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For nearly six decades, Dolly Parton and Carl Dean built a love story that thrived entirely out of the public eye, proving that the most enduring part of the superstar’s life was the quiet world she shared with her husband.

While millions know Parton as a rhinestone-clad country legend, her deepest roots remained tied to the steady, humble partner who stood by her side through every step of her rise to fame. That lasting bond remains, as reflected in the couple’s final resting place.

According to Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver, who spoke with TMZ, the superstar will eventually be interred alongside her husband in Nashville, Tennessee. Dean was laid to rest following his death in March 2025 at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

A 2025 video by vlogger Jordan the Lion offered fans a look at the couple’s crypt. The serene site pays homage not only to their timeless love story but also to their deeply cherished family roots.

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As seen in the clip, their crypt’s faceplate features an engraving of Parton’s childhood home nestled in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains. It serves as a tribute to her humble beginnings, where she lived alongside her parents and 11 siblings before heading to Nashville at age 18 to pursue stardom. At the center of the faceplate sit two intertwined wedding rings, engraved with the date Parton and Dean tied the knot: May 30, 1966.

Parton and Dean’s relationship was notoriously private. He stayed out of the public eye throughout her career.

After his death, Parton said to PEOPLE Magazine, “Ours is a great old love story. Most people don’t stay that close that long. That’s a loss. Nobody can ever know that unless you’ve experienced it yourself. He will always be in my heart and in my memories.”

Parton released a tribute song, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” days after Dean’s death. She dedicated the track to her husband, who appeared in the cover art.

Parton’s final wishes were revealed in a video featuring her nephew, Seaver, released on the day of her death. He stated, “Dolly was a farmer just like her daddy. He farmed the soil. She farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”

Funeral arrangements will be private, per an official family statement via Instagram. “At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com.”

Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80.

Related: Dolly Parton’s 58-Year Marriage: The Secret Life She Shared With Carl Dean

In the wake of a loss as devastating as Dolly Parton’s, fans were treated to a rare musical delight when Jack White took the stage in London as part of his headline tour.

“Queen of Country” Dolly Parton passed on August 25, 2026 after a secret bout with cancer, shocking not only her famous friends, but practically the entire country.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Little-Known Vacation Hideaway Is for Sale—and It Still Has Her ‘Wig Room’

One of her most popular, instantly recognizable songs was “Jolene,” famously covered not only by Miley Cyrus but by his band The White Stripes in 2000, more than a decade before the band called it quits.

Jack White dusted off the archives, belting out a solo rendition of his four-time Grammy-winning band’s “Jolene” as the third song of the set list for the night.

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It marked the first time in 19 years since he’s touched the deep cut cover that’s seen new life through multiple artists.

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Even for fans who weren’t in attendance, emotions were pouring through the comments on socials.

One commenter stated, “I was somewhat keeping it together today until I saw this tribute…Thank you Jack!”, while another added, “I was due for a good cry. That had to be hard. Bless you, sir.”

“Jolene” has found success across generations since Parton first released it in 1973. While The White Stripes’ and Miley Cyrus’ renditions became fan favorites, neither charted in the U.S.

Parton’s original topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and reached No. 60 on the Hot 100, while Beyoncé’s 2024 reimagining soared to No. 7 — the highest Hot 100 placement for any version of the song.

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Space-saving furniture can significantly transform a room, especially when it offers concealed storage and serves as a multifunctional piece. Few pieces actually live up to these expectations as well as the Zunmos Storage Ottoman. This sweetly designed piece not only helps you minimize clutter, but also doubles as a stool and footrest.

Normally the ottoman retails for $50 at Walmart, but right now you can snag the beige version for only $21. It’s also available in black and pink varieties for $33. The piece is ideal if you’re looking for something discreet to give your space a little makeover without spending a fortune. At as much as 58% off, you could snap up a couple for less than the full price of one! 

Zunmos Storage Ottoman, From $21 (was $50) at Walmart

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You’d typically spend far more than this on an ottoman — especially one that’s as attractive and meticulously designed as this. The stool stands nearly 13 inches tall and features a roomy interior compartment that’s just the right size for miscellaneous odds and ends that might clutter a room. While it’s compact, it’s capable of supporting up to 350 pounds!

