Chapter News & Happenings
"Sunshine Chapter" News
For the past 17 years my Pennsylvania friends and I have been holding a Groundhog Day party to celebrate our home state and meet with other Pennsylvanians. Over the years we raised $30,000 for charity and made a trip back to Punxsutawney, PA for Groundhog Day. We started out in Saratoga at the former Country Store Restaurant where the French Tailor is now located. I decided to stop to give more time to the Saratoga Historic Foundation, July 4th Observance in Azule Park, and our two grandchildren. However, we will continue to celebrate Groundhog Day, the All American Holiday Day, by looking for Punxsutawney Phil’s weather forecast and celebrating with a groundhog sundae.*
Jack Mallory, Jan 15, 2007
*Groundhog Cookie in Snow (Vanilla Ice cream), and Hershey syrup if he sees his shadow.
Grannie's Groundhog Groupies is Plans 20th annual Groundhog Party
Since it's our 20th anniversary, we are doing something a liitle different than in the past. Instead of our usual sit-down dinner, we are opening our party up a bit. (expect about 30-40 guests to attend). Friends and neighbors will be joining us this year and everyone is very excited about it! The 'groundhog' is in the freezer and is waiting to be served up along with our Groundhog cookies and Groundhog sundaes. The Groundhog CDs are ready to blast and the Groundhog Brew is chilled along with the Eye of the Shadow wine.
Greetings From Iraq!
One of the newest Groundhog Club Chapters has recently sent us these photos from Tikrit, Iraq! Click the photos for larger versions:
Phil Visits Purchase Line
Hello from Tulsa, OK!
The Beach Bums of Hollywood, FL, Check In!
Woodstock, IL, Groundhog Fails to See Shadow
About 200 folks showed up to scare the living daylights out of Woodstock Willie. It was overcast and our imposter did not see his shadow.
This year we are planning to announce 6-10 events that will be social and business networking gatherings, all in the name of having fun and promoting our favorite furry critter. Might even have a contest for a glitzier name for the chapter.
Kansas Club Holds First Meeting
The first annual meeting of the Shadow Watchers Chapter of the Groundhog Day Club met February 2, 2005 at Jerry's Bait Shop in Old Town Lenexa.
Boston Chapter Teams With Museum
For the second year, the Greater Boston Chapter of the Groundhog Club joined the Boston Children's Museum for a "Weather Weekend" promotion, held on Sunday, January 30, 2005. The event included a visit with a live groundhog.
2006 Report of the Pennsylvania Groundhog Club of Silicon Valley
Jack Mallory, President
I am very pleased to report that our 17 Th annual Silicon Valley Groundhog Party on Feb 11th was very successful again. We had another Saturday luncheon party at Hardy's Bavaria, in Sunnyvale, CA. We welcomed new members and reported on those we lost. We missed Rosemary Stasek who returned to help women in Afghanistan. Here are highlights:
Attendance
Donna Dull and Karen Wichelmann welcomed an enthusiastic sell out crowd of 64 who represented many parts of Pennsylvania from Erie to Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and across the state.
Charity Fundraising
Spirited Ed Copeland sold raffle tickets and helped raise $350. The auction raised $437. After adding in funds from the event, we were able to send $500 to the USO for services to our soldiers and $500 to the Salvation Army for disaster relief. We now have donated over $30,000 for all charities over the past 17 years.
Party Theme
Our theme was celebrating Ben Franklin's birthday and Joe Paterno's great Penn State football career. A local actor, Roy Doherty came in a Ben Franklin costume and portrayed Ben quite well. Two members of the Santa Clara Accordion Society played for the reception and program. Caroll Knipe enthusiastically led the group singing of Pennsylvania songs and introduced the club's mascot, a six-foot groundhog (Fritz Knipe.) Tom Wickelmann, on the guitar, provided the musical spirit. Strong vocal support came from Sue Mallory, Karen Wickelmann, & Tina Solomon.
Raffle and Silent/Auction Donations
Again, Tina Solomon and Robert Van Horne donated several auction and raffle items. Every one received copies of the popular Pennsylvania Magazine
The club donated Pennsylvania canned foods like Chow Chow, Apple Butter, and Pickled Water Melon Rind imported from Intercourse Pennsylvania for the auction and raffle. Karen Wickelmann, Donna Dull, and Tina Solomon coordinated the raffle.
Mummers
Tom Shafer, Jack Mallory, & Stew Plock, Arnie Long, and Bonnie Noehr joined in to do the famous Philadelphia mummers strut.
Food
For appetizers we had German sausage and soft pretzels. The German lunch included three options: Sauerbraten, Smoked Pork Chops or a Meatless Pasta and we provided Hershey York mints and kisses for desert.
Advertising
Tom Shafer again donated the fund to prepare and mail our invitations.
Jack Mallory, Club President
Home: (408) 252-7447
Email: mallory58@aol.com
(From Erie & Penn State)
