Stowaway groundhog in Pennsylvania becomes local icon – WSVN 7News | Miami news, weather, sports

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania groundhog is making a name for himself for more than just predicting an early or late spring.

Two weeks ago, they found a plucky critter they named Colonel Custard (named after the frozen custard shop and mini-golf course where he was discovered) hiding in an arcade game, along with a bunch of stuffed animal prizes. Players were maneuvering a mechanical claw to pry the toys out of the game’s glass case when they suddenly noticed a real groundhog blinking at them.

The newly minted colonel was found in Hollidaysburg, an hour’s drive from Pennsylvania’s far more famous groundhog town of Punxsutawney, home of the weather-predicting groundhog Phil.

The owners and staff at frozen custard shop The Meadows aren’t shy about promoting their own furry friend.

The staff and owners made T-shirts that said “Respect the Groundhog,” ran an online naming campaign that generated a flood of responses, and are working on more promotional ideas, like naming one of their ice cream flavors Colonel Custard.

Meadows manager Lynn Castle said no one is sure how the groundhog got into the building, but it must have climbed up the gaming chute into the machine.

“They were staring at the stuffed animals that were there, getting ready to decide what to pick, and they saw the groundhog’s eyes blink and realized there was something alive there,” Castle said.

It took a village to free the varmint. Employees first called the claw machine’s owners, who were too scared to confront the colonel. Then police arrived, who called the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Game wardens opened the claw machine and released the groundhog into a nearby field, Castle said.

“It’s a good story that ended well,” Castle said. “They released him and nobody got bitten.”

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