Because it’s so versatile, you could easily set it up virtually anywhere in the home. It makes a practical addition to the living room, working well as both a storage space and a footrest when all you want to do is sit back and catch up on your favorite show. It’s just as suitable for a nursery or child’s bedroom to keep small toys contained, or in a home office or bedroom to keep charging cables, books, and other items out of sight.

It’s rare for ottomans to be as plush as this one, especially at this price. The soft, bouclé-style fabric feels velvety smooth to the touch, so it can even serve as a handy little seat to use while tying shoelaces. It makes an attractive stepstool, too, and can be convenient in rooms where you might need to reach the top shelf of a closet or cabinet.

Shoppers said it’s “so adorable,” with one person noting that it has a “sturdy” quality and “looks much more expensive” than it actually is. Another reviewer praised the “very cozy and comfortable” feel, adding that it’s lightweight enough to move around the house. 

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Related: Walmart’s Granny-Chic $30 Botanical Comforter Set Makes Your Bed Look Like a Blooming Garden

Whether you’re concerned about clutter or just want to add a warm and homey touch to the room, the Zunmos Storage Ottoman can fill the gap while making it easier to tidy up. Pick it up while it’s on sale at Walmart for a limited time! 

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Taylor Swift honored Dolly Parton after the beloved country legend died Tuesday, August 25, at age 80.

In a statement shared with Parade, the 14-time Grammy winner reflected on Parton’s generosity, humor and fierce commitment to protecting her worth as an artist.

Taylor Swift Reflects on Dolly Parton’s Grace and Grit

“A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right,” Swift said. “But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one.”

Swift described Parton as an example who encouraged others to embrace their individuality rather than imitate her. “She was truly the gift that kept on giving. Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals,” she said.

Swift also celebrated the balance behind Parton’s public persona, praising both her compassion and the resolve that helped her navigate decades in the music business. “Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person,” Swift said. “She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist.”

In her emotional statement, Swift thanked Parton for opening doors that younger women could walk through. “For the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too. Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way,” she said.

Dolly Parton’s Final Message to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce View this post on Instagram

The tribute followed one of Parton’s final public messages, a playful thank-you to Swift and her husband, Travis Kelce, for donating $2 million to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Parton shared the Instagram video on July 3, the couple’s wedding day. “Taylor and Travis, it’s Dolly, and I was just told that you two were making a donation of $2 million to my Imagination Library,” Parton said. “I’m blown away and overjoyed with that gratitude.”

She ended the message with a nod to one of her most beloved songs: “So, thank you, and know that I will always love you.”

Dolly Parton’s Death and Lasting Legacy

Parton died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center after a “brief battle with cancer,” her representatives confirmed to People.

Her legacy includes 11 Grammy Awards, songs such as “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors,” and the Imagination Library, which has provided hundreds of millions of books to children worldwide.

Dolly Parton recorded “My Place in History” with the intention of it being her final song. But even with the news of her death, it will be another two decades before fans get to hear it.

The original song is recorded on a CD, which is inside a locked wooden box, which is behind glass and on display at the Dollywood DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The box will not be opened until January 19, 2046 — Parton’s 100th birthday.

“I have regretted that, because it was a really good song!” she remarked during an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon in 2022, joking, “I keep wanting them to let me dig it up and put something else in that’s not as good.”

A plaque displayed alongside the box explains that the chestnut “Dream Box” contains “Dolly’s memories and wishes for the future.” Inside, there is a CD with “My Place in History” on it, as well as a CD player, should they be hard to find when the time comes.

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“Only Dolly knows its melody and content until 2046,” the plaque notes, despite some sources listing the opening date as 2045, to also mark the 30th anniversary of the DreamMore Resort.

“If any of you are around when they open that box,” she added, speaking to Kimmel’s live audience and television viewers at home, “I hope you enjoy my song.”

