Saratoga News

Saratoga Sampler

Mary Ann Cook

Pennsylvanians gather for their annual salute

SALUTE TO GROUNDHOGS: To celebrate his Pennsylvania heritage (he's from Erie, Pa.). Jack Mallory formed the Groundhog Club of Silicon Valley some nine years ago. Each year he puts on a charity fundraiser close to the big date, reputedly the largest groundhog gathering west of the Mississippi. This year he drew some 180 staunch Pennsylvanians for a reception/dinner/dance at the Palo Alto Elks Club, and a raffle and silent auction raised $3,500 for charities such as Second Harvest and flood relief.

The week before the event, Jack, wife Sue and Fritz Knipe, along with a few other golf and celeb fans, ventured to the AT&T golf tourney to snag a photo op with actor Bill Murray, star of the movie Groundhog Day. Despite crowds and threatened rain, the group landed a Kodak moment with Murray as he was walking off the 18th at Spyglass.

The way the Groundhog Club male twosome were costumed may have had something to do with the crowds giving way for them. Mallory was in a tux and top hat, traditional garb for Punxsutawney Phil followers, and Knipe was outfitted in a fetching groundhog costume, fashioned several years ago by his wife, Caroll.

The presence of a 6-foot-4-inch groundhog is apt to clear a swath through a crowd, no matter where he's headed, I've learned. For the annual club dinner celebration, Caroll Knipe wrote a skit called "How the Groundhog Helped Milton Hershey Create His Vision for a Chocolate Factory."

The accompanying ballad, which she also wrote, is called "A Tribute to Milton and Phil." The crowd sang Pennsylvania songs and ate strictly Penn fare: sauerkraut and pork, dried corn, chow-chow, spiced watermelon rind, pickled eggs and beets. The first Mallory-engineered celebration began as a Penn State alum event, but has expanded to include anyone with any Pennsylvania roots whatsoever, no matter how tenuous.

Groundhog's Day has always had some grounding in weather, falling as it does splat between winter solstice and spring equinox, but in this country it was probably always observed tongue-in-cheek. In 1886 the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper sent its personnel out to check out the local groundhogs, and it's been Punxsutawney's holiday ever since. Next year the Mallorys will go there to celebrate at the source. Mallory was made an honorary life member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club this very year for his work on behalf of groundhogs everywhere.

OLYMPIC MEDIC: Susan Snouse, who grew up in Saratoga, is one of the hundreds of behind-the-scenes people who help the Olympics run smoothly. Snouse is medical coordinator for the U.S. team, which means it's up to her to make sure the necessary personnel, supplies and equipment are at hand for the 200 Olympians. Eight physicians and 13 athletic therapists are part of her vital team.

Snouse now lives in Lake Placid, where she is an assistant athletic trainer for the U.S. Olympics. Student athletes train there year-round in hopes of qualifying for the next Olympics. Snouse has traveled all over the world with various teams, especially the women's hockey team, during her nine years with the USO. A Saratoga High grad, Snouse has a degree in kinetics from UCLA.

RESCUE WORK: Some of the hardest working among us during the recent floods were members of the National Guard. Brian Girardot, a member of a Santa Cruz National Guard unit, performed yeoman duty in Pajaro, Watsonville and Felton, helping restore the footbridge at China Grade, among other tasks. Brian also won the Soldier of the Year award for 1997, and his name is inscribed in the state capitol, his mother, Mary Lou, reports. Francis Girardot is his equally proud father.

AEGIS GALLERY EXHIBITOR: Saratogan Starr Davis is part of the current show at the Aegis Gallery called "Clay and Paper Vessels--4 Artists." Starr takes her inspiration from her early years in Alaskan coastal areas. Her pottery has a geologic feel: water, sand and tidal erosion with wonderful colors. I just wish she made lamps, but perhaps that's too prosaic a calling for an artist.

Next Aegis Gallery featured artist is Judith Marshall. Her show is called "Hidden Dimensions," and is described as a "travelogue to real and imagined cities." That show will run through March 30, and a reception for the artist will be held March 8 from 4 to 7 p.m.

DOLL MAKING: A course in traditional doll-making will be offered by Japanese visitor Hiroko Iwata. The classes will be held at Hakone Gardens in a series of nine afternoon sessions, beginning March 9 and continuing until March 27. Price is $150, which includes all materials. To register or for more information, call Aiko Tauchi at 867-9133.

PARAGUAY MISSION: Russell Weaver, son of Kent and Levita Weaver, will serve his LDS mission in Paraguay for two years. A Prospect High grad, he was a member of the Santa Clara International Swim Club, serving as co-captain. A favorite pastime, diving for abalone, will have to be put on hold for a while.

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