Smile for Today ~

Ever sent out an invitation with a catchy phrase?  A guy in Wiarton, Ontario back in 1956 sent his friends a "Groundhog Day" invitation.  It was his novel way of having friends in to see his family home.

One of these invitations came to the attention of a Toronto Star reporter who naturally headed out to Wiarton for the story.  After partying all night in the Arlington Hotel with Mac McKenzie and his friends, the reporter suggested to Mac that in order to justify his expenses, this story needed some substance.

Never lacking for imagination, the creator of "Groundhog Day" eager to help the reporter, grabbed his wife's fur hat, dug a hole in the ground, buried the furry thing and pronounced a "prognostication (that no one remembers.)"

The photograph appeared in the February 3, 1956 edition of the Toronto Star.  The following year, 50 people arrived for the festival, including the CBC and Canadian Press.

Source:  Wikipedia 

"HAPPY GOUNDHOG DAY!"

Groundhog Day?

Some of us are waiting anxiously to see whether Wiarton Willie sees his shadow today.  If he comes out of his burrow this morning in sunlight we "know" that spring is just around the corner.  If he doesn't see his shadow, well, six more weeks of winter...(or is it the other way around?)

The reference book, 2107 CURIOUS WORD ORIGINS, SAYINGS & EXPRESSIONS tells us that we should properly call this largest member of the squirrel family a marmot, or even a woodchuck, for "there is definitely nothing hoggish about him. (Or her, as the case may be.)"  The word woodchuck may come from the Dutch aardvark, earth pig or hog, an animal of South Africa "which has similar burrowing propensities."
Earth pig, woodchuck or Marmot, we will be watching.  Actually, "Marmot Day" doesn't seem unreasonable; has a rather lyrical sound!

~ Charles Earle, Galahad Books, 1993.

Update:  Wiarton Willie DID NOT see his shadow today.  He is predicting six more weeks of winter?