The Washington Post / Getty Images

Parton said a few times — in interviews and in her 2020 Songteller: My Life in Lyrics book — that she’d hoped to attend the unveiling of the song. Unfortunately, the country music legend died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80.

Her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, passed in March of 2025, and just last week, she admitted to People that she’d neglected her own health while caring for him. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she said.

Those health issues included recurring problems with her kidneys and an autoimmune disorder. She was hospitalized for four days before her death, and her family reveals that she’d been in a brief battle with cancer.

While the funeral will be private, Parton’s family is encouraging fans to make donations to her charitable organization, Imagination Library, which gives free books to children to inspire a love of reading.

Alysa Liu was the youngest US women’s national champion, winning the title when she was only 13. Over her career, she has won two Olympic gold medals and two Championship medals. However, she’s going to be taking a temporary break from competing. She posted about the decision to skip the upcoming figure skating season on her Instagram on August 25.

Her post stated, “To my supporters, while people are announcing programs, Imma take this time to announce that I will not be competing this season. I always want to challenge myself in new ways, so my artistry & skating can evolve. It’s important to me that my sport reflects my personal growth. I’m gonna take the time to recalibrate, fine-tune things & whatnot. So fear not, I’ll be back, & in the meantime I’ll be rooting for my teammates near & far. See yall soon!!”

Related: Lori Petty Revealed Actors Would Faint All the Time When Filming This Legendary 1992 Movie

Liu also spoke about her decision with NBC Sports. “I really want to improve my skating, and I wanted to take the time to do that for myself and just to evolve, and then I’ll be back after that is done,” she explained. “Logically and emotionally and physically, this just makes the most sense. I just felt this was right. So I’m trusting my instincts.”

She also revealed that her coaches, Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali, took the news well. “I came to them, and they totally understood where I was coming from,” she said. “I did have to explain a little bit, but they didn’t think I needed to justify my reason for it or anything. So it was really chill.”

Related: Whoopi Goldberg, 70, Revealed This Iconic Movie Role Was Supposed To Go to Bette Midler

Liu famously stepped away from competing when she was 16 after the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. When she recently won the ESPY award for Best Breakthrough Athlete, she said, “I had some really rough times in it. I took two years off. So, for me, this really feels like I broke through in my own way, for myself, and for my sport.”

Musician Richard Marx was looking back at a treasured photo of Dolly Parton from 1984 when a heartbreaking realization hit him: nearly every music legend standing beside him in the picture is now gone.

Parton died at 80 on Aug. 25 after a brief battle with cancer. As tributes poured out across social media, Marx connected with his friend and fellow musician David Foster, who had been there that day nearly four decades ago.

Marx shared the rare photo Wednesday, showing himself alongside Foster, Kenny Rogers, Olivia Newton-John, James Ingram and Parton during a recording session at Rogers’ Los Angeles studio, Lion Share.

After showing the photo to Foster over dinner, Marx said they both remembered the day—but then the reality of the moment hit him: As of Parton’s death, only Marx, 62, and Foster, 76, remain. The realization prompted Marx, who is nearing his 63rd birthday, to reflect on the legendary friends and collaborators he’s lost and share a poignant reminder from Warren Zevon: “Enjoy every sandwich.”

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Fans reacted, agreeing with Marx (and Zevon) to embrace every day, while also honoring Parton in the comments section. “What a special pic full of joy and oh Warren Zevon! Dolly was such a gem! I remember Kenny’s studio Lions Share. And Kenny lit up whenever Dolly was present too! Thanks for sharing an incredible moment,” one person shared with another commenter writing, “Beautiful words on such a sad day. Glad you have those memories. Thanks for sharing with us.”

Marx and Parton shared a special bond. Early in his career, Marx worked as a background singer for some of music’s biggest stars, including Parton. The experience left a lasting impression on Marx, who has continued to speak warmly about Parton over the years, once calling the country icon his “inspiration” and “everything.” Their professional paths also crossed during the 1984 studio session captured in the photo Marx recently shared.

