For all those wishing for a bit of snow this winter, you’re in luck. The most famous fur-coated meteorologist in North America popped out of his rustic residence just a couple miles outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania about eight weeks ago to relay his forecast to President of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, Tom Dunkel. Stemming from his furry ancestors, Phil’s famous holiday originated in Europe, where a vast Christian population celebrated Candlemas Day. On February 2nd, many would bring their home candles to be blessed in church. However, this short English folk song connected to the holiday eventually gained popularity.
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Come, Winter, have another flight
If Candlemas bring clouds and rain
Go Winter, and come not again
This indicates the holiday’s transition to weather prognostication. When the tradition reached Germany, Phil’s long lost cousins, European hedgehogs, became involved, predicting the weather based on their shadows. By 1886, well after the Americas had been populated by Europeans, Phil assumed his position as annual Weather Predictor Extraordinaire.
Despite his name, Phil, also known as the Seer of Seers, spends most of his Pennsylvania winter season in rural Gobbler’s Knob, about two miles southeast of Punxsutawney. Here, thousands of eager visitors and native Pennsylvanians alike gather in the early A.M. hours of morning on February 2nd, before sunrise, immersing themselves in the joyous celebration and then intently waiting for Phil to wake up. The festivities were lively, with live music, visitor-engaging games, and chances to meet with and even have lunch with Phil on his special day. However, the quintessential element responsible for the life and wonder felt by thousands in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Groundhog’s day is the work of the Inner Circle.
The Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, a crack squad of weather prognosticators and Groundhog’s Day experts, are a tight knit group of local dignitaries, all well versed in the magic of Groundhog Day. It consists of 15 essential members: Rob Gemmell (Storm Builder), Josh Farcus (Frostbite), Patrick Casaday (Head Huntsman), Rob McCoy (Downpour), Jory Serrian (DayBreaker), Patrick Osikowicz (O-Zone), Secretary Jason Grusky (Big Chill), Dave Gigliotti (Thunder Conductor), Butch Philliber (Iceman), Chief Healthsman Jon Johnston, Handler A. J. Dereume (Rainmaker), Treasurer Jeff Grube (Sky Painter), Jeff Lundy (Fair Weatherman), Vice President Dan McGinley (Moonshine), and most importantly, President Tom Dunkel, the Shingle Shaker.
The Circle organizes all the festivities that take place from February 1st all through February 3rd. The current President at any time speaks to Phil in Groundhogese before the sun peeks out on February 2nd, preparing him for the shadow ceremony. However, the Inner Circle’s highest honor and most important duty is protecting Phil’s immortality to continue the tradition. Late every summer, the Circle makes the trek back to Phil’s Gobbler’s Knob stump for a secretive ceremony that few others are allowed to witness. Phil is given one sip of “Groundhog Punch,” a Punxsutawney code word for the Elixir of Life. Giving Phil six extra years with each sip, the Inner Circle ensures the joyful celebrations of Groundhog Day never cease.
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