+I am excited - and also, I'm admittedly nervous - about a very important day that is coming up next week, a day that will ultimately decide if I am going to be happy or miserable over the next couple of months.

This important day is known by all as Groundhog Day, where, according to folklore, if a groundhog - known in Pennsylvania as Punxsutawney Phil - emerging from its burrow on this day fails to see its shadow, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. However, if the groundhog sees its shadow it will supposedly retreat into its burrow, which means that winter will continue for six more weeks.

It's hard for me to finally accept the fact that February 2 is such an important day for me. I mean, when I think about the different days throughout the year that mean so much to me, I never considered the day belonging to Phil would be so monumental. But the more I think about it, the more I realize just how important Phil is to my well-being, health and sanity, and perhaps even to my marriage.

As someone who has been diagnosed with the "Wintertime Blues," I don't think I will shock any faithful readers of this column when I admit how much I hate winter. I have written countless words over the years about how much I dread just about everything associated with the season. Snow, wind, ice, dead trees, dreary skies, short days and long cold evenings, shoveling and scraping, high electric and gas bills+ Man, it just depresses me. And, unfortunately, it seems to get worse each year. It's no wonder I have a big calendar in my office that allows me to count down the days until the first day of spring.

(By the way, as of press time we have 50 days to go. Just thought you'd like to know.)

But as much as I suffer, it doesn't even come close to the aggravation that my wife has to endure during my bout with the blues. She's been with me for 20 winters and has had to deal with an endless amount of colds and flus, temper tantrums, hissy fits and agitated outbursts toward Mother Nature. I don't know how she puts up with it, but boy am I glad she has stayed with me.

(Seriously, I wake up every morning and the first thing I do is open my eyes and quickly look beside me to make sure she's still there. Because I probably would have left me a loooong time ago.)

So, each year when February 2 rolls around I say a little prayer that Phil fails to see his shadow, so that we might actually get a little closer to warmer weather, longer days of sunshine and signs of life and hope "springing" eternal.

Come on, Phil, I'm counting on you. There's so much on the line. And by the way, I'm sorry for all those times I might have struck one of your little buddies with my car.

Ah, nothing like sucking up to a rodent+

+By the way, I wanted to pass along some info that was brought to my attention earlier this week regarding the front page story we had in last week's paper about the Greene County Historical Museum's opening event for the 2010 season.

Titled "Spring Beauty," the event will be the museum's first annual art exhibit and sale and will also feature a reception and classes. It will be held in May, to coincide with the museum's opening.

Carol Randolph, coordinator of the event, sent us some kind words thanking us for the story. She also mentioned a few tidbits of info about the article that needed to be clarified, which I'm happy to include here:

The fine art exhibit is to be held at the Greene County Historical Society Museum, which is located at 918 Rolling Meadows Road in Waynesburg.

There will be classes held during the run of the exhibit - which is May 1 to June 4 - but they will not be held during the reception on May l. Pam Abbe, Class Chair, is planning classes on many subjects such as oil painting, folk music, clay, archeology and tatting that will be held at various times. Potential students can get more information by contacting Pam at pabbe@waynesburg.edu or by calling her at 724-852-2602.

Entrance to the museum and the exhibit will be free to the public during the month of May, not until the close of the show on June 4.

The Japanese weaving used to create the award ribbons was done by Jeri Corbin of Carnegie.

Thanks to Carol for sharing this info with us so that we can pass it along to our readers.

(Oh, and I also want to thank Jack and Gretchen Graham, who provided us with a wonderful photo to accompany the story last week. The photo, unfortunately, was not published due to space constraints.)

If you would like additional info about the event, then you should call Carol at 724-852-6363 or send her an email at mystudior@windstream.net.

I know it's only January, but I hope that county residents support this artistic endeavor and help Greene County in the many efforts like this one that are geared to shine well-deserved spotlights on our local artists+

+Last chance to remind folks about the two fundraising initiatives being held for the Havrilesko and Holbert families on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Stryker's Restaurant in Waynesburg. From 12 to 6 p.m., the restaurant will host an all ages, all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner. The dinner includes endless spaghetti, rolls, salad, beverage and dessert. There will be an acoustic show during dinner as well as a Chinese auction featuring several gift certificates donated from local businesses.

Also that day, the local rock band "Longshot" will perform at Stryker's from 9 p.m. till 1 a.m. The 21-and-up concert will require a door cover, and proceeds raised will also be donated to the families.

Be sure to support either or both of these events, which will benefit a worthwhile cause. For more info, call Stryker's at 724-627-4745+