As the new year approaches, the county awaits news of its first baby born during 2022!  Last year’s baby made a calendar-savvy appearance on his first day of eligibility.  Josiah Samuel Helmandollar entered the world at 4:16pm January 1st 2021 at 5 pound 11 ounces, despite his due date of January 7th.  

Josiah surprised his mom, Loretta Asay Helmandollar, and his dad, Jeff Helmandollar, who thought they had everything under control for the new year.  Plans had been made for a January 7 induced labor because Jeff is a truck driver and wanted to be home for the birth. As it worked out, he was home, and even though he had to go unload that night, he was home again for the weekend. He was able to bring mom and the new baby home from the Bear River Valley Hospital in Tremonton on Saturday, January 2.

Josiah’s grandparents are Mike and Cathy Asay of Malad and Shelly Helmandollar and the late Morris Helmandollar of Malad.

For his first year update, his mom reports that “he thinks he’s a goofball.  He is always happy and smiling.  He loves playing with his older sister and brother.  He loves giving hugs and snuggles to anyone that wants one.  He is about to walk, any day now.  He loves his dog Rona.  He is ticklish everywhere.  He also loves his daddy and loves playing with him.  He is such a happy, healthy fun-loving adorable boy.  He brings such joy in our family!  The last year has been an adventure, but very memorable!”

The Enterprise wishes Josiah and his family a memorable and joy-filled 2022!

Across the country, the most recent figure for babies born on January 1st is 10,321, which is a little OVER the average of 10,267 per day in the country.  A January baby’s birthstone is Idaho’s state gem, the garnet.  A baby born before the 20th is a Capricorn, and on or after the 21st, an Aquarius.  Carnations and snow-drops are both January flowers, and they have been noted as more calm than babies born at other times of the year, as well as statistically more likely to become doctors and professional soccer and hockey players.

The first baby contest has been conducted by Oneida County merchants and The Idaho Enterprise since 1957. Including 2021’s first baby, there have been 35 boys and 30 girls. The latest a first baby arrived was in 2004 when Bridger Ron Myers didn’t arrive until April 11! Five have now been born right on January 1 – Josiah Samuel Helmandollar in 2021, Claire Adeline Hornecker in 2018, Aspen Jade Chelette in 1999, Keeton Chesney Isaacson in 1998 and Craig Allen Jensen in 1967. 

Malad residents and merchants have joined in for this year to provide the new baby with some nice gifts. The following are the sponsors of the Oneida County First Baby for 2021: CWC Video, Malad Drive In, Thomas Market, Do It Best Hess Lumber, Subway, Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital, K-C Oil & RV Park, NAPA Auto Parts Hess Truck Auto Ag, Central Service Sinclair, Allen Drug and Variety, Oneida Family Dental, Salt Creek Realty, Edith’s Collective, and The Idaho Enterprise.

PAST FIRST BABIES

2020 – Haylee Grace Purdum – Jan. 21

2019 – Avery Boyd Eliason – Jan. 8

2018 – Claire Adeline Hornecker – Jan. 1

2017 – Kinzley Lorraine Hamilton, Jan. 4

2016 – Harper Ann Maughan, Jan. 12

2015 – Freya Nichole Bello, Jan. 5

2014 – Timber Raymond Hubbard, Jan. 31

2013 – Megan Jann Moss, Jan. 16

2012 – Burklee Edwards, Jan. 10

2011 – Dane Verlin Williams, Jan. 11

2010 – Ashton Lee Purdum, Jan. 6

2009 – Jentz Lynn Peacock, Jan. 7

2008 - Kameron Dean Hunt, Jan. 4

2007 - Ryan Scott Jensen, Jan. 13

2006 - Riley Kope Taylor, Jan. 5

2005 - Dakota Guy Williams, Jan. 17

2004 - Bridger Ron Myers, April 11

2003 - Peyton Loyd Briggs, Jan. 25

2002 - Shaylee Kate Broadus, Jan. 7

2001 - Brayden Jay Porter, Mar. 2

2000 - Makyla Brooks Madsen, Feb. 3

1999 - Aspen Jade Chelette, Jan. 1

1998 - Keeton Chesney Isaacson, Jan. 1

1997 - Samantha Rae Daniels, Jan. 7

1996 - Bryce Mykell Gibbs, Jan. 2

1995 - Kacey Ray Smith, Jan. 7

1994 - Jose Jesus Lopez, Jan. 6

1993 - Marcus Ray Evans, Feb. 20

1992 - Kevin James Porter, Jan. 25

1991 - Theron Eugene Hill, Feb. 22

1990 - Gregory Burke Bybee, Jan. 30

1989 - Sierra Louise Walker, Feb. 27

1988 - Brandon Hyrum Bybee, Jan. 2

1987 - Whitney Deene Wakley, Jan. 2

1986 - Daniel Duane Golightly, Feb. 13

1985 - Lindsey Jo Jacobsen, Jan. 13

1984 - Trevor Jay Jones, Feb. 6

1983 - Tamara Ann Wittman, Jan. 5

1982 - Camille LaRee Stayner, Jan. 5

1981 - Rodney Leon Parrish, Jan. 5

1980 - William Jedd Ward, Jan. 31

1979 - Jamie Hubbard, Jan. 5

1978 - Shenell Madsen, Jan. 6

1977 - Jenny Rae Hawkins, Jan. 4

1976 - Korrie Allen, Jan. 13

1975 - Christopher Daniel Scott, Jan. 3

1974 - Crystal Deschamps, Jan. 10

1973 - Bobby Connor, Jan. 26

1972 - Todd Hubbard, Jan. 4

1971 - Michele LaRee Hobson, Jan. 8

1970 - Lisa Lynne Anderson, Jan. 24

1969 - Kathryn Alane Thomas, Feb. 16

1968 - Bonnie Anne Davis, Jan. 2

1967 - Craig Allen Jensen, Jan. 1

1966 - Vera Denise Thomas, Jan. 13

1965 - Martha Marie Mabey, Jan. 4

1964 - Kurtis Gambles Kent, Jan. 25

1963 - Suzanne Evans, Jan. 5

1962 - Earl H. Jones, Jan. 2

1961 - Scott Clark Wakley, Jan. 5

1960 - Cole Gardner, Jan. 8

1959 - John David Tovey, Jan. 10

1958 - Carol Buehler, Jan. 7

1957 - Stephen Scott Alder, Jan. 6