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Punxsutawney Phil vs the robo-hog?

Groundhog Day was on Tuesday, but for me it zipped by just like any other day. When it finally occurred to me to look up Punxsutawney Phil’s “results” (was I the only one who didn’t sign up to get his text?), I was hardly surprised to learn that we have six more weeks of winter in store. (Doesn’t that tubby little guy see his shadow pretty much EVERY year?)

Because I always like to get a second opinion, I also checked in with Phil’s Staten Island rival, the sometimes grouchy and reclusive Charles G. Hogg (a.k.a. “Chuck”). he DIDN’T see his shadow, predicting an early spring is on its way. (Hooray!) I’m guessing Chuck was too keen on taking another chunk out of Mayor Bloomberg’s (this time heavily gloved) fingers to see anything of the sort. but since Chuck has successfully predicted the arrival of spring 23 out of the last 27 times, my money’s on him. (Like Phil, Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam saw his shadow, but I’m selectively choosing to ignore this data because I am already nursing a serious case of spring fever.)

I also wasn’t surprised to hear about People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ creative (but oh-so desperate) call to retire Phil and all of the other weather-predicting rodents and replace them with a robotic stand in. although I do have to admit that a 2011 February 2 showdown between the robo-hog and a Phil-and-Chuck dynamic duo sounds like great fodder for a Japanese monster flick — and would most definitely outshine the 2009 Bloomberg maiming. one can only hope.

In the meantime, here are a few quick facts about Groundhog Day that I unearthed in my searches:

• The tradition dates back to 1887, and is said to have originated from ancient European lore in which a badger or sacred bear predicts the weather. (But since groundhogs are more manageable and accessible, that’s what we use now.)
• It has religious origins and shares some similarities as well as the date with Candlemas Day. If Candlemas Day is “fair and bright” winter will “have another flight.”
• some groundhog-less states have chosen alternative weather predictors, including Texas which celebrates “Armadillo Day.”
• The National Climatic Data Center reportedly stated that Phil’s prediction’s have been correct 39 percent of the time. this number is in direct conflict with Phil’s club, which states he’s been right 100 percent of the time.
• Crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where the primary ceremony takes place.

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email, Facebook) | February 05 2010 at 12:50 PM

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