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The Math of Groundhog’s Day: An Allegory

THE GREAT GROUNDHOG’S DAY CONSPIRACY
By Fred Bortz ([email protected])
Many years ago in the Allegheny Mountain town of Punxsutawney PA, a secret committee met, led by Ima Merchant, the head of the local chamber of commerce. Town statistician C. P. Adderly and P. R. Mann, head of a local advertising firm, were also in attendance.
After calling the meeting to order, Merchant announced the reason for the conference. “The local economy is suffering, especially in winter,” she declared. “Does anyone have any ideas of how to change that?”
The town librarian, Linda U. Booker, had an idea. “We have a list of obscure holidays


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