It may be hard to believe as Connecticut thaws out from this week’s bitter cold, but spring is coming early, according to Chuckles, the state’s official groundhog, who made his sleepy debut in Manchester on Saturday morning.
“I think he’s cute.”
Chuckles did not see his shadow.
“That is great,” said Scott Audet, a Broad Brook resident. “I can’t wait to get outside and not freeze.”
Many people came out to the Lutz Children’s Museum, where Chuckles lives, to meet him. Parents said the event is perfect for kids and they loved hearing the warmer weather may arrive sooner than later.
”We’re just really excited to have an early spring because it has been so cold out,” said Kimberly Audet, a Broad Brook resident.
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“They had a lot of things to do out there for the kids,” said Deirdre Hernandez of Glastonbury. “They make little masks and coloring and food and coffee, which is always nice at six-o’clock in the morning.”
In Eastford, Scramble the duck, who is giving groundhogs everywhere a run for their money, made a prediction as well. The duck saw its shadow meaning six more weeks of winter, and Scramble’s young handlers say their duck always gets it right.
Over in Pennsylvania, the legendary Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow at sunrise and didn’t see his shadow either. Looks like groundhogs are sticking together on this one.
