< At the early part of the week, there were no signs of the stork in Presque Isle County, and no Advance New Year’s baby 2012 to report. Area merchants are prepared to welcome the infant and his or her parents with many fine gifts. If there was a contest in Medicine Hat, Alberta, a couple there would have had two years of goodies. On New Year’s Day, a Canadian television station reported the birth of the New Year’s baby, 365 days after the mother gave birth to New Year’s Baby 2011 at Medicine Hat Regional Hopsital.

That’s quite an unusual occurrence. Waiting in Presque Isle County, is nowhere near out of the ordinary. It’s more of the norm. Last year’s New Year’s baby, Roland H.W. Schaudt was born Jan. 26 and didn’t get reported until the first Advance edition in February. The year before, Nash Donajkowski was born Jan. 13. The year before, Avery Langlois came into the world Jan. 6. Avery also was the last girl to claim the title. To be considered for the "first baby award” rules state that entries need to be submitted to the Advance office within 48 hours after the child’s birth.

Additionally, a written statement by the attending physician, or birth certificate must accompany the exact time of birth. Advance operators are waiting by the phones at the corner of Third and Erie in Rogers City for the call that will end this year’s first baby contest, and as of early Wednesday morning that call still hasn’t been made.