Early last Saturday morning, thousands watched as a large, beaver-like rodent was retrieved from his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to see if he would see his shadow. This furry mammal, commonly known as a groundhog, was appropriately named Punxsutawney Phil by his own “fan club” called the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Each year, it is now another organization called the Inner Circle who assists Phil in his annual reading. German legend says that if Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; however, if Phil does not see his shadow, spring will come early.
This year was no different than any other year. Phil was taken from his home in the Punxsutawney library and placed in his manmade burrow at the Gobbler’s Knob. At 7:25 am, Phil is extracted from his resting place and makes his prediction. This year, Phil did not see his shadow, therefore winter will be ending soon.
