Sandy Hook Family Wins Bee’s First Baby Of The Year Contest

By Nancy K. Crevier

After one false alarm on New Year’s Day, and just three days before her actual due date, Allison Ruth Holden was welcomed into the world by parents Karyn and John Holden, and big brother, Matthew, 2½, on Friday, January 2, making her the winner of The Newtown Bee First Baby of the Year contest.

Dr Eleanor A. Berry of Specialists in Women’s Healthcare, PC, in Waterbury was the attending physician at Allison’s 6:49 pm birth at Waterbury Hospital. The little girl weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 20 inches in length.

John Holden, who operates Land Designs Unlimited, LLC, a landscaping company in Trumbull, and Karyn Holden, a project manager at Prudential Financial in Shelton, have lived in Sandy Hook since 2000. Both said that they were surprised and pleased to learn that Allison was Newtown’s First Baby of the Year.

“We’re looking forward to exploring the different stores in town that have provided the merchandise and gift certificates we have won,” said Mr Holden. “This will get us out to try some new places.”

Ms Holden added that dinner and lunch certificates would be very welcome at this time. “It’s hard to cook meals with a new one and a toddler in the house,” she said.

The baby’s first name is one the Holdens both easily agreed upon, but Allison’s middle name, Ruth, has a special meaning. Ruth was Ms Holden’s late grandmother’s first name.

The Holden family will benefit from the generosity of these Newtown and Sandy Hook merchants celebrating Newtown’s First Baby: champagne from Stop & Save or Yankee Wine & Liquor; dinner for two at Blue Colony Diner; gift certificates from Newtown Hardware, Klickers Hair Studio, USA Baby in Brookfield, UK Gourmet, Drug Center Pharmacy, Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, The Magic Garden, Tambascio’s Restaurant, and Down on Main Street; free car service from NJK Sunoco and Car Care Center; champagne from World of Wine and Spirits; breakfast at My Place Family Restaurant; free haircuts at Robert Anthony’s Salon; free lunch at Newtown Deli & Catering; dinner for two at 100 Church Hill Restaurant; a $25 savings account at Newtown Savings Bank; a lunch for two at The Villa Restaurant; free cleaning and preservation of the baby’s Christening or first outfit at Queen Street Cleaners; movie passes to Edmond Town Hall Theatre; pizza from The Pizza Palace; and last, but not least, a year’s subscription to The Newtown Bee.