Former ‘Phil-ambassador,’ now living in Chicora, reflects on Groundhog Day
Despite moving from Punxsutawney to Chicora nearly 30 years ago, Chris Phillips said he still likes to represent his hometown.
“I’ve always been proud to tell people I’m from Punxsutawney,” Phillips said.
His affinity for his former town’s famous groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil” once earned him the position of “Phil-ambassador,” a title bestowed on those willing to “help in promoting and perpetuating the legend of Punxsutawney Phil.”
Phillips, who has lived in Chicora for the last 30 years, remembers when Punxsutawney Phil was not the “superstar” he is today.
“Before the 1993 Bill Murray movie, they had to beg people to go to (Gobbler's Knob),” Phillips said.
More than 35,000 people were estimated to attend this years event, according Tom Dunkel, Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President.
“It wasn’t always like that for me,” Phillips said. “It’s February, and you want me to get up in the middle night where it’s freezing cold and watch some goofy charade go on?”
Despite his initial reluctance to attend the yearly tradition, Phillips’ involvement in the Groundhog Day lore only grew when he moved to Butler.
“I was named the Phil-ambassador one year because I had an office at Butler (Memorial) Hospital,” Phillips said. “And every year I would decorate the office. Then I got to selling T-shirts. People were wanting “Phil” T-shirts, you wouldn’t believe it.”
Phillips eventually took his enthusiasm to the annual Butler Jeep fest.
“I would see these souped-up Jeeps and after awhile they all started looking the same,” Phillips said. “So I thought to myself, ‘how am I going to make my Jeep stand out?’”
After a call to the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce, Phillips turned his Jeep into a “Phil-mobile.”
“I decorated the whole jeep in Phil,” Phillips said. “You wouldn't believe it. When we going through the parade people just come rushing up. I feel like I’m a rock star.”
Phillips, who still has family in Punxsutawney, said he may not be able to see Phil every year for Groundhog Day, but he can still visit Phil throughout the year.
“You can see Phil anytime of the year,” Phillips said. “They have a burrow right downtown in the library and they put Phil in there and anyone can see him anytime they want to.”
