Schnogadahl Sammi will return Thursday to do what he does best - predict the weather to a group gathered at sunrise at Cherry’s Diner in Kresgeville.

Sammi, a mounted groundhog, has not made a prediction since February 2020. Due to the pandemic, the Feb. 2 event was canceled in 2021 and 2022.

“We sure are excited to bring back this tradition. We hope there is a large crowd for it,” said Bruce George, president of Groundhog Lodge No. 6 of Monroe County.

The community is invited to the parking lot of Cherry’s Diner at 6:45 a.m. Sammi, who was preserved by a local taxidermist, will be taken from his carrying case and set out next to lodge leaders.

“The ceremony will include an introduction, morning prayer and the weather prediction. Afterward, we go into the diner for breakfast and coffee,” said Ike Christman, treasurer of the lodge.

The ceremony will be in English and Pennsylvania Dutch. Neal Murphy, the lodge’s weather predictor and vice president, will announce Sammi’s prediction to the crowd.

If Sammi sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not see it, the forecast is for an early spring.

“We have no idea what he’ll forecast until that morning,” said George.

Lodge leaders will have their photo taken with Sammi, their prognosticator and mascot, after the ceremony.

Their lodge has been doing the Groundhog Day event at the diner for many years.

“We are trying to bring it back and keep the tradition going,” said Christman. “We’re excited to bring Sammi out and have a little fun with it.”

Sammi, who resides in a closet at George’s home in Kunkletown, is now sitting on a shelf.

“He is all ready for his big day and the banquet. It’s nice to have these events again. I think it will be a nice turnout,” said Wanda George, Bruce’s wife.

The lodge’s annual banquet was also canceled in 2021 and 2022. They will gather on Feb. 24 at the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company’s social hall.

The men will celebrate the Pennsylvania Dutch culture with meal, music and a guest speaker.

“For some families, it’s three generations of men that come to the banquet. We want to follow tradition and culture, and keep the interest going,” said Christman.

The other 2023 lodge officers are: Brent Dorshimer, secretary; Carl Heckman, banquet coordinator; and Delbert Kresge, ticket coordinator.