Groundhog Day Howell Style

For 17 years, the Howell Nature Center in Marion Township has had its own ‘Groundhog Day’.  The reigning groundhog prognosticator is Woody.  Woody has been named as Michigan’s official groundhog, by the way.  And the laurels don’t stop there.

This will be the 18^th year that the Howell Nature Center has a groundhog forecast regarding an early spring or a longer winter.  Thus far, forecasts have been accurate 13 out of 17 times!  That’s a whopping correct answer more than 75% of the time. Compare that to the most famous groundhog weather predictor, Punxsutawney Phil, who’s correct just under 40% of the time.  Woody sounds like a ringer!

Woody is actually a female groundhog. Legend states that if she leaves her house and stays out for 30 seconds or more there will be an early spring.  If she doesn’t emerge or runs back in under 30 seconds we have six more weeks of winter in store.  She runs back in because she sees her shadow and becomes scared.

As a side note, last year Woody was ‘under the weather’ (excuse the pun) and there was a stand in, Murray, who gave an incorrect weather forecast.

Woody today predicted that we will have six more weeks of winter!  Woody didn’t even come out of her house.  And this just in – Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow so Phil’s predicting an early spring.  Who’s right?  Time will tell.

The Howell Nature Center really does a great job with this event.  There’s a Continental Breakfast and a kids’ costume contest before the 8:15 prediction.  There was also a pancake breakfast this past Saturday where the public could meet Woody before her big day.  And Woody has a degree of fame that goes beyond Howell and the State of Michigan, too.  She’s listed by the Weather Channel as #11 of the top 11 groundhog forecasters in the country. Who’s number 1?  Yup, you guessed it, Punxsutawney Phil.

A groundhog named Woody, you wonder?  Groundhogs and woodchucks are the same animal, so technically it’s Woody the woodchuck.  But this is groundhog day, so we’ll call her Woody the groundhog.

People have used woodchucks to forecast an early spring or longer winter since 1886, when the editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper reported that local groundhogs had not seen their shadows that day, and it indicated an early spring.  This legend may be based on some European beliefs that badgers and hedgehogs can provide signals to the future. In Pennsylvania, the closest thing to a badger or hedgehog looks like a groundhog.

Woodchucks are considered true hibernators and they do typically ‘wake up’ in early February, so there is some basis for the legend, after all.

Image courtesy of google-listed as free to reuse

Groundhog Day Is On The Way

This Saturday, February 2nd is Groundhog Day. Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks, marmots, and even as land beavers and ground squirrels. They are widely distributed in North America, especially in the central and northeastern United States, and can weigh in between 4 and 9 pounds. There's no real relationship between woodchucks and wood. The name is believed to have originated from the Algonquin or Narraganset name for the animal, 'wuchak'.

Groundhog Day started in Pennsylvania and New York State as a prediction of how the last half of winter would proceed. If the groundhog comes out of his burrow to see his shadow, he goes back in to sleep for 6 more weeks, indicating a hard end to winter. If he sees no shadow, he remains out, forecasting a mild second half of winter.

Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, PA is the most famous groundhog weather forecaster in the United States, but Howell, Michigan has its own Woody the Woodchuck. Taking up residence at the Howell Nature Center, Woody will be making her 10th appearance this year, which could make her record 8 for 10 if she successfully predicts this year's last half of winter conditions.

Woody will appear promptly at 8:15 am, and the there is a new breakfast option available, too. $8 for adults, $6 for children under 12, and children under 2 years of age are free. if you're planning on breakfast, please call to make reservations by dialing 517-546-0249. The proceeds will support the Wildlife Programs at the Nature Center. Photos with Woody are also available for a small fee.

UPDATE: Woody's prediction was that Spring will be early this year!