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clarion.brevard.edu
Volume 83, Issue 19 Web Edition SERVING BREVARD COLLEGE SINCE 1935
Check out the Super bowl
Commercial review on page 7
February 7, 2018
Groundhog Day in Brevard
Pisgah Pete prediets six more weeks of winter
By Lauren M. Fowler
Arts & Life Editor
The verdict is in: Pisgah Pete predicts six more
weeks of winter.
He also predicted that the Philadelphia Eagles
would win the Super Bowl and proceeded to pee
on the New England Patriots—but maybe, as
his caretaker mentioned, that’s “just the North
Carolinian in him showing.”
In Brevard, Groundhog Day is celebrated a
little differently than in the rest of the country.
Here it’s known as White Squirrel Day, where
our local Pisgah Pete, a rescued white squirrel,
predicts the weather for the upcoming weeks.
This year’s celebration took place downtown at
Blue Ridge Bakery Thursday morning.
Mayor Jimmy Harris was in attendance and
is a major believer in Pete’s prediction abilities.
“He’s in competition with Punxsutawney
Phil who is only accurate 39 percent of the
time,” Harris said. “Pisgah Pete is much more
accurate.”
Top hat-sporting WSQL radio host Don
Debiase supported the mayor, saying, “I predict
that 10 years from now, no one will know about
Punxsutawney Phil.”
Wildlife rehabilitator and Pete’s caretaker
Jennifer Burgin commented on Pete’s prediction
techniques, saying, “Pete loves the Farmer’s
Almanac, he checks NO A A frequently, and just
looks outside, which is the best way to tell. He’s
continued burying food and he’s gotten kind of
fat, which shows that he believes food sources
will remain scarce for the next few weeks.”
The event, which is in its fourth year, aims to
raise money to rehabilitate squirrels in Brevard.
Local rehabilitators like Burgin often care for
injured and rescued squirrels using personal
funds. Squirrels like Pete, who was hit by a
car resulting in a broken jaw and some brain
damage, cannot be released back into the wild
and must be cared for for the duration of their
lives.
Donations to help local squirrels like Pete can
be made to the “Brevard White Squirrel Fund”
through the Heart of Brevard.
While the accuracy of Pete’s weather prediction
is still yet to be seen, freezing rain over the
weekend and predicted low temperatures for
the upcoming weeks appear to be in his favor.
Left: While the crowd gathered, Pete revealed his prediction for six more weeks of winter by going over to the sign and laying down by it. Right: Pete’s an Eagles
fan, predicting a win for the team in Sunday’s Super Bowl.