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Chuckles the Groundhog Says 6 More Weeks of Winter [VIDEO]

Connecticut Chuckles VIII, newly sworn in as the state groundhog, saw her shadow Saturday morning at the Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester, portending a late spring for the state.


Bundle up, Connecticut. It looks like six more weeks of winter before spring wraps its warm embrace upon the state.

It wasn't the answer the dozens of children and other onlookers who gathered before dawn Saturday at the Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester wanted. But when Connecticut Chuckles VIII, the newly sworn-in state groundhog, poked her head out of her hole and saw her shadow ... well, what's a human to do but reluctantly put on his heavy coat and leather gloves and hope for the best.

This was Chuckles VIII's first time making the much-awaited annual pronouncement, as Connecticut Chuckles VII tragically passed away early last year just after making her 2012 prediction.

Meanwhile, over in Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow, which means an early spring. Which groundhog is right? Only time will tell.

Patch's "P! News" was at the event and will file an exclusive video report later Saturday.

Do you agree with Chuckles VIII that winter will continue for six more weeks? Tell us in the comments!

Big Boy February 2, 2013 at 01:36 pm
All those groundhogs have sold out to the ski resorts!!! : ) make your winter vacation plans now that the groundhog has verified six more weeks of winter! Same thing every year...
Steven DeVaux February 2, 2013 at 03:08 pm
His grandfather disagrees. http://www.seattlepi.com/news/us/article/Pa-s-Punxsutawney-Phil-predicts-early-spring-4245149.php
He should show a little respect.
SuperDave February 3, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Are weathermen, with all their modern equipment, so bad at their jobs that we now depend on a rodent to predict weather???
Jaimie Cura (Editor) February 4, 2013 at 07:24 am
I suspect people continue to celebrate Groundhog Day because it's a tradition - first reference to a groundhog day in the U.S. was reportedly in 1841. Of course, I'm sure some put stock in the groundhog's prediction - I'm hoping Phil knows what he's talking about this year, that's for sure!
Steven DeVaux February 4, 2013 at 11:57 am
We depend on politicians for budgets and we see the result. Can rodents really do any worse?
Mr D. February 4, 2013 at 06:33 pm
Sometimes I have a hard time differentiating TV forecasters from rodents...

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From Kindergarten
Jaimie Cura (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 04:51 pm
Congratulations, Stefan! Love seeing the two photos, Jennifer!
Val June 17, 2013 at 08:41 pm
Way to go Stefan!! Congratulation!!
Val June 17, 2013 at 08:43 pm
If interested please email kevinchop@comcast.net Thanks!
Prom....Super Hero style
Jaimie Cura (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 03:17 pm
Congratulations, Adam! This picture is awesome!
Jennifer Larsen June 17, 2013 at 03:38 pm
Congrats to Adam, such a terrific kid!!!
Jessica Bouchard June 17, 2013 at 04:40 pm
I went to Fitchburg.. You'll love it there!!!
Jaimie Cura (Editor) June 16, 2013 at 11:51 am
Congratulations Alvaro!
Val June 17, 2013 at 08:52 am
Congratulations!! Good luck in the Navy!
anamesa June 19, 2013 at 06:39 pm
Alvaro, you have made me the proudest Dad on the planet. As I sit here watch and listen to theRead More ceremony I think about how you are not a little boy anymore and that soon you will be an independent man. Love you Papi
Kyle Trocolla June 11, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Ash just came home she is a little scared but she is okay! Thank you all for the good vibes thatRead More brought her home!
Jaimie Cura (Editor) June 12, 2013 at 02:41 am
That's so good to hear, Kyle! Thank you for updating us and I'm glad Ash is doing ok!
Lin June 12, 2013 at 08:17 am
So glad she is home!!
Most Popular Poster June 10, 2013 at 01:54 pm
Looks like Matty and Aquarion have a little pre-decision propaganda campaign going on. Shameless.
James Fiddes June 14, 2013 at 06:57 am
They can post all these cute award announcements on the fences they'll build around our reservoirRead More lands--the lands you won't be able to go into anymore once this good ol' boy sale goes through!
Most Popular Poster June 8, 2013 at 04:04 am
Let's see, the Bureau of Economic Analysis rated Connecticut's economy the worst in the nation andRead More this is the type of legislation we are to expect from and congratulate our legislators for? Nice priorities, Dave. Now that you have such a victory under your belt, what are you going to do about the economic mess we're in? http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Connecticut-s-economy-worst-in-nation-4583083.php
Michael Shea June 8, 2013 at 07:56 am
Maybe the reason we have such economic problems is that it literally takes an act of Congress toRead More allow kids to go swim in a place where people have been swimming for 50 years. Note that the reason the beach was closed (geese) is still a problem, still causes beach closings and plane crashes, yet no one can do anything about it apparently!
Most Popular Poster June 8, 2013 at 06:05 pm
These clowns find time to pass swimming legislation, legislation restricting gun rights and accessRead More to public information....but they can't pass legislation to help our state's economy, the worst in the nation. Davey and his pals have had enough fun in Hartford. It's time for a change.
David Drazul June 7, 2013 at 09:08 am
While I agree with Mr. & Mrs. Fiddes' position, in order for Bethel to remedy the situationRead More itself means that town money will have to be spent. There is quite a vocal constituency that considers raising taxes to pay for *anything* an outrage. If that group can be swayed by this issue, then perhaps we can keep Aquarion out.
James Fiddes June 18, 2013 at 02:00 pm
If the town doesn't spend the money, the users of Aquarion water will just have to, in the form ofRead More rates that have DOUBLED already! At the meeting organized by B. Michael's group, the CEO of Aquarion admitted they expected $2 million/year profits eventually from the Bethel system. Where will this "excess" money come from? Bethel homeowners who have the misfortune to be connected to Aquarion water, that's who! It's more fair to spread the financial burden & lower the costs, and in the meanwhile protect the aquifers and people's wells. Aquarion is not the cost-free convenient savior Knickerbrocker makes them out to be.
David Drazul June 18, 2013 at 02:21 pm
I don't see any point where Knickerbocker said Aquarion was "cost-free". He did say thatRead More he, DPUC, and BOS felt that they could make the improvements at a "lower cost" than Bethel could. Since Danbury wouldn't build let Bethel build the water tank on the Eureka Lake property, they had to explore other options. If Danbury had given permission to build the water tank, this wouldn't even be an issue.