Five Fun Facts About

Groundhog Day

1. Groundhog Day is always February 2nd. We often get the question,

when is Groundhog Day? Well, it is always February 2nd which means

the day of the week it falls on changes with the year. When Groundhog

Day is on a week day, the crowds can be anywhere between 10,000-

15,000 people. When Groundhog Day is on a weekend, the crowds

increase in size to 20,000- 30,000 people. Groundhog Day 2018 will be

on a Friday which means a large crowd!

2. There has only ever been one Punxsutawney Phil since 1886. One,

yes, you read that correctly. We always hear from the skeptics, ‘There is

no way!’ Well Groundhoggers, every September the Punxsutawney

Groundhog Club has an Annual Picnic were Phil receives the Elixir of

Life Groundhog Punch. With each sip Phil takes, he receives seven more

years of life and longevity. So, to do the math- Phil is at least 133 years

old. This past September alone, he took 4 sips of the Elixir. That’s 28

years of longevity friends!

3. Groundhog Day is for locals, regional residents, and tourists alike.

There is something for everyone. What does that mean? Well, that

means there are events for everyone whether you live near or far. We

have a 3-day long celebration where there is a vast array of

entertainment, food vendors, craft vendors, and much more. Do you like

music? We have that. Are you a foodie? We have a Groundhog Grub

Food Tour and many different options for dining. Do you like groundhog

crafts? We have groundhog everything. Check out the Groundhog Day

2018 Schedule and Travel Guide to see the following times for the

annual banquet, a ball, dueling pianos, many kid’s activities, dog

shows, contests, and much more!

Coming to Punxsutawney?

Share your pictures of your visit with us!

Submit your favorite memory

about Groundhog

Day!

Newsletter

Highlights

Five Fun Facts Handlers Blog GHD Event Info GHD Sponsors GHC Cookbook Breakfast with Phil Bucket Ticket

“The Groundhogese”

The Official Newsletter of The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club

www.groundhog.org

January 2018

Page 2 of 8

Five Fun Facts Continued

4. Groundhog Day is the perfect continual Bucket List item. Since the movie, Bucket List,

made its debut we have seen a huge influx of people wanting to cross Groundhog Day off their

Bucket List. It is a true piece of Americana that is still pure to the legend and tradition.

Groundhog Day is a holiday about pure and simple fun. Imagine being in the middle of the

woods, in Western PA, during the middle of the winter, in the middle of the night with

thousands of new friends, with fireworks going off above your head- waiting to hear the

prognostication of the World Famous, Punxsutawney Phil. Pure bliss and excitement you can

only find in one place, Gobbler’s Knob on Groundhog Day.

5. Groundhog Day is an international holiday. The Legend of Groundhog Day has German

roots with ties to Candlemas Day, a day that was celebrated in the midpoint of winter.

Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil attracts visitors from across the world. People

become enthralled with the Legend that spanned many decades. We see visitors from

numerous countries each year. We hold a contest during the summer months called, the

Worldwide Adventures of Phil. With this contest, participants take a photograph of Phil and

show him all over whatever area they desire. They submit the pictures and a winner is

selected and receive Inner Circle Section Passes for Groundhog Day along with many other

prizes. We have had winners in our International Category from Spain and Japan, just to

name a few, spend Groundhog Day with us.

The Groundhog Cookbook Thank you to all of those that contributed recipes to the book. It is quite

an eclectic collection mixed with the history of Groundhog Day & Phil.

Are you interested in seeing what the Inner Circle selected as their

favorite recipes? Soon you will be able to do just that!

The Cookbook will be available prior to Groundhog Day! You will receive

an email when it is in stock! Just as a reminder:

All contributors to the cookbook will receive a discount if they choose to

purchase it! Three lucky contributors will be selected at random to

receive a copy of the cookbook and some other great groundhog goodies!

The Annual Groundhog Club Banquet

The Annual Groundhog Club Banquet will be held on Thursday, February 1st 2018 at the Punxsutawney

Area High School. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. Jeff Lundy, Vice

President of the Inner Circle, will serve at the master of ceremonies. The Man and Woman of the Year for

Punxsutawney will be announced, as well as, the new Ambassadors of the Groundhog Club. The Banquet

will be caterer by Luigi’s Italian Restaurant.

