Chuckles, Connecticut's Groundhog, Makes Annual Prediction

MANCHESTER, CT — Amid a sloppy, pre-dawn snowfall on Friday, Chuckles, the official state of Connecticut groundhog, failed to see his shadow and predicted an early spring.

The Ground Hog Day prognostication is a tradition at Manchester's Lutz Children's Museum, the home of the state groundhog for years.

It was the first prediction for the current Chuckles, the ninth descendant to the official state weather-predicting throne. Before the sun came up, Manchester Mayor Jay Moran was a little worried. Moran annually apologizes to the skiers in the area because, as athletic director at Southern Connecticut State University, he admits the earlier the fields are cleared for spring sports the better for him.

"It's always hard to tell what is going to happen, especially during a storm," he said. "The previous Chuckles did not have many teeth left. This guy has some teeth. This could be good."

Ellington High School track and field coach Aaron Flamino agreed, also admitting he had a vested interest in an early spring. Flamino, a regular with his family at the Groundhog Day festivities, remembers a lot more snow, one time as much as 8 inches on the ground.

Chuckles was as feisty as billed. He was a little squirmy and Moran deftly dodged a near-accident on what he called his favorite suit.

Chuckles IX came to the Lutz from the nature center at Meigs Point at Hammonasset Beach State Park. He had lost an eye, went through rehabilitation, but could not go back into the wild, Lutz Visitor Services Manager Kate Morrissey said.

Chuckles was officially sworn in by Judge Leo Diana. Legend has it that ability to understand and interpret groundhog speak are magically transformed to the mayor of Manchester. As a former mayor, Diana was able to join Moran as Chuckles whispered his prediction of an early spring.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel