JEFFERSON — Will Applebee, a Jefferson Area High School senior, was born on Feb. 2, which also happens to be Groundhog’s Day.
In celebration of his 18th birthday Tuesday, he and his mother, Patty Applebee, made the trip to Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., to witness Punxsutawney Phil predict the end, or continuation, of winter.
“This was something I always wanted to go and see, since I was little, because it was on my birthday,” Will said.
The Applebees drove into Punxsutawney the night before and were greeted with a festival atmosphere, which included many things to do and see.
“You know how Cleveland has giant guitars? Well, they have 30 giant Phils all around the downtown area,” Will said. “We saw ice sculpting, chain-saw woodcarving and lots of musical concerts.”
Unfortunately, sleep wasn’t on the itinerary, but the Applebees took it in stride as they joined more than 10,000 people who also came to see the famous groundhog.
“We got up at 1 a.m. to catch a bus leaving at 3 a.m. for Gobbler’s Knob,” Will said. “The temperature was only 4 degrees when we got there, and we waited until 6:30 a.m. for the ceremonies to start.”
Applebee said there was a large platform with a stump on top from which Phil would be removed when the time was right.
“There is a special group of about 20 men called the Inner Circle, who escort and interpret what the groundhog is saying, and armed policemen escort the Inner Circle to the platform,” he said. “It is quite an interesting setup they have there.”
At 7:30 a.m., the men pulled Phil out, and one of the Inner Circle members “interpreted” what the groundhog was saying, and even though Will reports the skies were overcast, Phil still “said” he saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter.
“I was trying to come up with something different for Will’s 18th birthday, and even though it was a long cold night, we had a great time,” Patty Applebee said.
“I would definitely go again,” Will said.
