On August 5, 2019, David Briley the mayor of Nashville, TN, signed a proclamation recognizing the day as Dolly Parton Day. The proclamation states,
"We give thanks for Dolly's unparalleled career as an entertainer and philanthropist and her ability to touch millions of lives everywhere, including so many right here in Music City, with her moving music and her generous heart."
This honor acknowledges Dolly's long history with the city and Tennessee. It notes her debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage at the Ryman Auditorium at age 13 and her bold move to Music City at age 18.
Dolly Parton Day not only celebrates Dolly's outstanding musical career but also places high regard for her generosity. Dolly founded her Imagination Library first in Sevier County, TN in 1995. She then made the program available for replication statewide and today, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has gifted over 125 million free books to children around the world.
Both Dolly and the Imagination Library received a special honor from the National Conference of State Legislatures at its 2019 Legislative Summit held at Music City Center in Nashville, TN.
Pictured Above: Dolly Parton, David Briley (Mayor of the City of Nashville, TN)
Photo Courtesy of the Mayor’s Office
Dolly Parton appeared as a keynote speaker at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) 2019 Legislative Summit, held August 5-8 in Nashville, TN. The annual bipartisan conference aims to provide states “support, ideas, connections and a strong voice on Capitol Hill,” and Dolly took the stage to talk about literacy and her Imagination Library program.
During a Q&A segment with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Dolly shared how her father’s inability to read or write inspired her to launch the Imagination Library, which mails one free book each month to children from birth to age five in participating communities. What started in 1995 as a program in her hometown of Sevier County, TN, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library now spans five countries and mails over 1.4 million free books each month to children around the world.
The Imagination Library relies on local partners to secure funding for the program, and in 2004, the state of Tennessee became the first to pass legislation supporting a statewide rollout of the program. During their on-stage discussion, Gov. Lee emphasized the scientifically-proven benefits of reading to your child, while Dolly encouraged all of the legislative leaders in attendance to adopt the Imagination Library as a statewide program so that “all children in our country will have access to books.”
“We’d like all the states to go statewide with it,” she said. “It’s not just for poor kids, but for all kids, for every child who signs up.”
Representing the Tennessee General Assembly, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and House Speaker-select Cameron Sexton appeared on stage to present Dolly with a $25,000 check for her Dollywood Foundation, which funds the Imagination Library.
Dolly concluded her appearance with a touching performance of “Coat of Many Colors” and brought the entire audience to their feet with an inspiring rendition of “Try,” a song she wrote to celebrate her Imagination Library. Dolly left all of the conference attendees with a message of inspiration, encouraging them all to follow their dreams, to respect and love all of God’s children and to take any opportunity to work together.
Pictured Above: Dolly Parton, Toi Hutchinson (Illinois, Legislator)
Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen
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On Friday, September 20, sixteen prominent writers will be inducted into the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame. This year’s awards gala will be at the Historic Southern Railway Station. Friends of Literacy has sponsored the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame for 16 years and is proud to honor the significant contributions of local writers to the culture and history of the region.
Inductees include Michael Lofaro (Lifetime Achievement), Elizabeth Genovise (Fiction), Kim Trevathan (Nonfiction), Rhea Carmon (Poetry), Paul Harrill (Screenwriting), Jamie Satterfield (Journalism), Alan Sherrod (Social Media), and Karen E. Reynolds (Songwriting). Accepting their awards by video will be Rick Yancey (Young Adult Literature) and Dolly Parton (Outstanding Contribution to East Tennessee Culture and Literacy).
Additionally, six East Tennessee writers are being inducted posthumously: Kim Williams (Songwriting), Rikki Hall (Journalism), Anne Wetzell Armstrong (Fiction), Sarah Booth Conroy (Nonfiction), Bert Vincent (Nonfiction), and George Washington Harris (Lifetime Achievement). The evening will also include a presentation by a Friends of Literacy student.
Sponsors for this year’s event include 21st Mortgage Corporation, WNOX Radio, Knoxville News Sentinel, Pilot Flying J, KPMG, LHP Capital, and Herron-Connell Insurance.
Tickets go on sale August 1. Individual tickets are $100 each and include dinner and cash bar. Tables are $1,000 each and include a VIP meet and greet with the writers. Tickets may be purchased online at FriendsofLiteracy.org or ETWritersHOF.org, or by phone at 865-549-7007.
Friends of Literacy is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve adult literacy and education in East Tennessee. Proceeds from the gala support those programs.
