logo
Indiana First Lady launches fundraiser for previously state-funded initiative

Indiana First Lady launches fundraiser for previously state-funded initiative

Yahoo29-04-2025

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Governor Mike Braun's wife, Maureen Braun, announced Tuesday the launch of a fundraising initiative to expand and sustain Dolly Parton's Imagination Library across Indiana, a program that the state previously funded.
The new initiative hopes to establish a public-private partnership aimed at supporting the program that promotes early childhood literacy by gifting personalized books to children from birth to age five. The First Lady is collaborating with philanthropic organizations and state leaders to secure funding and raise awareness for the Imagination Library's ongoing expansion.
'Reading opens up a world of imagination for kids, and having books in the home benefits children in school and throughout their lives,' said First Lady Maureen Braun. 'I'm proud to champion this effort to keep Dolly Parton's Imagination Library growing strong here in Indiana and to help Hoosier kids develop a lifelong love of reading.'
The initiative expects to bolster efforts to enroll more children across the Hoosier state and ensure the program's sustainability for future generations. The program was previously funded under the previous Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, but has since been removed from Indiana's budget starting this year. To learn more about the initiative or to donate, visit the Indiana State Library's website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Strawberry Festival draws a crowd after CASY lends a hand
Strawberry Festival draws a crowd after CASY lends a hand

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Yahoo

Strawberry Festival draws a crowd after CASY lends a hand

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Terre Haute's way of kicking off the summer took place Thursday with the annual Strawberry Festival. Put on by First Congregational Church, the event took over downtown Terre Haute for the 38th annual year. For just $10, people can purchase a ticket for 'The Works.' That includes biscuits, topped with strawberries, ice cream, and whipped cream. While enjoying that treat, there are tables with tents and live music. Gwen Hicks is a co-chair of the festival. She said the event was almost cancelled, but residents are sure glad it continued. 'It's just an annual event and we just feel that it means so much to so many', Hicks said. 'Today, I've had so many people tell me that they're so glad we're back and that we didn't cancel. It just means so much for me to be here this summer.' The event had been cancelled this year until Chances and Services for Youth, or CASY, stepped up to help out. CASY's Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Halleck, said they provided some much-needed financial support and helping hands for the day. 'When they made the announcement that they weren't going to have it after 37 years, we kind of sat back and thought how can we let this happen when it's such a staple in our community', Halleck said. 'Everybody looks forward to the strawberry festival, it kind of kicks off summer for us. As an agency, we were kind of kicking around the idea then made a couple of phone calls to the church and now we're here today.' The festival took place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., where Hicks said a huge crowd had been enjoying the weather and treats all day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Kennywood's new sister park Dollywood shares vision after acquisition
Kennywood's new sister park Dollywood shares vision after acquisition

CBS News

time3 days ago

  • CBS News

Kennywood's new sister park Dollywood shares vision after acquisition

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's what the vice president of marketing for Dollywood said after its parent company acquired Kennywood. Dollywood is gearing up for its 40th anniversary. What began as a small roadside attraction in 1961 has grown into a world-class theme park nestled on 165 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains. Herschend, which co-owns Dollywood with Dolly Parton, recently acquired Palace Entertainment's 24 U.S. parks, including Kennywood, Sandcastle and Idlewild & SoakZone. At Kennywood, Herschend said this season will be business as usual as the new ownership focuses on employees first. Pete Owens, Dollywood's vice president of marketing, said Herschend is focused on both guests and employees, which the company calls "hosts." "I think the things that folks in Pittsburgh and around western Pennsylvania should understand is that this is a storytelling company. This is a company that is really focused on not only the guests but the hosts, so the folks that are part now of the Herschend family," Owens said. Kennywood was a family business for more than 100 years until Palace Entertainment bought it in 2007. It will return to family ownership under Herschend, which is the world's largest family-held themed attractions company. "If there are things that aren't broke, you don't fix them," Owens said. "And Kennywood is one of my favorite parks in the world. I've been to Idlewild many times, I've been to Sandcastle, I'm kind of a theme park geek, and those are great parks." While Dollywood celebrates 40 years, Kennywood is in the midst of its 127th season. Kennywood may have new owners, but Owens says the park's history isn't going anywhere. "Certainly, the history in Pittsburgh with Kennywood is something that we as Herschend Family are going to want to continue to celebrate as the new stewards of that park," Owens said.

The Premiere Playhouse prepares to close season 22
The Premiere Playhouse prepares to close season 22

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Yahoo

The Premiere Playhouse prepares to close season 22

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A local theater group is set to drop the curtain on another season. After ten months and four mainstage productions, The Premiere Playhouse is looking to finish season 22 on a high note. 'We really like to end the season with something that can make people think and bring them joy, and so this one does actually kind of ask you to confront some thoughts about the patriarchy and things of that sort, while also making us laugh a bunch and giving us some song and dance,' Executive Artistic Director Oliver Mayes said. Could flooding be an issue with the rain this week? The Premiere Playhouse is closing the season with the uplifting musical comedy: Dolly Parton's 9 to 5. 'So folks who are familiar with the movie 9 to 5, it is very similar. I will say, I think it's even a little bit more exciting because of the more song and dance and just the live aspect of it, but it does follow three powerful women working in an office who decide to quote unquote 'fight the man' and tell him what he deserves and what they want, and in the end they get what they want and deserve as well,' Mayes said. 'You rarely find musicals where females are the lead characters so that was a huge draw,' local actor Jessica Ashton said. Jessica Ashton is playing one of the lead roles, Violet Newstead. Ashton is new to The Premiere Playhouse but a veteran of the stage. 'It's a character in my age range, which that's getting less and less as I get older, and the music, I mean we're covering lots of different genres here so it makes it really interesting for the viewer and the people performing,' Ashton said. Ashton is one of 45 people, on- and off-stage, bringing Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 to life. 'They're all prepared, they're ready to go, I can rely on my castmates, and trust is a huge thing when it comes to theater,' Ashton said. And Thursday can't get here quick enough. 'We will be absolutely ready for opening night, yes,' Ashton said. Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 opens Thursday night at the Orpheum Theater and runs through Sunday, June 22nd. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store