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© 2012 Universal Uclick release dates: January 28 3 February Fun on Feb. 2 is February a frigid month of much for America. North 2, Feb. on But people in the United States and Canada will be thinking about spring. animal small a Day, Groundhog On will be pulled from a tree stump in According to tradition, Pennsylvania. six be will there shadow, his sees he if If more he weeks doesn’t, of winter. spring will begin soon. learns Page Mini The week, This more about this holiday and its and about traditions, groundhogs themselves. What is a groundhog? a called also is groundhog A a woodchuck or (Groundhogs use a high-pitched whistle to alert other members of their colony about danger.) mice like rodents, are Groundhogs They are and related rats. to marmots 20 about be may They squirrels. and inches long and weigh about 10 pounds. eat animals friendly cute, These crops. and grasses berries, leaves,

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Punxsutawney Phil Phil Punxsutawney most the be may groundhog famous in the United year Each States. Day, Groundhog on by watched is Phil of thousands of tens and person in people television on more his for wait who about prediction arrival. spring’s by managed is Phil the called club a When Circle. Inner predicting not is he the coming of lives Phil spring, at terrarium a in Punxsutawney the Memorial Library. photos courtesy of The Groundhog Club Groundhog The of courtesy photos

( ); y Chattanooga Chuck at the Tennessee Tennessee the at Chuck Chattanooga about prediction his gives Aquarium when spring will come. Groundhogs busy on Feb. 2 Phil isn’t the only groundhog who 2. Feb. on shadow his for looks Other events take place all around the United States and Canada. games, play also may People eat dance, traditional foods and put community your will How plays. on celebrate Groundhog Day? Next week, The Mini Page is about newly newly about is Page Mini The week, Next discovered planets. One of Phil’s handlers handlers Phil’s of One tree his on knocks stump to wake him up. The Mini Page Staff Punxsutawney Phil The Groundhog Day tradition started in 1886 in Punxsutawney The next year, (punk-suh-TAWN-ee). a Knob, Gobbler’s to went people wait to town, of outside hill small for the groundhog to come out of his burrow. a Today small stage and tree stump on Gobbler’s Knob are the center 2 Feb. the of celebration. After he Phil emerges, hWHISPERSv his prediction the of one to Inner Circle.

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Betty Debnam - Founding Editor and Editor at Large Lisa Tarry - Managing Editor Lucy Lien - Associate Editor Wendy Daley - Artist Home in Pennsylvania the in began Day Groundhog United States after in Pennsylvania, German settlers brought the idea from Europe. is celebration biggest the Today, years, 125 For Pa. Punxsutawney, in a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil has predicted spring’s arrival. Candlemas and Imbolc Experts believe the Groundhog Day tradition began with two festivals Europe. in Candlemas is a Christian festival held on Feb. Early 2. Europeans believed that if the sun shone winteron Candlemas, cloudy, was it if but continue, would spring would come soon. Imbolc was celebrated during the Ages Middle (400 to 1400) in Ireland. 2, or 1 Feb. around also day, This marked the beginning of spring. Europeans used a hedgehog, badger or bear to look for a shadow When Germans on came Candlemas. groundhogs. used they U.S., the to Add`i]gdj\]ndjgcZlheVeZg[dg