It's Groundhog Day!

Today is Groundhog Day.  Made famous by the eponymous movie, the largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. where the the world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, makes his weather predictions.


If, upon emerging from his burrow in Gobbler's Knob (you couldn't make this up!), Phil sees his shadow another 6 weeks of Winter lies ahead.  If not, Spring is around the corner. Analysis shows that Phil's predictions have been correct only 39% of the time but why let facts spoil the party.  Neither does Phil live in a burrow.  He actually lives (with his wife Phyllis) in the town library and is cared for by a mysterious group called the "Inner Circle".


Legend has it that Phil is 120 years old. Zoological data suggests that groundhogs have a average lifespan of 10 years in captivity and 6 years in the wild. Punxsutawney Phil fans say that there is only one Phil (all the other groundhog weathermen are impostors), and that he has made weather prognostications for over 120. They say that every summer, Phil is fed a sip of the mysterious Groundhog Punch, which magically lengthens his life for seven years. According to the Groundhog Club, Phil, after making the prediction, speaks to the Club President in "Groundhogese", which only the Inner Circle appear to understand, and then his prediction is translated for the entire world.


Happy Groundhog Day!