Jeni’s Ice Cream announces new Dolly Parton flavor to benefit her child literacy program
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Get excited, ice cream lovers. There’s a new flavor coming to town — and it’s inspired by the one and only Dolly Parton.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, an artisan ice cream brand with a cult following, announced this week a new collaboration with the country music icon. The company had been teasing fans about a new "collab flavor" on its Instagram.
Parton, who turned 75 this year, is a Grammy-winning music legend as well as a lifelong philanthropist. The new ice cream flavor, which has not yet been revealed, will benefit Parton’s Imagination Library — a book gifting program that mails free books to kids under the age of 5 across the world to improve child literacy.
In addition to her literacy program, Parton has kept busy with other efforts as well.
In 2020, she donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, for coronavirus vaccine research. Earlier this month, she rolled up her sleeve to finally receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that her donation helped develop.
"Dolly gets a dose of her own medicine," Parton wrote in a March 2 post on Twitter with a picture of her getting the vaccine.
"I’m old enough to get it and I’m smart enough to get it," Parton said in a video. "I wanted to tell everybody that I think you should get out there and do it too."
She said she even changed the lyrics to her iconic song "Jolene," to "fit the occasion."
"Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I’m begging of you please don’t hesitate," Parton sang. "Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, ‘cause once you’re dead, then that’s a bit too late."
Parton had earlier told The Associated Press that she was going to wait to get the shot until it became more widely available because she didn't want to look like she was jumping the line.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream shared an image announcing the new flavor collaboration with Dolly Parton to benefit her Imagination Library program. (Photo: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams)
A decade ago, Parton earned the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She is the second-most nominated woman in Grammy history, only behind Beyoncé.
She has also been supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement, and her advocacy for racial justice was celebrated in a mural last summer in Nashville.
In January, Tennessee lawmakers introduced a bill that would have erected a statue of her on the Capitol grounds in honor of her contributions to the state. But Parton asked for them to withdraw the bill, thanking the legislature for their consideration and saying she was honored and humbled by their intentions.
"Given all that is going on in the world, I don’t think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time," Parton said at the time.
This story was reported from Cincinnati. The Associated Press contributed.
Man finds 6-carat diamond at famed Arkansas state park: 'We got a big one!'
A diamond-hunting enthusiast who moved to Arkansas just to be closer to the nation’s only public diamond mine has finally found his big rock.
Pasadena Memorial High School has all the energy for Friday Football Fever
Even early in the morning, Pasadena Memorial High brought the energy ahead of their football game against Sam Rayburn HS. FOX 26's Nate Griffin swung by to get a look for Friday Football Fever.
Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans renew in-state NFL rivalry this weekend
The two NFL teams from the Lone Star State will play in Houston for the first time in eight years, and both the Cowboys and Texans are looking to fix some early-season problems.
Walmart recalls 4.4M grill brushes over danger that metal wires could detach, be swallowed
Walmart is recalling more than 4.4 million grill brushes because the brush’s small metal wire bristles can detach and pose a risk of serious injuries if they are swallowed.
Michigan woman behind bars after admitting to pouring boiling water on teen girl during fight
A Michigan woman is under arrest after deputies say she admitted to pouring boiling water on a teenage girl during a fight.
Hochul steps in, assigns state AG to Cornell fraternity sexual assault probe
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul moved to take a Cornell University sexual assault investigation out of local hands on Thursday, placing the state attorney general in charge.
Sam Rayburn High School prepared to 'execute' for Friday Football Fever
The football team at Sam Rayburn High School are prepared to take on Pasadena Memorial and FOX 26's Nate Griffin made a stop to get the excitement for Friday Football Fever.
Watch: Dog hails police, leads them home to find owner needing help
A Kansas police officer responded to what may have been one of the most unusual calls for help of his career.
Ken Urker, Gypsy Rose Blanchard's partner, dies at 34: reports
Ken Urker, the partner of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, has died, Blanchard confirmed to People magazine.
Houston weather: Storm Alert due to heavy rain chances, flood watch in effect
A flood watch is in effect for many Houston-area counties until Friday evening. We can expect some rounds of heavy, scattered rain moving through the area and continuing through the weekend