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Monday, February 10, 2025

After Groundhog Day, find ways to avoid cabin fever in February

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Since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil has served as the furry critter responsible on February 2 for the 6-week forecast, a time when the groundhog gives a big yawn to help determine an early end to winter. That said, data shows his predictions have been correct less than half the time.
 
And did you know? The tradition of watching groundhogs search for their shadow as a means of winter forecasting came to the U.S. from German immigrants.
So Phil is in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. What does he know? The shadow knows in Naperville, Illinois, that spring begins on March 20.

Groundhog Day / Feb. 2

Lincoln’s Birthday / Feb. 12

Super Bowl Sunday / Feb. 12

Valentine’s Day / Feb. 14

Random Acts of Kindness Day / Feb. 17

President’s Day / Feb. 20

Mardi Gras – Pancake Tuesday – Fat Tuesday / Feb. 21

Ash Wednesday / Feb. 22

George Washington’s Birthday / Feb. 22

City Council Candidate Forum at City Hall / Feb. 28

 
Find plenty of commerce to support all along Washington Street running north and south in Naperville. Thanks for shopping and dining locally.

Remember all during February

Black History Month

American Heart Health Month

National Bird Feeding Month

Feed the backyard birds in February

Create your own birdfeeder. (PN Photo)

All you need to create a bird feeder is a plastic juice bottle, a 12″ dowel for a perch (sharpened like a pencil to puncture and stick through the bottle), twine to hang it and a bag of cracked corn, thistle or other bird seed to fill it. Simply cut a hole above the perch for feeding.

Backyard house finches enjoy thistle. (PN Photo)

As mentioned in PN’s January issue when the Northern Cardinal was featured and celebrated throughout the publication, February is National Bird Feeding Month, a distinction that originated with former Illinois Congressman John Porter.

Back on Feb. 23, 1994, Congressman Porter read a resolution into the Congressional Record, mindful that mid-winter can be a tough time for nonmigratory backyard birds. Snow oftentimes covers their food source, while at the same time food supplies can be scarce. A reliable high-energy supply of bird food is essential such as cracked corn, safflower, thistle, sunflower seed, millet and suet.
 
“During this month, individuals are encouraged to provide food, water, and shelter to help wild birds survive,” noted Congressman Porter. “This assistance benefits the environment by supplementing wild birds’ natural diet of weed seeds and insects. Currently, one-third of the U.S. adult population feeds wild birds in their backyards. In addition, Mr. Speaker, backyard bird feeding is an entertaining, educational, and inexpensive pastime enjoyed by children and adults.”
 
Watch the geese feed along the Riverwalk 365 days a year. No bird feeders are needed here.

Remember. Let wildlife be wild. Ducks and geese know how to find food naturally. Feeding waterfowl bread is unhealthy and potentially dangerous. Simply search “why bread is bad for ducks and birds” online to find plenty of stories with reasons why. Thanks.

Bundle up. Step carefully. Enjoy watching wildlife in the great outdoors!

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.
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