The Maine Island greets its first newborn baby in almost a century. The baby girl was the first in 93 years that was born on the small island of Islesford. The last baby born on the island was the grandfather of the recently born baby.
Last September 26, the newborn baby, Azalea Belle Gray, was born at their home in Islesford.
The first newborn baby in almost a century
The parents of baby Azalea Belle are Aaron Gray and Erin Fernald Gray. She is the newest addition to their family, who already has five children.
Three of Azalea Belle's siblings were born at Mount Desert Island. The two other kids of their parents were born at a mainland hospital.
That makes baby Azalea Belle the first newborn baby on the island in almost a century.
According to reports, the baby's great grandfather was the last person born on the island in July 1927. Erin said, "That is the last one all the old people can remember having heard of."
The great-grandfather of baby Azalea belle died in 2005 at the age of 77. He was a lifelong lobsterman.
Giving birth on the island
The couple, Erin and Aaron thought of giving birth in the Islesford because they see they enjoy the town's close-knit relationship. Erin said, "It's a tight community. I hope someone else has a baby out here."
Although their mind was set on giving birth on the island, the couple still had a contingency plan. That was to welcome their sixth baby at the Mount Desert Island, just like what they did to their three other children.
However, when they traveled to Northeast Harbor last month, the hurricane made it difficult to go to the Mount Desert Island. That is why they chose to go back to Islesford, and that is where Erin gave birth to their baby girl.
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The population of the Maine Island
The Maine Island is not very populated. Although it has five different small islands, in a census in 2010, it was reported that there are only 101 people in the town of Cranberry Isles. In 2018, the total recorded individuals in the Maine Island in 142.
Last 2019, there are only 23 students enrolled in the K-8 schools in the area. That is an increased number of students since, in the previous years, there is only an average of 16 students in the area.
The children of Erin and Aaron are all homeschooled.
