Reginald Montgomery “Chuckie” Hogbottom here, Order of the Woodchuck, Recipient of the medal of honor “Marmota Monax” September 2019, Groundhog Knight of the Realm, May 2022, and Recipient of the Order of the Garter July 2023.

I call to you- sleeping matriarchs of our groundhog coterie, you frisky maidens looking forward to our annual spring frolics and the many groundhog males living in the illusion that you will intrude on my hegemony. Get your rest now because our day, Groundhog Day, February 2nd, approaches swiftly. Not only will we look for our shadow on this day, but tours have been organized to check out what’s what above ground and in the Green Hope gardens we call home.

Stirring myself from a robust winter sleep, I launch this newsletter to you all as we face the biggest challenge yet to our undisputed rule. Yes, the fence is finished. A door with a latch leads into our once prized domain. Will we breech these barriers? Will a forgetful human leave the door open? What is the outlook for 2026 and our dawn to dusk daily veggie fest? Let me fill you in on the current situation and given you my prognostications for 2026.

First let me start the report with the very good news that the human is busy buying seeds for us just as she always does. She seems a bit giddy that maybe this year there will be home grown vegetables on HER table. As far as this optimism goes? I guess we should expect this. After all she did name the farm Green HOPE Farm.

Second we can expect people to be who they are. In this case, I for one count on someone leaving the door into the garden open. As with last year, all we need is one moment, and we’ll be back in summer HQ in the center of the garden. I for one can’t wait!

Third, yes I know. I’ve heard the reports from some of you fearmongers. She DOES have her children reading The Secret Garden to her grandchildren. Yes, she DOES have the grandchildren picking out the vegetables and Flowers they want to grow. Frankly this makes me LOL. Her thinking there is anything SECRET about her garden is ridiculous. We know EVERY SQUARE INCH. I also consider the involvement of grandchildren to be a boon to us as the more people using the door the more likely it will be left open. Let’s remind ourselves. She is a naive soul who always underestimates us. That’s why we call her Mollyanna. (For those of you who don’t know this reference, there is a copy of the book Pollyanna available to read at our winter HQ)

I must stop here. I need another couple weeks sleep before the Groundhog Day Love Fest. Please join me then at the usual location to celebrate our indubitable and imminent success in retaking the vegetable garden.