A special announcement came out of Punxsutawney on Sunday — and it had nothing to do with the weather.
Reading from scroll, Dan McGinley, vice president of The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, announced via Facebook video that Punxsutawney Phil’s children have been named — a girl, Sunny; and a boy, Shadow.
“On this 12th day of May, in the town of Punsxy Phil, the new is not about the weather, spring air or winter’s chill,” McGinley read. “No, today the first family of groundhogs has grown.”
It was revealed in March that Punxsutawney Phil and Phyllis had welcomed two babies. A contest was held to determine the twins names.
“With pride and joy as the kids play, from Punxsutawney, Happy Mothers Day,” McGinley said.
The groundhog family resides at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library.
Every February, Punxutawney Phil draws thousands to Gobbler’s Knob where a ceremony is held for Phil to predict the weather.
This year, Phil did not see his shadow, which predicts an early Spring.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.