By Kate E. Salute
Despite Fox 5 weather man, Nick Gregory dismissal of Mel as a reliable weather source, wrongly citing that Mel is "Prairie Dog," marmot fans began gathering at around 6:30 a.m. last Thursday at Reese Veterans' Memorial Park in Malverne to see Mel - and his entourage. Like any rock star, Mel came with a crew of bunnies, which gathered around his tree stump, as well as a silver fox, a Jack Russell terrier and some other unusual furry friends.
Commuters stopped by to take a peek at the famed groundhog on the way to their trains, keeping an eye out for the prognosticator as they waited on the platform.
The prediction of an early spring came much to the dismay of two youngsters who were rooting for at least the chance of a snow day, which they haven't had this winter. Gordon Purdie of East Rockaway went to the Malverne Mel celebration with a sign pleading for more winter. Last year he was the only one who so publicly wished for an extended cold, white season. This year Purdie wasn't alone, as 4-year-old Thomas Chojnacki, also of East Rockaway, held up a sign that read, "More winter, more snow, please!"
Others, it seemed, were relieved by the forecast. Amanda Sommers of Malverne predicted correctly that Mel would not see his shadow. Sommers went off to school pleased with herself, as well as with Mel's promise of an end to winter.
Seven-year-old Christopher Aranalde of Rockville Centre wants an early spring so he can start playing baseball.
For the first time in years, it was a mild Groundhog Day morning. Nonetheless, first time Malverne Mel observer Linda Pratt of Rockville Centre said, "I want an early spring. It's too cold."
Mike LaRosa of Lynbrook came with his wife, Jackie, his son, 6 1/2-year-old Patrick, and his niece, Elizabeth Canny, 9. With nods of agreement from his family, Mike said, "Come quickly, spring." A first-timer at the Malverne festivities, Mike asked, "Isn't Mel married? Married groundhogs must be a Malverne thing."
A Malverne thing indeed. Malverne is the only village in the U.S. that boasts not one but two groundhogs, Mel and his wife of three years, Melissa, who stayed warm in the van while Mel went to work.
Mayor Anthony Panzarella, Mel's interpreter thanks to the fact that he is fluent in Groundhogese, hopes that Mel and Melissa are thinking about having a family, so Malverne can be the first village to have an entire family of groundhogs. Perhaps the mayor's dream will become a reality by next year's celebration.
Comments about this story? KSalute@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 205.
