Residents celebrate Dolly Parton at Waltonwood Main.Photo:Courtesy Waltonwood Senior Living
Courtesy Waltonwood Senior Living
When Lindsay Charlefour, who works as the life enrichment director atWaltonwood Mainsenior living community in Rochester Hills, Michigan, readDolly Parton’s new bookBehind the Seams,she knew what the center’s next theme week would be.
“I started thinking Waltonwood, Dollywood — a whole week of nothing but celebrating, honoring, learning about her,” says Charlefour, 41. “I ran out of space on the calendar because there was so much we could do.”
This much is true: activities around Parton’s 78th birthday on Jan. 19 included a learning session about her beloved butterflies, a supper of foods from her native Tennessee (think chicken and dumplings and butterscotch pie) and a book drive for herImagination Library.
Lindsay Charlefour and Toni Alexander at Waltonwood Main’s Dolly Parton celebration.Courtesy Waltonwood Senior Living
Charlefour “went all over the state of Michigan finding Dolly Parton CDs or knickknacks,” she says. “I set up different exhibits in areas of the community for residents to learn more about her. It’s really important to me, that the residents hear, see, touch — that they can interact. And the more they know, how can you not fall in love with Dolly?”
That applies to resident Toni Alexander, 98, who wasn’t overly familiar with the country star before the month’s celebrations. She was the one who receivedBehind the Seamsas a holiday gift from her daughter, and passed it along to Charlefour for consideration.
Residents celebrate Dolly Parton at Waltonwood Main.Courtesy Waltonwood Senior Living
“After looking at her book and learning about her, I can do nothing but admire her as a benefactor and an entertainer,” says Alexander. “And I want Dolly to know that I’m now a fan for the rest of my life.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Happy birthday to Dolly from Waltonwood and all of the residents,” she adds. “We’re doing our best to celebrate all the pieces of her!”
source: people.com
