Burn Ban in Effect. All outdoor burning is prohibited in Franklin County.
The Mount Vernon Key Club recently gathered in the home of Taylor Wafford, with Ashley Logan, Hannah Talsma, and Katon Trantham serving as additional hostesses. Following a delicious meal, members turned their attention to plans for the upcoming 51st Annual CountryFest — but first, they took time to remember a very special friend to children around the world: Dolly Parton.
The tribute had particular meaning for the Key Club because of its partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the early childhood literacy program that provides free books to young children in the Mount Vernon/Franklin County area.
Members were encouraged to wear bright colors in Dolly’s honor, and each selected a Dolly Parton quote to share. Some reflected her optimism:
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
Others demonstrated the sense of humor that was unmistakably Dolly:
“Every single diet I ever fell off of was because of potatoes and gravy of some sort.”
And then there was one of her most memorable observations:
“I’m not offended by dumb blonde jokes because I know that I’m not dumb. I also know I’m not blonde.”
Behind the humor, however, was an extraordinary legacy of helping children learn to read.
Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 in her home county in East Tennessee, inspired largely by her father, who could not read or write. What began as a hometown project ultimately grew into the world’s leading early childhood book-gifting program. More than 300 million free books have now been gifted to children, and the program mails more than 3 million books every month to children from birth to age five. It operates through partnerships with local organizations in five countries. (Imagination Library)
Years ago, Parton marveled that when she began the program in her hometown, she never imagined it would someday be helping children in Scotland. That comment was only an early indication of how far her dream would travel. From Tennessee to Texas and communities around the world, the Imagination Library has placed books — and the possibility of a lifelong love of reading — directly into the hands of millions of children. (The Boot)
The Key Club’s own participation in the Imagination Library makes Mount Vernon part of that remarkable legacy.
Members continued their Dolly tribute with a discussion of favorite movies and songs before Betsy Gekiere led the group in a spirited rendition of “Jolene.”
Then it was back to work.
Members divided into their assigned committees to prepare for the 51st Annual CountryFest, scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, on the square in downtown Mount Vernon.
CountryFest booths will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Mark your calendars, bring your family, and plan to spend the day in downtown Mount Vernon for one of the community’s favorite traditions — a great day of family fun.
For more than half a century, the women of the Mount Vernon Key Club have worked to make their community better. Their involvement with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is another chapter in that long tradition of service — helping ensure that some of Mount Vernon’s youngest citizens can grow up surrounded by books, stories, and dreams.
