This year Malverne residents, as well as other interested spectators, will gather early on the morning of Feb. 2 to watch resident groundhog, Malverne Mel, make his 30th annual prediction of either an early spring or six more weeks of winter weather.
The much-anticipated prognostication has been made in all kinds of weather, from bright sunshine to a snowstorm.
The annual Groundhog Day celebration, which began in the village in 1996, was the result of a conversation between former Malverne Mayor Joseph Canzoneri and Barry Manning, editor of the Malverne Times, which later became the Herald. Canzoneri and Manning were looking for an event that would put Malverne on the map, and came up with the idea of hosting the celebration.
“At that time, the only groundhog was Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania,” Canzoneri said. “And so, I said that’s a great idea.”
Malverne’s first Groundhog Day celebration was held at Chester A. Reese Veterans Memorial Park, and all the local officials from nearby towns were invited.
“We all wore top hats and there were numerous pictures taken,” Canzoneri said. “I read a proclamation and then the trainer in charge of the groundhog picked up the groundhog and brought him close to me. It was a very confidential conversation that I had with the groundhog, and his voice was quite weak, but he finally revealed to me what the prognostication was going to be for the remainder of the winter.”
As the legend goes, if the groundhog sees his shadow after emerging from its burrow, six more weeks of wintry weather will follow.
The event was a hit with the local community and the public, receiving major attention in the local press.
“This was sort of like a novelty,” Canzoneri added, “not in competition, but to supplement the groundhog festivities that always came out of Pennsylvania.”
Since Malverne’s first Groundhog Day celebration in 1996, the event has changed in many ways. In 2003, Mel made his prognosis alongside his wife, Malverne Melissa. In 2008, the couple’s child, also named Malverne Mel, took over the responsibilities of chief weather prognosticator.
In 2011, Mel “phoned” in his prognosis to the mayor due to an ice storm that cancelled the outdoor ceremony. In 2017, the event moved from Chester A. Reese Veterans Memorial Park to Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s.
“By moving it to the farm, we’ve made a conscious effort to bring some educational aspect into this and really make the farm a centerpiece of the Groundhog Day,” current Mayor Timothy Sullivan said.
With each subsequent mayor, the event gained something new — from a petting zoo, to photo ops with Mel himself, screenings of the 1993 film “Groundhog Day” at the Malverne Cinema, to a live woodcarving demonstration of Malverne Mel at Village Hall, now on permanent display in village hall.
“It’s amazing that even at 7 a.m., prior to kids going to school, everyone makes an effort to join us for Groundhog Day, every year,” Sullivan said. “And it’s not only the celebration of the time of year, but everything that we do in this village.”
This year’s gathering will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2, beginning at 7 a.m. at Crossroads Farm, 480 Hempstead Ave. In addition to the ceremony, the event will feature music by the Banjo Rascals, photos with Mel and hot chocolate, and groundhog-themed cookies and cupcakes will be sold.
Winners from the annual Malverne Mel poster contest will be announced. Poster entries were due at Malverne Village Hall by Jan. 24.
“It was a lot of fun doing it, and it’s something I’m proud that I had a part of,” Canzoneri said of the annual celebration. “I hope it continues for many, many years.”
Malverne Mel predicted six more weeks of winter