Sad Day for Canada

[Grant]

A while back when it was Canada Day there was much talk about Wiarton Willie. It is my sad duty to inform you that Wiarton Willie has passed on. He has gone to the big Groundhog hole in the sky ...

http://tinyurl.com/zj5kr

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[Norm F]

Crap!! Everything was going great today, until now. We will not forget you Willie. :(

[TonyW]

At least it wasn't as controversial as the previous Willies passing - when it was revealed that they used a stuffed stand-in at the funeral :eek:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiarton_Willie

Tony

[NMarti]

My condolences to the uhh, litter.

One thing that always amazed and puzzled me. Why did seeing his shadow mean six more weeks of winter. Wouldn't the sun being out be a sign that snow would be melting and spring was on its way? Also - with all the cameras and tv lights on him - how could he possibly NOT see his shadow?

[Norm F]

One thing that always amazed and puzzled me. Why did seeing his shadow mean six more weeks of winter. Wouldn't the sun being out be a sign that snow would be melting and spring was on its way? Also - with all the cameras and tv lights on him - how could he possibly NOT see his shadow?

You tell us smarty pants! ;)

[NMarti]

:p Norm
I just stay in my hole (aka my office) - that way I don't have to come out until I KNOW it's spring.

[Norm F]

I didn't realize that the "groundhog" thing is a Canadian tradition. It probably doesn't position us the the sharpest bunch if we'll turn to a groundhog for weather predictions, but then, I'll bet he's about as accurate as any other "meteorologist."

[NMarti]

Well they have used it forever here and I don't seem to recall any accuracy statistics. :rolleyes: There was one community around the midwest somewhere (I can't remember where but I think Iowa) that didn't have a groundhog so they used a guinee pig.:eek: Saw it on the news but never did hear his prediction because he started squealing so lound the cut away from the report.

[kevq]

Hi,
Alas poor Willie is no more. Condolences to Canada.
Kev.

[TonyW]

I didn't realize that the "groundhog" thing is a Canadian tradition. It probably doesn't position us the the sharpest bunch if we'll turn to a groundhog for weather predictions, but then, I'll bet he's about as accurate as any other "meteorologist."

Sorry Norm but we can't claim to have invented it :) . It's an old European tradition (Candlemas Day) about various animals - bears, wolves badgers, coming out of hibernation and deciding to stay out or go back to sleep depending on the weather. As for predicting weather it's exactly halfway between the middle of winter and the start of spring so an important day in the calendar for the ancients - Kev's ancestors likely built Stonehenge to figure out when it was

As for accuracy - he's really pretty good - half the time he gets it right :D

Tony

[kevq]

Tony,
you have solved the riddle of why Stonehenge was built.
It was done so that they knew what day to let the badger out!!
Kev:D :D :D

[TonyW]

Kev: Why else do you think they've been trying to get in again :D

http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1172316.htm

Tony

[GeoR]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/GeoRouse/100_1562.jpg On behalf of the residents Of Wiarton we wish to say Thank You for all the kind words for our dearly departed world famous groundhog weather prognosticator Wiarton Willie. It is sad sad times. Children are crying, dogs are howling & cows have quit giving milk. Following the autopsy & cremation his ashes will be interred at the base of his monument. Some residents are clamoring for a royal commission investigation into weather his handlers had any hand in his demise as Willie had been known to make water on them. Myself I think because he was from the Ottawa area he was doomed not to last like most politicans. Gotta go as the hunt in on for his relatives and there is fame & fortune to the lucky captive. I might even be picked to learn to speak groundhogese.

[Byron Gale]

...Why did seeing his shadow mean six more weeks of winter. Wouldn't the sun being out be a sign that snow would be melting and spring was on its way?...I always presumed it was the old "In like a lion, out like a lamb" (or vice versa) thing.

In our family, Groundhog Day has always had special significance because it is my parents' wedding anniversary... and is also my own anniversary! (my wife's, too, of course...;) ) It is always a race on Groundhog Day to see which household calls the other first with news of the groundhog's prediction.

All respects to Willie, but we've always been followers Punxsutawney Phil.

[GeoR]

One thing that always amazed and puzzled me. Why did seeing his shadow mean six more weeks of winter. Wouldn't the sun being out be a sign that snow would be melting and spring was on its way? Also - with all the cameras and tv lights on him - how could he possibly NOT see his shadow?[/QUOTE]
Hi Nancy: That is what sets Wiarton Willie apart from all those other wanna be's weather forecasting hogs. His powers are passed down from generation to generation to only one member of his clan. Only the mayor has the ability to communicate with Willie in groundhogese. After an intense week of parties and parades will he give his prediction at the precise moment on Feb. 2nd. The hogs mystic powers take into account false shadows from cameras and tv lights. Do not pay any attention to the nay sayers that Feb. 2nd is 6 weeks from the first day of spring. Those weirdos don't understand the powers of Willie & a great party.:D :D ;) ;) Geo

[GaryK]

I had to take the day off work to mourn. :( :(

I used to tell my daughter that if he saw his shadow, then it was 6 more weeks of winter. If he didn't see his shadow then spring would be here in a month and a half. :D :D

[Grant]

Garry is very close to the truth. Ground hog day is exactly in the middle of the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox If the ground hog see his shadow there is exactly 6 weeks left of winter and if he doesn't see his there is exactly 6 weeks until spring (Vernal Equinox). So it is sort of a joke played on city slickers by those that live close to the land. In any event is is a good time for celebrating. But then I think that 365 days of celebrating in a year is still not excessive.

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[NMarti]

Well that makes sense now! :rolleyes:

No one ever explained that before - always just went with what the silly rodent predicted. Funny thing - I read this thread this morning at work and when I went home for lunch there was a groundhog sitting by the road along the creek by my house. I had not seen him for quite some time and thought he was dead but there he was today.

[Grant]

Nancy

Tell him to move up to Wiarton as there is an opening there. The last Willie was a foundling who ended up having the life of a Groundhog King and all this for only one day a years work. In fact it wasn't even a whole day but just a morning.

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[virgo1]

Grant,
Jimmy the Groundhog from Sun Praire WI sends his deepest sympathies. :(
Eva