by BETH ALTENA
When Darleene Crysler (nee Carlson) was born 64 years ago, the event made the newspapers and netted her father a passel of prizes. She was the first baby born in Montcalm County in the year 1947, six pounds, fourteen ounces and greeting the world at 5:40 p.m. Sixteen local merchants contributed prizes for the contest and at first it looked like twin boys would take the honors, until Kelsey Memorial Hospital announced Darlene’s arrival.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime birthday,” said Crysler, who appreciates the January 1, 2011 date of her 64th. Crysler found the newspaper clippings of her father receiving an award and prizes among his things. Among the advertisements in the paper are a grocery ad with hamburger at 44 cents a pound. Another advertises Camels as the cigarette more doctors smoke. It hasn’t been tough having a January 1 birthday, Crysler stated. She said it was like having two Christmases and there is no excuse for forgetting the date.
Recently a Rockford family made world news by having their three children on significant dates 8-8-08, 9-9-09 and 10-10-2010. With Crysler’s interesting birthday date this year, 1-1-2011, we can only speculate what other significant numbers the new year will bring us. If you were born November 11, be sure to call The Squire this year, we want to hear from you.
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