll see six more weeks of winter". Lebanon Daily News. Lebanon, pa. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ a b "Wiarton Willie predicts early spring". Toronto Star. February 2, 2011.
- ^ Henzl, Ann-Elise (February 2, 2011). "Believe it or not, Groundhog Predicts Early Spring". WUWM. Milwaukee, WI.[dead link]
- ^ "Groundhog". WCBC. 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2013.[dead link]
- ^ "Groundhog Day 2011: It's an early spring! Staten Island Chuck did not see his shadow". Staten Island Advance. Staten Island, NY. February 2, 2011.
- ^ Seitz, Colleen (February 2, 2011). "No shadows for Buckeye Chuck and Punxsutawney Phil mean early spring". WEWS. Cleveland, OH.
- ^ Carey, Elizabeth (February 2, 2011). "Groundhogs call for spring as storm flops". Buffalo Business Journal. Buffalo, NY.
- ^ "General Beau Lee Doesn't See Shadow; Predicts Early Spring!". Yellow River Game Ranch. February 2, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ "Punxsutawney Phil Calls For An Early Spring". KDKA. Pittsburgh, PA. February 2, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ a b c Vanhoose, Joe (February 3, 2010). "Furry forecaster sees early spring". Athens Banner-Herald. Athens, GA.
- ^ Crable, Ad (February 2, 2010). "Spring almost here, Orphie says". Lancaster Newspapers. Lancaster, PA.
- ^ Shaffer, Josh (February 2, 2010). "Sir Walter Wally, Punxsutawney Phil disagree on winter's end". Raleigh News Observer. Raleigh, NC.
- ^ "Groundhog Central". Groundhog Central. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ "Groundhog Day 2008 at the Yellow River Game Ranch!". Yellowrivergameranch.com. February 2, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ "Smith Lake Jake Visits Wake-Up!". Wake up, Alabama!. CBS42. February 2, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ McWeeney, Michael (February 2, 2010). "Staten Island's famous Groundhog Chuck calls for an early spring". Staten Island Advance. Staten Island, NY.
- ^ Nguyen, Thao. "Woodstock Willie: An early spring is coming". Northwest Herald. Crystal Lake, IL. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
- ^ "Mix of cheers and groans as Wiarton Willie predicts six more weeks of winter". The Canadian Press.[dead link]
- ^ Snyder, Steve (February 2, 2010). "Uni's forecast: Early spring". Lebanon Daily News. Lebanon, PA.
{{cite news}}
:|access-date=
requires|url=
(help) - ^ "2010". Official Dunkirk Dave site.
- ^ "Weather-Predicting Groundhogs Don't Agree". WCMH-TV. February 2, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ Wylie, David (February 2, 2002). "Alberta's Balzac Billy disagrees with Ontario's Wiarton Willie". Canada.com. Canwest News Service.
- ^ "Groundhog Day". Charleston Daily Mail. Charleston, WV. February 3, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "N.C. Groundhog, Hog Differ On Winter Weather Outlook". WSOC Charlotte. Charlotte, NC. February 2, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ "Ground Hog". Wvmetronews.com. Retrieved December 11, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ Willis, Donna (February 2, 2009). "Buckeye Chuck Makes Prediction: 6 More Weeks". NBC4i.com. Columbus, OH. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
- ^ Goldstein, Ari; Mallia, Joseph (February 2, 2009). "Split decision for furry forecasters". Long Island Newsday. Melville, NY. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ Keeshan, Chuck (February 2, 2009). "Woodstock Willie: Bundle up; more winter ahead". Daily Herald. Arlington Heights, IL. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ "Groundhog Day". Sun Prairie Chamber Of Commerce. Retrieved December 11, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ Umble, Chad (February 2, 2009). "Orphie says: Button up!". Intellignecer Journal. Lancaster, PA. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ Silverstein, Irving (February 2, 2009). "Staten Island Chuck predicts spring is near". Staten Island Advance. Staten Island, NY.
- ^ a b "No surprises as Wiarton Willy and pals predict more winter". London Free Press. London, ON. February 2, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Groundhog Predicts More Winter Weather". Associated Press. February 2, 2008. Archived from the original on February 7, 2008.
- ^ "Dunkirk Dave predicts early spring". Evening Observer. Dunkirk, NY. February 2, 2009.
- ^ "Wisconsin's Jimmy the groundhog predicts an early spring". WBAY-TV. Associated Press. February 3, 2008.[dead link]
- ^ West, Shirley (February 3, 2008). "Early spring? Dunkirk Dave says yes!". Evening Observer. Dunkirk, NY.
{{cite news}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|DATE=
(help)[dead link] - ^ a b "Canada's groundhogs agree: Spring's coming early". CTV. February 2, 2008.
- ^ Stradling, Richard. "2008-02-03". The News & Observer. Raleigh, NC.[dead link]
- ^ a b Lytle, Steve (February 2, 2008). "Charlotte's groundhog sees shadow". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte, NC.[dead link]
- ^ a b "An early spring, says Malverne Mel". Long Island Newsday. Melville, NY. February 2, 2008.[dead link]
- ^ "Buckeye Chuck Fails to See Shadow". WCMH. February 2, 2008.[dead link]
- ^ a b Phillips, David. "Groundhog Day". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Foundation of Canada.
- ^ Groundhog Day History. Stormfax Weather Almanac.
- ^ "Groundhog Forecasters versus the U.S. Temperature Record". NOAA National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
- ^ One Meat Brawl at IMDb
- ^ Groundhog Day (1993)
- ^ The Associated Press. "Alaska to celebrate its first Marmot Day," Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. February 1, 2010. Accessed Feb 1, 2010.
References
- Cohen, H.; Coffin, T. P. (1987). The Folklore of American Holidays. Detroit: Gale Research.
- Yoder, Don (2003). Groundhog Day. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-8117-0029-1.
Further reading
- Aaron, Michael A., Brewster B. Boyd, Jr., Melanie J. Curtis, Paul M. Sommers (January 2001). "Punxsutawney's Phenomenal Phorecaster". The College Mathematics Journal, 32(1):26–29. doi:10.2307/2687216.
- Old, W. C., and P. Billin-Frye (2004). The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman.
- Pulling, A. F. (2001). Around Punxsutawney. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia.