About 30 people gathered at sunrise Friday morning at the edge of the field behind Cherry’s Family Restaurant to find out if there will be an early spring from Schnogadahl Sammi and members of Groundhog Lodge No. 6 of Monroe County.

Lodge member Brian Haas, a minister from the Walnutport area, began the ceremony with a brief prayer, saying he was thankful for Sammi and this crowd who gathered once again on Groundhog Day.

The rule of thumb is if Sammi, a mounted groundhog, sees her shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If she does not see it, the forecast is for an early spring.

Things were a bit different this year when Bob Andrews gave the prediction in Pennsylvania Dutch first, and then Bruce George read the translation.

“I talked to the groundhog, and she was all confused. She said that in all her years, she has never seen such weather. First it was cold, then it was hot. It was too dry, then it was too wet,” Bruce George said as he read the English translation. “In California, the desert bloomed with flowers, and in Florida the iguanas fell from the trees. She said it was too hard to predict the weather. She did not see her shadow, but spring is not yet here.”

Theresa Harpster, of Towamensing Township, said she was happy with Sammi’s prediction and enjoys this event every year.

“I love winter. My husband and I love this event. I think it’s great they are keeping this tradition alive. I love to see the children here.”

There were a handful of children in the crowd, including Ella Rufo, who also wants more winter. However, her younger sister Ryleigh Rufo and Ethan Bentley, said they were eager to see sunshine and warmer temperatures.

After the ceremony, most of the crowd went inside the diner for breakfast and coffee. This has been a tradition at the diner for nearly 30 years.

The lodge will host its annual banquet Friday, Feb. 23 at the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company’s social hall. Tickets are $35 per person and still available.

“February is our busy month of the year, with Groundhog Day and our banquet. We also fundraise and donate money to charities like VALOR and West End Food Pantry,” said lodge member Ike Christman.

The lodge has been around for 72 years. The first gathering was held at the McIlhaney Hotel, which was near where the Chestnuthill Diner is today. They have 13 officers.

There are 18 groundhog lodges throughout the state, said George.

“PA Dutch is a fading thing. The older generation was raised with PA Dutch, but the younger generation is not,” George said.

Andrews returns tomorrow to Jerusalem UCC in Trachsville for part two of his PA Dutch class with about 40 participants from the area.

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow today, however, he kept with tradition and told his inner circle and guests gathered for the 138th Groundhog Day celebration that there will be an early spring.