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French Creek Freddie makes his prediction

Prognosticator fails to see shadow, believes spring is on its way

The Inter-Mountain photo by Chad Clem
The Inter-Mountain photo by Chad Clem

By Chad Clem

The Inter-Mountain

FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. – Dozens of groundhog enthusiasts ventured out to Upshur County’s West Virginia Wildlife Center Sunday to see what the area’s favorite furry prognosticator had to say about a change in seasons.

And French Creek Freddie did not disappoint: the regionally famous groundhog poked his head out to predict an early spring.

Prior to Freddie’s debut, the crowd waited patiently, weathering the smattering of rain and cool temperatures, to see if the groundhog would see his shadow.

French Creek Freddie comes out of his house to make a prediction Sunday morning at the West Virginia Wildlife Center. Freddie did not see his shadow, which means that area residents will enjoy an early spring. Despite the cold, rainy weather, many Groundhog Day enthusiasts made the trek to French Creek to pay Freddie a visit.

According to legend, if Freddie sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter, but if he doesn’t see his shadow, then an early spring is said to be on its way.

Some members of the audience believed that due to the overcast sky, Freddie would bring good news of an early spring.

“Freddie isn’t going to see his shadow,” 10-year-old Harley Francis, one of Freddie’s many first-time visitors, said before the ceremony…

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