On the second of February, our familiar friend, the groundhog, emerged from hibernation and predicted we will have an early spring this year. AHS student, Jordan Jansen, stated, “I wanted spring to come, so hopefully we will see warm weather soon.”
Groundhog Day is a tradition within the United States and Canada that takes place on February 2nd of every year. According to tradition, if the groundhog makes an appearance and catches a glimpse of its own shadow due to clear weather, this would indicate that winter will extend another six additional weeks. On the other hand, if our furry meteorologist doesn’t spot its shadow because of clouded skies, then that’s a sign of an early and appreciated spring just around the corner. So, community members of Algona either brace themselves for more inclement weather or start planning for the delightful change of seasons.
This historical event originated at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in 1887 by a newspaper editor who went by the name of Clymer Freas. He was a part of a groundhog hunting club called the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Freas was considered the “father of Groundhog Day.” Freas caught a groundhog and named it Phil. He used his editorial fame to convince his community that Punxsutawney Phil was the only groundhog that has the ability to forecast future weather.
After all this time, Groundhog Day is even now a tradition throughout the United States and Canada, and many communities all around believe this holiday will live on for centuries.