Thanks for the thoughts and writings of Roy Exum. Never dull, he always has astute and interesting things to say, whatever his subject, but when it comes to Dolly Parton, more power to him. To me, Dolly Parton is one of the most beautiful, interesting, witty, and lovable persons on the America scene, and, like Roy, I just love her. Her movie, "Nine to Five" is a masterpiece and she should have won an academy award for it. Her co-stars, Jane Fonda and Lilli Tomlin, were almost as good.

Dolly Parton is a fine Tennessee heroine. She has provided charming music and a classy persona for us for years and she is a grand example of a self-made success who sets an example for all young people who wish to succeed. I just wish she had made more movies. Her singing is tasteful and lively and her comments are always clever. One of my students at Lakeview, Kay Morgan, performed at Dollywood with talent and elan for some time and I was very proud of her. It was obvious when Kay was an eighth grader that she had some of the same presence as Dolly and that she would become a fine performer in the same genre.

I was glad when Dolly Parton was honored at the Kennedy Center and included in the Kennedy honors. I can think of no person who deserved the esteem more for bringing joy and fun and happiness to people is just as important as the fulfilling of other kinds of needs. Country music is a valuable facet of American music and all of us should be proud of those who present it as well as Miss Parton. Again, I say thanks to Roy Exum for the great articles he writes and for making accessible to us people and ideas that are worthwhile.

Mildred Perry Miller

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I agree Dolly Parton is a Tennessee treasure. I admire her musical talent, but I especially admire her for giving back to the citizens of our great state.

One program that has been really special to our family is Dolly's Imagination Library, a United Way sponsored program started by Dolly in 1996. My child has received one book a month since birth, and with absolutely no cost to my family. No one has to pay for the books, regardless of income (although donating to the United Way is a way to give back).

In my eyes, this program goes beyond just "receiving something for nothing." The books are fantastic, a mixture of classics and new stories. In fact, the first book my child received was The Little Engine That Could. So far, every book we have received has been hard-back.

The bond between a parent and child can only be strengthened with a nightly bedtime story. I believe in the importance of developing not only reading skills at an early age, but also for a child to develop a positive impression of books themselves.

Chris Wilson
Red Bank