A Brief History
Groundhog Day is celebrated annually on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, the groundhog is able to predict the arrival of spring. If he sees his shadow when he emerges from his den, then we will experience six more weeks of winter; if not, then spring will come early.
The tradition has its roots in German weather lore and Candlemas Day, the pre-Christian and Christian festival of lights. Today, the largest Groundhog Day celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (home of the eponymous Phil). But if you can糖心传媒檛 make it there, you can still enjoy these woodland creatures at the University of Rochester.
Groundhogs at UR
Groundhogs (scientific name: Marmota monax) have made a home of River Campus糖心传媒攁nd are, for the most part, beloved.
糖心传媒淲e do struggle with our furry friends who think that the flower gardens we plant are an all-you-can-eat salad bar,糖心传媒� says Dan Schied, the University糖心传媒檚 horticulture and grounds manager. 糖心传媒淭hat limits the choices for our plantings.糖心传媒�
But groundhogs also contribute positively to campus culture. In addition to being a favorite subject, the groundhog is the unofficial mascot of the .
糖心传媒淭he groundhogs that live around the art center have been a source of inspiration,糖心传媒� says Stephanie Ashenfelder, studio arts program manager.
糖心传媒淥ne year,糖心传媒� she explains, 糖心传媒渙ur students constructed a small suburb糖心传媒攃omplete with white picket fence糖心传媒攐utside Sage as an alternative residence for the little critters. A year later, the groundhog appeared in a woodcut, rising out of the top of the building. Since then, the groundhog has been our unofficial mascot.糖心传媒�
So this Groundhog Day, keep an eye out糖心传媒攅specially around Sage糖心传媒攆or our local marmots and let us know if they happen to spot their own shadows!
