No groundhog in its right mind would venture out this morning when the temperature was barely above zero, but several of them were thrust out early in the morning to look for its shadow. Jimmy, the Sun Prairie groundhog in Wisconsin, saw his shadow so winter will be a long one.
The Groundhog Day tradition in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin dates back to 1948, when Wisconsin celebrated its centennial year and an artist sought to bring the state together for the occasion. A commercial artist, Ira Bennett, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and his young son decided to create a series of commemorative post cards relating various locations in Wisconsin to the holidays throughout the year. Some of the cities chosen were: Port Washington, Wisconsin for Washington’s Birthday, Independence, Wisconsin for July 4th, Loyal, Wisconsin for Boy Scout Sunday (a scout is loyal). Groundhog Day required a stretch of the imagination. The groundhog sees his shadow when the sun comes up on the prairie, thus, Sun Prairie was picked for the honor.
And the Sun Prairie Jimmy the Groundhog made the 2015 winter prediction slightly more exciting when he bit the ear of Mayor Jon Freund during the celebration.
Predicting a Long Winter
