CROSSVILLE —
In 1996 the Dolly Parton Foundation started the Imagination Library for children in her native Sevier County, Tennessee. Her vision was to foster a love of reading among preschool children and their families. She wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create.
In May 2005, Cumberland County became the 56th county in Tennessee to adopt the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Administered through the Cumberland County Art Circle Public Library, the Imagination Library provides one free, age appropriate book each month to Cumberland County children from birth through the age of five. This program for preschool children has proven to be such a valuable tool in promoting literacy that the state of Tennessee created the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation to provide support in establishing an Imagination Library in every county of the state. The state pays 50 percent of the cost of the Cumberland County Imagination Library and the remaining cost of the program is provided by the local community.
As Cumberland County Imagination Library enters its seventh year, volunteers are hopeful that the community will continue to embrace Dolly Parton’s vision and support our efforts to register more kids in the program and raise funds to support the program. The total cost of Cumberland County Imagination Library is only $30 per child, per year, which includes 12 books, postage, shipping and handling. There are no administrative or overhead costs. According to the Children’s Literacy Initiative, 85 percent of juveniles who appear in court and 75 percent of unemployed adults are illiterate. Children who are exposed to books and reading during their preschool years enter kindergarten with a listening vocabulary of approximately 20,000 words versus 3,000 words for those who don’t have this exposure.
The Cumberland County Imagination Library will be sharing information on the program at the Fairfield Glade Village Green Mall, 126 Stonehenge Drive, Aug. 16-18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. The public is encouraged to stop by, learn about the program and consider choosing to contribute to this worthy and successful program.
Lifestyles
Imagination Library looking for children, supporters
- Lifestyles
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Emerson art exhibit at the Shanks Center until June 29
Crossville has done it again! For those who haven't realized how this town is gaining a reputation for its cultural depth and talent, you better head to the Shanks Center for the Arts. At 140 N. Main St., there is now a special exhibit from area photographers. The smash hit, however, is a large selection of varied art work by Camilla Emerson.
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127 Seniors welcome city mayor to meeting
On June 14, members gathered together at the 127 South Cumberland Senior Center to socialize with coffee, goodies and chit chat. They then played billiards, dominos and bingo, with Wendell Lester calling the numbers. The bingo prizes were furnished by Bob Folger, of State Farm Insurance.
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Marriage licenses
Published June 19, 2013.
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Wharton Association's annual book sale preparation under way
For the last six weeks, volunteers have been busy sorting through and categorizing the thousands of new and used books that have been donated to the annual Wharton Association Book Sale and hope to receive many more donations before the sale, which is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13.
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PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Town council honors school staff, students
Near to the closing of the school year, the Pleasant Hill Town Council honored outstanding students and staff from the Pleasant Hill Elementary School. Laney Barnwell, a student in Julie Mahaney’s third-grade class was selected for grades K-4. Brianna Kolhepp, a student in Brian Conatser’s homeroom class, was chosen for grades 5-8. Anita Turner has been teaching third grade for 22 years. Ann Webb has been part of the support staff at PHS for 36 years and retired at the end of school year. They were selected by PHS and honored by the town with certificates and gift cards. This summer all teachers are required to spend two or three days in Continuing Education courses in Core Education as part of their in-service training.
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The arts are alive at Fair Park
If you have ever used your artistic skills in being creative, you know it just makes you feel good inside as you express yourself.
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PLATEAU GARDENINGS: Beware of ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers, part 1
Before detailing reasons to plant or relocate woody plants later in the year, I want to first warn readers of a current danger from mosquito, tick and chigger bites. People, their pets and livestock are potential targets. Gardeners may encounter these pests in stands of weeds, tall grass, wildflowers or garden plants.
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A Time 4 Paws celebrates anniversary
April 2013 marked the two-year anniversary of the opening of A Time 4 Paws Adoption Center. A Time 4 Paws (AT4P) is a no kill animal welfare organization operates the adoption center as an alternative to abandoning and/or destroying unwanted animals. With their programs they assist an average of more than 500 animal families per year.
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Dukes of Hazzard star coming to town June 29
Sonny Shroyer, best known for playing Deputy Enos Strate on the hit TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard," will be appearing Saturday, June 29, at the Cumberland County Community Complex to meet fans and sign autographs. Appearing with him will be Hazzard Life, who will be bringing the famous 1969 Dodge Charger “The General Lee,” along with a Hazzard County police car, Daisy's Jeep and Cooter's tow truck.
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AROUND THE TOWN: TN fans’ actions immature, unnecessary
Security was beefed up, hate mail received, and threatening phone calls vetted. The Athens (Tennessee) Chamber of Commerce has been embroiled in brouhaha after recruiting Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban to speak at its annual fundraising dinner earlier this week. Reports indicate the chamber has received lots of hate from some Tennessee fans as a result of Saban’s appearance.
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