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Hubbard pastor makes pilgrimage to praise Phil
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GROUNDHOG BUDDY: The Rev. Timothy O’Neill, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Hubbard, holds mementos of Groundhog Days past. The photo of him with Phil was taken in Punxsutawney about 25 years ago.
HUBBARD — The Rev. Timothy O’Neill has traveled on a secular pilgrimage for some 25 years.
At 4 a.m. today, Groundhog Day, the pastor of St. Patrick Church, 225 N. Main St., is expected to be in Punxsutawney, Pa., with five friends from the parish.
“It’s my annual pilgrimage,” Father O’Neill said. “It breaks the monotony of winter.”
The priest estimated he and parish members had participated in Groundhog Day for the last 25 years.
“We get there about 6 to 6:30. It’s 104 miles from here,” he said. Father O’Neill recalled that during their early trips, they were among a “handful” of people there.
Today, thousands attend the festivities. All are there to witness the prediction of the “pugnacious prognosticator,” Punxsutawney Phil on Gobbler’s Knob. That happens at sunrise, Father O’Neill said. He said the fun of the trip is more important than the prediction itself.
Legend has it that if Phil the groundhog sees his shadow on this day, six more weeks of winter are on their way. No shadow means an early spring.
“I’d say he’s been right about 90 percent of the time,” Father O’Neill said. “But it’s just a gag,” he added — explaining that lights shining around Phil increase his odds of seeing a shadow.
Father O’Neill said he and his group often have breakfast at a local American Legion post. And they’ve visited various sites around the small town, Brookville, Pa. “It’s just a little city,” he said.
Shuttle buses take visitors from Brookville to Gobbler’s Knob starting at 3 a.m. Father O’Neill said the town has various activities to mark the day.
Father O’Neill also noted that the movie “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray, wasn’t filmed in Brookville.
It was made in Woodstock, Ill. Father O’Neill said he understood that the other city was used because of its setting. In Brookville, Gobbler’s Knob is a short distance out of town.
linonis@vindy.com
History: The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, “For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May...” Candlemas, an ancient festival of lights, marks the midpoint of winter. Punxsutawney had its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob was made Feb. 2, 1886.
Phil’s predictions: According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
Text Phil: Groundhog Day’s official groundhog has kept up with the times, and can text you his predictions if you text him first on 247365 in the U.S. He’s also on Facebook and Twitter.
On the Web: Phil’s prediction will be webcast by Pennsylvania at http://www.visitPA.com/groundhog at the site, www.groundhog.org.