Today is Groundhog Day when Punxsutawney Phil appears from
the ground to predict
When winter will end and humans suffering the winter chills
will be warmed when the first day of Spring hits
Today before a raucous crowd of locals and tourists at Pennsylvania’s
Gobbler's Knob
He saw his shadow
on the ground so spring 6 weeks early residents will be robbed
He has become such a tourist attraction that other locals
ape the event
With their own named ground hogs to predict when the first
of spring to their locale will be sent
Staten Island Chuck: Lives
in the Staten Island Zoo in New York City. Chuck is known for his
accuracy, but his behavior can be unpredictable.
General Beauregard Lee: Georgia's
official weather prognosticator, Lee lives in Weathering Heights, a
groundhog-sized mansion in Jackson, Georgia.
Buckeye Chuck: Located
in Marion, Ohio.
Flatiron Freddy: A
stuffed groundhog in Boulder, Colorado. Freddy is carried to the
Chautauqua Ranger Station by his handlers to predict the weather.
Jimmy the Groundhog: Located
in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Stormy Marmot: One
of the few famous groundhogs west of the Mississippi.
Woodstock Willie: Located
in Woodstock, Illinois.
Potomac Phil: Located
in Washington, DC.
In this cast of Weathermarmots who predict
when spring will arrive
There was one of great fame and notoriety
who sadly is no longer alive
Bill di Blasio, probably the worst and
most despised ever New York City Mayor
In an attempt bolster his sinking
ratings on Ground Hog Day 2014 lifted Charlotte in the role of Staten Island Chuck
into the air
To better see if her shadow on the
ground was there
Holding her with a weak grip
Dropping out of di Blasio’s hands she
slipped
Falling hard to the ground and a week
later from injuries her heart quit
Other mayors have ruined their cities
like di Blasio but only one can claim
He killed New York City’s tourist
attraction Staten Island Chuck to his lasting shame
© 2/2/2025 Michael P. Ridley aka The
Alaskanpoet