Did General Lee See His Shadow

Did General Lee See His Shadow, Many years ago, the staff of The Yellow River Game Ranch noticed that General Lee did, indeed, emerge on Groundhog Day; and we decided to start watching him a bit more closely since we felt Atlanta represented the weather for the entire Southeast.

“Beau,” as his intimates refer to him, works only on February 2nd and worldwide media attention follows his every amble. “Groundhog Hotlines,” located only a few feet away from Beau’s Weathering Heights Plantation, open for advisories at 6:00 am EST, and calls come in from as far away as Germany, England and even the sunny State of Hawaii.

Beau has been recognized for his public service to Americans by four Georgia Governors; and has twice been commended for the accuracy of his predictions by The National Weather Service. He has received honorary doctorates from The University of Georgia – “DWP, Doctor of Weather Prognostication” and Georgia State University – “Doctor of Southern Groundology.”

Beau appeared on “The Today Show” with Willard Scott during The Democratic Convention in 1988. He answers his own mail (no form letters) with a complimentary V.I.G. (Very Important Groundhog) Photo on a year-round basis. In 2004, Beau was featured on Animal Planet on Feb. 2nd.

Unlike the unnamed woodchuck up North, General Lee’s plans vary every February 2nd. The V.I.P. announcing the annual prediction has ranged from actor Keith Carradine to the very “neutral” Swiss Consul. The musician who plays Reveille is also different and several branches of the military service have woken the General, as well as musicians from leading universities. The aromatic Southern food placed on Beau’s verandah also changes from year to year.

A lavish addition to Beau’s white-columned Southern mansion is another major surprise. He owns an architectural water fountain; a postal box; a granite monument; a monogrammed lawn marker, sundial, doormat and a satellite dish that allows him to watch PBS nature specials. He has further enjoyed a broad jump and high diving board which readied him for The Olympics. It is alleged that Beau’s Official Mansion also includes a laptop computer for his prodigious correspondence and a Wine Cellar to recover from the labors of His National Holiday.