January 28 Valley Life column

January 28 Valley Life column in AG Weekly

Groundhogs make spring predictions soon

"When my shadow I see, Six more weeks of winter there will be."
Punxsutawney Phil

For several weeks, local DJs have been talking about Punxsutawney Phil and whether or not he will see his shadow Feb. 2. The way the DJs have been carrying on, you’d think Punxsutawney Phil was the only groundhog worthy of forecasting spring.

But Punxsutawney Phil isn't the only groundhog making predictions. In Georgia, General Beauregard Lee ambles from his Weathering Heights Plantation to share with the South his annual prediction. Albino groundhog, The Great Willie of Wiarton, prognosticates from his home near Lake Huron each year. In Wisconsin, Jimmy the Groundhog not only predicts spring but also hosts his own cookbook, featuring things he likes to eat like popcorn, carrots, peanut butter, apples, chocolate covered raisins, sunflower seeds, lettuce and celery.

Once a year, New York’s meteorologist, Staten Island Chuck, makes his prediction from the Staten Island Zoo. Other groundhogs making annual predictions include Buckeye Chuck in Ohio, Birmingham Bill in Alabama, Peewee the woodchuck in Vermont, Dixie Dan in Tupelo, Miss., and Unadilla Bill in Nebraska, not to mention Lander Lil in Wyoming, and Petaluma Pete in California.

Makes you wonder what happened to Idaho. Groundhogs have been predicting spring long before 1887 when Punxsutawney Phil made his first official trip to Gobbler's Knob. Idaho became a state in 1890. By now, Idaho should have its own predicting-spring groundhog, something like Pocatello Pete, Orofino Joe, Appaloosa Al or Taterpig Sam.

Maybe Idaho doesn't have a prognosticating groundhog because Idaho's state animal is a horse. Or maybe it's because so much of Idaho is snow covered until late April or May. The poor groundhog wouldn’t have a chance. He couldn't burrow his way to the surface to see his shadow, even if he had a shovel.

Maybe Idaho doesn’t need its own special groundhog. Especially since many parts of the state are still frozen on Feb. 2 and spring doesn't arrive on time, even when Punxsutawney Phil does see his shadow.

©Bonnie Dodge