By Kim McDarison
Today is Groundhog Day.
Early this morning on Gobbler’s Knob, some two miles southeast of Punxsutawney, a borough in Jefferson County, Pa., “Phil,” the official furry meteorologist saw his shadow, meaning, according to the long-established custom, there will be six more weeks of winter.
At 8 a.m. in Fort Atkinson, a small city in Jefferson County, Wis., a group of officials gathered to witness the meteorological prediction made by a gifted rodent living closer to home: “George,” the Fort Atkinson High School FFA Guinea pig.
George — along with a traveling mate named “Fred,” also an FFA Guinea pig — arrived at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building around 7:45 a.m. where he was greeted by Fort Atkinson City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire.
LeMire said she could tell when she met George that he, in traditional rodent-reliable style, was willing and able to perform the task of helping winter-weary residents of Fort Atkinson see what weather might lie ahead.
George also was accompanied by his handler, Fort Atkinson High School senior and FFA member Hailey Besch, who said that when George and Fred are not greeting the public, they live at the high school’s FFA animal lab, where students learn to care for them and feed them treats.
Several rabbits also live at the lab and students teach them to do tricks, Besch said.
While George — who might be between the ages of 3 and 5, it’s a guess, Besch said — has never predicted the weather, she believed the precocious pig had the necessary instincts and was up to the challenge.
Shortly before 8 a.m., an impromptu group of city officials and staff members arrived at the municipal building to bear witness to George’s prediction.
At 8 a.m., the group moved outside and LeMire lifted George into the atmosphere.
School District of Fort Atkinson Communications and Community Engagement Specialist Marissa Weidenfeller was on hand to serve as the official interpreter, helping the group determine if George did or did not see his shadow.
Moments after 8 a.m., with the collaboration and advisement of Weidenfeller, LeMire proclaimed that George did not see his shadow, predicting for the residents of Fort Atkinson an early spring.
The prediction was joyfully acknowledged and received by the city’s witnesses.
After the prediction was made, George was carried back into the municipal building where his fans thanked him for his service and eagerly participated in photo ops.
About Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day, a ritual with ancient roots, is thought to have been brought to the United States by German immigrants, according to information presented by history.com. The first official Groundhog Day in the U.S. was celebrated in Pennsylvania on Feb. 2, 1887.
A history of Groundhog Day is here: https://www.history.com/news/groundhog-day-history-and-facts.
Fort Atkinson City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire lifts “George,” one of two Fort Atkinson High School Guinea pigs arriving at the city’s municipal building, into the atmosphere. The local Groundhog Day meteorologist did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring. George’s weather forecast was the opposite of what was predicted by his more experienced counterpart “Punxsutawney Phil,” who did see his shadow this morning, predicting six more weeks of winter.
Fort Atkinson City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire, at right, and George, the FFA Guinea pig, prepare to go outside. City Clerk and Finance Director Michelle Ebbert, a member of the group that witnessed the Groundhog Day prediction, takes a moment to greet George.
At center, Fort Atkinson City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire, carrying George the FFA Guinea pig, emerges from the municipal building. A group of witnesses await George’s prediction. They are: School District of Fort Atkinson Communications and Community Engagement Specialist Marissa Weidenfeller, from left, Capt. Jeff Davis with the Fort Atkinson Police Department, Fort Atkinson city staff member Debi Hayes, Fort Atkinson City Clerk and Finance Director Michelle Ebbert, LeMire, Fort Atkinson Police Chief Adrian Bump, city staff member Emily Rueth, Fort Atkinson High School and FFA student Hailey Besch, city staff members Lance Lembitz and Courtney Thom, and City Councilman Mason Becker.
Fort Atkinson City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire and George move past the group of witnesses into a position where George can make his prediction.
George the FFA Guinea pig is lifted into position.
Fort Atkinson City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire welcomes George the FFA Guinea pig to the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building.
Fort Atkinson High School senior and FFA member Hailey Besch, at left, shares information about George the FFA Guinea pig while he and Fort Atkinson City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire get acquainted.
Fort Atkinson City Councilman Mason Becker thanks George for his service.
Kim McDarison photos.
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