Groundhog Day 2022 Official Prognostication

Hear ye! Hear ye! Groundhog Hope's prediction is in! Even with the threat of a winter storm looming imminent, Hope has predicted an early spring.  With rain and overcast skies, the prediction seemed all but inevitable.  A small group braved the weather under the shelter house and watched the prediction in the Hope Town Square.  Winter's doldrums will soon disappear, and Spring will be here.

The ceremony was tinged with a bit of sadness.  Long time attendants Greg Sweet and Chuck Baker are no longer with us.  This year we add Grubby, the original groundhog to the list of the dearly departed.  At just shy of two years old, this is Hope’s second year prognosticating.  Susan Thayer Fye gave a short tribute to Grubby, the groundhog who started it all, before this year’s ceremony. 

“As we return to the Hope Town Square this year, we wanted to give a heartfelt tribute to the superstar who started this event seven years ago.  She has since become something of a local ‘cult figure.’  We are referring to Grubby.  She was attacked and injured by a dog and landed at Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators for medical treatment several years ago.  Fortunately, Grubby recovered after some amazing care and was returned to the wild.  However, Grubby had become accustomed to the free lodging, free food, free medical care, and attentive personal assistants at Utopia.  She returned to become a permanent resident.  It was then that Grubby was given her annual ‘job’ to become the beloved local prognosticating Marmot who determined an early spring or a delayed winter for all to see.  In 2016 Grubby did take a year off but made her prediction at Mill Race Senior Center in Columbus instead of on the Hope Town Square.  And last year in 2021, Grubby’s stand-in, Hope, made the prediction at Utopia in a somewhat more private event due to COVID.  Grubby was ill at that time and was unable to perform her duties.  Later in 2021, Grubby then passed on after appearing at Groundhog Day on the Square with great flair and accuracy for a total of five years.

“To our beloved Grubby – no more awakening from your slumber; no more shadows to see; no more prognosticating predictions to make; no more winter spells to be broken.  Rest in Peace, our sweet Grubby.  Thank you for your service and ‘Guten Nact,’ good night.”