Bowers News

Sign of the times? If predictions become reality, this sign will appear more and more on roads leading to Delaware Bay coast towns.

MIDDLETOWN -- The halls of Waters Middle School were filled Thursday with about 1,000 fathers and sons -- and at least one character from 'Star Wars.' The event, called Real Men Read, is part of a school district initiative aimed at getting boys interested in reading for fun. To do that, the evening featured male role models who like to read, including former Major League Baseball pitcher Dwayne Henry, who also happens to be a Middletown High School graduate. Parent Kevin Bowers and his 8-year-old son Collin checked out the library, scanning the stacks for Goosebumps books and other favorites. Bowers brought his son to another event in the district where Collin was able to meet a graphic novelist, something that helped to spark the boy's interest in books. 'I think it's important that he read,' Bowers said, adding that for his son, it just all clicked [recently].' In every grade tested for the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System, boys scored lower than girls in reading. Illustrator Jamar Nicholas, who spoke to students in the library, told them about the value in reading that could be found in graphic novels and comics. He recalled when he was growing up, his teachers sometimes weren't interested in promoting that kind of reading. These days, educators urge boys to read what interests them. They don't have to read a 500-page novel to get the benefits of reading, said Christy Payne, a librarian at Middletown High School. Studies show that boys tend to stop reading at middle school and high school ages, so educators aim to get those in elementary school interested in reading books, magazines and newspapers. 'We want to get them addicted to reading,' Payne said. In addition to speakers, the event featured a book fair, educators sporting pirate costumes and the Middletown High football team. The older students are always popular with the grade-schoolers, who look up to them as role models, Payne said. The approach of reaching out to boys, and using male role models, is also used in the Brandywine School District. Devearl Royster, assistant principal at Springer Middle School, said the district held a Real Men Read event that was very popular. Though the Middletown event was open to all students after the school day ended, the Brandywine effort was primarily aimed at students who scored low on reading assessments. The extra help was meant to inspire them to see the value in sitting down with a book. Another effort at Brandywine is aimed at girls who scored low on reading assessments. These students were paired with a female educator, who meets with them during the lunch period. 'It was a home run,' Royster said, adding that they plan to do it again this spring.

State fish and wildlife agents report numerous arrests this month related to boating safety.

A case that began in November 2007 with the disappearance of a 26-year-old Delaware mother of three ended today when a jury found Justin Michael Hadel guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Christine Marie Sheddy.