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Will he or won't he produce a shadow on Feb. 2? That's the question
winter-weary Western New Yorkers will ask when they turn their attention
to UB's very own groundhog, Ridge Lea Larry. Larry is UB's answer to the
better-known groundhogs who venture forth on Ground Hog Day in search of
their shadow as a prediction of the arrival of spring. The season of
rebirth is believed to be around the corner if a groundhog emerges from
its burrow and does NOT see its shadow; seeing its shadow is said to be a
sign that more winter's on the way. Larry will perform his annual "duty" Friday, Feb. 2, on the northwest corner of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Complex on the North Campus. Larry's been an informal predictor since the mid-1980s, according to his keeper, Dave Borden, an instructional support technician in UB's Department of Geology. Unlike Punxsutawney Phil, Larry won't know whether or not he produces a shadow-Borden purchased him from an area taxidermist several years ago. The groundhog's catchy moniker dates back to the days when UB's Department of Geology was located on the former Ridge Lea Campus. When the Geology Department moved to its new quarters in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Complex on the North Campus, it polled its members to determine if the new address should be reflected in Larry's nickname. The overwhelming response was "No."
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