Since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil has been “predicting” if winter is over- or if there are six more weeks to go. Early on February 2, Phil emerges (yanked from is more like it) from his lair on Gobbler’s Knob, and if he sees his shadow it is believed this predicts six more weeks of winter. The ceremony continues as Phil speaks to the inner circle president, and directs which scroll is to be read- all of this sounds just a little hinky to me.
As of 2017, Phil has made 130 predictions, with an early spring (no shadow) predicted 18 times (13.85%), and the predictions have proven correct 39% of the time…. of course, the inner circle maintains Phil is correct all the time. Even more reason i believe another source.
the Early Bird Restaurant
37 Main Street
Oakland, Maine
Friday, February 2, 2018
6:15am- 7:00am
So, who do i believe? Born on February 2 in the late 60’s (remember, Phil is only yarded from his hole on that day, not born on the second) my sister has a far better record of predicting the coming of spring than Phil. Although no official records have been kept, i would conservatively say she is correct about 60% of the time. I await her early morning phone call every year for her prognostication based on how chipper she is when she wakes up- and this year, i decided a wider circle should be in on the prediction. So we’ll meet at the Early Bird, have some breakfast, and around 6:30am hear what she has to say.