Dolly Parton’s reputation precedes her, and with the unfortunate news of her sudden passing, it’s safe to say we’re all in a state of collective mourning. She was the Iron Butterfly, country music’s undisputed queen with a whip-smart personality that made you fall in love. Her voice, fortified by Southern sweet tea and cornbread, made her a star, but her life and legacy made her an icon. Instead of just existing in the veritable iron tower of celebrity, she used her platform to advocate on behalf of those who couldn’t do so for themselves and met people where they were with the kind of warmth and grace that comes from living a life as rich as hers.

In every sense of the word, she was undeniably human—perhaps the very best parts. Beyond her larger-than-life persona and undeniable musical talents, though, she also knew her way around the kitchen, and, thankfully, shared a little taste of Tennessee with us by way of countless cookbooks and recipes that have become staples in many of our homes.

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From her famous featherlight biscuits to banana pudding that’ll knock your socks off, Parton understood that truly nourishing someone meant feeding their soul too. 

Below, we celebrate the Smoky Mountain Songbird and all of her incredible contributions to country music, the world and our kitchens. Here are some of the best Dolly Parton recipes straight from the “I Will Always Love You” songstress. We hope they bring you as much joy and happiness as Dolly intended. 

Related: Your Dolly Parton Song, Based on Birth Month

The 23 Best Dolly Parton Recipes

Parton’s extensive culinary archive can’t be ignored. Beyond the recipes below, she also launched a frozen food line, various baking mixes, cast iron pans, serveware and everything in between. Much like her music, no matter which recipe you choose, you can’t go wrong. Here are 23 of Dolly Parton’s best recipes.

1. Dollywood’s World-Famous Cinnamon Bread

Choya Johnson

Dollywood revelers know all about the world-famous cinnamon bread, and if you’ve ever wanted to make it at home, Dolly dropped the recipe. It’s one of those things that once you make it, you won’t be able to stop.

2. Dolly Parton’s Chicken Salad

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Chicken salad is one of those recipes that everyone has an opinion about, but the best ones always keep you coming back for more. Case in point: Dolly’s famous chicken salad that gets a nutty Southern twist with the addition of buttery pecans.

3. Dolly Parton’s Famous Stampede Soup

Dante Parker

With cooler weather on the way, Dolly’s famous Stampede Soup is the perfect recipe to have in your back pocket when you want something warm and cozy. You can even make a double batch and freeze the leftovers.

4. Dolly Parton’s Corn Pone

Courtesy Kenn C. Bivins

Whether you’re looking for a vehicle to sop up the remaining broth from Dolly’s famous Stampede Soup or you just need a hearty side to serve with dinner, you can’t go wrong with her classic Corn Pone recipe. It’s perfect on its own with jam or tucked into a piping-hot bowl of soup.

5. Dolly Parton’s Potato Salad

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Despite how undeniably Southern Dolly Parton is, her mind-blowing potato salad features a surprising Spanish ingredient that makes it uniquely hers. Once you try it, you’ll never make potato salad the same way again.

6. Dolly Parton’s Famous Mashed Potatoes

Courtesy Angel Albring

We’ve all had gluey, gloppy mashed potatoes before, and Dolly’s famous mashed potato recipe is anything but. If you’re looking for fluffy, cloud-like mash, then this recipe should be your go-to.

7. Dolly Parton’s Walnut Pie

Jessica Wrubel

Walnut pie sounds like something that would be scrawled on a recipe card in writing you can’t quite make out, and if we know anything, that means it’s bound to be good. Parton typically serves hers up for the holidays, and we’re sure it’ll become a favorite at your family’s table too.

8. Dolly Parton’s Cranberry Jell-O Mold

Courtesy Nicole Rufus

Are you really from the South if you’ve never had Jell-O mold? Well, if you haven’t, you should definitely start with Dolly Parton’s Cranberry Jell-O Mold. It’s visually striking and easy to whip up, and it’s great for pairing with turkey at Thanksgiving.

