Good news waits for no one and this year’s New Year’s baby was certainly good news, arriving just 15 seconds after midnight on Tuesday, January 1.
Bennett Richard Ray, son of Darby and Melissa Ray and brother of Madison, 10, is Drumheller’s New Year’s Baby, born at 12:00:15. This is the earliest arrival in Drumheller in recent memory, the first in Alberta and just seconds off the national New Year’s baby. A couple in Quebec saw their pride and joy arrive just 10 seconds after midnight.
Baby Bennett weighed in at 5 pounds, 11 ounces and was delivered by Dr. Laurel Smith. He was expected on January 20, however the doctor asked the couple to come in early. While they weren’t overly concerned about the timing of the child’s birth, one eye was on the clock as the moment drew near. Baby and mother are doing fine.
Unbeknownst to Baby Bennett, he is about to be showered with gifts from businesses, welcoming him to the community. These include: Allied Distributors, ATB Financial, Bevan Scott, Bits & Pieces Keepsake Quilting, Bold Efexx, Boston Pizza, The Brick, Canadian Tire, Century 21 Power Realty, Chinook Credit Union, Chiropractic 
Wellness Centre, The Co-operators, Dairy Queen, DeMott Floors, Drumheller Co-op, Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce, Drumheller Public Library, Evan’s Restaurant, Fine Photography and Gifts, Fountain Tire, Fred & Barney’s Family Restaurant, Freson Bros. IGA, Greentree Liquor Mart, Gus’s Corner Restaurant, H&H Optical & Hearing Centre, Heartwood Inn and Spa, Hi-Way 9 Express, Hi-Way Service, Image Crafter Signs, Jerry’s Liquor Store, Jiffy Lube, John L. Sparling Q.C. Barrister & Solicitor, McDonald’s Restaurant, Midfield Supply, Napier Theatre, Oasis Car and Truck Wash, Old Grouch’s, O’Shea’s Eatery & Ale House, Over the Rainbow, Valley Truck and Car Wash, Reality Bytes, Reg Gallagher Trucking, Riverside Value Drug Mart, Rocky Mountain Equipment, S&S News, Sam’s Truck and Car Wash, Sears Drumheller, Shoppers Drug Mart, SJ Fashions, Sublime Food and Wine, Subway, Sunrise Auto Sales, Top Waste, UFA, Tugs Cards and Comics, Vietnamese Noodle House, Vintage Pub & Grill, Wade’s Jewellery, WHIFS Flapjack House, Yavis Family Restaurant.
