SIDNEY — One in 1,461. That’s the likelihood of being born on Feb. 29. This extra day every four years, or “leap day,” has history and traditions dating back to 46 B.C., according to history.com.
Our current calendar is based on one introduced by the Roman dictator Julius Caesar. This calendar system was based on a total of 355 days in a year, a full 10.25 days shorter than a solar year, which is the length of time it takes the Earth to make one complete orbit around the sun. To keep the calendar system in line with the seasons, Roman officials were supposed to insert an extra month every so often, but by the time Caesar began to rule Rome, the calendar had gotten seriously out of whack, according to history.com. Caesar consulted with the top astronomers of the day, and decided to add one day every four years to make up the discrepancy between the lunar and solar calendars.
Those lucky (or unlucky) humans born on a leap day, find themselves without a birthday most years, but since 2016 has a Feb. 29, the Sidney Daily News talked to a few of those “Leaplings” about their special birthday.
Esther and Lester
Esther Hoelscher, of Newport, and Lester Poeppelman, of Minster, just might be the oldest living twins in Ohio, and if they aren’t, they’re probably the oldest living twins in Ohio with a leap year birthday, said Lester’s son Jim.
Esther and Lester were born on Feb. 29, 1924, to Alice and Ben Poeppelman. They weighed 7 pounds each when they were born.
“Can you imagine my mother walking around with 14 pounds of baby inside her? Lester is five minutes older; I like to tell people I pushed him out,” Esther said.
She said no one really celebrated their birthdays until they were around 60. Her kids used to buy her bubble gum and ink.
Esther and Lester would go to each other’s houses to celebrate with each other most years, and on the off years they would celebrate for a whole week or pick the closest Sunday to get family together.
What some find most interesting about Esther and Lester is that they have a late cousin, Kenneth Luthman, who was born on Feb. 29, 1936. It gets even more mind-blowing when you find out Kenneth has a son, Tom, who was also born on the same date in 1960. Where it just goes over the top cool is when you find out another member of their family, Kenneth’s great-nephew, James, has the exact same birthday in 1980.
Esther recalled a surprise party the family had for her. She said when they pulled up she thought she was in the wrong place and tried to leave. Lester had two birthdays that stuck out in his mind. He turned 20 while he was on a troop ship going over to China during World War II. Then he turned 21 while he was in China during World War II.
Lester thinks it’s sort of interesting to have a leap day birthday, but he said, you’re another year older regardless. Esther said she enjoys talking and being around people, so as long as she’s doing that, she loves any day of the year.
Grace Roediger
Grace, of New Bremen, was born on Feb. 29, 1940, to Noah and Selma Settlage. “When it isn’t a leap year I prefer to celebrate on Feb. 28. Everyone is a year older whether It’s leap year or not,” she said.
“I remember one story when I was a sixth-grader at New Knoxville School. Clem, the teacher, had a party on the 29th of February for me. We had cake and ice cream,” Grace said.
“In 1980, on my 10th leap year day birthday, my husband, Gene, and my two children, Barb and Dave, surprised me in our farm home with a birthday party. There were 42 friends and family that attended.
“My 16th leap year birthday in 2000 was another surprise. Our best friends invited us to eat out at a restaurant. When we returned to our house our children and their spouses along with family and friends was waiting for yet another surprise birthday party. I received some funny and some nice gifts.”
Grace said many leap year birthdays have been celebrated on cruises.
“A favorite was a Disney Cruise and a little boy also had a leap year birthday. We and his parents ate together to celebrate. Another special cruise was the NCL ‘Pride of America’ in Hawaii in 2012,” she said.
“I can’t change a thing about being born on leap year. I loved what I did and have many happy memories.”
Danny Osborne
Danny, of London, Kentucky, was born on Feb. 29, 1952, at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Sidney. This year is a very special year because it’s his Sweet 16.
Danny points to his most memorable year as the one when he was born, because everyone is born for a reason and he is happy God gave him a reason.
“I got pneumonia two weeks after I was born and my wife was born on March 31. So we were in the nursery at the same time and I tell people it was love at first sight,” he said. They have been together since ninth grade and will soon celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first sock hop.
Danny said the most exciting things seem to happen in off-years, but he looks at his birthday as a novelty and people always seem to have fun with it. “I usually celebrate my birthday on the 28th and the 1st. And I am just happy to hear from someone if they wish me happy birthday on either day,” he said.
“I am grateful that I’m having another birthday,” Danny said.
Becky Jelley
Becky, of Fort Loramie, was born to Calvin and Neta McCorkle at Wilson Hospital on Feb. 29, 1956. “When there is not a Feb. 29, my parents always celebrated my birthday on the 28th. I continued that because I like keeping it in February and as a young child the sooner the better to open up presents,” she said.
When she thinks back on memorable birthdays, two come to mind. “My 2nd birthday! I was turning 8 years old and my mom did a big birthday party for me that included 25 or more school and church friends. Everyone was dressed up in their Sunday clothes, I even got a corsage and had a Barbie doll birthday cake. It was an exciting day for me,” Becky said.
