First off, I have to announce the birth of our seventh grandchild.

Her name is Brielle Madylin LaBanca, who was born Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 11:21 a.m. at Hackensack Medical Center in New Jersey. She weighed six pounds, 15 ounces.

She is the fourth child for daughter Tammy and her husband, Brandon. This will be their final contribution to the world population.

Her brothers Brandon and Brody and sister Brylee, were eager to meet her. And there is a grandma that is on her way today to see the latest family addition. So that is why I will be attending tonight’s Historical Society dinner alone.

Incidentally she was born on one of the coldest days the northern New Jersey area had experienced in some 20 years. When Tammy and Brandon arrived at the hospital around midnight, it was seven degrees!

Granddaughter Brielle at one hour old.

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Sunday is the 44th anniversary of my first day on the property that is now Fountain Hills. It was Jan. 19, 1970 that I was brought here from my job as an advertising copywriter at a Scottsdale advertising agency to see what this place called Fountain Hills was all about.

I was told to imagine how this desert area was going to be when it would have 78,000 people living here. That was the original planned population for Fountain Hills. That day, all I saw was yellow land movers grading away the desert in an area that is now Fountain Park.

Little did I know that I would one day be publishing the newspaper in that town. It has been an interesting 44 years. But I can honestly say, it has been amazing to watch the town’s growth from scratch. Not many people can make that claim about the place where they have made their home.

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If you have any ties to Illinois, you should be planning to attend the Illinois Day celebration on Saturday, Jan. 25.

It will be held at the Community Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is being held by the River of Time Museum as a fund-raiser and to create more awareness and exposure for the museum. Proceeds will help support the museum’s community-based exhibits and educational and cultural programs for children and adults.

There will be plenty of food and fun for the day. A Chicago-style hot dog with all the trimmings will sell for $4 and a 16-ounce draft cup of Miller Lite or Coors beer is $3.

Over 20 local businesses have donated prizes for a raffle that will be conducted hourly. Tickets are three for $5 and will be sold by strolling ticket sellers.

There will also be docent-conducted tours of the museum that day.

(And, oh yes, anyone can attend even if you don’t have any ties to Illinois.)