ABC/Lou RoccoA group of senior citizens in East Tennessee got quite a surprise on Monday when Dolly Parton stopped by to pay them a visit.
The hometown superstar dropped by to officially rename the “Sevier County Senior Center” the “My People Senior Activity Center,” in honor of her parents, the late Robert and Avie Lee Parton. Though the once-in-a-lifetime event had been planned for some time, it was kept under wraps in the interest of crowd control.
“I am so excited to be part of this,” Dolly told the audience of about one hundred, according to USA Today, as she went on to show off her trademark wit.
“Of course, you know I’m a senior, too. When I was over in Sevier County High School, I couldn’t wait to be a senior, and now that I’m in my second childhood, I’m a senior again,” Dolly quipped.
“Anyways, I saw one of my old boyfriends from high school. He said, ‘Dolly, you look like a million dollars.’ I said, ‘Well, thank you. That’s just about how much it’s cost to make me look like this.'”
“My People” is both a song Dolly wrote, as well as a name she’s often used for her charitable activities in the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area, particularly in the wake of the devastating wildfires at the end of 2016.
While she was there, the 72-year-old also took advantage of some of the activities the center offers, touring the woodworking shop and the quilting area, and even taking part in an exercise class for a bit.
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