The Not-So-Slumbering Groundhog

There is a place called the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge of Quarryville. It's a mystical spot in the rolling hills of Southern Lancaster County nestled along the Octorara Creek which lends it's name to the most famous member of the Lodge: Octoraro Orphie.

While most of the members of this illustrious group are men, many high profile professional who throw care and caution to the wind to be a part of the prestigious club, Orphie is not of the human variety. He's the groundhog. And he's stuffed. And these intelligent men have use this stuffed groundhog to foretell the weather for the last 104 years.

I fished up some articles to display the point:

"Each member has their specific duty. Some of these are Nottingham Hole Checker, Faulty Fuse Finder, and Magistrate of Marble and Garble. Whatever else the slumbering Groundhog Lodge stands for, aside from the preservation of groundhog lore, it is with a grain of salt and a sense of humor."

Another Bloggers Take on the Lodge
What Quarryville Has to Say About All of This

News 8 covers this hilarity every year. Since the first year I was assigned to be the reporter at the Lodge (at 4 am mind you!!!) I have volunteered for the gig. It's so much fun, the men are wonderful and hysterical and I love people who don't take themselves too seriously. I should add that despite my often feminist stance on things, this lodge does not have any female members. On the infamous Groundhog Day, no women are allowed in the warm, comfy lodge. Wives and daughters and other female spectators stand outside in the February 2nd cold. But yet, I'm allowed in ... because I'm a member of the Press. (I knew that Press Pass would get me places in life ... I just never thought it would be the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge!) So make me feel special and I'll eat right out of your hand.

It was a poignant Groundhog Day for me this year. I woke up at 2am to cover the festivities and that's when I peed on the stick and it said (kinda) "Pregnant." I went to work that day thinking I might be with child. (Which is the only reason I declined a sip of the clear mystery liquid in the mason jars some of the men had been fermenting all year.) I consider Groundhog Day, D-Day for Cancer #2 - but neither the men, nor I at that point - knew that.

Such a fun time, such wonderful friends. They found out later that I'm sick. And have been equally as wonderful ever since. I received a Get Well Card signed by dozens of the members. And then I woke up to this on Easter Morning!

There's no mistaking it: That's a Groundhog with a Top Hat on and it could have only come from one place! The Slumbering Groundhog Lodge! With tulips to boot! Thank you so much. My new Groundhog will guard me while I heal and it makes me smile every time I see him!