Punxsutawney Phil made his prediction this morning that you and I are facing six more weeks of winter weather. By the way, did you know that records going back to 1887 show Phil has predicted more winter 101 times while forecasting an early spring only 17 times. There are no records for the remaining years. We have our own opinion of Punxsutawney Phil:

The other big topic at the water cooler was the New England Patriots‘ come-from-behind 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Unknown rookie Malcolm Butler made a game-clinching interception with twenty seconds left in the game that helped Tom Brady achieve his third Super Bowl MVP and fourth Lombardi  for the New England Patriots. We’re still trying to figure out who thought it was a good idea to throw a pass from one yard out.

Back to trophy counts – Brady’s three SB MVPs ties with him with Joe Montana. His fourth Lombardi makes four out of six NFL championships for both him and head coach Bill Belichick. Belichick’s 22 post season victories are the most by any coach in NFL history. Kind of puts that whole “DeflateGate” thing to rest.

So which did you watch – the game or just the ads? Which was your favorite? Many in the advertising business noted the more serious nature and less humor overall, including a little boy who listed everything he couldn’t do because he died from an accident. Forbes Magazine gave the Blue Ribbon for the best commercial to Snickers.

If you didn’t catch the game or the commercials, perhaps you tuned in for the halftime show, which for the most part was deemed family-friendly. Or maybe you chose the cute factor with Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XI between Team Ruff and Team Fluff. In the end – all were declared winners!

From puppies to polar bears, it was a great weekend for Special Olympics Delaware, as 3,325 plungers took to the 37-degree water in Rehoboth Beach to raise a record $780,000 for Special Olympic athletes. Our own Sean Streicher (not pictured) braved the waves himself, and over the 24-year history of the Polar Bear Plunge, over $8.3 million dollars has been raised for Special Olympics.

Easton’s American Legion Post 70 honored four chaplains Sunday who gave their all in 1943 after a transport ship was torpedoed, killing 672. They prayed for the dead and dying above and below decks, then passed out life vests, finally giving up their own so four others could survive. Witnesses recount seeing the four on the sloping deck of the sinking ship, praying for all those around them. An act of Congress now recognizes Feb. 3 as Four Chaplains Day.

The Coastal Kids Consignment Event is coming up in March. If you’re looking to sell something that your kids don’t use anymore, or buy something that your kids need, this is your event. Cash and in-kind donations will then be made to various charities in the Wicomico County area.

And who doesn’t have time to play a little fetch? Apparently the guy who invented the automatic ball-thrower for his dachshund, Jerry Dog. It even has an infrared sensor to prevent unknowing passersby from being unintentionally hit!

http://youtu.be/4PcL6-mjRNk