Uni the Groundhog, will there be six more weeks of winter?
Uni, the Dutch-speaking taxidermized groundhog, was brought out to Myerstown Community Park Thursday morning to give his call on a possible extra six weeks of winter this year.
About 50 people showed up to get pictures with Uni and listen for his forecast in early morning freezing temperatures.
After a quick trip down the Tulpehocken Creek and a short discussion with members of the Groundhog Lodge No. 17 (in Dutch, Grundsau Lodsch Nummer Siwwezeh am Union Kanaal), Uni gave his determination: there will be six more weeks of winter.
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Those extra six weeks won't be harsh, Uni said, as there will be little snow and plenty of rain. He also suggested everyone keep their snow shovels near their back door, just in case.
Uni's forecast was similar, but perhaps a bit more prescribed, to a better known groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow and called for another six weeks of winter.
Edwin Engle, the last living original board member of the lodge who now sits as president, said that the lodge is about fun and friendship, and their Groundhog Day and other events are about bringing the community together.
This year marks the 42nd year that Uni has forecasted the winter, and Engle guessed that he was right about 75% of the time. He also said that Uni will continue to take trips down the creek and forecast the weather so long as he's in good shape but may eventually have to be replaced.
For one curious bystander, Norma Sando from Green Point, Feb. 2 is much more than just groundhog day, it's also her birthday.
While this was the first year she had visited the Myerstown Groundhog Day event, the holiday has always been a big part of her celebration.
She even wore a shirt that read I was born on Groundhog day! She always hopes the groundhogs see their shadow because she wants more winter every year.
"They asked me if I could replace Uni someday but I'm too afraid that I'd sink the boat."
The year after she retired from working, Sando was able to see the celebration in Punxsutawney, but she had never seen something quite like Uni.
"Every year I say that this groundhog sees her shadow because I don't wake up until my husband turns the lights on."
Daniel Larlham Jr. is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at DLarlham@LDNews.com or on Twitter @djlarlham
This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Groundhog day 2023: here's what Uni the groundhog had to say
