Posted on 01/26/2006 7:14:14 AM PST by Mr. Brightside
Today: January 26, 2006 at 4:21:39 PST
Punxsutawney Phil's Handler Stepping Down
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) - Whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow or not on Groundhog Day, one thing's for sure: The man who has been the furry forecaster's official handler for the past 15 years will step down after this year.
Bill Deeley, 56, said he doesn't have the energy or the time. Part of the job includes taking Phil to parades and special events.
"I could stay in forever, but even the Pony Express changed horses," Deeley said.
Deeley joined the Inner Circle - the top-hat- and tuxedo-wearing men responsible for carrying on the tradition - in 1986.
In the years since The Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper first carried word of the groundhog's failing to see its shadow in 1886, this town of 7,500 people about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh has been dubbed the "Weather Capital of the World" because of the groundhog tradition.
The ritual stems from the belief that if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on Feb. 2, winter will last another six weeks. If there's no shadow, spring will come early.
Didn't want to wake up to another Groundhog Day.
Bill Deeley, Punxsutawney Phil's handler
"Don't drive angry. Do not drive angry."
My favorite movie!!!
1 groundhog
1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. soda
1/4 c. cooking oil
1/2 tsp. sugar
NOTE:Clean and skin as soon as possible. Remove all sent glands. Cut off head, feet and tail. Cure in cool place by suspending from hook approximately 4 days. When ready to cook, lard according to recipe.
Dress groundhog as for rabbit, removing the small sacs in the back and under the forearm. Soak groundhog overnight in salted water to remove wild flavor. Combine flour, salt, pepper and sada; rub into groundhog pieces. Brown grounhog in hot oil in skillet; sprinkle with sugar. Reduce heat; add 1/2 cup water. Cover; simmer for about 30 minutes or until tender. Remove cover; cook for 10 minutes longer.
Why? Did Abramoff pay him off to fix the Groundhog results?
Strike up the music the band has begun
The Pennsylvania Polka
Pick out your partner and join in the fun
The Pennsylvania Polka
It started in Scranton. It's now number one
It's bound to entertain ya
Everybody has a mania to do the polka from Pennsylvania
While they're dancing
Everybody's cares are quickly gone
Sweet romancing
This goes on and on until the dawn.
They're so carefree
Gay with laughter, happy as can be
They stop to have a beer
Then the crowd begins to cheer
They kiss and then they start to dance again.
Strike up the music the band has begun
The Pennsylvania Polka
Pick out your partner and join in the fun
The Pennsylvania Polka
It started in Scranton. It's now number one
It's bound to entertain ya
Everybody has a mania to do the polka from Pennsylvania.
Ned: Phil? Phil Connors? Phil Connors, I thought that was you!
Phil: Hi, thanks for watching.
[Starts to walk away]
Ned: Hey now, don't you tell me you don't remember me 'cause I sure as heckfire remember you.
Phil: Not a chance.
Ned: Ned... Ryerson. "Needlenose Ned"? "Ned the Head"? C'mon, buddy. Case Western High. I did the whistling belly-button trick at the high school talent show? Bing. Ned Ryerson, got the shingles real bad senior year, almost didn't graduate? Bing, again. Ned Ryerson, I dated your sister Mary Pat a couple of times until you told me not to anymore? Well?
Phil: Ned Ryerson?
Ned: BING!
Phil: Bing.
Mr.OGB's favorite movie, too!
Note to self: If ever sent glands, remove them.
What in the Heck is Groundhog Day Anyway?
Was the 1993 film Groundhog Day really filmed in Punxsutawney?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Columbia Pictures decided to film the movie in a location more accessible to a major metropolitan center. Punxsutawney is located in a very rural area with few highways, so Woodstock, Illinois was chosen as the site for the movie. As a result adjustments had to be made for the production. The actual Gobbler's Knob is a wooded hill with a beautiful view; the Gobbler's Knob in the movie is moved to the town square though it is recreated to scale based on detailed notes and videos the crew made on its visit to Punxsutawney.
My husband taught music at Woodstock High for a few years in the 1970's.
LOL!
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