2004-02-02
8:41 a.m.

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day -- Will He or Won't He??

The origin of Groundhog Day dates back to the late 1800's, as the following text from groundhog.org details:

(Adapted from "Groundhog Day: 1886 to 1992" by Bill Anderson)
Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United States. It is also a legend that traverses centuries, its origins clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals awakening on specific dates. Myths such as this tie our present to the distant past when nature did, indeed, influence our lives. It is the day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow.

If he sees it, he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole.

If the day is cloudy and, hence, shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.

The groundhog tradition stems from similar beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe, and for centuries the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people. Even then, it marked a milestone in the winter and the weather that day was important.

Today's Spotlight: Raleigh, North Carolina

Thousands of Raleigh residents are being treated to a new �groundhog� this year. At the last minute, the city fathers have decided to retire venerable Sir Walter Wally.

They are replacing him with a newer, hipper, pitch-perfect model.

His name...Carolina Red Clay.

�We know the change was sudden, but we'll do anything to keep Our Favorite Son in Raleigh,� says Mayor Charles Meeker.

Festivities begin at 8:00 a.m., again this year on the grounds of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

If Carolina Red Clay comes out from under his scarf and does not see his shadow, there will be six additional weeks of concerts added to the �Independent� Tour.

But many forecasters who have known Clay before his swift and sudden rise to prominence have said he is quite modest, so many have predicted that Clay will see his shadow and retreat into his many clothing layers, meaning we will have to wait six additional weeks for the release of �The Way.�

And today's result:

The prognosticators were wrong � he's up, he's happy and we're happy! Toronto and Albuquerque, start getting out your credit cards.

Have a great Groundhog Day!

-- Text and pics by Cella, who took one for the team and pulled this whole page together at the last minute.

DISCLAIMER: LBFCA claims no responsibilitiy for the length of Clayton's tour, or the length of anything else related to Clayton for that matter, though Lord knows we'd be happy to take it on.