Saratoga News Groundhog Club members Fritz Knipe of Los Gatos, in costume, and Saratogan Jack Mallory met Bill Murray--the star of 'Groundhog Day'--during a golf tournament at Pebble Beach on Jan. 31, 1998. Jack Mallory keeps Punxsutawney Phil alive Pennsylvania's traditions abound on Groundhog Day By Audry L. Lynch Pennsylvanians move around like other Americans most days of the year, but every year on Feb. 2, they look back to the Quaker State and its famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil with nostalgia. In California, thanks to Saratogan Jack Mallory, they honor him even more with the 10th annual Pennsylvania Groundhog Party. The idea for the event, which this year takes place Feb. 20 at the Palo Alto Elks Club, originated at a picnic for graduates of Penn State to remind Pennsylvanians of their roots. The party begins with Pennsylvania food including soft pretzels, Lebanon bologna, Polish sausages, sauerkraut and pork, chicken and dumplings, German potato salad, pickled eggs and beets, chow chow, dried corn and shoofly cake. After the meal, revelers listen to Fred Waring records and dance Pennsylvania polkas. There's even a tribute to the fellow who makes the party possible: "Hey Punxsutawney," set to the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival. "It's grassroots all the way!" says Mallory, the president and founder of the Groundhog Club of Silicon Valley. The Mallory family will have reason to celebrate come party time, as this year they are traveling back to the town of Punxsutawney to join the Feb. 2 festivities surrounding the appearance of Phil. Mallory founded the GCSV to celebrate his Pennsylvania heritage and attract others of the same sentiments. Club membership is currently at 130. The Groundhog party, which attracted 350 participants last year, has raised $20,000 through admission prices and raffle tickets for various charities, including the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. One year, the money went directly to the town of Punxsutawney for flood relief. Last year's raffle offered regional items such as hex signs, scrapple, maple syrup and apple butter. Another tradition at the party is a skit featuring a different Pennsylvania town each year. Mallory does all the research for the skits. "I know more about Pennsylvania history than anyone else in California," he admits. The Mallorys recall their own entrance into California life many years ago as "visiting the wineries, missions and redwoods." When they started to miss their native Pennsylvanian traditions, they joined the Penn State Alumni Association. It was then they discovered 3,000 Penn State alumni between San Francisco and Monterey alone. The next thought was natural: "Let's celebrate Groundhog Day. The first Ball was a sellout and it's been going strong ever since!" Mallory recalls. Punxsutawney Phil has invaded the Mallorys' home in many ways. Along with two carved groundhog statues on the front porch, there are also stuffed animal groundhogs and a myriad of collectibles such as puppets, pictures, paintings, books and figurines. Despite the more high-tech methods of weather forecasting, the Mallorys feel the fascination of Groundhog Day will always hold its appeal. "You see," adds Mallory, "the groundhog is so smart because Penn State has a famous weather school. We have it on good authority that he goes back periodically for a briefing." Admission to the party, which begins at 5 p.m., is $30 for GCSV members and $34 for non-members. For tickets, call 243-1102. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, January 27, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.