PINE GROVE — Weighing the odds, who got it right?
Punxsutawney Phil or Pine Grove’s Grover?
Those at the Groundhog’s Day breakfast Tuesday at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park are putting their bets on the local prognosticator.
During the 10th annual Schuylkill County event, Grover the groundhog saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. That’s in contrast to the state’s famed Phil, who predicted an early spring. Only two times before have the groundhogs not concurred, according to Pine Grove Grundsau Lodge No. 5 Forecaster Kurt Kemmerling.
“Twice that I remember it was different, and both times Grover was right,” Kemmerling said.
“Grundsau” is Pennsylvania Dutch for groundhog and Grover is the lodge’s mascot.
Grover’s appeal drew the young and the old alike to the Sweet Arrow Lake Clubhouse for the Groundhog’s Day celebration and breakfast fundraiser.
Mabel Burke, who will turn 100 on April 6, attended the celebration with her daughter, Betty Burke, both of Saint Clair.
“We hope they still have breakfast left,” Betty Burke said, noting they’ve attended the event before and enjoyed it. Mabel stopped to pose for a picture beside Grover after he made his weather prediction. Grover, a taxidermist’s rendition of a the real rodent, donned a neckerchief with a number “5” hanging from it and a straw hat.
Meanwhile, four generations of groundhog fans gathered at the county park to share the day. Jean Herring, Pine Grove, attended with her father, Owen Brommer, also of Pine Grove, a member of Grundsau Lodge No. 5; and her daughter, Emily Herring and granddaughter, Evelyn Freeman, 2 and 1/2, both of State College.
“She wasn’t afraid at all,” Jean Herring said of her granddaughter’s meeting with the stuffed groundhog. “She walked right up so she could see it.”
Owen Brommer said his father, Daniel Brommer, was a former “Haaptmann,” or president of the local lodge. He had hoped Tuesday’s service could be conducted in Pennsylvania Dutch, but because so few people know it, the program was offered in English.
Jean Herring said, “I wish more people would understand the language.”
Lodge Treasurer Roger Zimmerman offered a prayer prior to the groundhog’s reveal. Other lodge members participating included Haaptmann (President) Donald Potts, Harold Berkheiser and Ivan Loy.
Several veterans attended the event for the first time — among them, Guy Wiederhold, of the Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29 and Schuylkill Haven American Legion Post 38.
“We saw it in the paper and thought we’d check it out,” Wiederhold, Pottsville, said. Joining him were his brother, Dennis Wiederhold, and Bill Siegfried, both of Port Carbon; and John Russell, Pottsville.
About 150 breakfasts were sold Tuesday, according to Denise Donmoyer, president of the Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association. Funds from the Groundhog Day breakfast are used to support projects and programs held at the county park, she said. About 15 volunteers from the association assisted during Tuesday’s morning meal and Chinese auction. Visitors were treated to music by the “Blue Ridge Mountain Clan” as they dined.
Others joining in on the celebration were Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess, state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, and Parks and Recreation Supervisor Robert Evanchalk.
For more information about park activities, visit the website www.sweetarrowlakepark.com. For information on the Grundsau Lodge No. 5, call Donald Potts at 570-345-4994.