Is Winter Over Or Not?

   I guess it all depends on which groundhogs forecast you favour. 2 of the "big 3", Nova Scotia's Schubenacadie Sam and Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil did not see their shadows this morning, which portends an early end to winter. However, Ontario's Wiarton Willy DID see his shadow, meaning another 6 weeks of winter.
   This year's Groundhog Day festivities have already been marred by the death of Canada's westerly prognosticator, Winnipeg Willow. Groundhog Day celebrations have been cancelled in Manitoba due out of respect for Willow, who died last Friday. That just leaves Balzac Billy in Alberta as the lone hold-out. But he may not count, since he's portrayed by a man wearing a groundhog suit.
   Which brings me to kind of a sore spot. Quite a few years ago when I was in Regina, I pitched the idea of having the mascot for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Gainer the Gopher:

   Run onto the 55 yard line at Mosaic Stadium on Groundhog Day to get his forecast for the coming football season, and whether the team would have a wining season or not (depending on if he saw his shadow). The occasion could also be used to pump ticket sales for the club, not that it's really needed, or simply to get fans in the mood.
   Nothing ever came out of it, but I still think it's a good idea.
   Either way, it really doesn't matter if the groundhogs (or Gainer) sees their shadow or not. According to the calendar, there's still about 6 weeks to go until the vernal equinox which will be Sunday, March 19th at 10:30 p.m in Yorkton.


TTFN