About 30 people gathered at sunrise Monday morning at the edge of the field behind Kresgeville Eatery & Bar to find out if there will be an early spring from Schnogadahl Sammi and members of Groundhog Lodge No. 6 of Monroe County.

Punxsutawney Phil agreed: We’re not finished yet.

Lodge member Brian Haas, a minister from Christ UCC in Walnutport, began the ceremony with a brief prayer, saying he was thankful for Sammi and this crowd who gathered once again on Groundhog Day.

The rule of thumb is if the taxidermied groundhog Sammi sees her shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If she does not see it, the forecast is for an early spring.

Bob Andrews, the lodge’s weather forecaster, was under the weather and unable to attend. He gave Sammi’s prediction to lodge president Bruce George to read to the crowd.

“I talked to the groundhog, and she is totally confused. She said that this is the coldest winter she’s ever seen. And it’s not over yet.”

Since there are six more weeks of winter, Sammi advised the crowd to keep their long underwear close by.

“But eventually, spring will come,” George said

Sally Jablonski says this ceremony is a nice tradition and it’s a nice to hear the PA Dutch language.

There are not as many PA Dutch people in the area any more, she said.

“This was a tradition my dad did years ago,” said Julie Weiss. “I’m glad my nieces and nephew can be here to hear the language.”

Her nieces — Ryliegh and Ella Rufo — and their brother, Colton, were not excited about more winter looming.

After the ceremony, most of the crowd went inside the diner for breakfast and coffee. This has been a tradition at the diner for nearly 30 years.

The lodge will host its annual banquet Feb. 27 at the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company’s social hall. Tickets are still available.

This is the 74th year of Lodge #6. There are 18 groundhog lodges throughout the state, George said.

Punxsutawney Phil, who also saw his shadow today, kept with tradition and told his inner circle and guests his forecast.