Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THEY SAID IT “You want a prediction about the weather, you’re asking the wrong Phil. I’ll give you a winter prediction: It’s gonna be cold, it’s gonna be grey, and it’s gonna last you for the rest of your life.” PHIL CONNERS 'GROUNDHOG DAY’ Columbia ■= can still partake of —= Groundhog Day excitement By BRINDY McNAIR THE GAMECOCK It’s that time of year again when thousands of Americans load up their minivans and make the trip to Gobbler’s Knob, right outside Punxsutawney, Penn. It’s Groundhog Day. There are few holidays more mystical or magical than Groundhog Day. Although not as widely celebrated as Christmas, Groundhog Day is ever growing in popularity. Since the ceremony began in 1966, Americans have flocked to Gobbler’s Knob to await the awakening of Punxsutawney Phil. They eagerly watch to see if the world’s furriest meteorologist will come out of his hole and declare an early spring or, upon seeing his shadow, six more weeks of winter. Phil’s forecast is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., but the festivities start five hours before with music, including “groundhog carols” and fireworks. Those not in attendance can watch a live broadcast on local TV or even the big screen in Times Square. The first official Groundhog Day was documented in 1886, when the editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit began publishing the groundhog’s weather prediction. The following year the Groundhog Club was founded. This dedicated group of people gave the groundhog its rather illustrious name — Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinaire — “Every year on Groundhog Day, Georgians, and indeed the entire Southeast, can count on General Lee to predict whether or not spring is just around the corner.” JOHN LINDER CONGRESSMAN which was later shortened. They also claimed the town of Punxsutawney to be the “weather capital of the world.” The members of the present Punxsutawney Groundhog Club are responsible for maintaining their beloved Phil in the Punxsutawney Library, transporting him to his electrically heated burrow at the Knob and making sure he receives his elixir, Groundhog Punch, which they claim has sustained him since his debut performance in 1886. Groundhog Day is not nearly as grand an event in Columbia. There are no parades, no fireworks and no parties to celebrate Phil and his mystical prognostications. Those in Columbia wishing to take pan in the Groundhog Day merriment can catch the showing of “Groundhog Day” at the Russell House at 8 p.m. The movie has become to Groundhog Day what “Christmas Vacation” is to Christmas. Since it first hit theaters in 1993, it has also increased the awareness of the annual celebration in Pennsylvania, and helped to increase the attendance at Gobbler’s Knob to more than 35,000 visitors a year. Southern Groundhog Day celebrators need not venture all the way up north in order to get an official groundhog forecast. The hardcore Groundhog Day Southerner can venture down to the Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn, Ga., to watch the South’s own weather-predicting groundhog, Gen. Beauregard Lee. Admission is free from 6 to 8 a.m. Beau, as he is referred to by his fellow Georgians, has even been recognized by Congressman John Linder. Linder praised Beau for his accuracy in predicting the weather. “Every year on Groundhog Day, Georgians, and indeed the entire Southeast, can count on General Lee to predict whether or not spring is just around the corner,” Linder said in a letter to the Yellow River Game Ranch. Comments on this story? E-mail f gamecockfeatttres@gwm.sc.edu I * IF YOU’RE GOING WHAT: "Groundhog Day" WHERE: Russell House Theater WHEN: 8 p.m. today and tomorrow The groundhog's seasonal forecasting accuracy is somewhat low. Phil's winter prognostications have been correct only 39 percent of the time. In the past 10 years... Saw shadow Shadow at at 7:28 a.m. 7:21a.m. j Shadow at 7:20 a.m. 11994 1996 if 1998 W GET YOUR PUNXSUTAWNEY No shadow; afternoon Shadow at 7:25 a.m. i Shadow at 7:27 a.m. 2000 A* 2002 .A. 2004 4 «