<b>Staff reports</b>

Eelie Rae Shimer was the first baby born in Beaufort in 2020.

Eelie arrived at the Beaufort Memorial Collins Birthing Center at 2:29 a.m. on Jan. 1, weighing in at 7 lbs., 8 oz. and delivered by Dr. Marlena Masavage.

Parents Andy and Crystal Shimer of St. Helena island recently moved to the Beaufort area after spending several years on the road as traveling therapists.

Crystal, an occupational therapist, and Andy, a speech therapist, met through their work in the Virgin Islands and eventually ended up in Alaska. Once they knew Eelie was on her way, the couple decided to find a more permanent residence and chose the Lowcountry.

<a href="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/All-3-babies-Eelie-Waylon-Marquise.jpg"><img class="alignright  wp-image-42939" src="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/All-3-babies-Eelie-Waylon-Marquise-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="388" height="259"></a>"We looked all over the East Coast for the right place to settle down and raise our family," Andy said. "Beaufort had everything we were looking for."

New Year's Day was actually quite busy at the Collins Birthing Center with two additional Jan. 1 birth days. Pictured here with Eelie (left to right) are Waylon Gombas, who arrived at 3:51 a.m. and Marquise De'Von Bush Jr., who made his entrance at 12:54 p.m.

As proud dad Andy Shimer said, "the Roaring '20s are back!”

<i>Right: Meet Eelie Rae Shimer, the first baby born in Beaufort in 2020. Eelie was born at 2:29 a.m., Jan. 1 at Beaufort<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></i><i>Memorial Hospital to St. Helena Island residents Andy and Crystal Shimer. Photos submitted by Beaufort Memorial Hospital.</i>