Groundhog Day!

"Oh the weather outside is --- AWESOME!" How many times have you heard "I can handle six more weeks of this" today? Groundhog day is usually a more little more nerve wracking. By this point in the Winter Season, we've typically been snowed in, iced in and generally frozen. We BEG Punxsatawney Phil to come out of his burrow bravely and end the terrible winter season. This morning, however, his frightful return doesn't seem nearly as daunting. With such a mild winter, Poor Punxsatawney Phil's prediction doesn't seem to intimidate us as much. Here at DGM&S, however, we feel he should still get the respect he is due. Let us all celebrate Groundhog Day by learning a little more about it's origins!

While most wild groundhogs only live to be six years old, Punxsutawney Phil is said to be over 120 years old. According to www.groundhog.org, there has been only ONE Punxsutawney Phil. All other groundhogs are "imposters" and Phil is the only "true weather forecasting groundhog." He gets his longevity from drinking "a secret recipe groundhog punch." He receives one sip every summer at the Groundhog Picnic and it gives him seven more years of life.

The tradition of Groundhog Day traces its roots back to Candlemas Day in early Europe. Even then, it marked a milestone in the winter and the weather that particular day was regarded with great importance.

According to an old English song:

"If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again."

The Roman legions, during the conquest of the northern country, supposedly brought this tradition to the Germans, who quickly picked it up and made it their own. They believed that if the sun came out on Candlemas and local hedgehogs cast shadows as they came out of their dens, that they would endure six more weeks of bad weather, or a "Second Winter."

Pennsylvania's earliest settlers were Germans and they found groundhogs to resemble the hedgehogs of Europe. They determined that the groundhog was a wise and sensible animal and would take the place of the hedgehogs they once looked for on February 2nd.

Here's to six more weeks of mild winter and sunshine! Enjoy the beautiful days of February with long walks and bike rides... and don't forget to thank Phil! Be safe out there, friends.