Punxsutawney Phil, Wiarton Willy and More!

Groundhog Day is a Canadian and American tradition celebrated on February 2nd each year.  On this day the groundhog, or woodchuck, comes out of his hole after winter hibernation to look for his shadow.  If he sees his shadow this means six more weeks of bad weather, if he does not see his shadow that means spring is coming soon.  

This tradition comes from a old European belief that if it is sunny on Candlemas Day, then the winter would remain another six weeks. Candlemas Day was celebrated on February 2nd and commemorated the purification of the Virgin Mary. Candles for sacred uses were blessed on this day.

It is uncertain if this belief dates to pre-Christianity, nevertheless it was a common belief in a number of European countries during the seventeen century. The Germans started the belief that if a hedgehog was frightened by his shadow on Candlemas Day he would foretell that winter would last another six weeks. This belief was brought to America during the eighteenth century by German settlers. These settlers adopted the groundhog as their weather predicator.

Punxsutawney Phil

This lore grew popular in the United States during the late eighteen hundreds due to the efforts of Clymer H. Freas, a newspaper editor, and W. Smith, an American congressman and newspaper publisher. They organized and popularized a yearly festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. In which a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil was used to foretell how much longer winter would last. This very popular event is still being held and is called Groundhog Day. 

Over the course of Phil's appearances, Phil has had numerous noteworthy highlights:

• During Prohibition Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he wasn't allowed a drink.
• In 1958 Phil announced that it was a "United States Chucknik," rather than a Soviet Sputnik or Muttnik that became the first man-made satellite to orbit Earth.
• In 1981 Phil wore a yellow ribbon in honor of the American hostages in Iran.
• Phil traveled to Washington DC in 1986 to meet with President Reagan. He was joined by Groundhog Club President Jim Means, Al Anthony and Bill Null.
• Phil met Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburg in 1987.
• In 1993, Columbia Pictures released the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray.
• Phil appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show in 1995.
• In the years following the release of the movie, record crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney!
  

Phil's Past Predictions ~ Since 1887 through today!

