In the charming town of Little Cranberry Island in Maine, USA, a remarkable event has unfolded – the birth of the first baby in this century-old island community, marking a new chapter in its history. The arrival of this newborn has brought immense joy and jubilation to the entire community, creating a festive atmosphere that has embraced the small island, nestled off the coast of Maine, as it welcomes its first bundle of joy in nearly a century.
On the 27th of last month, the cry of a baby was heard from Little Cranberry Island. Azalea Belle Gray was the sixth child born to Aaron Gray and Erin Fernald Gray. Little Cranberry Island is one of the five large and small islands that make up the mainland city of Cranberry. Warren Fernald, the baby’s great-grandfather, who was born in 1927 and passed away in 2005 at the age of 77, was the last resident to be born and raised on the island.
Azalea Belle’s parents, who live between nearby islands and Little Cranberry Island, gave birth to their child on the mainland. Azalea is the first baby born on Little Cranberry Island since her great-grandfather. She can’t be more of a blessing.
Not surprisingly, the population residing on Little Cranberry Island is quite small, and the number of young people is even smaller, at just 23. Even this has increased in recent years. Local governments are actively promoting broadband networks in order to save the island from the crossroads of existence and are trying to solve problems related to housing and job shortages.
Erin, the baby’s mother, said she never expected her daughter to be the seventh plan. She said, “I don’t have a seventh plan yet. I think my youngest daughter will be happiest if she has friends on this island. I hope someone has another baby on this island.” According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. population is 331 million, accounting for 4.2% of the world’s population. The number of births and immigrants increased, while the number of deaths due to the aging of the baby boom generation, and the population growth rate was the lowest in 100 years.
