LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — Guy DeAngelo's home near Clarks Summit is all decked out for Groundhog Day.
"We have groundhog pillows. We have my daughter, she can stand here and demonstrate. I mean, this is amazing. If she was a foot taller, this would be amazing," said Guy DeAngelo.
The man, who this time of year goes by I.C. Shadowski, is expecting about 100 guests for the holiday, but they won't be looking to Punxsutawney Phil for a prediction.
"Newton Noonan is the most amazing, wise power in the universe. He comes from other lands. He's a speaking, talking groundhog, and he will absolutely, without question, nail it again this year," said DeAngelo.
Newton Noonan was named after his home, Newton Township.
DeAngelo created him as a way to get back at Punxsutawney Phil for all the false hope he's given Pennsylvanians about the prospect of a shorter winter.
"Phil has had it wrong for decades, and northeastern Pennsylvania has a definite different twist to the cosmos. We will see not six weeks, more likely 10 to 12 weeks," added DeAngelo.
This will be the second year Newton Noonan will appear from his homemade oasis that sits on top of an old tree stump in the family's backyard.
"It is amazing, like Newton Noonan, who wouldn't want to meet him," DeAngelo said.
"We are going to have backdrops. We are going to have photo ops if you're gonna be able to even talk and meet new in Newton Noonan."