Hope’s groundhog celebration predicts early end of winter

Bartholomew County’s groundhog weather forecaster disagrees with her Pennsylvania cousin this year. The 13th annual Groundhog Day ceremony was held yesterday in the northeastern Bartholomew County town of Hope and Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitator’s groundhog, also named Hope, didn’t see her shadow. Folklore says that means an early end to winter.

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania’s 139th annual celebration was also held yesterday and Phil saw his shadow when he emerged from his burrow. Tradition suggests this would mean six more weeks of winter weather.

File photo courtesy Main Street of Hope.