Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring...

[otterinbham 0]

Maybe the goofiest American tradition ever. But, hey, it works for me:

8 minutes ago

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - A new pair of hands pulled Punxsutawney Phil from his stump this year, so it was only fitting that the groundhog offered a new prediction.

Phil did not see his shadow on Friday which, according to German folklore, means folks can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter.

Since 1886, Phil has seen his shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 14 times and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil failed to see his shadow was in 1999.

More than 15,000 revelers milled about in a misty snow waiting for the prediction, as fireworks exploded overhead and the "Pennsylvania Polka" and other music blared in the background.

Longtime handler Bill Deeley retired after more than a dozen years and was replaced Friday by Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle members John Griffiths and Ben Hughes.

[autigr14 0]

Georgeutawney Bush also predicts an early spring -- He moved Daylight Savings time up 3 weeks to March 11th. How bout them apples?

[BamaGrad03 0]

Booooo early spring. We have 10 months out of the year for warm weather.

[otterinbham 0]

Hey, move north. They have eight months of winter and four months of bad skiing.