By Carol Fisher-Linn
The Groundhog Day tradition as we know it today, began in fact with a hedgehog in Germany in the 1800’s.
It all started with immigrants, as did so many wonderful events, customs, and traditions about everyday life in America … and the lowly hedgehog. Now, cute as they are as pets, hedgehogs are not native to the United States but originate from Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The German farmers were well acquainted with the hedgehog. It is a favorite in European gardens, both for its endearing appearance (again, they are sooo cute) and its preference for eating a range of garden pests, i.e., snails, slugs, beetles, ants, wasps, grasshoppers, etc. They quasi-hibernate, generally waking up to move to another location.
The old-country German farmers used the hedgehog to signal when they should start getting ready for the spring farming season … sharpening plows and tools, laying in seed, etc. They watched for the hedgehog to emerge from its hibernation hole and hoped it would see its shadow so they had six weeks to get the farm ready. If it didn’t, darn! They had to hustle!
Now, in 1887, the Germans who settled in Punxsutawney, Pa. brought the custom with them to America, having to substitute the cute, prickly hedgehog with an American groundhog, since nary a hedgehog lived here.
Turning to Bill Deeley, a retired handler of that famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, and part-time resident of Ellicottville, this writer got “the scoop” on Phil.
Back in 1887, a group of 15 men from Punxsutawney decided to form a club to celebrate and perpetuate the custom/legend. As with many strange customs and traditions, they basically made something out of nothing by celebrating the lowly groundhog every February. Deeley mused that likely copious amounts of corn likker may have also been involved. It remained a small local tradition for decades with Pittsburg covering it for local news until in 1993, the movie Groundhog Day hit the scene. It brought the famous groundhog to the world. Things changed after that. It became a massive annual event bringing thousands of tourists to Gobblers Knob (Phil’s home) and income into the community. It was a good thing.
According to Deeley, Phil is roughly 140 years old. In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three years being the average. Were it not for Phil’s generations-old elixir there would not be a story to tell. It is made by his handler from the ancient secret recipe, and he receives it at the summer picnic, one sip of which adds another seven years to his longevity. (Sorry, it does not work on humans). Barring any unforeseen events (such as happened to his cousin, Staten Island Chuck, who succumbed to his injuries after he was dropped by then Mayor DeBlasio) Phil remains immortal.
Groundhog Club members take their turns at being Phil’s handler. Incidentally, any reader may become a member, (go online) but one must reside in Punxsutawney to be part of the “Inner Circle” from whence the handlers are chosen. Deeley, a lifelong resident known in the club as “Digger O’Dell” (thus named because he had been a funeral director) was invited to be a member and handler. Other members bear monikers tying into their professions or hobbies like Sky Painter, Ice Man, Ozone, Storm Chaser, etc. What might your membership name be? Deeley was handler for sixteen years. Retired, he continues to bring Phil to Ellicottville every March since 1988.
Imagine this: it is post the movie – throngs of people are everywhere; cameras are rolling from news media worldwide. Deeley is designated handler. (Relevant sidenote – Oddly, the group decided to try pyrotechnics before the main event, which is quite early in the morning, hence, still dark). The inner Circle, attired in tuxedos and top hats, gathers at Phil’s “door,” does the required three knocks, opens the door (this is where old Phil is ordinarily at the door and can be scooped up) … there is no Phil. Deeley turns to the Inner Circle – what to do? “Cameras are rolling. Get in there and get him!” So, tuxedo and all, in he crawled and finally grabbed onto Phil who was trying to evade him, frightened by the noise. All’s well that ends well. Deeley brought him out to the adoring throngs and he set about to do what he does best, predicting the weather for the ensuing six weeks. Hope this story bring a smile to your face even if Phil’s prediction on February 2 does not. Happy Groundhog Day!
Catch Deeley, Punxsutawney Phil and the whole inner circle again at this year’s Mardi Gras Parade in Ellicottville, March 8, 2025.