Visit Punxsutawney? Sure, I’d do it again…and again…and again…

When I first found out that Explore PA would be going to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day, I was thrilled. Like most people, I had seen the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day some 13 years ago. But even back then, there’s was part of me that thought most of what was portrayed in the town was just movie sets. Boy, was I ever wrong. Punxsutawney is indeed a real place where everything is about the day when the seer of seers, the knower of knowers, the world famous weather prognosticator, Punxsutawney Phil reveals his official forecast. The other 364 days of the year, Punxsutawney is a wonderfully quaint Pennsylvania town with a lot to offer visitors.

For this show, Explore PA followed the travels of five college seniors from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. This was the first time we’ve had a big group of friends on the show and it was great having such exuberant and youthful personalities. And luckily, as college students they keep sort of odd hours… so waking up at 2:00 a.m. to head to Gobbler’s Knob wasn’t too much trouble for them, especially since it included meeting world famous Punxsutawney Phil!

Wednesday, February 1, 2006: 8:00 p.m.
We arrive in Punxsutawney and from the moment you hit town, you can sense that something big is brewing… Everywhere you look there is a groundhog of some sort: huge ceramic ones (each with its own unique theme painted on it); on signs; in the names of stores; ice sculptures — you name it. It’s abundantly clear – we have arrived.

After a nice meal we head to our B&B…it’s going to be a long day ahead and we need some rest. We stay at Jackson Run Bed & Breakfast just outside of town and our hostess, Donna could not have been more welcoming. A longtime resident of Punxsutawney, Donna knew much about the history of the tradition, the famous Inner Circle and what it was like during the filming of the movie, so it was a real treat to get her first hand account. Plus, Donna made us all chocolate groundhogs, groundhog cookies and warm apple cider…can you get any more cozy than that? And good thing…it is February after all…brrr!

Thursday, February 2, 2006: 2:00 a.m.
So, we all wake up (that is, if you fell asleep…) and set out for our big day! As we drive there, I’m thinking we’ll be early and perhaps one of the first groups there. I couldn’t have been more wrong – the place was packed! I thought, “This is going to be quite an experience.”

So we head to the famous stage area of Gobbler’s Knob where members of the Inner Circle and volunteers entertain the ever-growing crowd for hours. [Incidentally, it was a week before the Superbowl, and as you may remember the Pittsburgh Steelers were headed to the big game, so in addition to Punxsutawney Phil, there was a huge undercurrent of Steeler pride with the “Terrible Towels” to prove it!]

During these chilly early morning hours, two of our travelers took place in a “Newlywed Game” on the stage and were victorious! Their prizes? You guessed it, groundhog hats!

Finally, it was time for the big moment. After a wonderful fireworks show (yes, fireworks at 7:00 a.m.!) the Inner Circle prepared for the big moment. Bill Deeley, Phil’s trusty handler, reached into the tree stump where Phil waited and held him up to the crowd of revelers! It was truly one of those surreal moments in life when you realize – we are all going crazy for a groundhog. But seriously, you really get swept up in the excitement. After the Inner Circle President translates Phil’s Groundhogese (yes, there’s a secret language – learn about it on the official Groundhog Day web site: http://www.groundhog.org/) he read Phil’s official forecast. Here was the 2006 forecast as we all heard with our very own cold ears:

It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Around the country there are many imitators of me.
In Harrisburg there is Gus who appears on TVworking for the lottery.
Then all around town,Cute groundhog statues abound.

They all look like me, I found.
Today on the Knob as I'm doing my job,I don't like this likeness of me.
It's my shadow I see.
Six more weeks of mild winter there will be.

Needless to say, it wasn’t the prediction we were looking for…but Phil has never been wrong in 120 years, so who am I to question his forecast? In fact, despite the fact that I wasn’t happy with six more weeks of winter, I, along with hundreds of others, waited in line after the prediction to meet Punxsy Phil and pose for a picture. Hey, he’s been on Oprah! It was also an honor to meet Phil’s handler, Bill Deeley, who had announced his retirement after many years – put it this way, if you’ve seen a picture of Phil, then you’ve likely seen Bill with his steel glove holding him. (Because as cute as Phil is, he’s been known to bite…yikes!)

After the events at Gobbler’s Knob we head into town to continue to festivities. And what better way to celebrate than by grabbing a bite at Nick’s Corner Lunch? I had the honor of meeting Nick himself and enjoyed his famously delicious hamburger on a hot dog roll hot off the grill – yum! After that we shopped for souvenirs around town, went to the Barclay Square, saw Phil again, and enjoyed a sunny day in Punxsutawney.
In short, the whole Explore PA crew enjoyed a wonderful dose of hospitality, experienced a truly unique morning on Gobbler’s Knob, and finally, witnessed a piece of history…and it was all because of one furry groundhog. Thanks Phil!

Meet Elizabeth Jennings

Born and raised in Boston, Elizabeth traveled to Pennsylvania for the first time to visit her oldest sister and her family and never left…that was eleven years ago.

Originally a stage performer, Elizabeth quickly learned that Philadelphia had a lot to offer in the way of entertainment opportunities. However, after booking a few commercials and industrial videos, she realized that while she loved acting, what she really enjoyed more, was just being herself on camera…so she changed focus to finding opportunities to allow her to do just that.
In 2004, through sheer determination and effort, Elizabeth achieved her first goal: to make it onto the home shopping network QVC, located in West Chester, PA. Since then, Elizabeth has been Guest Hosting and absolutely loves the thrill of being on live television.
Today Elizabeth gets to “explore” other opportunities and is extremely thrilled to have been selected to host WITF’s Explore PA series. “I am so honored and excited to have the opportunity to work on such a great project. And it’s funny; while I have lived and worked in Pennsylvania for eleven years, like many people, when I plan vacations I don’t always consider what is right down the pike in my home state. Since working on Explore PA, I have learned so much. Pennsylvania is rife with history, and has so much to offer year-round. I feel so privileged to share the stories of this great state.”
In addition to juggling her many roles both on screen and off, Elizabeth has been married for six years and resides in Valley Forge, PA with her husband, Alex and their English Bulldogs, Floyd and Finley.