Local groundhogs visit Ijams, predict winter's end, or not

Lynne McCoy with Hobo, TV reporter Emily Stroud and educator Peg Beute

Forget about Punxsutawney Phil, Pennsylvania is practically in another country.  We could call it North-America but that name has already been taken.

On Monday, February 2, Groundhog Day was celebrated at Ijams with TWO of the plump prognosticating rodents.  And two is better than one. 

Senior naturalist Peg Beute served as the event's host and local animal rehabilitator Lynne McCoy, brought “Pockets” and “Hobo,” two rescued groundhogs she cares for. 

Did they see their shadows? Well, yes and no. It was cloudy in the morning and cleared late in the day. So there will be six more weeks of winter or there won't be six more weeks of winter. 

Weather crystal-balling is such a tricky business, WBIR Channel 10 covered it live.

For Live@5@4 Emily Stroud's report click: Groundhogs@Ijams


- Stephen Lyn Bales. Photos, Jennifer Roder, Sammi Stoklosa.