It wasn't until then that I realized the popularity of Groundhog Day. Not being a native to Punxsutawney or America, I had never heard about this funny little creature until I moved here four years ago. I remember the first year, when people started flooding into Punxsutawney, thinking how bazaar it was to come such long distances to see a groundhog pop out of a hole and predict whether Spring was imminent or not. What I didn't realize then was the whole concept of the idea, not only Phil coming out to predict the weather, but the concept of bringing thousands of people together to liven up their cold miserable winter and brighten it up with a bit of laughter and cheer.

My attitude immediately changed towards this creature they call Phil. I saw him as a fun loving hero enjoyed by people all over the world. It sometimes takes the craziest ideas to bring joy into our lives. So I learned to join in the fun and soon became a Phil fan. On Groundhog Day, I am often interviewed on radio stations from many places in the world. How a deejay chooses my phone number I will never know, but one year I received a call from Sydney Australia on February 2nd, and I asked one of my guests to take the call because he was an American. It sure brightened up his day. He had told me when he checked into my Bed and Breakfast just hours before the call that he had lived in Australia for a while and loved it. So now he was taken back in time to happy days gone by. So all around Phil brings love, joy and cheer to many people in many ways.

My guests often asked where they could find some different souvenirs as shops in the Punxsutawney area are limited in variety. My friends and I had previously made some African sadza batik t-shirts for Groundhog Day and Roseman's Florist and Gifts sold them all for us. Plus, we got orders for more. That was our inspiration for Punxsutawney Gifts' groundhog souvenirs which we call Phil Fashions. Now you can purchase items online by going to our shopping cart. Many items are currently sale priced. We began with groundhog paw gloves, scarves, and warm furry groundhog hats and hoods and have now gone on to toys for children, clothing, and interior decorating items for your home. Heaven only knows what will be next on the agenda. That's all part of the Phil fun of it.

Julie