THE NEW GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA is a project of the Georgia Humanities Council in partnership with the University of Georgia Press, the University System of Georgia/GALILEO, and the Office of the Governor. The NGE is a work in progress, and because of the generous support of our sponsors and partners, our content is continually growing and updated, and is accessible to everyone. Read more....

GENERAL BEAUREGARD LEE, the groundhog prognosticator of spring for the South, resides at the Yellow River Game Ranch near Lilburn, in Gwinnett County. Each year on Groundhog Day, February 2, Beau emerges from his grand mansion at Weathering Heights Plantation. If he sees his shadow, then Georgians can expect six more weeks of winter; if he does not, then spring has officially arrived! Over the years several governors have honored Beau for his service to the state, and he has received two honorary doctorates—the Doctorate of Weather Prognostication from the University of Georgia and the Doctorate of Southern Groundology from Georgia State University. Despite Beau's impressive credentials, however, some humans might reject weather forecasts offered by a groundhog. Such naysayers might choose instead to consult Grier's Almanac, published annually in Georgia since 1807, for predictions on general weather trends, gardening calendars, recipes, and much more. Read more....