This year's speaker for the Annual Groundhog Banquet will be Larry Richert. Jeff Lundy, the master of

ceremonies states, “We are absolutely delighted to have Larry back as our guest speaker. He epitomizes the

Western Pennsylvania friendliness of Groundhog Day. Larry set the standard and style for broadcasting from

the Knob on Groundhog Day starting in 1993, the year the movie came out. He is on the Mount Rushmore of

Groundhog Day broadcasters, right up there with Jim Cantore, Jen Carfagno, and of course, Phil Conners.”

Larry originally came to KDKA in November of 1988 and has worked in both TV and Radio ever since

including a ten year stint as a weather anchor with sister station KDKA-TV.

Since September of 2001 Richert has hosted the KDKA Radio Morning News part of CBS Pittsburgh. Larry

Richert has been a constant in Pittsburgh radio and television since the early ‘80s. He has long been an

ambassador for the city of Pittsburgh and was winner of the Vector’s Richard Caliguiri Award for that

reason.

Born in Millvale and raised in McCandless Township, Richert attended St Ursula grade school in Hampton

then moved to North Allegheny High School and graduated from Clarion University with a Bachelor of

Science degree in Communications.

Richert is the voice of NFL Films/Steelers Highlights, narrating his first film in 1985 and now he is the

Public-Address announcer at Heinz Field for the Steelers. Plus he joined the Pitt Panthers Football network

broadcast team where he hosts the pre-game show and reports from the sidelines.

Larry also co-wrote and co-produced a feature family film in worldwide distribution called “Amazing Racer”

starring Lou Gossett Jr, Charles Durning, Eric Roberts, Jason Gedrick, Daryl Hanna and many more.

Larry is involved many charity organizations including Vice-President of the Pittsburgh Celebrity Hockey

team. He also is the Honorary Chairperson for the American Cancer Society annual Golf Classic, spokesman

for McGuire Memorial Home and the JDRF event plus the Autism Speaks annual walk just to name a few.

He was honored this fall by McQuire Memorial, which offers services for people with mental and physical

disabilities, by having a Playground named: Larry and Cindi Richert Playground.

Larry and his wife Cindi have three children: Erica, Zach and Emily. There is one caveat Larry told Lundy:

“I am genuinely honored to come to the Banquet, but Jeff, if the Steelers go to the Super Bowl, I will be in

Minneapolis for KDKA and have to cancel, if that’s alright?”. I said “Larry, let’s all hope you can’t make

this year’s Banquet. We’ll just put a life size cut out in your place and you can do a remote. We did that once

on Groundhog Day for Bill Deeley when he slept in and no one knew the difference.”

Tickets for the Annual Banquet can be purchased by clicking here!

If you have someone you would like to nominate to be an Ambassador of the Groundhog Club please contact

the GHC or visit www.groundhog.org. All nominations must be submitted by January 20th, 2018.

Page 4 of 8

Trivia Question The first 3 people to answer

correctly will win a Phil Bead Necklace!

Question: Who is the

Iceman?

Submit your answers to director@ghogclub.com

The Groundhog Club is on…

Make sure to follow us on Instagram—punxsyphil

Breakfast with Phil & Groundhog Tour! Sunday, January 28th 2018

8 a.m.- 11 a.m. Gobbler’s Knob, 1548 Woodland Ave Ext.

Join us for breakfast with Phil! Bring your camera for pictures of

Punxsutawney Phil and the Inner Circle! You may also purchase tickets

for a 45-minute guided tour around town that includes a commentary ride

on the Groundhog Bus!

The tour space is limited! There will be 4 times for the tour: 9 a.m.,

10 a.m., 11 a.m., and Noon

The menu includes your choices of the following: French toast sticks,

pancakes, sausage, bacon scrambled eggs, fruit, breakfast potatoes,

coffee, tea, milk, or juice.

