Dolly Parton was in her hometown of Sevierville, Tenn., on May 7 to take part in the dedication ceremony for the My People Senior Activity Center, which features activities for seniors that include exercise classes, quilting, wood-carving and more.
According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Dolly surprised guests at the center by touring the facility and performing a song. The center was dedicated in honor of Dolly’s parents, Robert and Avie Lee Parton.
“Now of course, when I started Dollywood and the employees there, I thought of them as my family, and they became my people,” said Dolly to the ceremony attendees, according to the Sentinel. “[When we] got involved in the fires up here in the heart of the Smokies, we call that My People, so I was just thinking, you know, I’m looking out at you, and I think you are, all of you, you’re my people, and this is great, and I’m so proud and so honored that I’m a Smoky Mountain girl, and I’m so proud of my home, and I’m so proud of my family.”
Formerly known as the Fort Sanders Sevier Senior Center, the facility was re-named in celebration of its 15th anniversary to reinforce its objective as a place where seniors can stay active and intermingle.
