COUNTY LIFE
Jacob Skinner
By BARBARA GREEN
“We don’t meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason.” (Unknown author)
Melissa Sillivent calls the young man who crossed her path on the worst day of her life a “hero.” Someone who embraced a hysterical mother trying to get home to find her child.
Missing
It was a tragic day for Melissa and Robert Sillivent as their only child, Benjamin Ryder went missing and was found a short time later in a nearby pond.
It occurred on May 25 at a rural residence on Lawhorn Lane near Sunset. Robert Sillivent called 911 to report his two-and-a-half year old son was missing. He told law officers he had been feeding horses and Ryder was playing nearby. When the dad stepped away for a moment he returned to find the boy gone.
Firefighters, police and sheriff’s deputies and medical first responders from across the area arrived to search. After Ryder was found, medical personnel attempted to revive him and he was airlifted to Cook Children’s Hospital, where he died.
The Sillivents are devastated by the death of their first and only child. Melissa says they are trying to take it day by day, but it is so hard
“It just seems so unreal, like living in a nightmare every minute of the day. It’s like you’ve always heard, you blame yourself, hate yourself, ask what’s the point of life? Why is this happening? He was the light of our lives,” she explains through tears.
While the death of their child is the center of their life, Melissa approached The Bowie News because she wanted to thank one young man whom she says helped her get to her baby.
That grieving mother had no idea who the young man was who gave her ride in an effort to get home as everyone searched for her lost child, but eventually she found Jacob Skinner and she wants everyone to know of his kindness on the worst day of her life.
Read the full story in the weekend News.
Get an early start celebrating mom by enjoying the Mom’s Night Out Sip & Stroll With Me downtown Bowie, Texas from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 2 with a chance to win a free gift basket full of goodies at each participating location.
Weather permitting, the Stark family will provide horse-drawn carriage rides on the beautiful historic brick streets for guests.
Join us for another fun downtown “mini-open house” event starting at 5 p.m. along with the added fun of pop-up vendors.
Read about all the participating merchants for this week’s Sip & Stroll With Me in the May 1 Bowie News.
Get ready, Bowie the Free Comic Book Day Mini-Con is back and bigger than ever for its second annual event on May 3 at the Bowie Public Library.
Running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this annual celebration of comics, pop culture, and creativity is a can’t-miss event for fans of all ages.
This year’s Mini-Con will feature an exciting lineup of vendors, artists and authors, along with a bounce house, video game tournament and costume contest. Attendees can enjoy free comic books while exploring a variety of geeky goods, delicious food/drinks and more.
Whether you’re a superhero fan or just looking for a fun community event for all ages or to take the family out to, there’s a little something for everyone.
Don’t forget your costume, join us for a day of fun, fandom and free comics. Follow Bowie Texas Freakz & Geekz on social media or join the discord at BTXFG.Carrd.co.
Members of the Stoneburg Volunteer Fire Department will serve up its annual fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 3 at the Bowie Community Center, 413 Pelham Street.
Dinner includes fish with all the trimmings, served for donations only.
There will be a prize drawing for a Pitboss Savannah Pellet Grill and a custom built ARIS Rifle 5.56 NATO. Tickets are $10. To buy tickets call Bill Prater at 841-0263, Chad Long at 531-2711 or Chad Gerlach at 531-0726.
Donations may be sent to Stoneburg VFD, c/o Chad Gerlach, 9954 FM 1816, Bowie, TX 76230.
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