Groundhog Booed As He Sees His Shadow

Associated Press ^ | Mon, Feb 02, 2004 | DAN NEPHIN

[presidio9]

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - If you're tired of winter, Punxsutawney Phil had a message for you Monday — get used to it.

After a rap on an oak stump roused him from his home on Gobbler's Knob, the world's most famous furry forecaster "saw" his shadow this chilly Groundhog Day (news - web sites) morning, which according to tradition means six more weeks of winter.

Phil even included a topical reference in his proclamation — to the capture of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites).

"I'm glad I live in this luxurious burrow on the knob, and not in a dirty, smelly, spider hole like a slob," said the proclamation read aloud by one of the organizers. "When I come out, I don't want to negotiate; but to just do my job and prognosticate."

The prediction drew boos from thousands who gathered in 17-degree weather for the 118th annual festivity run by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

The spirited crowd, some clad in furry groundhog hats or even full-length costumes, chanted "Phil! Phil! Phil!" after fireworks and a long night of rock music drew to an end and the hour of the ceremony neared.

Including Monday's prediction, the groundhog is reported to have seen his shadow 104 times since the tradition began in Punxsutawney. It is rooted in a German superstition that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow Feb. 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.

People from as far away as England descended on this small town to shake the winter doldrums.

Mike and Anne Castledine, a retired couple from Derbyshire, England, caught groundhog fever after seeing the Bill Murray movie "Groundhog Day," and just wanted to experience it for themselves.

"We were quite hooked once we'd seen the movie," Anne Castledine said Sunday.

What Groundhog Day entails is a lot of revelry, although alcohol has been banned from Gobbler's Knob, the site just outside town where Punxsutawney Phil appears.

"We couldn't care less if he sees his shadow," said Bill Cooper, president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. "It's a people holiday."

Punxsutawney Phil is perhaps the most watched on Groundhog Day, but he certainly isn't alone among marmot meteorologists. More than a dozen states celebrate the day with their own critters, including Dixie Dan in Mississippi, Buckeye Chuck in Ohio and Gen. Beauregard Lee in Georgia.

Even Pennsylvania has a competing ceremony. About 165 miles to the southeast, the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge of Quarryville has been forecasting with the animals since 1908.

[mewzilla]

Nope (hint: I'm not a guy :)

And I can see why you feel that way. We're due to get socked with another winter storm tomorrow (I'm in Upstate NY). And just when my snow trenches were staring to melt. Sigh...

But I forgive ya, Phil. He's too cute to stay mad at :)

[Jonah Hex]

Hmm... looks like a big 'rat to me.

But, so does the groundhog.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Big crowd from Philly in Punxsutawney this year?

[presidio9]

Sure, they had already taken the day off for, ahem, other reasons. They were planning on waking up in Houston with a hangover this morning...

[Sacajaweau]

After viewing that famous groundhog day movie many years ago, I still have nightmares this time of year.

[Diddle E. Squat]

I love Philly fan misery, almost as much as Oakland Raiderfan, New York Yankeefan, Boston Red Soxfan, and Notre Damefan misery...

[PBRSTREETGANG]

[Leroy S. Mort]

More than a dozen states celebrate the day with their own critters, including Dixie Dan in Mississippi, Buckeye Chuck in Ohio and Gen. Beauregard Lee in Georgia.

General Lee saw NO shadow this mornin'. Suffer, ye Yankees. :-P

[okie01]

It's Bush's fault.

But Algore invented Groundhog Day...

[DannyTN]

They pull him out of his hole, so that he is bound to see his shadow. It's not a fair test. Someone out there likes winter.

[presidio9]

"Don't drive angry... Don't drive ANGRY...
Say, that's not bad for a quadriped!"

[rwfromkansas]

I must be one of the few who like winter and want some more before the excitement of spring and severe weather comes...

[rwfromkansas]

lol....you are right

lol!!!!!

[presidio9]

Bad news for you: There is no such thing as "Yankeefan misery." All Yankees fans know that they usually won within the last couple of years, and are the favorites to win next year. I agree on the other ones though.

[Bobby777]

6 more weeks of winter? ... can we call in an F-15 strike on the groundhog? (hope that's not too un-PC)

[Ghengis]

Janet Jackson saw her right breast last night, which guarantees 6 more weeks of winter.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Actually its been fun the last month, as the Yankeefans whine on and on about how Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite were 'stolen' from them in 'bad faith'. Oh the incredible sky-high irony.

[Xenalyte]

"Gobble Gobble"

Now now . . . that's a whole different hog.

[presidio9]

Well, here in NYC, we're not in so forgiving a mood.

[presidio9]

BTW, I know you are a girl. I was just having fun with you. And judging by the news photos, only guys are stupid enough to stand outside at dawn in 10 degree weather for this.

PS: Moved to chat :(