Seeing shadows

Did the groundhog see his shadow this year? Every year on Feb. 2, people gather in the small town of Punxsutawney, in western Pennsylvania, to observe the annual Groundhog Day ceremony. If the groundhog does see his shadow, he may retreat to his den and winter will last another six weeks. If he does not see his shadow, spring may arrive early.

This tradition is nearly 140 years old. Organizers claim, for the sake of folklore, that the original groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil is still alive today, getting his longevity from drinking the “elixir of life.” But obviously, different groundhogs have be...