Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Celebrates in Royal Oak

About 40 people met at  in Royal Oak on Thursday evening for drinks, appetizers, games and videos from Punxsutawney, PA — all to celebrate Groundhog Day.

Bill Allen, a Royal Oak producer, organized the event.

This morning at 7:25, after seeing his shadow, , but it didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits in the private Pearl Room at the downtown saloon. 

Why Groundhog Day? It's a good excuse to get friends together in the middle of winter and have some fun.

“It’s a very important holiday,” Allen said. “For several years I would get everyone together to watch Groundhog Day (the 1993 film starring Bill Murray) and no one ever watched the movie. So last year we decided to get together here.”

This was the first Groundhog Day as a formal club for Allen and friends, who are now officially recognized Royal Oak chapter of the National Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

Neal and Mary Ellen Stanley, of Royal Oak, have actually been to Pennsylvania for the celebration.

“Punxsutawney is so much fun. The people are just like in the movie. They are so sincere and nice,” Mary Ellen said.

Stanley said the groundhog used in the celebration lives with handlers all year so as “not to go feral,” and can be male or female.

“Somehow they stick (the groundhog) into a stump. There must be a back door or something,” she said. “The animal is very tame when they pull him out.”

Stanley said that when she was in Punxsutawney, the crowd started to arrive  about 4:30 a.m. and was treated to fireworks before the arrival of the rodent forecaster. 

Join the club

• What: Royal Oak Groundhog Day Chapter
• Officially chartered: April 15, 2011
• Fee: $15
• Contact: William Allen at wallen148687@comcast.net