1600 S. BRENTWOOD BLVD. SUITE 220 • ST. LOUIS, MO 63144
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Getting Results Is the Culmination of Our Experience
2
Embrace Change, Enhance Life!
2
Tips for Treading Carefully
3
Meet Tank, a Canine Companion and Protector
3
Puff Pastry Berry Hearts
4
A Groundhog Tale
The tale of Groundhog Day in Missouri is full of folklore and changing customs. It is currently celebrated on Feb. 2 but was initially celebrated on Valentine’s Day in the Ozarks. As more people, many with varying cultural backgrounds, started moving into the area, they influenced the customs around the holiday. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Groundhog Day evolved through a sometimes heated debate among residents of the Ozarks and newcomers. This beloved tradition centered around our furry forecasters — the groundhogs, also known as woodchucks — began to change during the 1900s and 1940s. The old-timers and the younger generation often found themselves at odds, which is likely a tale as old as time. They and the “furriners,” as they were called then, clashed with residents, and Groundhog Day became a contentious topic. The holiday is linked to the natural cycle of the rodents who retreat into hibernation in October. According to the lore, if the groundhog sees its shadow when reemerging, it would DISCOVER ITS UNIQUE HISTORY Missouri’s Groundhog Day Secrets
go back underground for six more weeks. If not, it emerges from hibernation, and people can begin plowing and readying the fields. Thus, in the 1930s, cloudy skies on Feb. 14 meant the old- timers started cultivating and planting fields. Meanwhile, the “outsiders” were settling in for another six weeks of winter if there were sunny skies on Feb. 2. While our culture has progressed beyond using groundhogs as a gauge for when to start planting, we still enjoy celebrating the holiday and the anticipated spring. Still, groundhogs play a vital role in our ecological systems. Their digging habits are instrumental in providing shelter for other animals like foxes, possums, rabbits, skunks, and weasels. The excavation also benefits the soil, enhancing aeration and water absorption, thus promoting healthier plant growth. However, they can also be a nuisance to gardeners and farmers because of their fondness for peas, beans, corn, and other garden crops. Even though there’s only one groundhog per burrow, they can wreak havoc on a garden. The MDC asks that anyone dealing with groundhog-related issues contact a pest control specialist familiar with state and federal laws to solve the problem responsibly and effectively. Groundhog Day reminds us of the balance we strive to maintain — respecting and coexisting with nature while adhering to the customs that make our Missouri community unique.
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator