There was good news out of Punxsutawney, Pa., on Thursday. The groundhog named after that city was pulled from his warm, snuggly abode by a pair of new handlers to see what he could see. Phil looked around, saw a bunch of cameras, microphones, and 15,000 people standing around ogling him (Phil is a "him," right?).

He saw all of that and the two individuals who have taken on responsibility for what may arguably be called the world's second most famous rodent. With the retirement of his former protector two new members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle - yes, there really is such an organization - are tending to his every need.

The German superstition is that if a hibernating animal cast a shadow on Feb. 2 - by the way that is the Christian holiday of Candlemas (if you see a Christian ask them how they celebrate Candlemas) - winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, the legend contends that spring will come early.

Good news for those who follow such things - Philip, as he is known in some circles did not see his shadow. That should mean spring is just around the corner. Of course, what news reports about that big event do not say is whether or not Phil was prevented from seeing his shadow by all those cameras, microphones and gawkers standing around blocking the sunlight.

The news that winter is coming to an end sooner than the calendar says is really no big deal to those of us around here. It's something several locals have known for a while. And specifically, that winter is going to roll out of here by the end of the month. Temperatures will actually start warming up a bit by about the middle of the month and by March 1 you can break out the Bermuda shorts.

How do I know that you ask? For some time now work has been going on to develop our own weather prognosticator, a critter that might be a little more sympathetic to the Bootheel.

At this point there's not a lot I can say about how the March 1 prediction came about, but you should know that there are plans in the works to promote this critter nationally. However, the owner is a little reluctant to have his farmland runover by news vans carrying satellite antennas and messing up his field.

Just mark it down on your calendars and check the dates. If this guy is successful Phil will have a real competitor to go along with such wannabes as Wee Willie of Wiarton (the albino groundhog of Canada), Sun Prairie Jimmy in Wisconsin and General Beauregard Lee of Georgia.

How does Benny the Boll Weevil from Tywhappity grab you?

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Memories

The snow we've experienced over the last several days brought back memories to at least one reader. Several weeks ago I mentioned Joyce Walsh and and her days of growing up in South Dakota when she traveled back and forth to school on skis.

When the snow came down last week Mrs. Walsh got her skis out and placed them by the fireplace. And although she didn't venture out on her Norwegian-made skis and matching shoes, undoubtedly she recalled with a fondness the time she spent gliding across the snow-covered ground as a young lass.

She also wondered how many of our area youngsters would enjoy learning to ski. I would venture to say quite a few. I've never done any cross-country skiing as Mrs. Walsh did, but it sounds like a fun and good way to stay in shape.

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From the mailbag

Compliments of the DDD's unofficial, but very much appreciated historian Vivian Helton we've picked up a couple of tidbits that might be of interest and maybe even a little help to our area residents.

The winter of 1905 was probably not a lot unlike this year. Children were getting sick and mothers were trying to find ways to keep them well and in school. Thus, the following advertisement.

"Children like it.

"Have you ever used Dr. Classe's Cough Syrup for your children with Coughs, Colds, Croup or Whooping Cough? It is just the Remedy for these complaints, and not the least trouble to get the children to take it, on account of its pleasant taste."

One mother is quoted in the ad as saying, "... it is so pleasant to the taste, the children like it."

Before you run out to buy some of this, reportedly good tasting elixir, I've checked with our area pharmacies and none of them have Dr. Classe's Cough Syrup in stock.

In November of 1905 a correspondent from Caruth, with the nom de plume Caruth Bill, reported the addition of a new merchant in town; "Bud Edwards has bought the property of J.R. Wells, built a new addition to the storeroom and has moved his entire stock of goods here from Senath. Bud says Senath is too small to hold him. That is three stores for Caruth, all seem to be doing well."

A month later Caruth Bill provided an update:.

"Just take a peep (sic) in at Bud Edwards' store at the Christmas goods. W.G. Troutt is working there."

The writer did not provide any further detail about Mr. Troutt's employment and what he may or may not been selling at the store. Just before mentioning Troutt's association with the store, Caruth Bill pointed out; "W.G. Troutt killed two hogs weighing 650 pounds and made 18 gallons (of) strained lard."

Bud Hunt is the publisher of the Daily Dunklin Democrat.