The Red and Black

Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: NATALIE GRACE ESTES Alexandra

Media Credit: southbrucepeninsula.com Willie

Media Credit: yellowrivergameranch.com General Beauregard Lee

Media Credit: groundhog.org Punxsutawney Phil

"Not everyone has a Valentine, but you can always have a groundhog."

- Ben Hughes, Phil's Handler

Alexandra

Alexandra can be found lounging in her home at the Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail at Memorial Park in Athens. She's a sprightly youngster compared to her associates - she's only about 7 years old. Alexandra has had a hard life, having been rescued from a testing facility that studies hepatitis using groundhogs as test subjects. She's had some dental problems, according to Karl Enter, a zoological park administrator, and had to undergo major dental surgery a few months ago. But Alexandra is on the mend and now focused on her health - she's a vegetarian, as most groundhogs are, Enter said. Her favorite food is corn on the cob, and she loves grapes, berries and other fruits.

Willie

Wiarton Willie is a weather predictor for our northern cousins, the Canadians. Willie resides in Wiarton, Ontario.His exotic good looks make him stand out in a crowd - Willie's an albino, meaning his fur is white. Willie's weather-predicting skill is said to be derived from the fact that he was born on the 45th parallel - halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Willie, is actually known as Wee Willie - his predecessor died before Groundhog Day in 1999. The original Willie was given a funeral in place of a celebration for Groundhog's Day - he was placed in a small pine casket with pennies on his eyes and a carrot in his paws.

General Beauregard Lee

General Beauregard Lee, or "Beau" as he's known to friends, resides in Lilburn, a resident of the Yellow River Game Ranch. He's a stately gentleman of a certain age - his owner, Art Rilling, says his handlers don't usually like to reveal his age. General Lee has made many high-profile appearances, including a guest spot on the "Today Show" and on Animal Planet, as well as an appearance at the 1988 Democratic Convention. Despite being a celebrity, Beau is a down-to-earth type of fellow. Although Beau has a spacial mansion - Weathering Heights Plantation, which was recently renovated and relandscaped - Beau has decided to forgo his luxury accommodations in favor of a self-made burrow in his formerly well-landscaped front yard.

Punxsutawney Phil

Punxsutawney Phil is the arguably the most well-known groundhog in the United States, having appeared in the 1993 movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray. Phil has capitalized on his success, parlaying his movie role into endorsement deals with brands such as Cheerios, Ty Beanie Baby and Toyota. Phil's entourage claims the groundhog is a staggering 121 years old. Every year Phil has a large gathering at his home on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. "It's the ultimate all-nighter," said Ben Hughes, Phil's handler. Spectators gather all night with large bonfires and other celebrations. Early in the morning, Phil's handlers will rouse him from his heated stump, and Phil will give the President of the Inner Circle his prediction in Groundhogese, a language only Phil and his handler understand. Once the excitement of Groundhog Day settles down, Phil will go back to a quiet life at home with his wife, Phyllis, who is only four. "He is quite the cradle-robber," Hughes said.

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