Connecticut Groundhog Prepares for Annual Prediction

The following is a press release from the Lutz Children's Museum: 

The Lutz Children’s Museum is proud to be the home of the official Connecticut state groundhog. Hundreds of dedicated fans gather at the museum each year on Groundhog Day to await her prediction.

This year is even more exciting as a new groundhog will be sworn in and makes her first prediction. Groundhog Day also falls on a Saturday meaning that more people will be able to witness the spectacle in person.

Please join community members, local dignitaries and the media as Connecticut’s own groundhog makes her annual prediction at 6:55 AM on Saturday 2/2/13.The museum will open to the public at 6:00 AM on Groundhog Day. Coffee and morning refreshments will be served.

German settlers brought a tradition known as Candlemas Day to America in the 1700’s. It came at the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Tradition held that if the weather was fair, the second half of winter would be stormy and cold. The hedgehog had fulfilled these duties back in Europe, but finding none here, settlers turned to the native groundhog.

“Connecticut Chuckles VIII” is almost one year old. She has lived at the Lutz Children’s Museum since she was discovered injured and orphaned as a baby. Her doctor determined that she would not be able to survive in the wild, opening the door to a new career in meteorology. See baby pictures of “Connecticut Chuckles VIII” at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtU-g9_IKkM