News Editor- Jenna Anderson
This Monday, Feb. 2nd, the Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, came out of hiding to deliver the horrendous news of an already arguably horrendous winter: six more weeks of this freezing weather. Upon receiving this news, the Gustavian Weekly decided to find out how Gustavus students really feel about the winter weather and dive deeper into their thoughts about Punxsutawney Phil. Spoiler: it’s not looking good for Phil.
Punxsutawney Phil’s reputation precedes him, as many sources say he has been predicting winter weather since 1886. At dawn on Feb. 2nd each year, the mayor of Punxsutawney holds the groundhog in the air. Legend has it that if he sees his shadow, snowy states are in for six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, there is to be an early spring. After the tradition, residents of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania used to promptly eat Phil for lunch. However, that part of the holiday has been omitted in more recent years, and Phil lives happily with his wife Phyliss until the following Groundhog Day.
According to The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, Groundhog Day is derived from a Christian Holiday occurring on the same day. On Candlemas Day, Christians traditionally have their candles blessed in church, blessing their house for the winter ahead. Candlemas Day became known for weather prediction somewhere along the way, and this folk song became popularized:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
Somehow, this wholesome candlelighting tradition evolved into a ceremony where thousands gather to watch a groundhog be held into the air to see his shadow, complete with fireworks and proposals (yes, really). It seems that no one is really sure how this happened. In fact, some believe that the very first Punxsutawney Phil was actually a badger.
Despite many years of predicting the weather and gathering almost a cult following, Gustavus students are not entirely convinced about the rodent’s dogmatic abilities. What are Gustavus students’ thoughts on the legitimacy of Punxsutawney Phil?
“I think he’s a fraud. I think he’s always been a fraud. I think it’s a scam to make people buy more groundhogs,” Junior Jamy Randrup said.
Sophomore Emily Anderson, however, made a statement in favor of the groundhog, saying, “he’s too legit to quit.”
This question was fairly divisive among Gusties, with many claiming that he was a fraud, or “just a little guy who sees his shadow (or not)” as Sophomore Niko Tahja-Johnson said.
“I think he’s totally legitimate. I mean, he’s predicted it every year so far, and he’s a groundhog, so he obviously knows what he’s talking about,” Senior Chelsea Klaphake said
Senior Oscar Vargo hit us with the facts, saying, “I learned in class that he’s only right 28% of the time.” For a creature who claims to be a prophesying weatherman (weather-hog?), those aren’t great stats.
Students are not thrilled about the weather this year, with temperatures last week being cold enough to freeze a medium-sized groundhog in minutes. Some Gustavus students just might be wishing that fate upon our friend Phil. Sophomore Caroline Brown said that if she were Punxsatawney Phil and saw her shadow, she would “jump off a bridge to avoid the backlash.”
Opinion Editor Soph White presented a different solution, claiming, “I would probably shrink myself back into my hole and cry. Senior Brynn Johnson said that she would “cry and tell a trusted adult.” Junior Jamy Randrup said, “first of all I would cry because I’m a fraud. Then I’d go buy a winter coat, I guess.”
Some Gusties are not afraid of the Minnesota winter, and are planning to do just that: buy a winter coat and embrace the cold.
“It’s made me very happy to have all my friends to warm me up every year,” Brown said.
When asked “How’s the weather up there?” three tall Peer Assistants, Gregorian, Andrew, and Cullen, replied in unison, “mystical, magical.” The Gustavian Weekly has decided to look into the possibility of the cold weather causing permanent damage to students, forcing them to resort to Benson Boone quotes as a means of communication. Further investigation on the subject will follow.
So, is Punxsutawney Phil a fraud? An unknowing pawn in a greater game of weather manipulation? A badger? No one knows, but prophesying groundhog or not, we are likely in for a long Minnesota winter. Stay warm, and take care of each other.