General News: Groundhog See Six More Weeks of Winter
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| Carl Heitmuller listens to what Chuckie has to say about weather. |
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| Part of the crowd who came to learn from the groundhog. |
February 02, 2008
Do we face six more weeks of winter in Cornwall? Well, folks over at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum asked their groundhog, Chuckie, what he foresaw and, according to environmental educator, Carl Heitmuller, Chuckie predicted another six weeks of winter weather.
With grey skies throughout the days, it is unclear how the groundhog saw his shadow, but the crowds of youngsters who came to the Outdoor Discovery Center at the nature museum were able to meet the furry critter and learn about his habitat. Folks who couldn’t fit into the busy presentation room had a chance to make groundhog crafts or practice making their own shadows on the wall.
The celebration of Groundhog Day on February 2nd has roots that go back to pre-Christian days when it was considered the Celebration of Light, half way between the winter solstice and spring equinox. Catholics later celebrated Candlemas, the end of the season of the Ephinany, on that day. At some point, the groundhog came into the picture as the official prognosticator of spring.
More than 100 years ago, the citizens of Punxsutawney, Pa., declared their groundhog, Phil, to be the official groundhog for the nation on February 2nd. Descendants of the original Phil still come out each year to the appreciation of crowds now 20,00 strong.
The arrival of Chuckie the Groundhog at the Nature Museum of the Hudson Highlands could mark the beginning of a new tradition in town, at least one that hundreds of local youngsters can come to appreciate. And whether he sees his shadow or not is rather immaterial for the youngsters who learn to appreciate the secrets of nature as part of our lives today
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