Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for February 2, 2009 GROUNDHOG DAY

You have already received warning of the next major ice storm to hit the Cairo area.

Adding to our misery, Punxsutawney Phil (aka THE Groundhog) reportedly saw his shadow today...thus predicting 6 more weeks of negotiations.

Actually, being a "glass half full" kinda guy (stop guffawing out there)...I see this as encouraging!

ONLY 6 more weeks of negotiations???!!!

Of course, keep in mind...6 more weeks puts us a only a couple of weeks shy of APRIL FOOL'S DAY...

Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow, winter to continue

From staff and wire reports

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. — The world's most famous groundhog has seen his shadow which, legend has it, means this already long winter will last for six more weeks.

Punxsutawney Phil's forecast was announced in front of thousands of revelers gathered at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. They gathered Monday morning in near freezing temperatures, with many revelers buoyed by the Super Bowl victory by the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night.

German tradition holds that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early.

Since 1887, Phil has seen his shadow 98 times, hasn't seen it 15 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.