Vivid Society NY

-Bennet D.

When February 2nd arrives in New York State, a peculiar ritual unfolds: groundhogs (or woodchucks, as some call them) emerge to cast their meteorological verdicts. If they glimpse their shadows, winter persists for six more weeks; if not, spring arrives early. The Empire State boasts several such weather-forecasting mammals. Charles G. Hogg—”Staten Island Chuck” to his fans—holds court at the Staten Island Zoo with his impressive 85% accuracy rate. Meanwhile, Dunkirk Dave represents western New York, while Long Island pins its seasonal hopes on both Malverne Mel and Holtsville Hal. Upstate, Buffalo Bert draws his own following. From Staten Island’s urban landscape to the state’s rural reaches, these furry oracles draw crowds eager for their annual pronouncements.

New York’s weather-predicting animals extends beyond groundhogs to include Cluxatawney Henrietta, a feathered forecaster at Westchester County’s Muscoot Farm. This Hudson Valley hen offers her meteorological wisdom through a simple system: an egg laid on February 2nd promises an early spring, while no egg dooms New Yorkers to six more weeks of winter. As furry prognosticators command attention across the state, Henrietta’s annual ceremony has hatched its own following, bringing avian diversity to this curious tradition that unites urban, suburban, and rural communities alike.

A little more information: https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/groundhog-day

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