Groundhog's Day 2010

America's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, made his annual appearance at 7:22 AM EST on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Much to the disappointment of many, Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter.

On the up side, Phil did have to compete with several television cameras and man made lights set up all around him so it is quite possible that his shadow was not a natural shadow but an artificially induced one, letting Phil off the hook as merely being "mistaken" in his prediction. Those disappointed in the prediction of more winter may feel a little better knowing that Phil could have simply been "mistaken" His accuracy is less than 40%, after all.

The legend, or tradition, of Punxsutawny Phil began over 120 years ago. It is said that every summer, Phil is given a sip of "Groundhog Punch", which magically adds seven more years to his life. Normal groundhogs have a lifespan of ten years in captivity and six years in the wild (too bad the other groundhogs can't get any of Phil's "Groundhog Punch"). According to tradition, if Phil comes out and sees his shadow, we will see six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, we will see an early spring. The "Groundhog Club (yes, there really is one) says that Phil will relay his prediction to members of the Inner Circle in "Groundhogese" (don't ask and I won't tell), apparently members of the Inner Circle are the only ones who are able to understand this groundhog language.

Phil's handlers, known as the "Inner Circle", give Phil his magic serum every summer as well as take care of Phil and plan the annual Groundhog's Day ceremony. Members of the Inner Circle are easily recognized by their top hats and tuxedos.

Punxsutawney Phil and his wife, Phyllis, are reported to live in the town library during the rest of the year but Phil is transported to his temporary home on Gobbler's Knob for the yearly Feb. 2 festivities.

Punxsutawney Phil fans are very adamant that there is only one Phil and that all other groundhog weather prognosticators are fake.

Groundhog Day 2010 festivities kicked off about 3 AM EST with a crowd gathering on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, PA., with a fireworks display starting at 6:30 AM. Birthday wishes for Phil were followed by him seeing his shadow, calling for more winter.

Phil apparently is up on the idea of modern technology and social networking. Around 17,000 people had signed up to have Phil text his prediction to them if they were not able to make an appearance on Gobbler's knob. You can text Phil by texting the word "Groundhog" to 247365. If you sign up for the text you will get a reply to your cell phone.

"Hey, I saw my shadow. I hereby do predict 6 more weeks of winter. Last one to the PA. ski lodge is an opossum.~~Phil"

The Pennsylvania Tourism website also offered a live webcast of the event along with Phil 's debut on VisitPa.com. Phil can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Phil's Russian counterpart, Olesya the Groundhog, has also predicted a longer winter in Russia as well.

Olesya did not come out to see her shadow...even for a bribe!

Zoo officials at the Limpopo Zoo in the western Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod said that under normal circumstances the groundhogs would be hibernating at this time of year. But it was warm enough this year that they were trying to go along with the Punxsutawney Phil tradition here in America.

It's all in good fun no matter where you live!