With winter dragging along, its only appropriate to take a second to dive a little deeper into the holiday that determines how much more winter we have to endure: Groundhog Day! The Beacon sat down with SMCC student, Olivia England. We both quizzed her on her knowledge of Groundhog Day; and filled in the gaps of what she didn’t know. We hope you learn something, enjoy! 

The Beacon: Hello, SMCC! I know that Groundhog Day has long passed, but that doesn’t make it any less important. To celebrate, I’m going to test SMCC’s knowledge by quizzing an SMCC student.

Olivia: Hi, my name is Olivia. I’m an SMCC student, and I’ll be the one getting quizzed today.

The Beacon: Let’s start with an easy one. What happens if Phil sees his shadow?

Olivia: I believe that means there will be six more weeks of winter.

The Beacon: Correct! And if he doesn’t see his shadow?

Olivia: That means we’ll have an early spring. Two points for me!

The Beacon: Alright! Next question—who is Punxsutawney Phil?

Olivia: He’s the groundhog! Well, actually, multiple groundhogs have played the role over the years. He’s the one they bring out on Groundhog Day to see if he sees his shadow or not.

The Beacon: Correct again. Now, when is Groundhog Day?

Olivia: Hmm, that’s a tough one. I think it’s on a Monday… maybe the third Monday in February?

The Beacon: Not quite! Groundhog Day is always on February 2nd—but it can fall on a Monday some years.

Olivia: Oh, I see!

The Beacon: Now, what are Groundhog Lodges?

Olivia: I assume they’re where groundhogs live?

The Beacon: Good guess, but no points for that one! Groundhog Lodges are actually social clubs for Pennsylvania Dutch people, where they focus on preserving their language. In these lodges, they only speak Pennsylvania Dutch.

Olivia: Oh, interesting!

The Beacon: When did Groundhog Lodges begin?

Olivia: Maybe in the 1700s?

The Beacon: Nope.

Olivia: 1800s?

The Beacon: Still no.

Olivia: 1900s?

The Beacon: Getting closer.

Olivia: The 1990s?

The Beacon: No.

Olivia: 1980s?

The Beacon: Nope, way back!

Olivia: The 1930s?

The Beacon:Yes!

The Beacon: Now, when did Groundhog Day start in the United States?

Olivia: In the 1800s.

The Beacon: Can you be more specific?

Olivia: 1887?

The Beacon: Correct! Groundhog Day began in 1887 when members of the Elk Lodge went to Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania to watch a groundhog predict the weather. But was it always a groundhog? What animal did they use in Celtic culture?

Olivia: A wolf?

The Beacon: Nope.

Olivia: Okay, let me guess again… a moose?

The Beacon: Still no.

Olivia: Alright, I give up.

The Beacon: It was a badger! Since badgers and groundhogs share similar qualities, the tradition was adapted in America using groundhogs instead.

The Beacon: How is Groundhog Day related to Halloween and May Day?

Olivia: Well, I don’t know much about May Day, but I guess it’s related because people dress up as groundhogs, just like they dress up for Halloween—and maybe even May Day?

The Beacon: Not quite! All three holidays—Groundhog Day, Halloween, and May Day—are cross-quarter days, meaning they fall between a solstice and an equinox. These festivals were important for marking seasonal changes, which is why Groundhog Day exists.

The Beacon: Where did the idea of an animal predicting the weather come from?

Olivia: I think it came from Native Americans?

The Beacon: Just Native Americans?

Olivia: Well, you mentioned the Celtic people, so maybe them too?

The Beacon: Yes! The tradition actually started in Europe. German communities, in particular, believed that badgers could predict the weather. When German immigrants came to America, they brought the tradition with them but replaced the badger with a groundhog.

The Beacon: That’s all the questions!

Olivia: Well, now SMCC knows a lot about Groundhog Day—thanks to me representing SMCC today!

The Beacon: Great interview! Nice talking to you.

Olivia: Thank you! Nice talking to you too, Miss Wozich. I hope you have a great Groundhog Day next year!

The Beacon: Thank you!

Both: Bye!