Species Of The Squirrel Family<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b>Otherwise<\/span>\u00a0known as a woodchuck, the groundhog is one of fourteen species of\u00a0the squirrel family, marmots, and prairie dogs. On February 2nd, millions of groundhogs will come out of their burrows and, if they see their shadow, the myth of six more weeks bad winter weather will continue.<\/p>\n Myth Came From A Pagan Celebration<\/b><\/p>\n As \u00a0mentioned, in The Life and Times of \u00a0Woody Woodchuck – Words of \u00a0wisdom from the Prairie Dog \u00a0<\/em>HISTORY, Groundhog Day myth\u00a0came from a pagan\u00a0celebration known as <\/span>Candlemas\u00a0<\/i>Day.\u00a0<\/i>It is thought to be where weather predicting began and on a sunny <\/span>Candlemas Day,<\/i> if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of bad winter weather. When the\u00a0belief\u00a0of this European tradition migrated with German immigrants to America in the 18th century, a different folklore merged, and now people all over the world have made note of Groundhog Day.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Many Organizations Join Groundhog Day<\/strong><\/p>\n Since the established in 1887 of that unique Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania Groundhog Day Club, where \u00a0thousands of members, merchants, and enthusiasts gather to see if “Punxsutawney Phil” will see his shadow or not, there have been concerted efforts in popularizing and commercializing Groundhog Day. Today, many special events and festivities are honored by schools, media, municipalities, and civic organizations such as: \u00a0the University of Dallas, the National\u00a0Geographic Kids, and The Prairie Dog Coalition, who recently integrated their website with The Humane Society of the United States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Popularity Continues To Grow in Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n Groundhog Day popularity continues to grow in Canada and the event has attracted much media attention.\u00a0Each year,\u00a0the town of Wiarton, Bruce County, Ontario, has its own celebration of Groundhog, “Wiarton Willie”, which it shares with locals, fans, news reporters, and\u00a0the nation. \u00a0Early in the morning on February 2nd, \u00a0they all come out to \u201chear Willie\u2019s prediction\u201d . Other events at the festival include: dances, contests, \u00a0parades, and\u00a0pancake breakfasts.<\/p>\n University of Dallas Alumni Event<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the \u00a0largest celebration of the groundhog in the United States, outside of Punxsutawney, is at the University of Dallas. \u00a0Tradition \u00a0has sparked imaginations and even pride in the fact that UD host an\u00a0event that consists of a proclamation involving the school President, a groundhog sighting on the mall, sporting activities, and a celebration at Groundhog Park for students, faculty, staff, friends, and alumni.\u00a0\u00a0This year they will celebrate the return of the Groundhog Tour, mini-bonfires, food, live bands,\u00a0and something for everyone.<\/p>\n Cordially,<\/p>\n Woody Woodchuck
\n<\/strong><\/em>“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nFebruary 2nd Is Groundhog Day!<\/strong><\/h2>\n
A Groundhog Finds Its Shadow
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