9. Dolly Parton’s Corn Fritters

Photo by Cathy Scola / Getty Images

Although they’re very much in the same vein, corn fritters are slightly different than corn pone. Dolly Parton’s corn fritters are loaded with sweet corn and fried until crisp, with a pillowy-soft interior that makes them almost too easy to eat. These are bound to become a staple on your dinner table.

10. Dolly Parton’s Macaroni Salad

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Macaroni salad might be a cookout staple, but no matter what time of year it is, Dolly Parton’s macaroni salad is always a good idea. It’s ultra-creamy, incredibly addicting and comes together in no time.

11. Dolly Parton’s Microwave Baked Beans

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Baked beans are one of those dishes that benefit from time, but if you don’t have the luxury of letting them simmer away for at least an hour, Dolly Parton shared her quick and easy way to make delicious baked beans with the help of the microwave. We love a strategic queen!

12. Dolly Parton’s Coleslaw

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Everyone makes their coleslaw differently, but once you try it Dolly’s way, you’ll definitely get the hype. In addition to the standard coleslaw ingredients, the Iron Butterfly adds pickles and pickle juice into the mix for a vibrant, punchy tang that cuts through the richness of the mayo.

13. Dolly Parton’s Peanut Butter Pie

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There’s nothing more Southern than peanut butter pie, and the “9 to 5” singer’s version might just become a staple in your rotation. You’ll definitely want to save this for your next dinner party.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Little-Known Vacation Hideaway Is for Sale—and It Still Has Her ‘Wig Room’

14. Dolly Parton’s Mac and Cheese

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You might be gathering your Thanksgiving recipes early, and if so, then you’ll definitely want to consider Dolly Parton’s mac and cheese for a spot on your table. It’s the perfect middle-of-the-road mac recipe that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. You might want to make an extra pan just in case for this reason.

15. Dolly Parton’s Sugar Cookies

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We’re fast approaching baking season, and if you don’t already have a go-to sugar cookie recipe, then Dolly’s zesty sugar cookies deserve a spot in your rotation. They’re buttery and sweet with a vibrant pop of flavor that’ll keep you reaching for more.

16. Dolly Parton’s 5-Layer Casserole

Dante Parker

It takes a lot of understanding of nuance to make something simple taste good, and Dolly’s 5-Layer Casserole is one of those dishes that puts its simplicity front and center. It’s perfectly unfussy, and although you might need to make a few tweaks to fit your personal taste, it’s a great recipe to have on hand when you need a filling dinner with minimal prep time.

17. Dolly Parton’s Famous Chicken and Dumplings

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If there’s one recipe Dolly Parton is best known for, it’s her famous chicken and dumplings. It’s rich and ultra-comforting, like a hug in a bowl, and with fall on the way, it’s a great recipe to have on hand.

18. Dolly Parton’s Baked Potato

Dante Parker

We never have to be convinced to try a baked potato recipe, especially one from Dolly Parton. Although her baked potato recipe isn’t all that different than our go-to, her genius hack of skipping the hole poking and placing the spuds directly on the grates delivers super crispy skin every time. We’ll be making ours this way from now on.

19. Dolly Parton’s Tennessee Meatloaf

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

If you grew up eating meatloaf and hated the dry, shriveled-up hunk of beef sitting next to the peas on your plate, then you’ll love Dolly Parton’s take on the dinnertime classic. Her recipe takes a more Tennessee barbecue approach, resulting in a super-moist, tender finished product that you’ll come back for again and again.

20. Dolly Parton’s Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

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The telltale sign of any cook worth their salt is whether or not they can scramble a few eggs, and Dolly’s egg hack for making them perfect every time is one you’ll want to keep in your back pocket. Best of all, it costs zero dollars.

21. Dolly Parton’s Skillet Cornbread

Dante Parker

True to her southern roots, Dolly knows how to cook cornbread a million and one ways, and her skillet cornbread recipe might just be her best iteration. It’s crunchy and perfectly golden with a subtle smoky flavor from the addition of bacon fat. Not to mention it’s great with whatever you end up putting on the dinner table.

