Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1998
Phil's followers
Reporters find much more than expected at groundhog event
Editor's note: This is an account of two reporters' adventure to Punxsutawney for Phil's Groundhog Day appearance. The two exhausted reporters, like many others around the country, stayed up all night to watch Phil make his prediction, but then they had to write about it.
By JENNIFER NEJMAN
and EMILY REHRING
Collegian Staff Writers
PUNXSUTAWNEY -- Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday, thus
predicting six more weeks of winter weather. But he was not the
only attraction.
A man in a frock coat and tuxedo danced on a swinging platform attached to a construction crane; Village People impersonators grooved in tight jeans on the stage and five awkward girls flapped boas to the beat of "Copa Cabana," while two bewildered and wildly excited reporters from The Daily Collegian watched it all.
Punxsutawney Phil, the world's most famous weatherman, is held by Bill Deeley after emerging from his hole. Phil was woken at dawn and he saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter. (Collegian Photo/Thomas D. Hood - click for full-size image)
Our journey began at 1:30 a.m., when two reporters and one photographer
departed from State College -- our destination was Punxsutawney.
When we arrived at Gobbler's Knob, the amount of activity surprised
us. Most college students do not even have the energy to roll
over and slap the snooze button at 6 a.m., yet somehow thousands
of people of all ages were energetically dancing, chanting and
singing in anticipation of Phil's appearance.
Chants of "We want Phil" echoed through the crowd in
the wee hours of the dark morning. Other observers waited patiently
and quietly for the groundhog to emerge and give his weather prediction.
And there we stood, two reporters in the midst of a mid-winter celebration, wondering what the people were celebrating.
Bill Cooper, president of the Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, attempts to wake Punxsutawney Phil. (Collegian Photo/Thomas D. Hood - click for full-size image)
As this clearing in the woods was transformed into a early morning
mosh pit, we observed the partiers. An odd juxtaposition of figures
-- ranging from senior citizens to female students clad in maroon
brassieres and lanky guys baring their chests -- confused us,
to say the least.
"If Punxy Phil has to freeze, I'm gonna freeze with him.
He's naked," said 18-year-old Dan Sterrett of Latrobe.
The Groundhog Day celebration attracted people from around the country, including students from several universities, including Clarion University of Pennsylvania, families from Michigan and college men from California. Even a bus load of about 50 Penn State students made the trek.
Bill Deeley of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle holds Punxsutawney Phil yesterday at dawn. Phil had just emerged from the ground for the 112th time. (Collegian Photo/Thomas D. Hood - click for full-size image)
"I'm a fan of Phil. I love Phil," Danyelle Brown (senior-health
policy administration) yelled as the crowd smacked her into us.
Fan's consumed alcohol in spite of the alcohol-free mandate made
by the Groundhog Club's Inner Circle for the event.
"No thanks. I'm working," one of us replied as a cold
can of beer was offered.
Next came a sudden peck on the cheek from a drunk birthday boy.
His friends apologized, explaining it was his 21st birthday.
However, for some observers outside the mass of humanity packed
around the stage, the crowd seemed tame.
"I've been to several, and it gets better each year as (the
Groundhog Club) learns to handle the crowd," said Ed McGinnis,
deputy sheriff of Jefferson County. "It used to be like spring
break," he said.
However, we spoke to McGinnis before the crowd had reached full
attendance.
Later, daredevil fans were hoisted into the air forming a canopy of crowd surfers above unsuspecting Phil fans.
Punxsutawney Phil attempts to wak up while in the arms of his handler, Bll Deeley. Phil resuemd his tradition of predicting the weather on Feb. 2. (Collegian Photo/Thomas D. Hood - click for full-size image)
The crowd was getting restless and chants of "Bring out the
Hog" echoed throughout the clearing.
Finally, it was time for Punxy Phil's 112th prediction, or as
it is called by his intimate friends, Phil's prognostication.
The Groundhog Club's Inner Circle made its annual parade to the
stage.
Phil was yanked out of his stump at about 7:30 a.m., greeted by a crowd of screaming fans. For the 89th time, Phil saw his shadow dooming the United States to another six weeks of winter weather.
