For centuries in Europe, February 2nd had been the attributed weather-deciding date for many hibernating creatures, including badgers and bears, depending on the region. In Pennsylvania, the groundhog won the distinction, probably because they were easier to carry and hold up for the crowd than were either badgers or bears. In Ireland and other parts of the world they watch hedgehogs, which may have been the original weather oracle, since Aristotle claimed they could even predict changes in the wind.
Here’s how the groundhog divines future weather patterns: if a groundhog emerges from the earth on this day and spies his/her shadow, it will scurry back to its den to resume hibernation because Winter is going to last another six weeks; if there is no shadow due to overcast or storm, Spring will be coming early this year.
One groundhog from Punxsutawney, PA in the 1880s (Punxsutawney Phil) was so accurate in his predictions that the town has been breeding generations descended from Phil for more than 130 years. Each groundhog chosen from the line to be the meteorologist of the season is also named Phil to commemorate the first.
Music Du Jour: Groundhog Day soundtrack
Films Du Jour:
- Groundhog Day (1993)
- The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)
- Happy Death Day (2017)
Miscellaneous:
- Everything you need to know about the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club
- Just in case you have to raise a baby groundhog
- Katy Texas uses an armadillo to predict the weather, Bee Cave Bob
- Groundhog cookie cutter
- Groundhog face mask
- Saint Phil candle
- Groundhogs are also called woodchucks and whistle pigs
- When in Punxsutawney, visit the Pennsylvania Wine Trail
Snacks du Jour: Cute snacks for Groundhog Day
Cocktail Du Jour – Calm Sunny Day
- 2 oz white rum
- 5 oz ginger liqueur
- 5 oz fresh lime juice
- Dash of simple syrup
- Dash of orange bitters
Chill a martini glass in the fridge or with ice. Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake with ice. Strain the mixture into the chilled martini glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
Mocktail Du Jour – Calm Sunny Mocktail
- 2 oz Zero Proof Rum Alternative
- 5 oz ginger syrup
- 5 oz fresh lime juice
- Dash of simple syrup
- Dash of orange bitters
Chill a martini glass in the fridge or with ice. Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake with ice. Strain the mixture into the chilled martini glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
Beer Du Jour
Woodchuck labels
Wine Du Jour
Start dreaming of the heat with these Top 10 Summer Wines
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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“Happy Groundhog Day!” by Barbara L. Hanson is licensed under CC BY 2.0
