Happy Ground Hog Day!
Unlike Valentines Day, Easter and other non-statutory holidays, Ground Hog Day is not an excuse to buy a Hallmark card. And unlike most of these “greeting card days” this auspicious date is over 150 years old and even back then was attributed to a German practice.
As a matter of fact the oldest recorded day dedicated to this large rodent was written in February 5, 1841, by a Berks County storekeeper named James Morris:
“Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas Day, the day on which, according to the Germans, 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.”
However, just because it was invented by a people in continental Europe it is mainly practiced in Canada in the U.S.
What Ground Hog’s Day symbolizes is that winter, although far from over, is now winding down. It’s a time for we North Americans to realize that the sun is staying longer in the late afternoon and getting up earlier in the morning. In other words the bleak period between New Year’s day and the end of January is over. We can now look forward to spring even if it is still unimaginable.
And if you are observant, you’ll see that department stores and home improvement centers are beginning to move the wood stoves out, and there are item such as hoses, sprinklers and tomato cages entering the peripherals of the stores. In addition, winter clothes clear-outs are starting and snowblowers will soon be going on sale.
Yes, it is the first crack in the ice!
Now, what happened today with three of the world’s most observed groundhogs?
Punxsutawney Phil
The most famous rodent in the entire world, based in (wait for it) Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania, came out of his warm confines and saw his shadow.
Verdict = 6 more weeks of hard winter.
Wiarton Willie
In the Ontario town of Wiarton, on the Bruce Peninsula between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, lives Wiarton Willie. Unfortunately, Willie was spooked by his shadow and made a beeline for his hole.
Verdict = 6 more weeks of hard winter.
Schubenacadie Sam
Not only is Nova Scotia’s Schubenacadie Sam the first groundhog to give a prediction he was the first North American rodent to tell the forlorn story.
Verdict = 6 more weeks of hard winter.
That’s a hat trick, so brace for more of the brutal temperatures!
However, Halifax Winterfest is from Feb. 26-28 so this will put a glow on the town. Keep up to date with their Twitter site
I’m going to bed these guys are right this year. Seems to be cold and snowy all around in many places.
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