It was an ordinary day. Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Yeah, plenty of people will come down with the virus on this particular day, but plenty more will learn what the next couple of weeks will hold for them; especially weather-wise. It was on this date back in the mid-1800s that Germans, who had immigrated to Pennsylvania, began keeping an eye on the groundhog (or woodchuck or "whistle pig" if you must). Seems that the groundhog began its long winter hibernation when the weather turned cool in the fall. During hibernation, the groundhogs internal temperature drops from 99 to 37 degrees. Breathing and heart rate slows, which reduces the calories needed for about three months. Come the start of February, the groundhog would awake from it's long winter slumber and check out the surrounding landscape. It is said that if it would see it's shadow, it scares him and he goes back into hibernation. If it doesn't see it's shadow, it will begin it's Spring rituals. This groundhog ritual allegedly began years ago. February 2 is supposed to be between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. When German immigrants settled Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, they brought the custom with them, choosing the native groundhog as the annual forecaster. The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A local newspaper editor sold a local group of groundhog hunters on the idea. The men, known as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, trekked to a site called Gobbler's Knob where the inaugural groundhog became the bearer of either good or bad news depending upon if he saw his shadow or not. Today, local dignitaries known as the Inner Circle, do much the same thing while wearing top hats and white robes. On this day they speak "Groundhogese." The day draws tens of thousands of spectators to Punxsutawney, a town of about 6,000 people. The day was immortalized in the 1993 film "Groundhog Day." The National Climatic Data Center has given Punxsutawney Phil a 40% success rate. In the meantime, other areas have begun to have their own Groundhog Day so they too can have a good time in the cold weather. Allentown, Reading and Lebanon areas began their predictions while Lancaster County, Pennsylvania decided to get in on the fun and they now have several groundhogs that are giving predictions. Octoraro Orphie from Kirkwood and Mount Joy Minnie from Mt. Joy are two such groundhogs. But, this year Lancaster will have one more entry into the prognosticator ranks. Groundhog known as Poppy the Groundhog seems to be the up and coming groundhog. You might recognize Poppy from the Super Bowl Jeep commercial with Bill Murray last year. Murray steals Poppy the Groundhog as he relives Groundhog Day.
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| Poppy catching the breeze in the commercial |
Poppy helps him drive. They go for a bike ride in the snowy woods and go to an arcade to play whack-a-mole. They watch fireworks and Poppy catches a breeze in an open window. In the ads final moments, Murray's shown snowshoeing with Poppy strapped to his chest in a harness. Remember that? Well, Poppy is a rescued groundhog. Some time ago, a Lancaster County man took a female baby groundhog he found in his driveway to a local wildlife refuge where it was found to have a debilitating dental condition, leaving it incapable of surviving in the wild.  |
| Poppy the Groundhog |
The wildlife refuge is known as Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in nearby Washington Boro. The volunteers there found that her front teeth were crooked. That's a big deal since the animal's front teeth grow about 1/16th of an inch a week. When a groundhog eats, their teeth are ground down with each bite. With Poppy's teeth, they grew quickly into the opposite jaw. She had her incisors removed and is now doing find. Today, Poppy will give her prediction by picking treats in front of a board split between early spring and more winter. This will all take place virtually and with social distancing. You can view it on the "Facebook page" of "Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation." So, on this special day of weather forecasting, you too can be a part of it this year no matter where you might live. We just have to hope Poppy can arise for the occasion! |
| A tired Poppy takes a much needed nap. |
It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
PS - I have just looked out my window and found that my snow shoveling which I did yesterday has been recovered with a layer of fresh snow. My guess is we have had over 12 inches of snow the past two days...and it's still snowing. So, go back to sleep, Poppy!
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