State’s pint-sized prognosticator, Woody, predicts an early spring
MARION TOWNSHIP – Easterners apparently can expect to pile on the layers for another six weeks, but in Michigan, Woody the Woodchuck says you can bust out those spring jackets early this year.
Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Thursday morning and crawled back into his winter den, but Howell Nature Center’s resident woodchuck – also known as a groundhog – Woody, stood outside of her small house and walked around, unafraid of her shadow and confident, it seems, spring is on the way.
Bill and Kelly Hann have lived in Howell for almost 20 years, and joined in on Thursday morning’s festivities at the center for the first time.
“I had to do it, it was on my bucket list,” Bill Hann said.
He said he was fascinated by the fact
Woody is more accurate than Punxsutawney Phil. Woody, the center’s wildlife ambassador, has been predicting spring with 67% accuracy, Community Events Manager Hannah
Idoni said earlier this week.
In addition to the centerpiece of the morning, the Howell Nature Center hosted a free community event that included a continental breakfast, a costume contest for kids and games. Woody ended the festivities by coming out and offering her prediction about spring or winter at 8:30 a.m.
Both Bill and Kelly Hann were hoping for an early spring and, if Woody’s prediction comes true, they will get their wish.
Peter Johnson was at the center wearing a Groundhog Day hat he got five years ago when he went to see Punxsutawney Phil. His birthday is Feb. 8, so Groundhog Day is a big deal because it kicks off his birthday celebration.
Lolita Amann, who was attending with Johnson, said she was hoping for a longer winter because she loves activities like ice fishing and snowmobiling.