Latest news with #GroundhogClub
CBS News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Former Punxsutawney Groundhog Club president dies
Former Punxsutawney Groundhog Club president William "Bill" Deeley died. Deeley was the president of the Inner Circle, as well as Punxsutawney Phil's handler. "With heavy hearts," the club shared the news of his death on Facebook Thursday. "Bill embodied the magic and cheer that is Groundhog Day. He was at the forefront of the worldwide expansion that took the holiday from our little town to the entire world," the Groundhog Club said in a social media post. It's with heavy hearts that the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club shares the news of the passing of former President and... Posted by Punxsutawney Phil on Thursday, May 1, 2025 The top hat- and tuxedo-wearing members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, which was founded in 1887, are responsible for making the trek every Feb. 2 to Gobbler's Knob, where Punxsutawney Phil predicts whether there will be six more weeks of winter or an early spring. According to lore, there is only one Punxsutawney Phil, the same way there is only one Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Phil's Inner Groundhog Club attributes his longevity to the elixir of life, which he drinks every summer. The Inner Circle president has a cane which, according to legend, allows him to speak Groundhogese and hear Phil's yearly prediction. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club shared photos on Facebook, remembering Deeley. "He made our community a better place, and his contagious smile will live on in our hearts forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's family. Thank you for everything and for simply always being you," the club wrote. Groundhog Day is a big deal in the town of Punxsutawney, drawing tens of thousands of visitors, including the governor. This year's crowd was one of the largest ever, the current Inner Circle president said. Phil saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter.
Fox News
06-02-2025
- Climate
- Fox News
Groundhog Day: Uncover 140 years worth of tradition in Janice Dean's new Fox Nation special
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this year — and people can expect to ring in six more weeks of winter with a new and timely Fox Nation special. "Seeing Shadows," streaming exclusively on Fox Nation, features meteorologist Janice Dean taking viewers through the history of Groundhog Day, going behind the scenes in Punxsutawney, Pa., where the holiday's most famous event is held. FOX Weather's Dean dives into the relationship between the rapid changes in technology and the enduring traditions involving groundhogs seeing (or not seeing) their shadows. As computers and online analytics changed weather forecasts, television networks began more accurately covering them. Despite this, as Dean notes in the promotional trailer, it seemed "every local weather reporter in the country" ventured out to the middle of Pennsylvania to cover the Groundhog Day events. Dean was able to chat with several major individuals involved in the annual festivities at Gobbler's Knob. That star-studded list includes Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, the president of the Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, Tom Dunkel, and even the handler of Punxsutawney Phil himself. During the program, Dunkel described why Groundhog Day is so special compared to other American events and festivities. As he explained, "it is the only holiday with a destination." "You can't go to Christmas, you can't go to Easter, you can't go to Halloween," Dunkel said, referring to the yearly gathering in Punxsutawney. "But my God, you can go to Groundhog Day." Gov. Shapiro commented on the symbolism of the yearly tradition in Punxsutawney when he spoke to Dean during the special, characterizing the festivities as a day of "joy." "I think what makes Pennsylvania great and America great are these wonderful traditions that bring people together," he added. The 2025 edition of the prognostication in Punxsutawney was the 138th in the event's history. Despite the groundhog not emerging and seeing his shadow until after 7am, festivities kicked off an hour earlier and in freezing temperatures. Live music performances and fireworks hyped up the crowd until Punxsutawney Phil's prediction was revealed. To learn more about the history of Groundhog Day, sign up for Fox Nation and stream Janice Dean's "Seeing Shadows." Fox Nation programs are viewable on-demand and from your mobile device, but only for Fox Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite Fox Nation personalities.
Boston Globe
31-01-2025
- Climate
- Boston Globe
Will Phil predict an early spring this Groundhog Day?
