Last weekend, Malverne Mel made his 30th annual prognostication before a crowd at Chester A. Reese Veterans Memorial Park. This year, Mel found himself in agreement with Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil, as both rodent prognosticators saw their shadows and predicted six more weeks of winter.
“I, Mayor Tim Sullivan, of the Incorporated Village of Malverne, do today proclaim that on the second day of February, in the year 2025, I witness to Malverne Mel, Long Island’s pre-eminent prognosticator of all prognosticators, that he prognosticated to me that upon looking for his shadow, it surely could be seen, so I must now announce, to skiers’ delight, there will be six more weeks of winter!” the mayor stated.
The festivities, which have take place at Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s in recent years, were moved to Veterans Memorial Park in honor of the 30th annual ceremony. As Mel’s predecessor, also named Malverne Mel, made his first prognostication in the same park in 1996, proclaimed by then Mayor Joseph Canzoneri.
Deputy Mayor Scott Edwards, village Trustees Perri Cuocci, Lori Lang and Carl Prizzi joined Sullivan onstage, accompanied by former Mayor Patti McDonald, U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and East Rockaway Mayor Gordon Fox.
Children and adults from near and far attend the event. They endured the freezing weather and gathered just as the sun began to rise, preparing to witness Mel’s official prognostication.
The celebration included hot chocolate and other refreshments, as well as groundhog-themed cookies and cupcakes from the Rare Treats Baking Company. The winners of a poster contest, determined with the help of the event sponsors, the Malverne Civic Association, were announced, and hung in Malverne’s Long Island Rail Road station house. The artwork was created by students from Our Lady of Lourdes, Grace Lutheran, James A. Dever Elementary, Davison Avenue Intermediate and Maurice W. Downing Primary schools.
After receiving a letter from People for the Ethical treatment of Animals, PETA, and Humane Long Island highlighting the potential stress on groundhogs during these celebrations, the village took extra steps to prioritize Mel’s safety and comfort during the ceremony.
“I visited Mel earlier in the week, and while he wouldn’t tell me what he was going to say today, he was very sleepy,” Sullivan said. “But I can assure you that he is well taken care of.”
The mayor visited Mel at his home with the STAR Foundation, to check on him and speak with his handler.
“The STAR Foundation cares for sick and injured animals,” Sullivan said. “In the case of Mel, he was sick and injured years ago. It is through the wonderful staff and volunteers at the STAR Foundation that he was brought back to good health.”
Mel is cared for daily by the foundation, and its staffers oversaw his handling during the ceremony. This year they used the ceremony to promote their work, handing out fliers and encouraging attendees to make donations.
“We ask you to help support them,” Sullivan said. “Help support Mel’s home and the other creatures that need care and rehabilitation, like Mel did.”
