Click the pic to see a live stream at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
He is considered to be the world’s most famous prognosticating rodent. Most of the year you can find him living in the town library with his “wife” Phyllis. But tomorrow, February 2nd, at 7:20 a.m. at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, you can hook up with Punxsutawney Phil while he observes the weather conditions and looks for his shadow. If he sees it, it’s a sign of six more weeks of bad weather and he returns to his hole. If the day is cloudy and shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and decides to hang out and party above ground! But who is this Pennsylvania woodchuck really???
Proportionate at 20 pounds 22 inches long, Phil is covered with coarse, grayish hairs (fur). His ears are short, as are his tail, and legs. Surprisingly quick, with jaws that are exceptionally strong, he eats lots of greens, fruits, and vegetables. Phil’s not much of a drinker, getting most of his liquids from dewy leaves. He’s as healthy as a horse with a crazy good immune system, thanks to his obsessive compulsive cleanliness. He loves to sleep, and hibernates all winter long! Waking up in the spring all bright eyed and bushy-tailed, he is ready to start courting! Most of his groundhog friends live 6 to 8 years, but Phil is over 100 years old! Each summer during the annual Groundhog Picnic, he drinks a magical punch, which gives him 7 more years of life!
Punxsutawney Phil is taken care of year-round by the Inner Circle, recognizable by their top hats and tuxedo’s. This select group, is responsible for planning the annual Groundhog ceremony. After making his prediction, Phil speaks to the Club President in “Groundhogese” (which only the current president can understand). The President then translates the grand Groundhog’s prediction for the entire world! Phil’s record is not too shabby either…. According to the StormFax Weather Almanac, and, records kept since 1887, his predictions have been correct 39% of the time!
Groundhog Day is celebrated every year on February 2nd in the US and Canada. A tradition stemming from our European roots and associated with Candlemas Day. According to an old English song:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
Throughout his years of appearances, Phil has had some pretty cool experiences:
- During Prohibition Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he wasn’t allowed a drink.
- 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.
- In 1993, Columbia Pictures released the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray.
- Phil appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show in 1995.
- In 2001, Phil’s prediction was shown live on the JumboTron at Times Square in New York City.
- In 2010, a new text service was started to announce Phil’s predictions. Text the word “Groundhog” to 247365 and find out if there’s going to be more winter or an early spring.
At Sun Insurance Services… there are no cloudy days. Contact us today for all of your FL insurance needs.
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