Chuckles predicts 6 more weeks of winter
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Feb. 2—Chuckles predicts 6 more weeks on winter
By Austin Mirmina
MANCHESTER — Making his first prognostication as Connecticut's official state groundhog, Chuckles XI forecast six more weeks of winter weather at the Lutz Children Museum this morning.
Before making his prediction, the 8-month-old groundhog was sworn in as the official state groundhog by Superior Court Judge Leo V. Diana, a former town mayor. Chuckles then whispered his prediction into the ear of current Mayor Jay Moran, who revealed to an eager audience that spring's arrival has been delayed.
Around 60 people attended Wednesday's celebration, which featured town and museum officials, a groundhog mascot, and plenty of snacks and activities for children.
Glastonbury resident Giuliana Bibeau, 8, who wore a groundhog-themed headband, said she learned about the history of Chuckles on Wednesday; she said she didn't realize the groundhog came from a long line of furry prognosticators.
"I enjoy that we get to see groundhogs, and normally I don't get to see groundhogs because they're not a regular animal near my home," Giuliana said.
Wolcott resident Dorothy Gaspar said she and her 9-year-old son, Gabriel Chiarella, usually watch the Groundhog Day celebration on television, but this year they wanted to attend in person. Gabriel wore a yellow T-shirt with a smiling groundhog on it that his mom said they bought online.
Lutz Children's Museum has been the home to Connecticut's official state groundhog since 1999 when then-State Sen. Mary Ann Handley submitted legislation seeking the official state status for Chuckles, Patricia Buxton, the museum's executive director, said.
The first Chuckles debuted in 1999. The name originates from "woodchuck," another name for groundhogs, Buxton said.
Lutz's Groundhog Day event usually draws a large crowd of people who are "bursting at the seams" to see Chuckles make his prediction, Buxton said. After the museum prohibited spectators and hosted the event virtually last year, many people said they were happy to again celebrate in person.
Brooklyn, Connecticut, resident Jessica Solis said her family drove an hour from their home to see Chuckles. Solis' 8-year-old daughter, Julietta, said she enjoys visiting the museum because she likes interacting with the different animals that live there.
The Lutz Children's Museum is a USDA-certified facility that rescues animals and becomes their permanent home. Chuckles XI and his sister, Jolene, were both released to the museum from a wildlife rehabilitator last year.
In addition to the two groundhogs, the museum also has a box turtle, a snake, and chipmunks, which were on display for children to pet on Wednesday.
Buxton said that the animals become ambassadors of their species because they help children discover more about animal species and their various habitats.
Before Chuckles appeared on stage, Town Troubadour William Ludwig and former Troubadour Daniel Thompson sang the official Groundhog Day song, with children cheerily singing along to lyrics such as, "Chuckles is our groundhog, Chuckles is our friend."
"Chuckles helps the entire state of Connecticut work through this transition from dark to light, work through this transition from winter to spring, and just brings joy to people's faces," Buxton said.
Chuckles predicted more than just the weather during the event. He also told Moran he likes quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals to win the Super Bowl.
"My understanding is that Chuckles is 100% accurate," Buxton said.
Austin Mirmina covers Manchester and Bolton.
