GROUNDHOG DAY: An Early Spring! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 02-02-2007, 06:43 PM

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/punxsutawney-phil-predicts-early-spring/20070202095409990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Punxsutawney Phil Predicts Early Spring

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (Feb. 2) - A new pair of hands pulled Punxsutawney Phil from his stump this year, so it was only fitting that the groundhog offered a new prediction.

Phil did not see his shadow on Friday which, according to German folklore, means folks can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter.

Since 1886, Phil has seen his shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 14 times and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil failed to see his shadow was in 1999.

More than 15,000 revelers milled about in a misty snow waiting for the prediction, as fireworks exploded overhead and the "Pennsylvania Polka" and other music blared in the background.

Longtime handler Bill Deeley retired after more than a dozen years and was replaced Friday by Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle members John Griffiths and Ben Hughes.

Each Feb. 2, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney, a town of about 6,100 people about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, to celebrate what had essentially been a German superstition.

The Germans believed that if a hibernating animal cast a shadow on Feb. 2 - the Christian holiday of Candlemas - winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early.

Handlers Ben Hughes, right, and John Griffith display Punxsutawney Phil after he went through his annual prediction ritual Friday. Phil didn't see his shadow.

Watch Video:

Prediction in Punxsutawney

More on This Story:
· Groundhog Day Facts

Already Gone · 02-02-2007, 07:14 PM

That's what I like to hear.

Lex Luthor · 02-02-2007, 08:21 PM

That is one ancient Groundhog

Phil has been making predictions since 1886

02-02-2007, 06:43 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	GROUNDHOG DAY: An Early Spring! http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/punxsutawney-phil-predicts-early-spring/20070202095409990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001 Punxsutawney Phil Predicts Early Spring PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (Feb. 2) - A new pair of hands pulled Punxsutawney Phil from his stump this year, so it was only fitting that the groundhog offered a new prediction. Phil did not see his shadow on Friday which, according to German folklore, means folks can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter. Since 1886, Phil has seen his shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 14 times and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil failed to see his shadow was in 1999. More than 15,000 revelers milled about in a misty snow waiting for the prediction, as fireworks exploded overhead and the "Pennsylvania Polka" and other music blared in the background. Longtime handler Bill Deeley retired after more than a dozen years and was replaced Friday by Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle members John Griffiths and Ben Hughes. Each Feb. 2, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney, a town of about 6,100 people about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, to celebrate what had essentially been a German superstition. The Germans believed that if a hibernating animal cast a shadow on Feb. 2 - the Christian holiday of Candlemas - winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early. Handlers Ben Hughes, right, and John Griffith display Punxsutawney Phil after he went through his annual prediction ritual Friday. Phil didn't see his shadow. Watch Video: Prediction in Punxsutawney More on This Story: · Groundhog Day Facts

02-02-2007, 08:21 PM	#3
Lex Luthor I'm bringing Lexy back Senior Member Join Date: Jun 07, 2005 Location: The Great White North Posts: 2,374	That is one ancient Groundhog Phil has been making predictions since 1886
	__________________ I look forward to resuming our verbal judo - Lex Luthor It's a complicated world, Clark. Only the naïve view it in black and white - Lex Luthor Genevieve: "I underestimated you, Lex." Lex: "Well, that’s a common mistake." Lionel Luthor: "We don't need to play games, son." Lex Luthor: "Dad, games are all we got."

02-02-2007, 07:14 PM	#2
Already Gone Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 31, 2004 Posts: 2,587	That's what I like to hear.