GROUNDHOG DAY 

                                                  
 When you read this article Groundhog Day will have already passed us by on February 2, 2013.  Somehow, it has perked my curiosity as to why we have such a day and what it means.   There is an early American reference to it in a diary entry, dated February 4, 1841 by a storekeeper, James Morris, of Berks County, Pennsylvania.  Historically, it has its origins in ancient European weather lore, where a badger or a sacred bear was the forecaster in lieu of a groundhog.   The day also bears similarities to a Pagan festival marking the seasonal turning point of the Celtic Calendar that was recognized on Feb. 1st.

According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from his burrow on February 2, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see his shadow then go back into his burrow/and winter weather will continue for an additional  six weeks.  There are modern customs of the holiday involving early morning celebrations and festivals held to watch the groundhog appear from his burrow.

The celebration began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  The largest celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as large as 40,000 have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886.  Other parts of the state as well as Canada and Nova Scotia observe this holiday.  The one held in Punxsutawney received widespread notoriety as a result of the 1993 comedy film Groundhog Day, primarily filmed in Woodstock, IL starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliott,

 Phil Connors (Murray), a self-centered meteorologist, Rita(MacDowell) a news producer, and Larry (Elliott) a cameraman, of Pittsburgh television station, travel to Punxsutawney on February 1.  They are to cover the annual Groundhog Day Festivities on February 2.  Phil resents the assignment but grudgingly does his report on the festivities.  On his team’s return trip to Pittsburgh they are caught in a blizzard and forced to stay overnight back in the town.  Phil awakens the next day and finds he is reliving February 2 caught in a time loop.   

Eventually, Phil becomes despondent and tries to end the time loop.   He gives ridiculous and offensive reports on the festival, abuses residents, kidnaps Punxsutawney Phil, and, after a police chase, drives off a cliff, apparently killing both him and the groundhog.  Miraculously, Phil wakes up and finds that nothing has changed.   Desperate, he explains the trap he is in to Rita and she suggests he try to improve himself and change his ways.  Finally, Phil is able to befriend almost everyone he meets, using his experiences to help as many people as he can during the day.  He writes a report on the Groundhog Day celebration so great that all the other TV stations turn their microphones to him.  He wakes up the next morning and finds the time loop is broken.  It is now February 3 and Rita is still with him.  After going outside, Phil talks about living in Punxsutawney.  The movie offers a charming message of how one’s life can become better.  In reality, on February 2, 2013 the groundhog didn’t see his shadow.  So, we can look forward to an early spring.