Febuary 2, 2023
She has spoken: Woody the groundhog, Michigan’s resident weather forecaster, predicted an early spring for 2023. She gave her forecast in front of a crowd completing Howell Nature Center’s 25th Groundhog Day event on Thursday, February 2 at 8:30 a.m.
Her prediction came an hour after Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow 359 miles away at Gobbler Knob in Pennsylvania, alternately indicating 6 more weeks of winter. The morning rays didn’t scare Woody into the roofed tree stump labeled “Woody’s House” after a 30 second countdown and team spring erupted in silent cheers.
Her prediction acted as the finale to the early morning activities. The event began at 7:30 a.m. and under 15 degrees, which didn’t deter families, couples and community members from dressing in layers and sturdy boots, and flower crowns to attend the event. Costume contest participants featuring Mother Natures, winter royalty and even Woody the Groundhog walked across a red carpet atop a thick layer of snow. After the crowd separated itself to show support for an earlier spring or later winter, children competed in three Minute to Win it games.
“Each year it seems to continue to grow and we are really happy people like to come out and celebrate with us,” said Hannah Idoni, the center’s community engagement and events manager.
Idoni described about two months of preparation for crafting this educational event both with the media and Woody herself. In order to get her used to being picked up for the event, they gradually pick her up more one month before the event.
“We don’t like to handle our animals all that often, but just to make sure she’s safe and everyone else is safe we’ll start to get a handle on her,” said Idoni.
Woody is a non-releasable animal and will stay at the nature center for the rest of her life. She was taken in as a pet and was made too friendly, which is illegal in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources lists 54 people in Michigan with the Captive Game permit that have the authority to possess animals that were already raised in captivity, and only wildlife rehabilitators like the nature center can take in injured and orphaned animals from the wild.
“We do not keep animals here just for fun, every animal is here for a reason, so it’s really important to never take wildlife from the wild, it’s not where they belong,” said Jen Ewing, Wild Wonders park coordinator. Respecting wildlife was a vital part of Ewing and Idoni’s message to the community members.
A spread of hot coffee, juices, pastries and fruit could be enjoyed while watching informational videos about groundhogs inside the nearby Pineview lodge.
KaseyDeschler.com 