Dolly Parton Reads Imagination Library Stories

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library reading group is scheduled to begin April 2, 2020.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library reading group is scheduled to begin April 2, 2020.

Dolly Parton Reads Imagination Library Stories. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth to age five in participating communities within the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Republic of Ireland.

Dolly will tuck you in and read you a story.

Dolly will tuck you in and read you a story. Photo credit – Parton SDS

In an announcement on social media Monday, Dolly Parton said she would begin reading books from her Imagination Library starting April 2, 2020. Dolly posted a short video on the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Facebook page. The segment ‘Goodnight with Dolly’ is scheduled on April 2, 2020 from 7-7:15 p.m April. The superstar’s Goodnight With Dolly video series is exactly what the country needs during this time of uncertainty.

Dolly Parton  gave us hits like “Jolene,” and  “I Will Always Love You.”  She is one-third of the comedy trio from the film 9 to 5, and sends books to 850,000 children per month.  Now Dolly Parton will read us bedtime stories when we need them most.

Dolly will kick off a 10-book video series with The Little Engine That Could, and will continue weekly with other titles from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“I hope this gift will further inspire a love of books and shared storytime during this important time… From everyone on our team, thank you so much for inspiring a love of reading in your family.  As I always say — We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails — and we’re going to do just that, together,” said Dolly.

Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write Dolly started her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, her program spans four countries and mails over 1 million free books each month to children around the world.

“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer,” said Dolly. “The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”

 

Dollywood Cades Cove Expansion Breaks Ground

The new Dollywood Cades Cove expansion promises to quadruple park attendance.

The new Dollywood Cades Cove expansion promises to quadruple park attendance.

Dollywood Cades Cove Expansion Breaks Ground. Smoky Mountain officials announced today the expansion of the popular theme park has begun. The project has not been without controversy. Locals and visitors have expressed outrage but the lack of support for the protest movement and the recent park closure due to the COVID-19 virus cleared the way for the work to begin.

The Grand Parton is the worlds fastest rollercoaster!

The Grand Parton will be the worlds fastest rollercoaster!

The new addition to the Smokies will include the longest and fastest roller coaster in North America. Dubbed the “Grand Parton,” the coaster will exceed 325 miles per hour. Three tunnels will be constructed for the coaster to pass through the mountains. Abrams Creek will be rerouted to the newer and taller Abrams Falls. The new falls will accommodate the new “River Wild Rampage” ride plunging visitors over six hundred feet into a large holding pond.

The new and improved Cades Cove grist mill experience will showcase tubing!

The new and improved Cades Cove grist mill experience will showcase tubing!

“We knew parking would be a big problem in Cades Cove for the millions of new visitors but after serious thought we were able to solve that issue,” said park official O. Howie Lyes. “We gained the rights to 700 acres of park land to log. Once the trees were gone we were ready to park cars. We were even able to use the lumber we harvested to help construct the new roller coaster! Everything worked out great.“

This expansion will not be the first time a national park has also doubled as a theme park. Who will forget the short-lived Niagra Falls tubing extravaganza or the Grand Canyon chutes and ladders park. Visitors will no doubt have strong opinions about the theme park but we can’t wait to ride the new rollercoaster!

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Native American Fry Bread Recipe

This fry bread recipe is the perfect solution to empty bread shelves at the supermarket. The entire family will love this quick, easy and delicious recipe!

This fry bread recipe is the perfect solution to empty bread shelves at the supermarket. The entire family will love this quick, easy and delicious recipe!

Native American Fry Bread Recipe. This bread has been sustaining Americans for centuries. The simple recipe has been handed down through the generations and is now served in upscale restaurants. This recipe is so simple we often make it when we car camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is nothing better than enjoying a campfire alongside a gurgling mountain stream while the smell of fresh bread fills the air.

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Corona Virus Closes Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Corona virus closes Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Corona virus closes Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Corona Virus Closes Great Smoky Mountains National Park. GSMNP closes to support COVID – 19 prevention efforts. Park officials have closed all areas except the Foothills Parkway and the Spur. The closure will take effect Tuesday, March 24, 2020. The park will reopen Monday, April 6, 2020.The park will continue to assess changing conditions in our region and work with local communities to extend or terminate closures, as appropriate to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, partners, and local residents.

“We are sad it has come to this but in the interest of public safety it is the right thing to do” said Bill from Louisiana.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Initiates Corona Virus Health Guidelines

Smoky Mountain campgrounds and facilities close due to COVID - 19..

Smoky Mountain campgrounds and facilities close due to COVID – 19.

Great Smoky Mountains Initiates Corona Virus Health Guidelines. Beginning Monday, March 23, 2020 all national park campgrounds, picnic areas, pavilions and restrooms will be closed to the public. The closure of the facilities will continue until Thursday, April 30, 2020. At this time there is no definitive position on if backcountry campsites will close also. This is a  continuing effort to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As conditions change in America and the Smoky Mountain region, the park will continue to implement operational changes that help ensure the health and safety of visitors, employees, volunteers, partners, and local communities.

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