Ok, the American version of Groundhog Day goes like this:
There was this newspaper editor named Clymer Freas, and he belonged to a group of groundhog hunters called the "Punxstawney Groundhog Club" in Punxstawney Pennsylvania.
There were a number of German immigrants who had found their new home in the state of Pennsylvania, and although the Groundhog Day had started in German regions...in fact hedgehogs were used in Germany ( a type of badger), groundhogs were so numerous in the local Pennsylvania region, the decision was made to use "mormota monax" (scientific name) to celebrate this event. Groundhogs are actually a member of the squirrel family, usually growing to about 12 to 15 pounds in weight with a life expectancy of 6 to 8 years. Groundhogs...or woodchucks as they are commonly called, eat fruits and vegetables, whistle when they are frightened or when looking for a mate, and are able to climb trees and swim.
Of course, the big question?...
"How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood? "
The answer?...
"A woodchuck would chuck all the wood he could, if a woodchuck could chuck wood."
Actually, Cornell University did a study on this furry critter and concluded a groundhog is capable of chewing approximately 700 pounds of wood in their lifetime. And, as rightly stated in the answer to the question above, the groundhog is inept to move timber like his cousin...the beaver...so "chucking wood" is not a groundhog attribute.
In 1887, the first official "Groundhog Day" was proclaimed in Punxstawney, Pennsylvania. A local groundhog...who was named "Phil"...became the "official groundhog that had the distinction of being the only groundhog able to predict how much longer a winter was to last."
Now, if the truth be told, "Phil" could care less how much longer winter is to last. Male groundhogs emerge from their burrows in February for this reason: they are in search for a mate. As far as "clouds or sunshine", it makes no difference to Phil or his male buddies...they are looking for...female groundhogs!
Yet yearly, since 1887, at around 7:25 am, Phil is brought out of his burrow on a place called Gobbler's Knob...to project the duration of the current winter. In fact, "The Pennsylvania Groundhog Club" has turned this into an annual 3 day celebration with various entertainment and activities. There are numerous groundhogs that have held the office as "Phil", and you might wonder about their track record since this illustrious event first began.
Currently, "Phil the official groundhog for winter prediction" is running a cool 39% accuracy. "Phil" has seen his shadow 100 times (meaning 6 more weeks of winter), 17 times he has not seen his shadow (meaning an early spring), and 9 times they failed to record "Phil's" predictions.
As far as "Phil" finding a mate...I guess they did not keep a tally on that.
Other communities have started a similar tradition including Alabama, New York, Georgia, and even on up to Canada. Yet, "Phil" is a national favorite, although I honestly think "Phil" could care less...his interests lie elsewhere...as is the nature of males...or so they say.
A couple of other notes: "Woodchuck" is a word derived from the Native American languages, possibly Algoquian or Narragansett, from the word "Wojak".
Punxsutawney is also of Native American origin meaning: " the town of sand flies".
So..."Happy Groundhog Day"...just remember..."Phil" has something else on his mind...and it's not the weather!
There was this newspaper editor named Clymer Freas, and he belonged to a group of groundhog hunters called the "Punxstawney Groundhog Club" in Punxstawney Pennsylvania.
There were a number of German immigrants who had found their new home in the state of Pennsylvania, and although the Groundhog Day had started in German regions...in fact hedgehogs were used in Germany ( a type of badger), groundhogs were so numerous in the local Pennsylvania region, the decision was made to use "mormota monax" (scientific name) to celebrate this event. Groundhogs are actually a member of the squirrel family, usually growing to about 12 to 15 pounds in weight with a life expectancy of 6 to 8 years. Groundhogs...or woodchucks as they are commonly called, eat fruits and vegetables, whistle when they are frightened or when looking for a mate, and are able to climb trees and swim.
Of course, the big question?...
"How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood? "
The answer?...
Actually, Cornell University did a study on this furry critter and concluded a groundhog is capable of chewing approximately 700 pounds of wood in their lifetime. And, as rightly stated in the answer to the question above, the groundhog is inept to move timber like his cousin...the beaver...so "chucking wood" is not a groundhog attribute.
In 1887, the first official "Groundhog Day" was proclaimed in Punxstawney, Pennsylvania. A local groundhog...who was named "Phil"...became the "official groundhog that had the distinction of being the only groundhog able to predict how much longer a winter was to last."
Now, if the truth be told, "Phil" could care less how much longer winter is to last. Male groundhogs emerge from their burrows in February for this reason: they are in search for a mate. As far as "clouds or sunshine", it makes no difference to Phil or his male buddies...they are looking for...female groundhogs!
Yet yearly, since 1887, at around 7:25 am, Phil is brought out of his burrow on a place called Gobbler's Knob...to project the duration of the current winter. In fact, "The Pennsylvania Groundhog Club" has turned this into an annual 3 day celebration with various entertainment and activities. There are numerous groundhogs that have held the office as "Phil", and you might wonder about their track record since this illustrious event first began.
Currently, "Phil the official groundhog for winter prediction" is running a cool 39% accuracy. "Phil" has seen his shadow 100 times (meaning 6 more weeks of winter), 17 times he has not seen his shadow (meaning an early spring), and 9 times they failed to record "Phil's" predictions.
As far as "Phil" finding a mate...I guess they did not keep a tally on that.
Other communities have started a similar tradition including Alabama, New York, Georgia, and even on up to Canada. Yet, "Phil" is a national favorite, although I honestly think "Phil" could care less...his interests lie elsewhere...as is the nature of males...or so they say.
A couple of other notes: "Woodchuck" is a word derived from the Native American languages, possibly Algoquian or Narragansett, from the word "Wojak".
Punxsutawney is also of Native American origin meaning: " the town of sand flies".
So..."Happy Groundhog Day"...just remember..."Phil" has something else on his mind...and it's not the weather!
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