HuckyToo, Wildwood Willie point to early spring

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HuckyToo, a groundhog held by owner Charlie Hoag, did not see his shadow Thursday during the 12th annual Holland Huckleberry Day Celebration in Springfield Township. THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY Enlarge | Photo Reprints

After emerging from a hollowed-out stump just before 8 a.m. Thursday, a feisty, furry HuckyToo failed to see his shadow at his home in Lucas County's Springfield Township.

His owner, Groundhog Whisperer Charlie Hoag, thus declared an early spring, prompting cheers from the crowd of people gathered for the 12th annual Holland Huckleberry Day Celebration.

Born on the first full day of spring in 2011, and purchased for $50 from a groundhog breeder, HuckyToo is taking up the holiday prediction tradition started a dozen years ago after Mr. Hoag rescued an orphaned baby groundhog (its mother was hauled off by a coyote). Sadly, the much-loved Hucky, as he was known, died in 2010, and ironically, a Groundhog Day snowstorm forced a postponement of his memorial service a year ago.

Thursday morning was rather balmy in comparison to Groundhog Day, 2011, prompting one Holland Huckleberry Day party-goer to proclaim that he loves global warming.

Woodchuck weatherman Wildwood Willie made his appearance later Thursday morning during a program presented by the Metroparks of the Toledo Area.

Willie too did not see his shadow.

Locally, that's two predictions for an early spring; for long winter, zero.

However, in Pennsylvania, groans were heard after the daybreak prediction by Punxsutawney Phil, who, according to local lore, has been making his shadowy forecasts since the 1880s. At Gobbler's Knob, where the seasonal announcement is made to thousands of onlookers, the groundhog saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter.

German folklore says winter weather will last another six weeks if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas. No shadow means an early spring.

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Mich. woodchuck: Spring on its way

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