NJ’s Weather Predictor ‘Milltown Mel’ Died Before his Groundhog Day Decree
Oh No! NJ’s Weather Predictor ‘Milltown Mel’ Died Just before Groundhog Day
Will spring come early in New Jersey? Residents won’t enjoy their yearly prediction today, from their beloved groundhog, Milltown Mel.
The famous weather predictor, in Milltown, NJ, passed away suddenly – just before Groundhog Day.
Officials broke the news in a statement to say Mel had “crossed over the rainbow bridge.” And they were unable to find a replacement rodent, for today’s festivities. It’s just his little hat, in the hutch.
The longest-running Groundhog Day tradition in the U.S. centers around Punxsutawney Phil, in Pennsylvania (who is alive and well).
Legend has it that, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; No shadow means spring comes early. No groundhog, well…
MEANWHILE…
Staten Island Chuck and Punxsutawney Phil offer competing predictions, as two of our nation’s foremost groundhog weather experts.
Phil has called for six more weeks of winter, after he saw his own shadow, Wednesday morning.
However, Phil’s New York rival, Staten Island Chuck, went the other way – missing his shadow and predicting an early spring – like Woodstock Willie, here in Illinois.
