A Groundhog Day scandal? Potomac Phil denies rumors of collusion
By Sadie Dingfelder February 1


Potomac Phil and Punxsutawney Phil have made the same weather prediction for the last six years.

Aaron DeNu does not want your spare rodents. “I get a lot of emails from people who say, ‘We have a groundhog in our yard, can we bring him to you?’ ” he says. “I have to keep saying, ‘No, thank you, we are happy with the one we have.’ ”

That would be Potomac Phil, a taxidermied animal that DeNu has been bringing to an annual Dupont Circle Groundhog Day celebration since 2012. Donated by Miss Pixie’s Furnishings & Whatnot, Potomac Phil makes two predictions every year: one about the advent of spring, and the other about the political climate.

“He’s always predicted six more weeks of political gridlock, and so far, he’s always been right,” DeNu says.


As president of Dupont Festival, DeNu is responsible for translating the long-deceased marmot’s nonverbal cues, which are quite subtle.

“I look at his facial expression, posture and intensity, the glare and gaze in his eyes,” DeNu says.

So far, Potomac Phil’s predictions have always agreed with those of his more famous counterpart, Punxsutawney Phil.

However, some conspiracy theorists say he’s just copying the Pennsylvania rodent, who always makes his prediction at 8 a.m., while Potomac Phil’s prognostication comes a half-hour later.

“There has been no collusion between Potomac Phil and Punxsutawney Phil,” DeNu says of the rumors. “Absolutely no collusion.”

DeNu, who is a fan of the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day,” invites Bill Murray to the event every year, but has yet to get a response.

“I keep waking up and having the same day over and over again [where I’m not] able to get ahold of him,” he says. “We have a top hat ready if he does show up.”

Whether or not Murray makes an appearance, there will be a polka band on site, plus snacks and coffee. Just don’t be late, DeNu advises.

“We like to wrap up quickly so everyone can get to work on time,” DeNu says.

https://www.washingtonpost.com...m_term=.21f033beb709
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Groundhog Day 2018: Watch the Festivities Live From Gobbler’s Knob
Posted 8:22 am, February 1, 2018, by WNEP Web Staff

Punxsutawney, PA — It’s time again for Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary to make his annual prediction.

As legend has it, Phil will wake from hibernation on February 2 and if he sees his shadow as he emerges from his burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If our furry friend doesn’t see his shadow, spring will arrive soon.

Beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, you can watch all the festivities from Gobbler’s Knob with the Visit PA live stream right here and on the WNEP Facebook Page.

Here’s a look at what you need to know about Groundhog Day, an American tradition that is meant to predict when spring will arrive.

Facts:

February 2 is Groundhog Day.

The groundhog wakes up from hibernation on February 2.

If the groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges from its burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter.

If it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive soon.

This tradition started in Europe as Candlemas Day. Germans who settled in Pennsylvania in the 1700s brought the custom to America.

Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil is the most well-known, but more than a dozen states celebrate with their own groundhogs, such as Georgia’s Gen. Beauregard Lee and Buckeye Chuck in Ohio.

Punxsutawney Phil – in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania:

His full name is “Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.”

February 2, 1886 – The Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper proclaims this date as Pennsylvania’s first official Groundhog Day celebration.

Phil has correctly predicted the beginning of spring 100% of the time, according to his owners. However, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the groundhog shows “no predictive skill” for the last few years.

1986 – Phil travels to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Ronald Reagan.

1993 – Columbia Pictures releases the movie, “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray. In the years following the release of the movie, crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney.

1995 – Phil appears on the Oprah Winfrey show.

January 27, 2010 – The animal rights group PETA suggests using a robotic groundhog in place of Punxsutawney Phil.

February 2, 2010 – For the first time, fans are able to register for a text message alert of Phil’s prediction.

February 2, 2017 – Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter.

http://wnep.com/2018/02/01/gro...-from-gobblers-knob/
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How accurate are the Groundhog Day forecast?
"If Punxsutawney Phil is right 39 percent of the time, that's much, much worse than a climatological prediction, Roche said. Even if you flip a coin, you'll still be right close to half of the time that's a 50 percent accuracy rate. So you'll be better off flipping a coin than going by the groundhog's predictions."Feb 2, 2017

How long do groundhogs live??? Phil must be one old crusty groundhog.

You beat me to it this year 41, you beat me to it. Now I'll just go read your post..

And, unlike Potomac Phil, he's not road kill..

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
And, unlike Potomac Phil, he's not road kill..

That would be me...

I saw that...

My Savage Model 99 worked much of its life to rid farm fields around Punxsy of the groundhog menace.

My wife's grandfather was president of the Punxsutawny Groundhog Club and received Phil's predictions for many years (60's-70's I believe). Groundhog day is a big deal in this family! Cookies will be made (gingerbreads in the shape of groundhogs), family will be seen on tv a Gobbler's Knob, and I will be at work.

Groundhog’s make great targets! Destructive little bastards!

Live from Gobbler's Knob:

http://visitpa.com/groundhog-day-live-stream/

It is 11 degrees there today.