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Woodstock Willie Predicts An Early Spring

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Woodstock Willie, the Chicago area's most famous groundhog weatherman, has predicted an early spring this year.

In northwest suburban Woodstock, where the movie "Groundhog Day" was filmed 24 years ago, Woodstock Willie was held up to the ear of Mayor Brian Sager, who listened, translated, and then unrolled the scroll of the groundhog's prognostication.

"Woodstock Willie did not see his shadow, and a roar went up from the crowd in Woodstock town square. People, I think, were happy to hear that spring is right around the corner," organizer Rick Bellairs said.

If Willie had seen his shadow, there would be another six weeks of winter, but instead he predicted an early spring.

Bellairs said the only chance there might have been a shadow for Woodstock Willie to see was when TV camera lights went on at Woodstock Square.

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