It's Groundhog Day. Will there be six more weeks of winter or an early spring? Watch video
MILLTOWN -- The new Milltown Mel didn't make a great first impression Tuesday morning at the borough's annual Groundhog Day celebration.
"It seems pretty warm for a winter's day, but don't let your thoughts go astray," said handler Jack Bicsko, as he read Milltown Mel's forecast. "The sun is up and the shadow I see; six more weeks of winter for you, and back to hibernating for me," he continued, receiving a loud groan from the crowd.
The original Miltown Mel, New Jersey's own version of Punxsutawny Phil, died in July. But his companion, also named Milltown Mel, predicted the same result his predecessor had done in 2015: Six more weeks of winter.
Prior to the ceremony, held in a parking lot across from the American Legion on JF Kennedy Drive, the handlers held a moment of silence for the original Milltown Mel.
"Really, he was a great pet and I'm sorry to see him go," said Jerry Guthlein, a councilman and owner of the both groundhogs.
Guthlein purchased the groundhogs from a breeder in Pennsylvania after a family trip to Punxsutawney, Pa. The original Milltown Mel was around six or seven years old when he died. The new Milltown Mel, who doesn't like to be held out of his cage, is about a year younger than the original, Guthlein said.
For Rachel Fried, an East Brunswick resident who comes to the celebration every year with her son, Milltown Mel's prediction is less a draw than the celebration itself.
"It's such a great sense of community," Fried said, holding her 12-year-old son by her side. "It's awesome that they do this. It's great seeing everyone out here."
Fried said she was hoping for an early spring, as did many others who attended the ceremony.
The original Milltown Mel was only wrong once, in 2014, Guthlein said.
And although the crowd appeared pleased to see the tradition continue with a new Milltown Mel, I'm sure they wouldn't be too upset if he got his first prediction wrong.
Mel's more famous counterpart, Punxsutawney Phil, failed to see his shadow, meaning he's predicted an early spring.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.