Woody gives her Groundhog Day prediction: Punxsutawney Phil's wrong, she says

Sophia Lada, Livingston Daily
·2 min read
The crowd celebrates as Woody stays out of her house, meaning spring is coming soon.
The crowd celebrates as Woody stays out of her house, meaning spring is coming soon.

MARION TWP. — Easterners apparently can expect to pile on the layers for another six weeks, but in Michigan, Woody the Woodchuck says you can bust out those spring jackets early this year.

Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil on Thursday morning saw his shadow and crawled back into his winter den, but Howell Nature Center's resident woodchuck — also known as a groundhog — Woody, stood outside of her small house and walked around, unafraid of her shadow and confident, it seems, spring is on the way.

Bill and Kelly Hann have lived in Howell for almost 20 years, and joined in on Thursday morning's festivities at the center for the first time.

"I had to do it, it was on my bucket list," Bill Hann said.

He said he was fascinated by the fact Woody is more accurate than Punxsutawney Phil. Woody, the Center's wildlife ambassador, has been predicting spring with 67% accuracy, Community Events Manager Hannah Idoni said earlier this week.

In addition to the centerpiece of the morning, the Howell Nature Center, 1005 Triangle Lake Road, hosted a free community event that included a continental breakfast, a costume contest for kids, and games. Woody ended the festivities by coming out and offering her prediction about spring or winter at 8:30 a.m.

Bill and Kelly Hann celebrate Groundhog Day at the Howell Nature Center for the first time.
Bill and Kelly Hann celebrate Groundhog Day at the Howell Nature Center for the first time.

Both Bill and Kelly Hann were hoping for an early spring and, if Woody's prediction comes true, they will get their wish.

Peter Johnson was at the center wearing a Groundhog Day hat he got five years ago when he went to see Punxsutawney Phil. His birthday is Feb. 8, so Groundhog Day is a big deal because it kicks off his birthday celebration.

Lolita Amann, who was attending with Johnson, said she was hoping for a longer winter because she loves activities like ice fishing and snowmobiling.

Peter Johnson, left, considers Groundhog Day as the beginning of his birthday celebration. He is joined by Lane Amann, right, and Lolita Amann.
Peter Johnson, left, considers Groundhog Day as the beginning of his birthday celebration. He is joined by Lane Amann, right, and Lolita Amann.

Sophia Lada is a reporter for the Livingston Daily. Contact her at slada@gannett.com or 517-377-1065. Follow her on Twitter @sophia_lada.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Groundhog Day in Howell: Here's Woody's prediction