Lemon Chambers: Born 27 August 1869, Died 20 November 1916- Great-grampa Lemon (seriously)was a local merchant of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, who ran a billiard hall. Notice the cigar in his hand. He had a pet crow, or raven, that would sit on his shoulder and actually spoke a few words. He must have been quite the character in that little town.
Of course everyone in our family remembers that today is GROUNDHOG'S DAY! Our family has been celebrating this day, literally, for generations. Long before Bill Murray made it so famous with his hilarious movie. My great-grandfather, Lemon Chambers, was one of the original founders of Groundhog's Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It has changed a bit over the years. According to my grandfather, in the old days they had tables in the park loaded with groundhogs that they roasted for everyone to eat. Not exactly the way Walt Disney might portray the event. These days we look to the TV to return us to Punxy and watch the locals who are watching the groundhog, to prognosticate the weather. Will we have six more weeks of winter? It is all determined by whether the groundhog sees his shadow. I don't know about Punxy, but if their weather is like ours in Virginia, there will be no shadow today! Will we have six weeks more of winter or not? My guess is "yes"! I wonder if the groundhog knows about global warming? I wonder if most of the country knows about global warming? Everyone has been experiencing winter storms. Happy Groundhog's Day folks, where ever you are celebrating! (Our friends over seas must think we are nuts! Well,if Bill Murray is any indication...)
Of course everyone in our family remembers that today is GROUNDHOG'S DAY! Our family has been celebrating this day, literally, for generations. Long before Bill Murray made it so famous with his hilarious movie. My great-grandfather, Lemon Chambers, was one of the original founders of Groundhog's Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It has changed a bit over the years. According to my grandfather, in the old days they had tables in the park loaded with groundhogs that they roasted for everyone to eat. Not exactly the way Walt Disney might portray the event. These days we look to the TV to return us to Punxy and watch the locals who are watching the groundhog, to prognosticate the weather. Will we have six more weeks of winter? It is all determined by whether the groundhog sees his shadow. I don't know about Punxy, but if their weather is like ours in Virginia, there will be no shadow today! Will we have six weeks more of winter or not? My guess is "yes"! I wonder if the groundhog knows about global warming? I wonder if most of the country knows about global warming? Everyone has been experiencing winter storms. Happy Groundhog's Day folks, where ever you are celebrating! (Our friends over seas must think we are nuts! Well,if Bill Murray is any indication...)
4 comments:
Interesting, thanks for the history lesson. Yuck!
Well, I'm not sure about Phil, but Buckeye Chuck didn't see his shadow, so spring is supposed to come quicker. Of course, the sun came out in the afternoon, so I'm not quite sure how accurate the prediction in the morning was! Not that it would be an accurate prediction if it was cloudy all day.
Cool family history! I'm from western PA originally but didn't realize until I moved away how close I was to this awesome event.
Staten Island Chuck didn't see his shadow either. However, with today's temps, it's hard to believe spring will be early. Very interesting history on the origin of the day, but EWWW to eating them.
eileenkny
What a great sotry and GGLemon looks like he cuts quite the dapper figure *s* Thanks for sharing.
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