A14 Thursday, January 30, 2014
The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com
Opinion
Groundhog fact and fancy marks winter midpoint it Imbolc, a celebration reWe’re just about half way to lated to fertility and weather spring and we’ve done a little divination. St. Brigid’s Day is research to bring you a few celebrated on Feb. 1, an Irish facts and a bit of lore about saint and also a Celtic fertility an observance that marks this goddess, an early Christian passage – Groundhog Day — merger of those two female celebrated Feb. 2, a Sunday, identities. this year. The midpoint of winter has According to the state’s long roots and many mystical Department of Energy and associations in human hisEnvironmental Protection, tory. In parts of Europe, it was wildlife division, woodthe hedgehog that carried the chucks, also called groundhonor as a bearer of weather hogs are common throughout divination. Connecticut. They are roIn Germany, the badger dents, related to mice, squirwas said to have the power to rels, porcupines and beavers. predict the coming of spring When the early settlers arand ultimately when to plant rived in this country, most crops. Many German immiof Connecticut was forested grants settled in Pennsylvania land. Woodchucks lived in and likely brought this trathe scattered forest openings. As land was cleared for A woodchuck, also known a dition with them. As there weren’t many badgers in farms, this highly adaptable groundhog, scurries across Pennsylvania the groundhog animal also found suitable a backyard in Durham. | made a good substitute. habitat in the fields and along (Diana Carr / Special to The Citizen) In the United States, the forest edge. The new habGroundhog Day has become itat actually provided a more reliable source of food and the woodchuck a popular fun, unofficial holiday centered on is more abundant now than it was during the idea of the critter coming out of its home to predict the weather – an early or late start Colonial times. The woodchuck’s range extends from to spring depending on whether or not the eastern Alaska, through much of Canada, critter sees his shadow. If he sees his shadow into eastern United States south to northern he’s said to be frightened by it and will return Georgia. They can emit a shrill whistle when to its burrow, indicating that there will be six alarmed, followed by a chattering “tchuck, more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, then spring is on the way. However, tchuck” sound. Groundhog Day marks the midway point the end result can seem quite vague. The current version of Groundhog Day between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. It’s also known as the Christian was established in this country in 1887 and holiday of Candlemas Day, a day of purification and candle processions. Pagan’s called See Groundhog / Page 16
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Legislators unveil jobs, small business agenda Press Release House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin and Southington) joined with legislators in Hartford to unveil a jobs and small business agenda for the 2014 legislative session, focusing on employment and job training, cutting red tape, and growing new markets by establishing social benefit corporations. The jobs and small business agenda unveiled addresses business concerns, building on pro-business public policy initiatives enacted by the legislature over the past several years. The proposal includes: * Re-capitalizing Connecticut’s highly successful STEP-Up program, which offers employers who hire an unemployed worker either a wage subsidy to help pay a new employee’s salary for the first six months, or provides a six-month training grant. Since its creation in October 2011, more than 2,000 unemployed people have been hired under STEP-Up in jobs like CNC operators, graphic designers, tool makers, welders, press operators, masons and engine builders. But the program needs a new infusion of capital; the original $20 million budget is down to $2.5 million,
approximately enough to meet program demand through April. * Implementing new school-to-job programs such as an accelerated certificate program (12 months) combining basic education and technical and career training; an I-Best program for adult students lacking a GED which combines GED preparation with real-world skills training; and an Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Program, where students combine paid work and college level study towards the attainment of an associate’s degree. * Cutting red tape by pre-permitting business development, renovation or new construction by pre-approving zoning and environmental reviews in order to save businesses time and money. The program would be based on New York’s “Empire State Development’s Build Now,” where communities select and prepare sites for specifically targeted economic development, reducing the time normally needed to develop a site. * Establishing “social benefit corporations,” a new type of corporation intended to use a portion of its profits to benefit soSee Jobs / Page 16