Why all the fuss about Groundhog Day?
Find out at the Lake Superior Zoo on Groundhog Day (Saturday, Feb. 2) at 10 a.m.
The public is invited to do a little digging and visit the kissing-cousins, a close relative of Punxsutawney Phil. Will they see their shadows?
The Lake Superior Zoo has 36 prairie dogs that are busily preparing to assume their kissing-cousin’s, the groundhog, prognosticating assignment. Submitted photo
The Lake Superior Zoo has 36 prairie dogs that are busily preparing to assume their kissing-cousin’s, the groundhog, prognosticating assignment. Submitted photo
Groundhogs are woodchucks, and vice versa. Groundhogs, or woodchucks, are one of 14 species recognized as marmots, which, in essence, are large rodents that are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Groundhogs are closely related to both ground squirrels and prairie dogs.
The Lake Superior Zoo has 36 prairie dogs that are busily preparing to assume their kissing-cousin’s prognosticating assignment!
Marmots (groundhogs and prairie dogs) live a life of feast-or-famine, gorging themselves all summer to build up plentiful reserves of fat to sustain them through their winter hibernation. As winter approaches, they retreat into their underground burrows and snooze (on and off) until spring. The length of hibernation depends upon many factors, including weather and extreme temperature. It is common for them to wake up, or be aroused, every week or so for a bit and then go back into their deep slumber.
So, what does a sleepy, furry marmot have to do with the coming of spring?
Well, the story is traced back to the early Christian tradition of Candlemas, a day to bless and distribute candles, a hot commodity in the days before electric light — especially during the cold, dark winter. Seasonal Affective Disorder notwithstanding, the early Christians found a way to make the dismal winter season a bit cheerier: They decided that clear skies on Candlemas Day meant a longer winter. By the time this tradition reached Germany, the groundhog and his shadow had entered the story. When the Germans came to Pennsylvania, they brought their traditions — including the marmot — with them.
This quirky tradition developed into what we now call Groundhog Day.
But where does Punxsutawney Phil fit in?
Well, in 1887, a spirited group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney, Pa., dubbed themselves “The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.” One member of the club happened to be the editor of the local newspaper.
Using his editorial clout, he proclaimed Punxsutawney Phil, the local groundhog, to be the one and only official weather prognosticating groundhog. He issued this proclamation on, appropriately enough, Groundhog Day. Newspapers from around the globe began to report Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog Day predictions. Today, more than 20,000 fans come to Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day to continue the tradition. Will we have six more weeks of winter?
Find out Saturday at the Lake Superior Zoo. For more information, call 730-4500 during business hours. The zoo is located at 72nd Avenue West and Grand Avenue in Duluth and is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the winter months.
Source: http://www.duluthbudgeteer.com/articles/index.cfm?id=21576
What's the Story on Groundhog Day?
'U.S. Male' survive Wing Bowl's 1st round
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Friday, February 1, 2008
BILL DUHART
Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA -- Two South Jersey contestants have made it past the first round of this year's Wing Bowl.
Five-time champion Bill "El Wingador" Simmons, of Woodbury Heights, at 107 wings during the 14-minute round while Dave "U.S. Male" Goldstein, of Voorhees, consumed 81.
Audubon resident Elliott "Wing Tut" Maruffi-Cowley, however, was eliminated.
The leader after the first round was defending champion Joey Chestnut, who downed 124 wings.
The remaining contestants now move on to the second round, which also lasts 14 minutes.
The event ends with a 2-minute eat-off.
In its 16th year, The Wing Bowl lurched into gear early this morning here at the Wachovia Center, a campy tribute to gluttony and light-hearted debauchery.
A capacity crowd of close to 20,000 watched a seemingly endless procession of scantily clad women parade into the area with their favorite power eater.
The goal? To eat mounds of barbecue chicken wings until no one can eat more.
