HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY EVERYONE!
Well, I have good and great news... the Good news is that Punxsutawney Phil (the PA groundhog with his ears to God's weather service) didn't see his shadow earlier today, meaning there will be spring soon! The GREAT news however, is even better and of course likely more accurate and believable... Punxsutawney Phil was once again surrounded by wonderful beardos and staches in coats and top hats!
Never thought of Groundhog day as anything other than a weird event, a great Bill Murray movie or rodent filled national antics?! Well... neither did we! How did we find ourselves writing this item today? See email below...
Handler Ben Huges holds Punxsutawney Phil in the air after removing him for his stump on Groundhog Day Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
Subject: Punxutawney Phil loves Beardos!
Message: Dear Build-A-Beard,
I am a very open and proud beardlover... have been ever since I was a tiny girl. My dad has been moustachioed (and sometimes bearded) my entire life and his facial hair was a matter of great pride for him. He always mocked me for being way too much of a *girl* to be able to grow facial hair. Sadly, he was correct, although I do have a Beardhead beard to try to periodically cover up my girlishness.
But that's beyond my point. I know it is too late to get in a feature by tomorrow, but I am hoping and wishing and baiting my breath for an interview with Ben Huges, one of Punxutawney Phil's handlers (you know, the groundhog!). I noticed Ben last year while looking at Phil photos... He has a dashing beard, but what's more, a fantastic handlebar mustache! I would interview him myself, but since I don't have a snazzy website, I'm afraid I would simply come off as a slightly crazed fangirl, and we can't have that. So, please, please, please, can you attempt to reach this awesome guy?
I have included a link to a slideshow of Ben and Phil for your perusal.
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-201_162-10006487.html?tag=page
And because I'm thorough, I have a ink to the website of the awesome guys who associate with Phil as well. They call themselves The Inner Circle. You'll notice that a number of them are beardos.
http://www.groundhog.org/inner-circle/
Thanks, B-A-B! I absolutely love your site!
Tiff
Well Tiff, thank you we are honored, humbled and excited to take on this new challenge (especially with your already hairy legwork)... we will use our snazzy website, and we don't care to seem like slightly crazed fangirls, we are ready to have Ben Huges #proveit, and we've sent the request to The Inner Circle for an interview... hopefully they work for more than one day a year.
Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, right, is held by handler Ben Hughes after emerging from his burrow in Punxsutawney, Pa. Credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar