Sevier County — East Tennessee's sweetheart, Dolly Parton, was in town Monday to announce her partnership with the senior activity center in Sevierville.
The center will be renamed the "My People Senior Activity Center" in honor of Dolly's late parents, who she said would have loved to have a facility like it when they were alive.
During her visit, Dolly popped into a few of the classes to surprise the seniors, including an aerobics class and a quilt making class where she told the participants about her mother's love of quilting.
The country music star was quick to tell everyone that she, too, was a senior citizen.
"I remember when I was at Sevier High School, I couldn't wait to be a senior. Now that I'm in my second childhood, I'm a senior again," Parton told a crowd of seniors.
Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said there are plans to expand the facility that he predicts will attract even more members than it already does because of Dolly's name recognition.