FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. — Although temperatures were cold, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky for Monday’s Groundhog Day celebration at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in Upshur County.
Several hundred, including Governor Patrick Morrisey, waited with frosty breath as to what French Creek Freddie would offer as a prediction on the one day of the year the groundhog becomes the focal point of the universe. Under a blue-bird sky with the sun reflecting off the ice and snow from a snowstorm more than a week ago Freddie most assuredly spied a shadow on the ground. Tradition states a shadow means six more weeks of winter.
In neighboring Pennsylvania Punxsutawney Phil concurred with a daylight prediction and a shadow to as well offer six more weeks of winter.
Another groundhog which garners attention in West Virginia is Concord Charlie who lives on the campus of Concord University in Mercer County. According to university officials Concord Charlie emerged from his den to find no shadow, which according to legend means an early spring.
“It’s official! Concord Charlie did NOT see his shadow. Don’t let that snow get you down; an early spring is right around the corner,’ posted Concord to its social media sites.