Community Corner

Gen. Beauregard Lee in Lilburn Sees His Shadow (With Video)

What does this mean? Georgia's own weather prognosticator is calling for a long winter.

Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania may have more notoriety in the groundhog-prediction game, but Gen. Beauregard Lee rules the business in these parts. He's been doing it for more than three decades.

Stephanie Reeves, spokesperson for the Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn, reported a record crowd for this year's gathering. Well over 400 people gathered in the mid-20 degree weather, compared to an average of 150. 

After exploring around for a little bit, the infamous groundhog saw his shadow at 7:33 a.m. The crowd was visibly disappointed to hear about the extended winter. Dr. Flavia Mullens, the special guest of the day, said she hoped it would be a "nice winter," with a little bit of snow. 

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"I just think there's nothing quite as special as a snowy day in the South," Mullens said. "So I think we're entitled to one of those."

In the past, Gen. Lee has predicted quite a few early springs, so this one was a little bit of a surprise, according to manager Codi Reeves.

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"We're hoping he's wrong on this one because we don't want to have cold weather that much longer," Reeves added.

Gen. Lee ran around his front yard for a little while after seeing his shadow, then hopped over the fence to his backyard. 

The "Yankee" groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, on the other hand, did not see his shadow. So maybe it will warm up up north first? 

Were you at the Yellow River Game Ranch for Gen. Beau Lee's prediction? Let us know in the comments below, or upload photos on this article.

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