A Ground Hog's Place in Algoma's History

According to CNN, Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow. If Phil is right, we’ll have an early spring.  Shubenacadie Sam in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia agrees with Phil, but Dunkirk Dave in Dunkirk, New York saw the sun, and that means more winter. Then there is Jimmy the Groundhog here in Wisconsin who agrees wholeheartedly with Phil and Sam. If they are right, it means the oak leaves will be the size of a mouse’s ear much earlier than Wisconsin farmers generally plant their corn.

Wikipedia tells us the Ground Hog Day was adopted in the U.S. in 1887. Wikipedia also tells us, "The celebration began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southwestern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries. It has its origins in ancient weather lore where a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator, as opposed to a groundhog." February 2 is also Candlemas Day, a day celebrating the presentation of Jesus, the light of the world. Candlemas comes midway between the first day of winter and the first day of spring. So does Ground Hog's Day. Googling both, a number of sites point out that both bear similarities to the Pagan festival of Imbolec - the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar which is celebrated on February 2 and also involves weather prognostication - and to St. Swithum's Day on July 15. St. Swithum is regarded as the saint to whom one prays in the event of droughts.    

1924 Record Herald

A search of old Ahnapee/Algoma newspapers reveals a ground hog’s prediction was something everybody had fun with. Farmers generally don’t  generally like things, but the ground hog sightings helped beat the winter doldrums and brought thoughts of the seed catalogues that would soon start arriving. During World War l and the Great Depression, highlighting the day meant frivolity in austere times. Then came the 1993 film Ground Hog Day which really “kicked it up a notch.” Star Bill Murray called it some of the best work he ever did. Festivals and celebrations begin in the early morning, and early morning TV shows are there to let viewers in on just what they need to know to go forward. Most often it is that viewers need to hunker down for another six weeks.

One hundred years ago Ahnapee Record told readership that the ground hog was to emerge from his hole and size up weather on Candlemas Day. If he didn’t see his shadow, he’d emerge for good and thus break winter’s backbone. Since the ground hogs eat clover, cabbage, young beans and more, the paper opined that if the ground hog didn’t see his shadow and stayed out, he’d starve. What happened in 1915 when it was reported that the ground hog was at large? His favorite foods weren’t there. Over the years the paper advised area populace to watch their resident ground hogs. It always seemed as if the local 4-legged creatures had the edge on smarts.

In 1914 the paper reported that on Candlemas Day Immaculate Conception Church would bless the candles used in church and in homes. The second part of the article said it was also the day on which the “proverbial” ground hog would make an appearance. A year later Ground Hogs’ Day set the stage for some fierce competition in Algoma. Bowling. The Glue Eaters – white collar personal at Algoma Panel - were taking on the Printers at the Majestic Bowling Alley. The Glue Eaters were afraid the Printers – the Printers’ Devils from “Ink Alley”  (Algoma Record) - would emulate the ground hogs and return to their holes. The Glue Eaters were afraid there was a chance the Printers would rally and carry their black ground hog-like colors into the deciding three games. But, at least Ground Hogs’ Day was sure to establish Algoma’s worst bowlers!

In 1935 people had more winter than they needed and thought it was time to foil the ground hog. Swiping his alarm clock was one idea. Or, passing a law requiring ground hogs to wear sun glasses. Maybe he needed a trapdoor blocking his burrow. Depression era ground hogs seemed to be taking on human characteristics, but it was a time to enjoy some merriment even if it was ridiculous.

By 1950, Ground Hogs’ Day was sunshine following a January that the paper said was monotonous, but monotonous it was not. It was much like this one. January 1950 saw all kinds of weather, including a day when Algoma’s temperature hit a balmy 50 degrees. Another day saw a minus 13 degrees. There was rain, freezing drizzle and ice. There were high winds and there was thunder. January 1950 certainly wasn’t boring and offered plenty of conversation. January 1950 went out with sub-zero temperatures prompting the paper to say and who beside a ground hog would want to stick their neck out?

Just as all of Kewaunee County, Algoma is packed with history though ground hogs aren’t usually considered a part of that history, but did you hear the one about Montpelier’s ground hog………..

Sources: Ahnapee Record, Algoma Record, Algoma Record Herald, Google, Wikipedia. Clip Art in Windows.