Poor Richard
Poor Richard is a taxidermied groundhog from the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge in York, Pennsylvania, who has been predicting the weather on Groundhog Day for several decades.
On Groundhog Day, Poor Richard's spirit communicates his prediction from the afterlife to a lodge member, usually the Supreme Communicator, who then conveys it to the assembled crowd.
The Slumbering Groundhog Lodge is part of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge #213.
After the ceremony, a breakfast is held at the lodge.
At one point Poor Richard was a living groundhog who provided Groundhog Day predictions, but he was killed in 1981. Afterwards, he was stuffed and became the lodge's mascot.
New members must kiss Poor Richard when they join the lodge.
The York Slumbering Groundhog Lodge is reported to be the third oldest Groundhog Lodge in Pennsylvania, founded in 1928.
Poor Richard's Past Predictions
Long Winter : 62.79% (27 predictions)
Early Spring : 37.21% (16 predictions)
2025 Prediction: Long Winter
2024 Prediction: Early Spring
2023 Prediction: Early Spring
2022 Prediction: Early Spring
2021 Prediction: Long Winter
2020 Prediction: Early Spring
2019 Prediction: Long Winter
2018 Prediction: Early Spring
2017 Prediction: Early Spring
2016 Prediction: Long Winter
2015 Prediction: Long Winter
2014 Prediction: Long Winter
2013 Prediction: Long Winter
2012 Prediction: Early Spring
2011 Prediction: Long Winter
2010 Prediction: Early Spring
2009 Prediction: Long Winter
2008 Prediction: Long Winter
2007 Prediction: Long Winter
2006 Prediction: Long Winter
2005 Prediction: Long Winter
2004 Prediction: Long Winter
2003 Prediction: Early Spring
2002 Prediction: Long Winter
2001 Prediction: Long Winter
2000 Prediction: Long Winter
1999 Prediction: Early Spring
1998 Prediction: Early Spring
1996 Prediction: Inconclusive
1995 Prediction: Early Spring
1993 Prediction: Long Winter
1991 Prediction: Early Spring
1990 Prediction: Early Spring
1989 Prediction: Long Winter
1988 Prediction: Long Winter
1987 Prediction: Early Spring
1986 Prediction: Long Winter
1984 Prediction: Long Winter
1983 Prediction: Long Winter
1982 Prediction: Early Spring
1981 Prediction: Long Winter
1980 Prediction: Long Winter
1978 Prediction: Long Winter
1976 Prediction: Long Winter
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