Groundhog's Day

Around the fifth century ( at the beginning of the Dark Ages) European Celts believed that bears and groundhogs had "supernatural" powers. Well, at least they had those powers on special days that were half-way between the December|Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Folklore from Germany and France indicates that when the groundhogs and bears came out of their winter dens too early, they were frightened by their shadows and retreated back inside for four to six weeks. I happen to know for a fact that it had nothing to do with “supernatural” powers. The truth is, that when those groundhogs came out of their holes after hibernating all winter and walked into the bright cold sunshine, they had a massive migraine hit (triggered by the bright light). So they scurried back to their burrows for an Exedrin Migraine and got knocked out for six more weeks. On the other hand, if they came out of the burrow, and saw cloudy skies, it meant that they could stay outside and frolic migraine-free. Winter was nearly over and spring was coming! Yeah!

A group of people suffering from seasonal depression in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania decided that they needed hope that winter was over. They also needed an excuse for a party. You know, music, good food, etc. So on February 2, 1887, what Punxutawnians claim to be the first official Ground Hog’s Day reading was given by Punxsutawney Phil the "seer of seers and prognosticator of prognosticators." The legendary frist trip to Gobbler's Knob was made the following year, and each year since. Residents of Reading, Pennsylvania claim that they celebrated the first US Groundhog's Day on Feb. 4, 1841. Groundhogs across the country have attempted to make their own forecasts, but members of the “Inner Circle” (you know the group of Phil's friends in Top Hats and Tuxedos), claim that they have the only “true” prognosticator” --all others are only groundhog weathermen.

Phil was taken from his nice, comfortable home in the town library which he shares with his wife Phyllis this morning. Yes, he was taken out into the bright, cold Pennsylvania morning where he saw his shadow. Anyone watching the event saw him flinch from the light, then go pale, then saw his eyebrows tense -- all sure signs of a groundhog migraine. So it's official, its six more weeks of winter. Now that we know, let’s join the party with good music and food!

In Phil’s honor, I’d like to share the following song which is sung to the tune of Clementine


Wintertime
© 1996 by Don Halley

In a tree trunk with a chipmunk
Hibernating for a time
There's a groundhog who's the top dog
On this day in wintertime
Oh my groundhog, oh my groundhog
Oh my groundhog, so sublime
Is it frost and cold forever?
Are we stuck in wintertime?

Dawn appears on the horizon
Out of bed he starts to climb
Tis the day to find a way to
Check the length of wintertime
Oh my groundhog, oh my groundhog
Oh my groundhog, so sublime
Is it frost and cold forever?
Are we stuck in wintertime?

Of forecasters he's a master
He performs his craft so fine
Shadows mean no early spring so
Best get used to wintertime
Oh my groundhog, oh my groundhog
Oh my groundhog, so sublime
Is it frost and cold forever?
Are we stuck in wintertime?

Now that we have had the music, here’s the food recipe!

Pennsylvania Dutch Crumb Cake

Crumb base:
Cooking spray
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Topping and Cake:
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Coat a 12 x 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. To prepare crumb base, stir together flour and salt. Add butter and cut into flour with a pastry blender or two knives until the consistency of medium-fine meal. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon; stir well.
3. To prepare topping, transfer 4 cups crumb base to a medium bowl. Add melted butter; stir only until blended. Fluff mixture with fingers to make coarse, buttery crumbs.
4. Add ginger, nutmeg, cloves and baking soda to remaining crumb base; stir well. Add buttermilk, egg and vanilla; beat to make a smooth, thick batter.
5. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle topping evenly over batter.
6. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until topping is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
7. Dust top of cake with powdered sugar, if using. Serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 12.