Saw Show = Long Winter       No Shadow = Early Spring

1887	First Official trek to Gobbler's Knob. Saw Shadow.
1888	Saw Shadow.
1889	No Record.
1890	No Shadow.
1891	No Record.
1892	No Record.
1893	No Record.
1894	No Record.
1895	No Record.
1896	No Record.
1897	No Record.
1898	Saw Shadow.
1899	No Record.
1900	Saw Shadow.
1901	Saw Shadow.
1902	Probably No Shadow.
1903	Saw Shadow.
1904	Saw Shadow.
1905	Saw Shadow.
1906	Saw Shadow.
1907	Saw Shadow.
1908	Saw Shadow; First front page coverage.
1909	Saw Shadow.
1910	Saw Shadow.
1911	Saw Shadow; "55 couples at Groundhog Day Dance."
1912	Saw Shadow.
1913	Saw Shadow at 8:08 AM; first newspaper photo of Groundhog by John Frampton. A new dance "The Groundhog Roll" was demonstrated by Joe Winslow.
1914	Saw Shadow at 9:34 AM, Groundhog Demonstrated "The Groundhog Flop"
1915	Saw Shadow at 11:45 AM; His name - Wiley William Woodchuck!
1916	Saw Shadow at 9:07; First films of the event.
1917	Saw Shadow at 9:07.
1918	Saw Shadow; Temperature 18 below zero.
1919	Saw Shadow.
1920	Saw Shadow.
1921	Saw Shadow at 7:17 AM.
1922	Saw Shadow 7:11 AM; Groundhog Holiday Dance.
1923	Saw Shadow.
1924	Saw Shadow 7:13 AM; First appearance of logo with groundhog with umbrella and newspaper
1925	Saw Shadow 8:13 AM; C.J. Margiotti gave groundhog tradition to the Pittsburgh Travel Club.
1926	Saw Shadow at 9:17 AM.
1927	Saw Shadow at 8:35 AM.
1928	Saw Shadow at 10 AM; Program with Punx'y Rotary Club was on KDKA Radio.
1929	Predicted six more weeks of winter before sunrise.
1930	Saw Shadow at 7:11.
1931	Saw Shadow at 12:27 PM.
1932	Saw Shadow at 9:11 AM.
1933	Saw Shadow.
1934	No Shadow.
1935	Saw Shadow at 9:11 AM.
1936	Saw Shadow at 10:27 AM.
1937	Saw Shadow at 9:09 AM; Unfortunate meeting with a skunk.
1938	Saw Shadow at 9 AM; Blackest shadow in history.
1939	Saw Shadow at 9:10 AM.
1940	Saw Shadow at 9 AM; Pictured with first Groundhog Day Queen, Miss Margaret Hunam.
1941	Saw Shadow at 4:25 PM; Six Groundhog Girls.
1942	Partial Shadow at 7:40 AM; "War clouds have blacked out parts of the shadow." (The Spirit, Feb. 2, 1942).
1943	Groundhog didn't make an appearance; need to rely on Quarryville's prediction.
1944	Saw Shadow at 9:10 AM.
1945	Saw Shadow at 9 AM.
1946	Saw Shadow at 7:52 AM.
1947	Saw Shadow at 7:37 AM; First newspaper photo of Groundhog Club members at Gobbler's Knob.
1948	Saw Shadow at 8:46 AM; Dr. Frank Lorenzo was interviewed on KDKA Radio's "Brunch With Bill" program.
1949	Saw Shadow at 7:32 AM.
1950	No Shadow; Colleen Townsend, actress, was in town to promote the film, When Willie Comes Marching Home.
1951	Saw Shadow at 8:41 AM
1952	Saw Shadow at 7:52 AM; First appearance of Frau Groundhog, Groundhog procession and shadow. Casting was on Dave Garroway's TV Show on NBC on Monday, February 4.
1953	Saw Shadow at 7:38 AM; First year with Sam Light as Groundhog Club president; First Man-of-the-Year Award goes to Ben Levy.
1954	Saw Shadow at 8:03 AM; The groundhog was turned completely white from worry.
1955	Saw Shadow at 8:51 AM; 4-inch snowfall on Groundhog Day; Coverage on three TV stations.
1956	Saw Shadow 8:33 AM.
1957	Saw Shadow 7:47 AM.
1958	Saw Shadow at 8:27 AM; Prepared for blast-off in his "Chucknik" spacecraft; First Woman-of-the-Year Award was given to Mrs. Louis (Olive) Woodring.
1959	Saw Shadow at 8:23 AM; Announces that he has returned from a successful trip to the moon.
1960	Saw Shadow at 7:33 AM; forecasts extremely bad weather; appearance on the Today show.
1961	Saw Shadow at 7:41 AM; 25 below zero.
1962	Saw Shadow at 7:29 AM; Just returned from second trip to the moon.
1963	Saw Shadow at 7:41 AM; Unusually dark shadow.
1964	Saw Shadow.
1965	Saw Shadow shortly before 8 AM.
1966	Saw Shadow at 7:21 AM.
1967	Saw Shadow 7:25 AM.
1968	Saw Shadow 7:29 AM.
1969	Saw Shadow 7:29 AM.
1970	No Shadow.
1971	Saw Shadow at 7:29 AM; 14 below zero.
1972	Saw Shadow 7:30 AM.
1973	Saw Shadow 7:29 AM.
1974	Saw Shadow 8:28 AM.
1975	No Shadow; Declared at 7:31 AM.
1976	Saw Shadow at 7:29 AM.
1977	Saw Shadow at 7:27; In midst of energy crisis.
1978	Saw Shadow at 7:28 AM.
1979	Saw Shadow at 7:28 AM.
1980	Saw Shadow at 7:29 AM.
1981	Saw Shadow at 7:27 AM.
1982	Saw Shadow 7:26 AM; After coldest January in more than a century.
1983	No Shadow; Peered over shadow at 7:29 AM, but saw no shadow; predicted an early spring after a mild winter.
1984	Saw Shadow shortly after 7 AM.
1985	Saw Shadow at 7:28 AM.
1986	No Shadow! Visited President Reagan at the White House in March.
1987	Saw Shadow 7:29 AM. Celebrated 100th Anniversary!
1988	No Shadow.
1989	Saw Shadow.
1990	No Shadow.
1991	Saw Shadow.
1992	Saw Shadow. Bill Murray visited town to research the festivities for new film.
1993	Saw Shadow. Groundhog Day, the movie with Bill Murray, was released in time for Phil's prediction.
1994	Saw Shadow 7:28 AM.
1995	No Shadow. Guested on the Oprah Winfrey TV Show and made new fans.
1996	Saw Shadow 7:21 AM. So cold he dug deep to make his prediction. Phil gets his first web site.
1997	No Shadow.
1998	Saw Shadow 7:20 AM Phil's prediction broadcast live to the world on the Internet.
1999	No Shadow.
2000	Saw Shadow at 7:28 AM. Dawn of a "new Phillennium!"
2001	Saw Shadow at 7:25 AM. Phil's forecast was shown live on the JumboTron in Times Square, New York City!
2002	Saw Shadow. The date: 02/02/02!
2003	Phil Says Six More Weeks of Winter! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! On Gobbler's Knob, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania at 7:27 a.m. this Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2003, Punxsutawney Phil, King of Groundhogs, Seer of Seers, imitated but never equaled, responded to the summons of Groundhog President Bill Cooper. Bill Deeley, his friend and Handler greeted him affectionately and placed him atop his domicile, the old oak stump. From this lofty seat he addressed the large enthusiastic throng of faithful followers, wishing them a "Happy Groundhog Day." Phil may be as cute as a Beanie Baby but when he predicts in his Groundhogese there is no maybe. He directed president Bill to the appropriate scroll which reads: Governor Rendell joins this joyful throng of several thousand strong and he like everyone will thrill at seeing the magic on this hill as I make my prognostication and give my justification: I see my shadow beside me and that is that magic you see. It causes this midwinter revelry, six more weeks of winter there will be. Source: Phil's official site:  punxsutawneyphil.com
2004	Phil Says Expect 6 More Weeks of Winter! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! On this Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2004, Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, King of the Groundhogs, Prognosticator of Prognosticators has responded to the tapping welcome of Groundhog Club President Bill Cooper at 7:27 a.m. here on Gobbler's Knob, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He was greeted by his longtime friend and handler Bill Deeley who said, "I bring greetings from Presidents Bush and Cooper." He then held him high so he could view and greet the large exuberant crowd of Faithful Followers. It was time for Phil to do his job, so Bill placed him atop his old oak stump. After a brief look around he said to President Bill Cooper in Groundhogese: "'~{}||*~^'(^~#:'~-_<>~!" Which President Bill translated to say, "Pick the scroll on the left." Obediently Bill selected it and it states: "I'm glad I live in this luxurious burrow on the Knob and not in a dirty, smelly spider hole like a slob. When I come out I don't want to negotiate; But to just do my job and prognosticate. Today because my shadow I see, six more weeks of winter there will be." Source: Phil's official site:  punxsutawneyphil.com
2005 - 2006	Saw Shadow - Long Winter
2007	No Shadow - Early Spring
2009 - 2010	Saw Shadow - Long Winter
2011	????

