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DoorCountyTravelersJournal.com |
| ... Your Quick & Happy Door County Read |
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How are you? Did you know that Groundhog Day was last week? I don't understand how this works. Why do people believe a groundhog about the weather? When did this start and why is it a ground hog and not some other animal like maybe a bear, a chipmunk, or a mouse? I bet you wish it was an otter. Your friend, Brandon, age 8 Sevastopol Dear Brandon, I am well, thank you! I did know that Groundhog Day was last week. My good friend Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous groundhog in this tradition, and he gave me some information about the history of Groundhog Day, which I will share with you: February 2nd (which is Candlemas day, a holiday celebrated by those of Christian faith) is the day on which, according to the German custom,
For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, So far will the snow swirl until May. For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day, So far will the sun shine before May. The holiday began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania around the 18th century. The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as large as 40,000 have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886. The reason that it is a groundhog who makes the predictions (instead of another animal), is that people believed that a groundhog was the wisest of the animals. I hope that answers your questions. I wait anxiously every year to hear about Phil’s predictions and I am excited that Spring will be coming early this year! Your friend, Skipper Skipper's expertise is in life outdoors, but he will also address questions about other topics such as food, school issues, sports, getting along with others, family pets, etc. So what's your question? Write to Skipper at: skipper@doorcountytravelersjournal.com Questions for Skipper are due one week in advance of the publication of his column, that is, Tuesdays, so that he has ample time to ponder, research, and respond intelligently. © Copyright 2011 by DoorCountyTravelersJournal.com
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