Phil to leave nest, make his forecast

The "Seer of Seers," "Sage of Sages," "Prognosticator of Prognosticators" and "Weather Prophet Extraordinary" -- also known as Punxsutawney Phil -- emerges at dawn today from his burrow in Punxsutawney to predict the weather forecast.

This 15-pound weather rodent doesn't need barometers or Doppler Radar, he simply pokes his head out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob.

Phil's formula for prediction is simple: if he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter, if he doesn't see his shadow, spring comes early.

"It's not a spoken language," said Bill Cooper, president of Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle. "He uses his grunts, whistles and moans to communicate his prediction. He doesn't have a spoken voice as we know it."

Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney began in the summer of 1887 when a group of local hunters and gourmets held a groundhog hunt and picnic, according to the World Wide Web site http://www.groundhog.org/history.html.

-Bill Cooper, president of Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle

The celebration of Groundhog Day has evolved from a local picnic into a hoopla of T-shirts, activities and history, drawing thousands to Punxsutawney every Feb. 2.

And Phil has become a superstar, so to speak.

When he's not seeking his shadow, Phil is out and about at elementary and nursery schools, Cooper said.

At about 15 pounds, Phil is a hefty groundhog compared to the average groundhog weight of 8 to 12 pounds, Cooper said.

"He's a little plumper," Cooper said. "He lives a very regal life, and he doesn't get as much exercise as he should."

However, at 7:05 a.m., Phil will exercise his little feet and make his prognostication.

"This is the 112th official recorded prediction for the (Punxsutawney) Groundhog Club," Cooper said, adding that Groundhog Day has gained popularity because it appeals to all ages and most activities are free.

The reason Groundhog Day has existed for 112 years isn't because it's an accurate weather prediction, Cooper said, but because the celebration is a bright spot during the otherwise drab winter months.

Last year, an estimated 32,000 people swarmed Punxsutawney to catch a glimpse of the groundhog, Cooper said. The reason for the large number of guests was that it was the first time Groundhog Day had occurred on a weekend since the movie Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray was released in 1993, he added.

"(Groundhog Day) has always been a local event, but the movie has made it more of a national and more of a college event," Cooper said.

Yet the popularity of the day has created new challenges, one being the control of the crowds and intoxicated individuals who cannot control themselves.

"About two years ago, we basically declared the knob an alcohol-free area," Copper said. "The idea is to have everybody to enjoy (the event) and to make it suitable for people of all ages."

During the past 10 to 12 years, Groundhog Day activities and the number of people who come to participate in those activities have grown, Brennan said.

Naomi Brennan, a volunteer at the genealogical room in the Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogical Society Museum, said she has lived in Punxsutawney all 71 years of her life.

"It's the most enjoyable time in the town. People are really friendly, they come alive," she said.

However, the benefits of this midwinter celebration, in Brennan's opinion, may someday extend past the February day.

"I think our town needs it, because industry-wise, we're hurting," she said. "Through all of this, it might attract businesses to come into our town, and through our industries we can keep our young people here."