First baby of 2012 arrives

January 4, 2012

Anthony Boggs Jr. (front, left) and Candice Burkett welcomed their second son, Gavin Alan Boggs, into the world at 7:17 p.m. Jan. 2, 2012, making him the first baby born in Punxsy in the new year. Assisting with the delivery Monday were (back) Ashley Parsons and Dr. Emil Dib. (Photo by Tom Chapin/The Punxustawney Spirit)

PUNXSUTAWNEY — With their second child actually due this coming Saturday, Jan. 7, Candice Burkett and Anthony Boggs Jr. of Punxsy didn’t think he would be the first baby born in Punxsy in 2012.

But Monday, Candice had a 1 p.m. appointment at Punxsutawney Area Hospital, and then, about six hours later, Gavin Alan Boggs was born — indeed, the first baby born in Punxsy in 2012.

“We asked when we got here, ‘Has there been a New Year’s baby yet?’” Candice said.

Weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces, and measuring 20.25 inches in length, Gavin’s parents are already planning his football career — as well as playing guitar, his dad added.

Dr. Emil Dib delivered Gavin Monday night at the hospital.

Welcoming Gavin home will be his big brother, Damian Lee Boggs, who is 11 months old.

Gavin’s maternal grandparents are Diane and Homer Burkett Jr. of Cloe, and his paternal grandparents are Anthony Boggs Sr. and Mary Vause of South Carolina.

Both Candice and Anthony said the delivery went very smoothly, as was Damian’s birth, and Candice hoped to be able to return home with the baby this evening.

Because he is the first baby born at Punxsutawney Area Hospital in 2012, local businesses donated several items for Gavin and his family, including a $50 U.S. Savings Bond from Community First Bank; a free, small cake for his baptism, Communion or first birthday from Lily’s Restaurant, Bakery & Deli; a $15 gift certificate from the Scrapbook Nook; a $50 Chamber Certificheck from Marion Center Bank; a case of diapers from Punxsutawney Area Hospital; two Big Mac Extra Value Meals from McDonald’s; a prize from Cornerstone Chiropractic; a $25 gift certificate from The Medicine Shoppe; a baby house-proofing kit from Playhouse Children’s Center & Preschool; a gift basket from Wal-Mart; two cases of baby food from West End Comet; a gift from Fairlady & Company; a prize from Deb Boddorf’s Family Style; a gift from the North Country Homestead; and a one-month, free subscription for The Punxsutawney Spirit.