Advertisement Phil's faithful followers travel far and wide and on the big day wait for hours in subfreezing temperatures to experience the more than century-old tradition of a groundhog's heralded appearance at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney. Last year, Phil GHD dates back to the 19th century According to some historians, Groundhog Day dates back to the mid-1800s and has European roots. 'The groundhog tradition stems from beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe, and for centuries the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people,' the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club A reference was found in an 1841 diary to groundhog weather forecasts in early February among families of German descent in Morgantown, Pa., according to the late Don Yoder, a University of Pennsylvania professor whose 2003 book about Groundhog Day explored the Celtic connection. The annual ritual stuck and keeps going to this day. Related : This quirky, fun-loving tradition exploded in popularity with the 1993 release of the classic comedy film 'Groundhog Day' starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Advertisement Being the original forecasting rodent, Phil has gotten to hog most of the limelight associated with predicting the weather. But over the years, many other states have turned to their own weather-forecasting critters. Forecast calls for clouds in Western Pa. Chances are so-so that Phil will see his shadow this year. In fact, he's seen it more often than not, based on historical records. 'If you go by statistics and history, about 80 percent of the time it's, 'My shadow I see, so six more weeks of winter it will be,'' said Thomas Dunkel, president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. 'But you never know. In the last 10 years, we've had more 'no shadows' than we have had in any 10-year period of the Groundhog Club.' Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-20s around sunrise Sunday in Punxsutawney. High pressure will linger over Western Pennsylvania which will help hold off precipitation for the big event. Brisk wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour will send the wind chills into the teens. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy at sunrise in Punxsutawney, Pa. Boston Globe How accurate is Phil? But just how accurate are these members of the squirrel family? Ms. G's handlers say she's been on target 64 percent of the time. Phil? Well, not that much. A Advertisement Researchers said that no one groundhog predicted the arrival of spring with any 'statistical significance.' NOAA's Last winter, for example, Phil predicted an early spring. But New England had it's fair share of snowfall in March and even some snow in early April. Longer winter or not, this season has so far been colder and snowier than last winter for New Englanders, although we're still continuing the overall trend of mild winters New England has seen over recent decades. 'This winter has been much closer to a typical winter season across the region, with more pockets of cold air moving through the region and producing more snowfall,' said Globe lead meteorologist Ken Mahan. 'It's been much closer to an average winter with temperatures at or slightly below average, a big difference from last year's record pace. 'Looking into February, we'll most likely see an active weather pattern, especially across interior New England, with more snow and some rain.' Phil has become a dad Phil and his mate Phyllis welcomed two furry babies soon after last year's Groundhog Day. They could eventually serve as the next prognosticators. Punxsutawney Phil's newborns in April 2024. Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Punxsutawney Phil's two babies as seen in May 2024. Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Marianne Mizera can be reached at
CBS News
29-01-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Punxsutawney Phil celebrating first Groundhog Day as a father
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (KDKA) -- This Sunday, Feb. 2, all eyes will turn to Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, as the world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, will emerge for his annual prognostication. Over 40,000 people are expected for this year's festivities. Will Phil see his shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of winter? "If you go by statistics and history, about 80% of the time it's, 'My shadow I see, so six more weeks of winter it will be,'" said Thomas A. Dunkel, the president of Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. "But you never know. In the last 10 years, we've had more 'no shadows' than we have had in any 10-year period of the Groundhog Club." So, we won't know until Sunday around 7:25 a.m. if we should expect an early spring or more cold winter days. This year, we can expect a family affair because this will be Phil's first Groundhog Day as a father. Last spring, Phil and his wife Phyllis welcomed pups Sunny and Shadow to their family. "When I talk to Phil with the cane, he's very proud of his two kids and they are super proud of dad," said Dunkel. "Not everybody has the world's most famous father." Phil is allegedly 139 years old and has lived in Punxsutawney since the first Grover Cleveland administration. He gets his longevity by drinking a secret elixir of life each summer. Sadly, only Phil can drink this magical, life-giving brew, and Phyllis, Sunny, and Shadow will all face a mortal groundhog existence. "There's only one Punxsutawney Phil," Dunkel said. "That's the problem with being an immortal. You outlive the family, I'm afraid. And that is one of the downsides of living forever." If you want to see the whole family together this year, and Phil make his legendary prediction, the event in Punxsutawney is free and open to the public. Arriving early and dressing warmly is strongly advised. If you would like more information on Groundhog Day, click here.
