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By Bernadine Elick Times Leader Correspondent
Thursday, January 27, 2000 Page: 4
Will Phil predict an early spring? Since Groundhog Day is Tuesday, I
thought it would be appropriate to learn more how this tradition first came
about.
Groundhog Day had its roots in an ancient Celtic celebration called
Imbolog, the date of one of the four cross-quarter days of the year, or the
midpoints between the spring and fall equinoxes and the summer and winter
solstice.
Imbolog was the most important of the cross-quarter days. In a society
which was dependent on agriculture, and the weather, this was a time to
celebrate having made it halfway through winter. The superstition arose that
if the weather was fair on Imbolog, the second half of the winter would be
cold and stormy. But, if the weather was cold and overcast or stormy, the
second half of the winter would be mild.
In early Christian times, Feb. 2 was celebrated as Candlemas, and for
centuries it was the custom to have the clergy bless candles and distribute
them to the people.
The Romans learned these traditional beliefs from the Scottish Celts, and
brought them to Germany, where they became a part of the folk culture. German
immigrants brought these beliefs with them when they settled in Pennsylvania,
where the tradition of predicting the weather became centered around the
woodchuck or groundhog.
If he sees it, he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather
and returns to his hole to wait out the rest of the winter. If the day is
cloudy and shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.
The Roman legions, during the conquest of the northern country, supposedly
brought this tradition to the Teutons, or Germans, who picked it up and
concluded that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, an animal, the
hedgehog, would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of bad weather,
which they interpreted as the length of the second winter.
Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers were Germans and they found groundhogs in
profusion in many parts of the state. They determined that the groundhog,
which resembled the European hedgehog, was a most intelligent and sensible
animal and therefore, decided that if the sun did appear on Feb. 2 so wise an
animal as the groundhog would see its shadow and hurry back into its
underground home for another six weeks of winter.
The town of Punxsutawney has become known as the “Weather Capital of the
World” and the town has an annual celebration centering around the activity
of the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, Punxsutawney is located 80 miles
northeast of Pittsburgh.
Punxsutawney becomes alive with many activities scheduled from Jan. 28 to
Feb. 2 when they play host to thousands of tourists.
According to records kept on the predictions of the sighting of the
groundhog since 1887, he has seen his shadow 89 times.
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Super Sunday
///
This is the only time during football season that I really get hyped up on
football. When it really counts for a title. You better believe I will be
glued to the television set Sunday.
Will it be the Tennessee Titans or the St. Louis Rams? I am betting on the
Titans winning Super Bowl XXXIIIV at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
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Chicken dinner
///
St. John’s Church will sponsor its delicious baked chicken dinner again
from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 13 at the church hall on East Northampton Street.
Takeouts will be available from 11 a.m. Tickets for the dinner will be $6 for
adults and $3 for children.
Friends and parishioners are asked to purchase their tickets early as the
last two baked chicken dinners were a complete sellout. Tickets can be
purchased by calling 825-4416.
A limited number will be available at the door.
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Mardi Gras
///
St. Joseph’s Church, East Northampton Street, will hold a Mardi Gras
Appreciation Party at 5 p.m. March 5 at the township fire hall. The party
which is held in appreciation for anyone who volunteered their services in any
of the church’s functions last year, such as at the church’s bazaar, lectors,
altar servers etc., will include a buffet and entertainment.
To help offset the cost of the affair, tickets will sold for $5 and may be
obtained from the parish office.
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Class to meet
//
Members of the Wilkes-Barre Township High School Class of 1951 will hold a
dinner get-together at the Woodlands Inn & Resort at 7 p.m. Feb. 5. Those who
expect to attend are asked to contact Joseph Antellocy at 825-5000 or Romayne
Shubilla Weiss at 824-4276.
//
On dean’s list
Amy Allen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Allen of Hemlock Street, was
named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at King’s College.
Amy, a sophomore, is majoring in math communications with a minor in
marketing and English. Congratulations, Amy. Keep up the good work.
//
Fudge & cookies
///
The John Heinz Institute Volunteer Department will sell homemade fudge and
Welsh cookies Friday, in the front lobby on Mundy Street.
The volunteers will meet at the fire hall Wednesday and Thursday to prepare
making the cookies for the fund-raiser.
Anyone who wishes can preorder their cookies from Mary Yuknavich at
826-3736.
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Officers elected
///
At a recent election held by St. John’s Greek Catholic Union Lodge No. 443,
the following officers were elected for the coming year: Elizabeth Zbegner,
president; Theresa Kish, secretary/treasurer; William Mickulik and Carol
George, as auditors, Helen Bedwick was elected by the membership to
participate in the 108th Convention which will be held in June at Lexington,
Ky., Elizabeth Zbegner also will attend; alternate is Charles Karazia.
At the recent meeting, it was proposed to the Greek Catholic Districts 5
and 6 of Luzerne County that the members get involved in the Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center on weekends.
Andy Turriziani is District 5 president.
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Web site correction
///
Oops! I goofed. In last week’s column, I listed the incorrect Web site for
the township police department. If you tried and couldn’t log on, this is the
correct website: www.wilkesbarretwppolice.org.
Kudos to webmaster Will Clark for doing a fantastic job on the Web site.
///
Birthday wishes
///
It’s all in the family. Birthday wishes are sent to Martha Horan who will
celebrate her birthday, along with her niece, Mary Ann Rocko, who will blow
out the birthday candles Tuesday.
Martha’s great-granddaughter, Samantha Lienhard of Blossburg, will
celebrate her ninth birthday Feb. 2.
Things always happen in threes. Best wishes from all your family and
friends.
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From the mailbag
///
I have received two letters last week regarding my weekly column. One was
from a dear old friend, Jean Kryeski Krohle, who lived in the township for
many years and resides in Noxen.
Jean wrote to say she enjoys reading news about the township and my weekly
helpful hints. Thanks, Jean for writing. It was nice to hear from you.
The second letter was from my sister who resides in Potomac, Md. I sent her
a copy of my recent column which I thought she would enjoy and reminisce how
times have changed since she and I were growing up.
She wrote to tell me she took my article to the local senior center, and by
coincidence, the topic that day was how things have changed in the past
century. Many members asked that she make copies for them so that they can
pass it on to their children who now live around the country. In her letter
she wrote, “Did you ever believe when you wrote your article that it would be
so popular?”
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Bernie’s Helpful Hints
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1. Most people don’t realize that they can take their regular clear
prescription glasses and have a tint added. When you get a new pair of
glasses, why not have your old pair tinted for the sun? You will find that the
dark lens will give a new look to your old pair of glasses.
2. If you love to show off your crystal and clear glass vases, but don’t
like the cloudy water, strip off all the leaves that are submerged in the vase
to cut down on plant rot. You should also change the water every day, or add
one tablespoon of household bleach to a quart of water.
3. If your steam iron goes into a slump, try running white vinegar through
it. Let it steam until the big bursts are over. After the iron has cooled,
pour out the vinegar. Then rinse the iron thoroughly with water. You’ll find
that your iron has new life and will generate a lot more steam.
Does your service club have a fund-raiser or meeting coming up? Would you
like to wish a family member or friend either a happy birthday or happy
anniversary greeting? Just give me a call at 823-7540, e-mail me at
BElick5lO7@aol. corn, or mail it to me at 59 S. Walnut St., Wilkes-Barre
Township, 18702. I need your news no later than noon Monday.