photos courtesy of Punxsutawney Phil
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Gobblers Knob PA, at 7:25 am Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow predicting 6 more weeks of winter .
This year due to the coronavirus pandemic, revelers weren’t able to see Phil and celebrate in person, it was an all virtual event.
The livestream from Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney, was made possible by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office’s Holi-stay PA. The event there — always Feb. 2 — dates back to 1887.
“Here Ye, Here Ye, Here ye
Now this second day of February, two thousand and twenty-one, the one hundred and thirty fifth annual trek of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club…
Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers, the Prognosticator of all Prognosticators, was awakened from his borrow at 7:25 am by his handler and friend, on this quite morning where few can attend.
In Groundhogese, Phil directed the President and the Inner Circle to his prediction scroll that reads.
It is a beautiful morning this I can see,
With all my fans viewing virtually.
With my faithful followers being safe and secure,
Our tradition of Groundhog Day must endure.
We all have passed through the darkness of night,
But now see hope of morning’s bright light.
When I turn to see, there is a perfect shadow cast of me.
Six more weeks of winter there will be!”
Staten Island Chuck munched Mayor Bloomberg’s finger. A low point that must have driven him wild with oligarchical rage. “Why did I stoop to take this office?!?”