Well, that's doesn't belong there! A groundhog named Colonel Custard became a local celebrity in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, after being found inside an arcade claw machine at The Meadows frozen custard shop.
The groundhog was discovered nestled among stuffed animal prizes by players attempting to win a toy. They noticed that one of the toys was actually blinking. Authorities figure he must have crawled up the shoot, looking for comfort and warmth, and not been able to get back out.
Employees called for help, starting with the claw machine operators, then moving to the police, and finally winding up with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. They eventually freed the groundhog and released it into a nearby field, per custard shop manager Lynn Castle.
“It’s a good story that ended well. He got set free. No one got bit.”
The shop has embraced the unexpected visitor, even launching a line of "Respect the Groundhog" T-shirts and considering a new frozen treat named after Colonel Custard.
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
People said he was just trying to get settled into a soft place for a nap.
John Summers Jr/Facebook
Suzan Doney/Facebook
Many, many people immediately went looking for quarters for the claw machine.
Brian L Sease/Facebook
Jason Mize/Facebook
But the important question is, how did the Game Warden fare?
Nate Tea/Facebook
Others were going to skip the quarters and go straight into the claw machine business.
Keith Smith/Facebook
Of course, you can't mention groundhogs in Pennsylvania without bringing up Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog whose appearance every February 2nd traditionally determines if there will be 6 more weeks of winter.
Megan Dively Lehman/Facebook
KSAM 101.7/Facebook
Then there were the people who came with the puns, obviously.
Kathy Risso/Facebook
There were references to popular culture to be made.
Jodi Marle/Facebook
Donna Momorella/Facebook
Really, Pennsylvania's got its own brand of weirdness.
Ariel Druschel/Facebook
Robin Holmberg/Facebook
Walter Vernon/Facebook
Perhaps there will now be a summer groundhog festival in Pennsylvania as well.
@RepClayHiggins/X