 

Wiarton Willy



In Canada the name of the groundhog that is used to predict the length of winter is Wiarton Willy.   Wiarton Willy is a very rare albino groundhog with white hair and pink eyes and can not see very well.  

The Legend of Wiarton Willy.......In the deep dark ages of antiquity (1956 or there about) the ancient rituals of Candlemas were replaced by the celebrations of Williemas. A secret emissary of three wise groundhogs had broken hibernation to bring the glad tidings to the small community of Oliphant. There in a shack on the shores of Lake Huron they found Mac McKenzie anticipating a message of great import.

The three wise groundhogs named Grundoon, Muldoon, and Sand Dune told Mac of the birth of a white groundhog who would for ever alter the world of weather prognostication. He would be recognized by his white coat and pink eyes and his unfailing ability to correctly predict the remaining course of each winter. He would emerge each February 2nd and pronounce his predictions only to those who spoke the ancient tongue of Groundhogese.

With a joyful heart and the help of revelling friends Mac went forth and spread the great news. Thus from the simple message delivered on Williemas eve to the grateful residents of Oliphant has grown the true meaning of winter...."Party On"  ~ Copyright 1999 Wiarton Willie Organization

White, bright, out-of-site, never wrong, always right!  Wiarton Willy

Wiarton Willy
by Peter E. Loschnig

'Twas the night before Ground Hog Day, when all through the burrow
Not a ground hog was stirring, he wouldn’t uncurl;
But the people all gathered next day with great care,
In hopes that Spring time soon would be there;

But the ground hog was nestled all snug in his bed,
While visions of meadows danced in his head;
With mayor in tuxcedo, and I in my cap,
We woke up the ground hog from his long winter's nap,

When down is his hole there arose such a clatter,
I sprang back in a lurch to see what was the matter.
The crowd was surprised to witness the crash,
While I readied the camera and steadied the flash.

