GOOD NEWS: Owlbert to unveil new book at library

Staff reports  |  Owlbert, the mascot for Charleston County Public Library, will unveil  a new book, “Owlbert Finds a Home” during a special storytime event 10:30 a.m. June 14 in the Main Library’s children’s area.

The fun story, which was written and illustrated by library staff members, explains how Owlbert ended up living at the library and becoming its mascot.  On Thursday it will be read aloud by the story’s illustrator, Liz Wuestefeld.

And Owlbert will be on hand as a special guest and will provide free autographed copies of the book to all attendees.

In other Good News.

Anniversary commemoration.  ​ Fort Sumter National Monument will commemorate the 242nd anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island with special programs on June 23 and June 24 at Fort Moultrie. Visitors of all ages are invited to explore the American Revolution through the life of a soldier in South Carolina.  Musket demonstrations by volunteer reenactors from the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, National Park Service volunteer reenactors and staff will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sunday while artillery demonstrations will take place at 11 a.m. and 3  p.m. on Saturday and at 11 a.m. on Sunday.  Fort Moultrie is located at 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. film. An entrance fee is normally charged for the park. More info: www.facebook.com/FtMoultrie

New mobile testing van.   Palmetto Community Care (formerly Lowcountry AIDS Services) is hitting the road this summer with its new mobile testing van to make it easier for Charleston area residents to get a free, confidential HIV test. This van – aimed at reaching rural and high-needs communities – was made possible by a $50,000 grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

In January 2018, Palmetto Community Care recorded the most positive HIV tests in its history. Of those who came in for a free HIV test in January, seven tested positive for HIV. Underscoring the issue that HIV is disproportionately impacting youth, all seven of those people were under the age of 30. In all of 2017, 20 people tested positive for HIV at Lowcountry AIDS Services. The agency tests an average of 1,600 people annually.  More on scheduled stops and other information:  palmettocommunitycare.org.

Hurd portrait.  The Charleston County Public Library will unveil a portrait of Cynthia Graham Hurd, which will be dedicated in honor of the 31-year library employee who died in the Emanuel AME church shooting in June 2015. Hurd was manager of the St. Andrews Regional branch at the time of her death.  An unveiling ceremony will take place noon June 20 at the Cynthia Graham Hurd/St. Andrews Regional Library in West Ashley. Refreshments will be served and the program will be followed by a special event, an ice cream sundae bar at 1 p.m., which is part of the branches Kindness Week, organized in memory of Cynthia Graham Hurd and her philosophy to always be kind. The Charleston Friends of the Library funded the official portrait.

Big pledge.  Synovus/NBSC last week announced a $250,000 pledge to the International African American Museum bringing it closer to raising the private money it needs to funding the project.