Gobbler's Knob vs. PETA

Phil's official forecast as read February 2nd, 2010 at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob:

Hear Ye Hear Ye Hear Ye

On Gobbler's Knob on this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2010, Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators awoke to the call of President Bill Deeley and greeted his handlers, John Griffiths and Ben Hughes.

After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers, Phil proclaimed, "If you want to know next, you must read my text. As the sky shines bright above me, my shadow I see beside me. So six more weeks of winter it will be."

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Click on URL for a brief history of Groundhog Day:

Times Asia, 2/2/2010 (http://www.timesasia.net/groundhogs-day-2010-history-did-the-groundhog-see-his-shadow-2010-results-05291480.htm)

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I read that PETA recommended retiring Punxsutawney Phil and replacing him with a robotic groundhog. As the history quoted above indicates, observance of Groundhog Day possibly began as a "bit of folk humor". According to weather prediction experts, Phil's predictions are right about 40% of the time. Sounds pretty close to the accuracy of weather forecasters on television. Phil appears to be well cared for and expresses himself when irritated by biting the handler (2009). I say leave Phil alone as the local folk hero and support a celebration of fun and laughter! A robotic Phil would just not be the same.

I have been thinking today about how fun it would be to go to Gobbler's Knob on Groundhog Day. I Emailed the visitor's bureau to find out if they have recommendations for accessible lodging for someone in a power

wheelchair. We'll see if I receive a response.