The sun on the crest of the new-fallen snow
Made us hope he would stay in his hole far below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a gound hog named Willie, Oh My, Oh My Dear!

With his nose that, so lively did move and did twitch,
I knew back down he must go and be quick.
Then more rapid than eagles the clouds they came,
We whistled, and shouted, and called him by name;

"Now, Wee One! now, Willie! now, don’t be a VIXEN!
Oh, COME on! We’re waiting called a Wiarton CITIZEN!”
So to the top of the hole he appeared to us all!
And glad were we, not a shadow did fall!

His face -- how it twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His eyes were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the fur of his body was as white as the snow;

The stump of a carrot he held tight in his teeth,
And white fur encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he squealed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old hog,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of the fog;
A wink of his eye and no shadow ahead,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He sprang to his hole, as I gave a great whistle,
And away left the crowd like the down of a thistle.
But I heard all exclaim, ere they walked out of sight,
"HAPPY GROUND HOG DAY TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"

Other Predictors Include:

General Beauregard Lee -- In this corner, with a 94 percent accuracy rating, sits a Georgia native with not one but two honorary doctorates. The University of Georgia awarded him a DWP, Doctorate of Weather Prognostication, while Georgia State University made him a Doctor of Southern Groundology. With 14 years of predicting experience under his belt, he provides stiff competition to the more famous Phil.

Buckeye Chuck -- Ohio’s entry into the great groundhog race began his predicting career back in the 1970s -- and he was even declared the official state groundhog in 1979. Join Buckeye on February 2 and enjoy a SPAM sandwich at the neighborhood café -- it is ground hog afterall!

Staten Island Chuck -- Formally known as Charles G. Hogg, Chuck resides in the Staten Island Zoo and is the official groundhog meteorologist of NYC. In a ceremony officiated by the mayor of the city, Chuck makes his predictions each year, often opposing Phil’s famous prognostications.

Shubenacadie Sam -- Sam has a secret weapon. Because he lives in Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park in eastern Nova Scotia, he gets to experience dawn before any of the other groundhogs on the list -- making his prediction the first prediction of the year.

Octoraro Orphie -- Octoraro is a worthy opponent who likes to fly under the radar. He lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and prefers to make his predictions without all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds hogs like Phil. He’s old school -- waking in his own good time each year, rather than being pulled from his burrow. And since he’s been making correct predictions since 1908, he’s definitely the dark hog in the running.

THE GROUNDHOG

The groundhog, known also as woodchuck, is a burrowing and hibernating mammal. The groundhog is a marmot (Marmota monax). Native to North America and commonly found in Canada and eastern United States.

Description: The groundhog is a shy, reclusive animal that lives in empty fields. The groundhog has a thick and coarse reddish brown fur coat. Its has an elongated head with sharp rodent-like teeth. It has a squat body, short legs and a solid muscular frame. An adult has a length of 15 inches with a tail 6 inches long. Each paws has very sharp claws. The claws are used to dig and are used in combat when males fight to protect their territory and to determine which of them will mate with the females. During the latter part of summer and autumn it will increase its body weight by nearly 50 percent in fat to prepare for its long hibernation. The groundhog also gathers and places stores of food in their burrow for the winter months. The groundhog is mainly a herbivore, eating seeds, roots and other plant material. The groundhog has excellent eyesight. It has a very nervous disposition, ready to flee to its burrow at any sign of danger.

Habitats: The groundhog prefers flat empty fields. They dig long and deep burrows. They lay dried leaves and hay in their sleeping chamber. The entrance of their burrow has a non-obstructive view of the sky and their immediate surrounding. They rarely venture very far from their burrow.

Breeding: In the spring the males fight to determine which of them will mate. The young are born in the burrow and will remain inside for a month. Weaning occurs about one month afterward. The young are almost fully grown by the end of summer.

Enemies: The groundhog's main enemies are eagles, snakes, bears, wolves, felines and man.

Groundhog Movies, Music and More!