Getting Your Phil

If you've seen the movie Groundhog Day, then you have some idea of Punxsutawney Phil's important role in this quaint Pennsylvania town. The ritual originated with Candlemas Day, when early Christian clergy throughout Europe would bless candles and pronounce a weather-related prediction. Groundhog Day emerged when the Romans spread the tradition to the Germans (or Teutons), who introduced the hedgehog-as-meteorologist. German settlers in Pennsylvania brought it to the United States, and they proclaimed the groundhog the closest kin to the European hedgehog. If Feb. 2 is sunny enough that the groundhog's shadow scares him, look for another six weeks of winter. Punxsutawny's annual observance first took place in 1886, according to local newspaper records, and the town's Groundhog Club helps maintain the tradition. Today's celebration draws as many as 30,000 people to Gobbler's Knob for a possible shadow sighting and ensuing festival. For directions and more information, call (800) 752-7445 or see <www.groundhog.org> and <www.punxsutawney.com>.