Breakfast Only Prices: $10 per adult ● $5 per child 12- 3 years old●

Kid’s under 2 are Free

Breakfast &Tour Prices: $20 per adult ●$10 per child 12-3 years old ●

Kids under 2 are Free

For Tickets visit: www.groundhog.org, call 814-618-5591, or visit the

GHC Headquarters 200 W. Mahoning St. Punxsutawney PA

Groundhog Day Busing Info How to get to the Knob for the Celebration: Walking to the Knob: Those that are making the trek on foot are invited to park at Brackman Chevrolet Buick Walkers Lot. The address is 600 E Mahoning St. This lot is 1.3 Miles from Gobbler’s Knob. * This is not a busing location. Taking the bus to the Knob: Buses to Gobbler's Knob will run from 3 a.m. until 6:30 a.m. from the following locations: · Barclay Square, E. Mahoning St., downtown Punxsutawney (GPS coordinates: 40.943653, -78.969015) Parking available on the streets and in public parking lots downtown.) · Punxsy Plaza, 545 West Mahoning St., Punxsutawney (GPS Coordinates: 40.94148, -78.983664). There is parking available in the Punxsy Plaza lot. This is the suggested parking lot for charter buses. · Wal-Mart, 21920 Route 119, Punxsutawney (GPS coordinates: 40.929646, -78.982713). There is parking available in the Wal-Mart lot. Ticket Prices/ Ticket Booths Ticket Booths for the Knob buses will open at 2 a.m. Ticket prices for the buses to the Knob are $5 per person, 12 years of age and under ride for free. There will be two ticket booths at Barclay Square, two ticket booths at Punxsy Plaza, and two ticket booths at Wal-Mart.

Handicapped Parking There are a limited number of handicapped parking passes available for Gobbler’s Knob. For a pass contact the GHC. Additional parking is available at the Punxsy Plaza parking lot. We will have a handicapped accessible bus available for transportation. It will run the same route and times as the Knob Bus.

GHC Contact information: director@ghogclub.com or 814-618-5591.

Groundhog Day 2018 Click Here to See the Schedule and Guide!

Breakfast with Phil Sunday, January 28th The Preliminary to Gobbler’s Knob Got Talent Sunday, January 28th Groundhog Day Celebration in Barclay Square Thursday, February 1st- Saturday, February 3rd The GHC Members Only Reception Thursday, February 1st

The Annual Groundhog Club Banquet Thursday, February 1st

Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob Friday, February 2nd Cutting Edge Dueling Pianos Friday, February 2nd

The Groundhog Ball Saturday, February 3rd

Other Great Events: The Groundhog Grub Food Tour, Phantastic Phil Walking Tours, Phil 101, Weddings, Kids Corner, Musicians, Magicians, Groundhog Bingo, and much more!

For more details about Groundhog Day 2018 visit www.groundhog.org .

Is Groundhog Day on your

Bucket List?

We are excited that Groundhog Day made your

Bucket List! Are you looking for tickets for all the

events? Well look no further! We compiled all the

tickets to be a 'Bucket Ticket'. Click all the options

you wish to add to your Bucket Ticket!

Click Here for the Link!

“ Groundhogese”

Handler’s Blog

By: John Griffiths

Well Groundhog Day is almost upon us again! I am looking

forward to raising Phil skyward again to glimpse his adoring

crowd on February 2nd. I am also looking forward to sharing the

experience with my newest partner and handler, AJ Dereume.

I have never been great with tracking time when it comes to me

personally, so believe me when I tell you I have no idea how

long I have been one of Phil's Handlers. Maybe the years are

catching up with me? I do however have crystal clear and very

fond recollections of the other members I have been teamed up

with as handlers. Ben Hughes brought an enthusiasm to the

position I had always wished I could duplicate. Ron Ploucha

brought not only a love for handling, but also brought well

needed structure to our wing it attitudes without diminishing the

fun for Phil's Phans. (Jeepers, they sound so good I'm

wondering what I brought to the Plate). Anyway, now the torch

has been passed to AJ and he has already impressed me with his

zeal. He seems prepared to not only do his part on Groundhog

Day, but with the many appearances that Phil has throughout

the year.

