Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
"Staten Island Chuck" Predicts an Early End to Winter at Groundhog Day Celebration
Borough President James P. Molinaro hosted a breakfast celebration for Charles G. Hogg, who basked in the limelight after predicting an early spring.
Students from P.S. 29 join in a lively Groundhog Day Quiz.
Charles G. Hogg, resident groundhog of the Staten Island Zoo, emerged from his cottage this morning and did not see his shadow, expressing his belief that spring is on the way.
"Staten Island Chuck" is the only genuine Groundhog in any of New York City’s five zoological parks. Chuck began predicting weather in 1981, and the Staten Island Zoo claims that Chuck’s predictions have been correct 21 of the last 26 years.
Following the traditional ceremony at the Staten Island Zoo, Chuck and Zookeeper Doug Schwartz visited Borough Hall for the Borough President’s Annual Groundhog Day celebration.
Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro was joined by two classes from PS 29 as well as Principal Linda Manfredi. The third graders had breakfast with the Borough President, sang a special Groundhog Day song and showed off the paper bag groundhog puppets they made. Borough President Molinaro quizzed the students on groundhog trivia, and Zookeeper Doug answered the children’s questions about Staten Island Chuck.
At the end of the celebration the students were presented with certificates thanking them for participation in Borough President Molinaro’s Groundhog Day celebration.
February 2, 2005 - photos by Vinnie Amesse