By Tim Troglen
The Summiteer

Summit County needs to jump on the Groundhog Day bandwagon.

“How so?” you might ask. 

Let me tell you. 

I’m sure Pennsylvania’s own Punxsutawney Phil brings in a ton of cash with celebrations fueled by food, souvenirs and festivities as the nation’s best known-rodent is celebrated yearly for his prognostication of the end of winter.

Phil is a cash cow.

Why not get a local rodent or two and raise some cash for local food banks and charities?

The closest Summit County has to its own groundhog is Buckeye Chuck, the official state groundhog, from Marion, Ohio. 

According to legend, if either rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, the cold of winter will hold on for another six weeks. No shadow means an early spring.

I can see it now. 

Hudson Hank (name subjective) celebrated on the Greens of Hudson with a 5K-run, decorated storefront windows, prize giveaways and the best high school band in the land, playing right up until Hank is plucked from a door at the Clock Tower Green and placed on the ground.

Hudson Garden Club members could dress in period garb, like the tuxedoed-and top hatted-folks at Gobbler’s Knob each year. 

For those that don’t know, Gobbler’s Knob is a few miles from Punxsutawney, and Phil’s main hangout. 

Destination Hudson could highlight the event on its website and brochures, as one of the first celebratory forays of the new season, even selling stuffed Hank dolls. 

Proceeds from the event could be donated to the Summit County Food Bank or any charity of the organizer’s choosing.

If Hudson is not open to my suggestion, maybe the soiree could be thrown in Cuyahoga Falls.

Crowds could gather around the failed revolving restaurant on State Road. You know the one, it looks like a giant smoke stack and referred to by locals as Rex’s last (add your own word).

Food could be brought in from the various Market District eateries. 

The Black Tiger orchestra could play a dramatic interlude up until Cuyahoga Falls Farley (again name is subjective) is pulled from his warm crate inside the concrete tower, in front of a burgeoning crowd. 

I’m sure local media would cover both events. Put an animal on the evening news and ratings are golden. 

And the cash would flow freely. 

These might be silly ideas, but groundhog day is a fun, silly day. 

Does anyone actually believe a groundhog can predict the weather?

I doubt it. 

However Buckeye Chuck, Ohio’s official groundhog, does have more than 5,000 followers on his Facebook page.

I should not make fun of Chuck. He has just about 5,000 more followers than I do.

I’m not a groundhog, but I can promise this — it will be cold in Ohio until May. 

Don’t be offended, Hudson or Cuyahoga Falls. I picked on you because I love you. 

(que homage to the 1993 Bill Murray movie, “Groundhog Day.”) 

Whatever you do, enjoy the day. 

Whatever you do, enjoy the day.

Whatever you do, enjoy the day.