The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

After a busy December in Spencer Hospital's Birth Center, January started very quietly – so quiet that the first baby of the New Year didn't arrive until Jan. 6.

As long as the wait seemed for the birth center staff, it really felt long for new mom Patty Schulz and her husband, Dave. Patty's labor started Tuesday morning, yet baby Reba Jayne didn't make her appearance until early Wednesday evening after 36 long hours of labor for her mom.

"We were really excited to arrive at the hospital to have her," Patty said. "I was so ready, yet I was also starting to get worried for her the longer...