Chuck

I have spent the better part of my life unconcerned and oblivious to one of the most important holidays in the northern hemisphere.  It’s not that I’m necessary an aloof person, though I’m sure you could find many that would argue to the contrary, it’s just that I lived in the south.  Northern concerns did not…concern me.

However, as I now find myself a resident in a place north of south I have become acutely aware of the significance of this most important holiday.  Groundhog day is February 2.  It’s not just great cinema, people.  It is the very balance of our collective psyche.  Each year, come February 2 we give ourselves to the will of a weather prognosticating rodent.  Shadows and gloom.  Darkness and a collective sigh of relief as winter will be ending soon.

Ohio’s official weather rodent is Buckeye Chuck and he lives in a comfy den in the woods behind Clear Channel Radio in Marion, Ohio.  Every February 2, tens of interested people flock to the parking lot of Clear Channel to receive Chuck’s forecast.  Those hearty enough to brave the brisk early morning temperatures are treated to  warm drinks and a spam burger.

There are plenty of other famous groundhogs, but as Ohio goes, Buckeye Chuck is king.  Unless he sees his shadow.  Then he’s just a stupid fur ball and is as good as dead to me!