Punxsutawney Phil time will be with us February 1. Woodstock in McHenry County takes it personally. The Woodstock town square and other sites offered portrayal of Phil’s hometown in Punxsutawney, Pa. in the movie Groundhog Day 30 years ago. The last 29 years Woodstock has celebrated its contributions to the movie by bringing in its own Phil, ground hog, to renew the days. The celebration in Woodstock will be February 1-5 with walking tours, breakfasts, dinners, film screenings, memorabilia, exhibits, author appearances, Bingo, bags, a pub crawl. That is all according the promotional release from Woodstock.
Jaki Bergren, president and CEO of Naturally McHenry County, said Woodstock Groundhog Days’ continued popularity is a testament not only to the enduring appeal of the film, but, to the enduring nature of the town. The late director, Harold Ramis, was director of the movie, Groundhog Day, no doubt saw the citizens of the town when he did his work.
Every community has an identity of some aspect bigger than itself. The good people in all communities, towns and cities, place an emphasis on that identity to let other persons relate to the places involved.
Public relations is a natural outgrowth. U.S. congressman Bill Foster of the State’s 11th District sent photos recently of himself with the mayor of Woodstock and recently followed it up with a photo with the mayor of Warrenville. Both mayors are in the 11th District. Warrenville is in DuPage County and in the print circulation area of The Voice. Even though Woodstock is out of The Voice print circulation area, it is available online through thevoice.us. That aspect of life brings all of us closer together and it only will continue.
In spite of a seeming repeat of each day, life does change in how we function and how we view daily patterns. Will always be true. Perhaps what else could be true, we should maintain a sense of cordiality, at the least of those in our lives, and those with whom we come into contact with, and do not really know. It makes life that much easier for everybody. Advice good for those persons who feel powerless, or exceptionally frustrated by their circumstances and become mass shooters and mass murderers.
Do they seek name recognition, even briefly, and, even in knowing likely death? Mass communications, primarily television today, are too willing to accommodate. Seeking recognition may be a bit of personality flaw to be tolerated by the shooters. Likely it is for that reason it can cause this reporter/writer to cringe when a well-intentioned honor for a person has the term to “recognize” the person instead of to “honor” a person. Some words have special connotations.