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Hallmark Channel announces Danica McKellar, is set as the lead of the World Premiere Original Movie, "Christmas At Dollywood," premiering in December as part of the network’s 10th Anniversary salute to its #1-rated COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS program event. Making a special appearance in the film is Dollywood’s beloved namesake, country music legend and American treasure, Dolly Parton. The film commences principal photography at the theme park in November.
In "Christmas At Dollywood," Rachel Lewis (McKellar) is a single mom and award-winning Broadway producer who learns investors have mismanaged her latest theatrical – a holiday extravaganza – into bankruptcy, forcing the show to close before it opens. Rachel is dismayed, but not for long, as her friend calls from Tennessee to let her know there is an opportunity for a seasoned pro to produce a show for the 20th anniversary of the award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival at Dollywood. One caveat, Rachel learns this is a co-production with Luke Hakman, entertainment director for Dollywood.
Luke is a long-time Dollywood employee who sees the holiday show as key to him becoming the park’s next GM. With nine-year-old daughter Amy in tow, Rachel leaves New York City to return to her Appalachian mountain roots. Every night as Rachel tucks Amy into bed, she tells the child a new ADVENTURES OF AMY story, a collection of personal mother-daughter bedtime stories Rachel hopes to author someday. One night, Rachel tells Amy about a little girl following Santa Claus on his route. Using the stars as her guide, fantasy Amy travels with Santa to the Northern Lights. Rachel tells her child the lights are so magical and beautiful that Amy can always look to the night sky to find her way home. Is this an idea for the new Dollywood show? Rachel thinks so, though she will have to convince a skeptical Luke who has his own vision of success. As the pair meets in the middle to please the boss, little do Rachel and Luke realize love lurks in all the unexpected places because this isn’t the Great White Way. Or Hollywood. This is Dollywood!
“Dolly Parton is a bright light who is rich in spirit, kindness, and love. ‘Christmas At Dollywood’ features Danica McKellar in a story about finding love and new beginnings in the most familiar place -- home. A holiday movie set in a winter wonderland like Dollywood exemplifies the quality of the talent, storytelling, and filmmaking that has made COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS the #1 program event on television for ten years,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming & Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks.
Danica McKellar and Dolly Parton share a special connection to children’s literacy: both are successful authors and two of Danica’s books can be found in Dolly’s world-renowned Imagination Library.
"Christmas At Dollywood" is written by Nina Weinman. Executive Producers are Alan Ett and Bruce Hendricks.
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The swashbuckling adventure that is Pirates Voyage officially opened during a mid-day media event today in Pigeon Forge, with Dolly Parton on hand to introduce the thrilling dinner and show. She shared her excitement about her latest entertainment offering for families.
In addition to the initial investment in the property, the Pirates Voyage construction phase for the new show was $9 million, bringing the investment in the property to a total of $28 million. The dinner and show truly is an unbelievable adventure with sword fights, cannons and pirates scaling high above two pirate ships fighting to win Davy Jones’ coveted sunken treasure. A rowdy crew of characters combines heroics and high-flying fun that will have guests cheering and experiencing thrills around every corner in an epic battle for lost treasure on land, on deck, and in the water of the show’s 15-foot-deep indoor lagoon.
Since its soft opening on May 24, the crew has performed three sold-out shows every day with extraordinary guest feedback.
“Our guests have been telling us that Pirates Voyage is unlike any other family fun attraction they have experienced,” said Leah Hicks, Director of Sales & Marketing for Pirates Voyage. “Where else can families have fun together creating memories of a lifetime – with ship-to-ship battles, cannons blazing, acrobatics and a delicious feast? It’s perfect for swashbucklers, pirates and mermaids, and the food alone makes the show one-of-a-kind!”
The adventure actually begins in the Pirates Village, where younger swashbucklers as well as parents and grandparents can “Join the Crew” and be transformed into mermaids and pirates before the main show begins. The four-course pirate feast straight from Captain Blackbeard’s galley makes Pirates Voyage the most unique place to eat in the Smokies. The meal begins with voyager creamy vegetable soup and a buccaneer biscuit. The feast fit for a pirate continues with cracklin’ pan-fried chicken, a bone-in pork chop, matey’s mac ‘n’ cheese, and Jolly Roger sweet potato souffle. Walk the plank peach turnover and unlimited Coca-Cola® products, tea or coffee complete the meal. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available by request.
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Visit Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show To See Show Dates And Times
