Dating all the way back to 1887, Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the end of winter. Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has been the home to this beloved groundhog since Groundhog Day was first celebrated. Up to this year, a crowd has gathered to be the first to see if Phil sees his shadow or not. This February 2nd, amidst a flurry of excitement and anticipation, the groundhog, Phil, emerged from his cozy burrow to impart his annual weather wisdom to the eager masses. Long story short: Spring is here.
Every February 2nd, thousands gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with the Inner Circle dressed in tuxedos and top hats. Surprisingly enough, there has only been one groundhog since 1887. This means Punxsutawney Phil racks up to a staggering 138 years on this Earth. Compared to an average life span of six years, Phil is approximately 132 years older. Some do not believe that Phil is actually the age that he is claimed to be, however, Junior Reis Holzworth full-heartedly believes it. “Of course, I believe Punxsutawney Phil is 138,” he says, “he drinks the elixir of life every summer.”
This elixir of life that Holzworth is referring to is a vital part of how Phil has thrived for this long. Every summer at the Groundhog Picnic, he takes a sip of this elusive elixir of life which magically gives him seven more years of life. No one knows what is in this secret potion, but it is obviously extremely successful. Senior Lauren Davis has a deep admiration for Punxsutawney Phil for his extreme weather-predicting capabilities. “All other groundhogs are impostors, there is only one Phil,” she says.
This year, before 7:30 in the morning, Phil appeared from his tunnel ready to predict the weather in the upcoming months. To the relief of many, Phil could not see his shadow, signifying an early spring. Before this year, Phil had seen his shadow 107 times and not seen his shadow 20 times, according to the York Daily Record. For generations, this groundhog has held a special place in the hearts of the townsfolk, his annual forecast a source of both amusement and anticipation. Junior Eric Contis is very relieved to see spring come after a very long winter. “After the longest winter of my life, spring could not come any sooner,” he says.
Even though Groundhog’s Day is not everyone’s favorite holiday, it is undeniable that Punxsutawney Phil leaves a lasting impact on not just the people of Pennsylvania, but of people throughout the United States and Canada.
