Eight sets of twins and counting…

Delores L. Walker, Free Press Reporter

A “happening” that has gained not only local newspaper coverage but also television status has literally got folks scratching their heads as they ponder the possibility……”could it be the water?”



If so, then Lafayette County could have discovered a literal artisan well in this day and age when water is one of the hottest commodities in the state.



In case you haven’t heard TWINS are becoming the norm in this county of less than 7000 and it doesn’t appear to have any preference as to whose family will be blessed next.



As of this week there is confirmation that “eight,” yes you read correctly, there are “eight” sets of twins that have either been born in the past seven months or will be born before the end of this year. The possibility of more twins coming along is what has some moms and dads having second thoughts about adding to the family.



The really unusual thing is most folks in the county cannot recall more than 10 or 12 sets of twins being born here in the past 20 or so years.



Rusty and Judy Bryan started the trend with the birth of RJ and Hayley seven and a half months ago. Then it was the birth of Riley and Renata Putnal’s girls Brooke and Britney last October. Following close behind was the birth of Keith and Stephanie Shiver’s girls Emma and Faith. And just last Wednesday Jason and Kylee Martin welcomed their twin boys to the family.



The other moms that are still waiting for their double blessings are Ryan and Tiffany Perry, who are having boys; Jason and Becky Long, also having boys; Chris and Heather Crow and Shon and Anita Riels are waiting to find out if they are having girls or boys.



This unique occurrence caught the attention of the Mayo Free Press staff who in turn informed WCTV Ch 6 news reporter Sarah Grady. Over the course of a few days email and phone calls were exchanged in order to set up a time and place for everyone to meet. Within a week’s time, on Wednesday, Jan. 21, Mayo Free Press Manager Linda Smith and Delores L. Walker, reporter met with Grady and the Channel 6 cameraman to get a first-hand account from the mom’s themselves.



It was a relaxed meeting held at the new Alton Church of God Abundant Life Center. Moms chatted while several pre-school children ran about the spacious building entertaining each other.



Grady fell into the same relaxed format as the taping began. The informal interviews went without a hitch as Grady talked with each of the six moms present, posing the same set of questions, “Tell me about what’s happening?” “And how is everyone reacting to this astonishing news?”



The moms answered the curious questions with humor and complete faith that God certainly knew what He was doing by adding to the population of Mayo at such a rapid pace.



When Mayor Terry Sullivan, who is also Brooke and Britney Putnal’s papa was asked what he thought about all the attention that was being focused on the small town, he said, “Geeze, I don’t know, but once the first set was announced it seems the others just fell in line.”



Judy Bryan, the first mom to have twins said “I take credit for getting the trend started.”



Tiffany Perry who could deliver next said “There are three sets of twins in our family so we’re not real surprised, but I think the timing of all of us is unique.”



Expectant mom, Becky Long who teaches at Lafayette Elementary School commented that the twins could make up a whole classroom when they all start to school the same year. “And I’d like to be their teacher,” she said.



Renata Putnal, whose girls are not identical, but still look a lot alike, and Stephanie Shiver whose girls are identical commented about the way to tell them apart. Shiver said, “One is just a bit smaller, for now that’s how I can tell them apart,” she said. As for later when they’re older it probably will be more difficult she said.



Putnal said her girls are entirely different in their personalities. “I am amazed at the way they are so alike but so different.”



Heather Crow candidly answered “twins” when Grady asked about her recent news from the doctor.



Two of the eight fortunate moms were unable to attend Wednesday’s taping. Anita Reils was working and Kylee Martin was in Jacksonville delivering her twin boys.



The news clip was aired last Wednesday afternoon at 5 p.m. on Grady’s “Particular Pastimes” show and again last Thursday during the WCTV6 Morning News.



Although the subject of water was brought up as the possible culprit causing this phenomenon in the county, the moms all agreed the truth of the matter was that it wasn’t the water at all, indeed it is a blessing from God, one that has the entire community smiling and wondering who will be next.