A Blythe Elementary classroom got a fun lesson about the importance of becoming lifelong readers Tuesday, Dec. 6, when two members of the Charlotte Checkers, the area’s minor league professional ice hockey team, showed up to read to students in Judith Kolbenschlag’s classroom. Left wing Justin Shugg and center Cedric McNicoll read the books “Pirates Don’t Change Diapers,” by Melinda Long and David Shannon, and “Not Norman: A Goldfish Story,” by Kelly Bennett, while Chubby, the team’s mascot, listened to the stories with the kids.

As part of the Wells Fargo Reading First program, Wells Fargo donated the two books to the classroom’s library and provided students with free tickets to an upcoming Checker’s game. (Tori Hamby/Herald photos)