He has also become immersed in the day to day care of

Phil and Phyllis. I know he will bring his own unique

style to the position of Handler. One that is not only

respectful of the tradition, but fun for all the fans.

As for me, well I'll be here a little longer. I just hope

I'm not going to be writing about any more new

partners. Happy Groundhog Day!!

Handler’s Blog

By: AJ Dereume

While Punxsutawney Phil has been busy calibrating the different

tools in his Weatherworks underneath Gobbler’s Knob, I’ve been

following the strict regimen passed down from handler to handler

to help prepare both mentally and physically for the coming

Groundhog Day festivities.

Handler’s Regiment:

-By Sam Light

Latest Revision: Ron Ploucha and John Griffiths

1. Practice groundhog handling technique by holding small pet

overhead twice daily. (I’ve been utilizing our 5 lb. Pomeranian,

Ted.)

2. Deprive oneself of sleep for 48 hours at a clip once every other

week. (Easy… binge watching Netflix.)

3. Acclimate oneself to the colder temperatures. (I’ve been driving

with my windows down.)

4. Like Punxsutawney Phil preparing for hibernation, enhance your

diet to bulk up for energy, warmth and stamina on the big day.

(I’ve been filling up on extra holiday cookies.)

5. Review current dance trends in preparation for the Groundhog

Ball and pre-prognostication knob festivities. (I just hang out with

The Thunder Conductor and Moonshine in my garage once a

week. They’ve got me completely up to speed.)

So at least as far as past handlers are concerned, I should be good

and ready to rock and roll as a new handler come Feb 2! I’m

looking forward to it, and as far as I can tell, Phil is too!

Where to find Phil throughout the Celebration

Sat. 1/27 Crowning of Little Mr. & Miss Groundhog

Sun. 1/28 Breakfast with Phil

Thurs. 2/1 Meteorologist Hall of Fame

Thurs. 2/1 GHC Members Only Reception

Fri. 2/2 Phil 101

Sat. 2/3 Groundhog Ball

Sat. 2/3 Phil 101

Punxsutawney Phil will be at his burrow in Barclay Square during all other times! See individual schedule listings for time and location details for each of these events.

“ Groundhogese”

The Groundhog Club

200 West Mahoning

Suite 1

Punxsutawney, PA

15767

PHONE:

(814) 618-5591

E-MAIL: director@ghogclub.com

We’re on the Web!

See us at:

www.groundhog.org

The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle Bill Deeley, President Jeff Lundy, Vice President Jon Johnston, Chief Healthman

Butch Philliber, Iceman John Griffiths, Co-Handler Ron Ploucha, Co-Handler Dan McGinley, Moonshine Pat Osikowicz, O-Zone Jason Grusky- Big Chill

Butch Prushnok, Coal Front AJ Dereume, Rainmaker Dave Gigliotti, Thunder Conductor Jeff Grube, Sky Painter Tom Dunkel, Shingle Shaker

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Groundhog Day 2018 Sponsors

Platinum

Punxsutawney Eagles Aerie #1231

Proform Powdered Metals Inc.

Advanced Disposal

Brackman Chevrolet Buick

Gold

S&T Bank

ISDA Club

Silver

Rosebud Mining, Co.

Bronze

Smith Hauling, Inc.

The Medicine Shoppe

Mulberry Square

General

R.D. Brown Memorials

Burke & Sons, Inc.

Dunkel Roofing Co., Inc.

J.R. Resources

3-H Abrasive Company, Inc.

Miller Brothers Furniture

Acme Machine & Welding Co. LLC

Jefferson Machine Co.

Punxsy Shop N Save

Community First Bank

Management Services

Cloe Lumber & Supply Co.

Focus Accounting & Business Solutions

Jacque Perry Insurance

Strawcutter’s Auto Repair

D.E. Limited Family Partnership

Dr. Nathan Stebbins

Howard Hanna Allemang Realty

Deeley Funeral Home, Inc.

Kengersky Insurance Agency

Ragley’s True Value