Ms. G Timeline of Events
The weather pair featured in Boston Magazine in January 2009.
Students celebrate with Ms. G and sign a petition to begin her bid for Massachusetts State Groundhog.
Ms. G sees her shadow. Six more weeks of winter!
Ms. G delivers her 5th annual forecast on Groundhog Day at Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. She calls for an early spring after seeing no shadow.
Ms. G Campaign President, Meteorologist Mish Michaels, is master of ceremonies at the annual Groundhog Day forecast.
Meteorologist Mish Michaels meets with Wellesley Representative Alice Peisch to discuss merits of a Ms. G Bill to make her "Official State Groundhog."
Meteorologist Mish Michaels and her kindergarten daughter, Nalina Ashlee, take classmates from Hunnewell Elementary School in Wellesley to meet Ms. G at Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln.
During their State House tour, students from Hunnewell Elementary School in Wellesley visit the House of Representatives to learn about the legislative process from Wellesley Representative Alice Peisch. The students plan to launch a campaign to make Ms. G State Groundhog.
Tour Guide Cathryn Brower continues the State House tour. Here she is showing the students the Senate Reception Room.
Excitement builds at Hunnewell Elementary School in Wellesley and at Ms. G’s home at Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln. Ms. G's Campaign Committee, headed by Meteorologist Mish Michaels, swings into action.
Just five days later, the Ms. G Bill was sent to the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight for the first reading, launching the Ms. G Bill on its way through the House of Representatives.
Ms. G visits Ms. McFarlane’s kindergarten class at Hunnewell Elementary School to thank her campaign team and to teach the students about her life as one of the true hibernators in New England. Despite Ms. G’s growing fame, she still makes time for classroom visits as a wildlife ambassador for
The Ms. G Campaign Team launches the Ms. G cookie at a campaign rally!
Hunnewell Elementary students gather at Ms. G Campaign Headquarters for a rally. Students make Groundhog Day crafts, prepare testimony for the upcoming Ms. G hearing, and meet with Wellesley Representative Alice Peisch, author and sponsor of Ms. G Bill H.2864—"An Act to Encourage the Study of Meteorology in Elementary Schools.”
The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight hosts a one-time special off-site hearing on the Ms. G Bill at Wellesley Public Library. The hearing is chaired by Representative Peter Kocut and is the First Reading of the Ms. G Bill in the House of Representatives.
Hunnewell Elementary students present their hand-written testimony at the Ms. G hearing at the Wellesley Public Library. The students have studied persuasive writing in school and use these skills to try to convince legislators that Ms. G should become State Groundhog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XGaezcgU48
After passing the First Reading the Ms. G Bill was sent to the Second Reading.
Having passed the Second Reading, the Ms. G Bill is sent to Third Reading in the House of Representatives.
Ms. G sees her shadow and forecasts six more weeks of winter. A huge crowd of almost 2,000 people cheer for the good news and set a record attendance!
Meteorologist Mish Michaels gives birth to her second daughter in the early morning hours of February 3rd.
Ms. G Bill sent onto the Senate for debate.
Ms. G Bill forwarded to the Committee on Ethics and Rules.
Hunnewell Elementary students are extended a special invitation by Senate President Therese Murray to witness Senate debate and vote on the Ms. G Bill in the Senate Chamber. Students carry campaign posters and wear Ms. G buttons to show their continued support of Ms. G’s run for office.
The Ms. G Bill is overwhelmingly passed by the Senate. Several Hunnewell Elementary students who assisted with the multi-year campaign witness this historic vote. Upon passage of the Ms. G Bill, students are treated to a standing ovation and many "high fives" from Senators.
After the celebration on the Senate Floor, Ms. G Campaign leaders gather on the steps of the State House to proudly display the Hunnewell Elementary school flag.
On July 21, 2014, the Ms. G Bill is sent back to the House and Senate for final votes. After successful final votes in both the House and Senate, the Ms. G Bill is sent to the Governor's office for signature.
Congratulations to Ms. G! On the very last day of the legislative session, Governor Deval Patrick signs the Ms. G Bill H.2864. After a 90-day waiting period, Ms. G will formally become the “Official Groundhog of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” The language of the new Ms. G law seeks to
PART I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT > TITLE I JURISDICTION AND EMBLEMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH, THE GENERAL COURT, STATUTES AND PUBLIC DOCUMENTS > CHAPTER 2 ARMS, GREAT SEAL AND OTHER EMBLEMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH > SECTION 61 GROUNDHOG OF COMMONWEALTH
After years of campaigning, the Ms. G Team, led by students from Hunnewell Elementary School in Wellesley and Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln, celebrate making history! The Ms. G Bill finally becomes a law on this 90th day after signature by Governor Patrick.
Ms. G’s forecast is snowed out for the first time by a Groundhog Day Snowstorm! Her public forecast is canceled. Instead Ms. G does her annual forecast for her naturalist handler. She does not see her shadow and calls for an early spring. Her forecast is controversial in the midst
In the midst of an historic stretch of snowstorms and countless new snowfall records, children’s author and long time TV weather forecaster, Meteorologist Mish Michaels along with watercolorist Kathie Jameson (who was married on Groundhog Day 40+ years ago), release an illustrated children’s book about Ms. G. The story captures
The 64-page, full color chapter book is built around many historic New England storms and includes factual inserts about weather, groundhogs, and the legislative process. The storyline captures the power of following your passion and connecting with someone who truly believes in you. Michaels dedicates the book to her long