Community Corner

Woody, Michigan's Official Groundhog, Issues Apology

Snowflakes fell on the first day of spring Wednesday, contrary to the celebrated rodent's prediction of an early start to the season.

Michigan's Official Groundhog, Woody, who resides at the Howell Conference & Nature Center, has faced the fact that this year's seasonal prediction was incorrect. 

Snowflakes fell Wednesday, which marked the official first day of spring, and Thursday's forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of snow showers, with a high near 32 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Not your average spring weather. 

Like all female woodchuck prognosticators, Woody is not afraid to admit when she's wrong. And although she correctly picked the Baltimore Ravens to win the Super Bowl, she is avoiding March Madness in its entirety. 

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Some observers recalled Woody's hesitation that morning, when she exited her house, went back in, then came out again just in time to indicate an early spring. One witness to the prediction noted, "Some female woodchucks exhibit indecisiveness, and it was clearly on display that morning." 

However, even if she may have been wrong this year, Woody's predictions have been spot on more often than not. 

Find out what's happening in Fentonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Year Prediction Right/Wrong 1999 Shadow/Late Spring Right 2000 No Shadow/Early Spring Right 2001 No Shadow/Early Spring
Wrong 2002 Shadow/Late Spring Right 2003 Shadow/Late Spring Right 2004 No Shadow/Early Spring Right 2005 No Shadow/Early Spring Wrong 2006 Shadow/Late Spring Right 2007 No Shadow/Early Spring Right 2008 No Shadow/Early Spring Wrong 2009 Shadow/Late Spring Right 2010 Shadow/Late Spring Right 2011 Shadow/Late Spring Right 2012 No Shadow/Early Spring Right 2013 No Shadow/Early Spring Wrong

Source: press release

[Was Woody on the fence in her prediction this year? You be the judge. Watch the video above and tell us what you think in the comments.]


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