Fun facts on Groundhog Day

Published

4 years ago

01/31/2021

To get in the spirit of Groundhog Day — whether you want six more weeks of winter or not — here are 10 fun facts about the holiday:

1. Punxsutawney Phil is the official groundhog forecaster on February 2, but many states have their own (like New York’s Pothole Pete).

2. Phil’s full name, granted by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, is Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.

3. Groundhogs typically weigh between 12 and 15 pounds; Phil is 22 pounds.

4. Groundhogs only live six to eight years, but folklore suggests that Phil sips a magical drink that gives him seven more years of life.

5. The Germans originally chose a hedgehog as their animal forecaster. They turned to groundhogs instead when they discovered a large amount of them in Pennsylvania.

6. Hibernation is similar to being in a coma. When groundhogs hibernate, their heart rates drop to five beats per minute and they can lose up to 30 percent of their body fat.

7. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club hosts a three-day celebration leading up to Groundhog Day.

8. The popular movie of the same name (starring Rockland County resident Bill Murray) gave meaning to the phrase “groundhog day”: to repeat something over and over again.

9. Phil’s fans have been able to get text message alerts of his predictions since 2010. (Text “Groundhog” to 247365, in case you’re interested.)

10. According to ABCNews, the National Climatic Data Center found that there is no correlation between Phil’s prediction and the actual weather forecast.

So, what’s your prediction? More wintry weather, or blue skies and sunshine? Sound off by writing a comment below.

This article originally appeared on hvmag.com in 2015. It has been updated to reflect 2019’s forecast and Punxsutawney Phil statistics.

Gold-Burg, Forestburg plays advance to bi-district

Published

2 days ago

03/27/2025

bowienews

Gold-Burg and Forestburg High School’s one-act plays will advance to bi-district this week after their performance at district on March 19 in Graham.
The cast and crews will travel to Graham once more on March 27 for bi-district. There are six plays set to compete beginning around noon. Play order will be: Woodson, Gold-Burg, Irving Universal, Bryson and Forestburg.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News. Top photo- Gold-Burg High one-act play crew and cast. (Courtesy photo)

Forestburg High one-act play cast and crew. (Courtesy photo)

COUNTY LIFE

Spring car show this Saturday

Published

2 days ago

03/27/2025

bowienews

Enjoy a spring Saturday during the the 22nd Annual Jim Bowie Car Show on March 29 in Pelham Park.
Hosted by the Piston Head Auto Club, the show features a full array of cars, trucks, jeeps and motorcycles. Vehicle registration is from 9 to 11 a.m. at the park. Registration is $25 day of the show. Show time is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pictured: The 2023 Bowie Car Show Best in Show James Wiesman. (Courtesy photo)

COUNTY LIFE

Nocona Rotary celebrating 100th anniversary

Published

3 days ago

03/26/2025

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Nocona Rotary Club is hosting a 100-year anniversary celebration from 4-6 p.m. on March 27 at the H.J. Justin building in downtown Nocona.
This event is free and all are welcome. There will be light refreshments at this come-and-go afternoon, but around 5 p.m. there will be a brief program and plans to take photo of all past and present Rotarians for a keepsake group photo.
Club members are conduct a prize drawing for a trip to either Branson, MO, Las Vegas, NV or Orlando, FL. First prize is a four-night lodging at a two-bedroom condo at the winner’s choice of location.
Second prize is a weekend at a waterfront cottage on Lake Nocona. Prize for a drawing ticket i $100. Proceeds will be used to finish the Blue Mound one-mile walking trail and to continue the club’s annual scholarships to high school seniors as well as the dictionaries for elementary school students.
Current Rotary members have tickets for sale, there also is a QR code on the club Facebook page. They take cash or checks.
The band The Mind’s Eye will provide acoustical music and with two former members in the band, there may be a few Rotary songs of old. It should be a fun event, and don’t miss seeing vintage photos from 1925 to 2025.