“And then the other one I will never forget was actually not on a leap year! However, it was prompted by the leap year interview in 2004 from the Sidney Daily News that asked the question ‘What do you like best about being a leap year baby?’ Well, that year it was my 12th birthday. I was turning 48 and dreading getting closer to that big 5-0, so the first thing that came to mind to answer that question was: ‘I didn’t have to worry about having an over-the-hill 50th birthday because I would not have a birthday that year!’ Two years later when I was turning 50, my dear friends remembered that comment and wasn’t going to let that slip by. They apparently couldn’t decide to surprise me on Feb. 28 or March 1, so they (well one in particular) decided the biggest surprise would be to arrive at our house at the strike of midnight to celebrate my birthday. So as the door bell was sounding frantically at midnight, myself, husband and son awoke to find 15 people outside ready to party. They came complete with refreshments, cake and gifts. I guess that was as close as you could get to the 29th on that year. Needless to say it was quite a surprise for me and my family,” she said.
Becky said she loves and really doesn’t mind having her birthday on leap year. Everyone remembers your birthday and it has always been a lot of fun, she said. She said on leap years she gets cards and hears from people that she hasn’t heard from in years. In 2012, she said she got calls and cards from over 40 people and there is just always a little more hoopla than in other years.
Becky is a retired school treasurer and works part time for the Midwest Regional Education Service Center. “I guess not too many people can say they were retired before celebrating their 15th birthday,” Becky said.
“I actually feel very fortunate God has given me a uniquely special birth date to do a little more celebrating with my wonderful family and friends (at least every four years). This year will by my 15th birthday and, although most kids celebrating their 15th birthday are probably not thinking about being able to celebrate with their parents, I will feel especially blessed and fortunate to be celebrating my 15th birthday with my mother who is almost 91 and my father who is 88,” Becky said.
Traci Cooper-Milanese
Traci, of Sidney, was born Feb. 29, 1976, in Key West, Florida. Her parents are Tom and Terri Cooper, grandparents are Virginia Shreves and the late Marvin Shreves, and Robert and Eileen Cooper.
She said when she was younger she absolutely hated this birthday.
“My brother, Travis Cooper, would tease me consistently and one time even tape-recorded himself repeating, ‘Leap year baby. Leap year baby. You are a leap year baby,’ and put it under my bed so when I laid down that night, that is what I heard,” Traci said.
She loves her birthday now, she said, because of course she is only 9 years old for four years, rather than 36, 37, 38, 39, and she said going on 10 this year sounds way better than 40. “My daughter, who is 11, thinks it’s the best thing in the world because she is older than I am and will always be from this point on. She loves telling her friends,” Traci said.
She said she was pretty lucky her parents have always made a big deal out of birthdays but an even bigger deal out of hers.
“Its a common joke when people ask when I celebrate my birthday, I say all week, but its not really a joke, I do, and so does everyone else with me. Its almost disappointing when I actually do have a birthday, because I only get one day,” Traci said.
She said one of the most frustrating things is when you have to put your birthday into a computer and it doesn’t want to recognize it.
“In fact, I own two vehicles and just got the plates renewed and one came back expires in February 2017 and the other said expires March 2017. I thought it was kind of funny,” Traci said.
Stacy Roeth
Stacy, of Columbus, was born on Feb. 29, 1984, to Jeff and Peggy Roeth. She grew up in Houston.
“My ‘1st’ birthday, I celebrated with my younger brother who was actually turning 1. His birthday is on Feb. 26, so most years we celebrate together with family,” Stacy said.
On non-leap years, she celebrates on Feb. 28. “I have a February birthday not a March birthday, so I have always celebrated in February. The only year I had to wait until March 1 was in 2005 when I turned 21. (I had to obey the law),” she said.
“My 16th/4th birthday was very memorable. My parents surprised me after a tournament basketball game at Piqua, they had rented a limo for me and my friends. We went cruising around Piqua (that was the thing to do) and then the limo took us to Applebees. It was awesome. My friends and I thought we were so cool. On real birthdays, my parents have sent balloons and candy and flowers. When growing up, on leap year birthdays, I would also get a piece of jewelry that had my birthstone in it. Either a ring or necklace or earrings. This year, on my “8th” birthday, my friends are throwing me a princess party. Complete with costumes and tiaras,” Stacey said.
She enjoys being a leap year baby. “It is unique and it makes the year when I have an actual birthday very special. The anticipation for the real day builds up and those years with an actual leap year, I celebrate like there is no tomorrow. I like to joke with my family and friends that I will never be old. My birthday is always my fun fact about myself and everyone remembers my birthday, it is pretty unforgettable. My family is great though, they let me celebrate every year,” Stacey said.
Justin Keller
Justin, of Sidney, was born on leap day 1996, to Ralph and Diana Keller. On non-leap years he usually celebrates his birthday on Feb. 28.
”Every time I have a ‘real’ birthday, one of my friends buys me a birthday card with my ‘real’age on it. In 2012, I received a card for a 4-year-old. That same year, my entire class bought me a ‘Happy 4th birthday’ card,” Justin said.
He said he enjoys being a leap day baby. “I like that when I’m 100 years old I can tell girls I am 25,” he said.
Kenzi Koester
Kenzi, of Sidney, was born on leap day 2008, to Nic and Ashley Koester. One of her most memorable birthdays was when she turned 1 year old (or 4 years old).
“We went to Disney. Disney stayed open 24 hours because of leap day. This year for my second birthday (8 years old) we are going on a Disney cruise,” Kenzi said.
On non-leap years she celebrates her birthday on Feb. 28 or March 1. She likes having a leap day birthday because she gets to travel somewhere exciting when she has an actual birthday.
To learn more about leap day, visit http://www.history.com/news/all-about-leap-day.
