Punxsutawney Phil Apologizes for Lousy Weather, Retires at Freebird This Saturday

On Saturday, February 5 at 3 pm, Freebird Books (123 Columbia Street) sponsors a one of a kind book party / retirement party that includes beer, refreshments, a farewell from a legend, and a literary debut. Punxsutawney Phil introduces to the world Michael Kardos, author of a new collection of stories, One Last Good Time, and Phil's successor to the burrow.

Check out Michael's groundhog post on today's New York Times City Room blog. And here's the official press release from Phil himself:

Saturday, February 5, 3 pm

Punxsutawney Phil Retirement Party

America’s most famous land-beaver passes the mantle to author Mississippi Mike Kardos

Book launch / reading

Join us for refreshments as Phil introduces his young successor, an accomplished short story writer native to New Jersey who currently directs the creative writing program at Mississippi State University. Kardos came to the attention of Phil for his recent collection, One Last Good Time, which the groundhog read over the hibernation from his winter bungalow in Punxsutawney, PA. “I was so taken by Mike’s imagination and turn of phrase that I thought he would be an excellent representative for the cause,” Phil commented. “The pressure to articulate the weather for the public has just become too great for me. A new generation needs to take it forward and Mike Kardos is the man-squirrel to do so in these unpredictable times of global warming and Fox TV. His ability to convey character while balancing pathos and comedy is miraculous—my God there were moments I was laughing so hard, I plotzed. And then he would just swing you around and knock you over with a sentiment that humanized the scene and put it all in existential perspective. We are only so lucky to have such a bard emerge from our collective burrow.”

Michael Kardos will read selections from One Last Good Time and answer questions about his new duties.