Malverne Mel declares — early spring!

Dozens gather for Malverne Mel’s big day and annual festivities

To the delight of warm-weather loving folks far and wide, Malverne Mel didn’t see his shadow Feb. 2 and thus predicted an early spring.

The annual festive event at Crossroads Farm drew dozens of people eager to welcome the return of the famous groundhog. Many were jubilant about Mel’s prediction this year.

The event was started in 1996 by former Malverne Mayor Joseph

Canzoneri and Barry Manning, editor of the Malverne Times — which became the Malverne/West Hempstead Herald.

“We wanted to do something that would be fun and bring some good publicity into Malverne,” Canzoneri said in a past interview. “We invited all (the) dignitaries from surrounding communities, wore high hats and created the event.” suzie simsFleTcheR wiTh Gary, King of Groundhogs. mayoR KeiTh coRBeTT listens to Malverne Mel’s prognostication.