22. Dolly Parton’s ‘Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa’ Cake

Courtesy of Jessica Wrubel

If you’ve ever watched Steel Magnolias, then you know all about Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa cake. Like most of Dolly’s recipes, it’s incredibly simple to make, but the payoff is exponential. This one is so good, you’ll want to make it again and again.

23. Dolly Parton’s Famous Biscuits

Choya Johnson

Biscuits are a staple on any Southern table, whether you’re having them for breakfast or as a side with dinner. Dolly’s take on the classic biscuit ends up being light and airy with buttery layers that are perfect for slathering with jam or honey, or just eating on their own.

As details continue to emerge about the icon’s untimely passing, her family has requested that in lieu of flowers fans who would like to pay tribute to the singer may choose to donate to her Imagination Library.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Most Unforgettable Quotes on Life, Love and Her Unstoppable Legacy

If you’re a baker or just a fan of fall flavors, you know that having a jar of pumpkin or apple butter in the cupboard is practically an autumn essential.

Now Costco has two new varieties arriving just in time for fall baking season, and choosing between them may be the hardest part. Thankfully, you don’t have to. Priced at $11.49 for two 18.5-ounce jars (item #2084036), the seasonal two-pack includes one of each flavor, making it a autumn find worth grabbing now.

Check them out in this August 23 Instagram post from @costcoaisles:

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The new Fischer & Wieser seasonal flavors include Maple Pumpkin Butter and Pecan Apple Butter, giving you two delicious ways to bring the flavors of autumn into the kitchen.

The Maple Pumpkin Butter combines pumpkin with maple syrup and warm seasonal spices, while the Pecan Apple Butter pairs apples with pecans for a rich twist on traditional apple butter.

Both also have refreshingly straightforward ingredient lists. Pumpkin is the first ingredient in the Maple Pumpkin Butter, while apples lead the Pecan Apple Butter, followed by sugar, spices, and a relatively short list of recognizable ingredients.

Related: Costco’s New Bakery Loaf Looks Like a True Summer Dream

How To Use Costco’s Maple Pumpkin Butter and Pecan Apple Butter Pumpkin butter served with apple slices.

Photo by sheri silver on Unsplash

There are plenty of ways to put both jars to work. Spread them over fruit, toast, waffles or pancakes, spoon them into oatmeal or yogurt, or bake them into cookies, muffins and quick breads for an extra layer of fall flavor.

The Maple Pumpkin Butter could be swirled into cheesecake, used between cake layers or spooned over warm biscuits. The Pecan Apple Butter would make a delicious filling for turnovers or thumbprint cookies, or an easy topping for baked Brie.

These versatile spreads aren’t limited to sweet recipes, either. Pumpkin and apple butter can add depth to soups and sauces, bring a touch of sweetness to glazes for pork or chicken, or give a turkey-and-cheese sandwich an unexpected autumn upgrade.

With two jars offering two completely different tastes of the season, Costco may have just given fall bakers a very good reason to make a little extra room in the pantry.

There are so many benefits to working from home: Your commute time goes down to about 30 seconds, you don’t have to make small talk around the watercooler and you can wear whatever you want.

That said, there’s one facet of remote work that can be difficult: keeping organized. And according to professional organizers, this can be especially challenging for remote workers who don’t set up organization systems before starting a new job.

So, to find out the best ways to prepare for a new remote job, we spoke with two expert home organizers: Jenny Dietsch, Founder and CEO of Getting it Done Organizing, and Ann Dooley, a Master Level Certified KonMari Consultant and the founder of Simple Joy with Ann.

And interestingly, both organizers agree on the most important thing when it comes to setting up a work-from-home space: setting up simple systems to keep you neat and organized.

“A clear space and a clear plan go hand in hand,” Dietsch tells Parade. “If your workspace is cluttered, your mind will feel cluttered too, and you’ll waste work time tidying up instead of actually working. And if you don’t have a plan for your day, you’ll spend your morning deciding what to do instead of doing it!”

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“When working remotely, visual clutter can easily distract you from getting any work done,” Dooley adds. “Whether it’s the hamper overflowing or the dishes piling up in the sink, identifying spaces within view of your workspace will help you stay focused and productive.”

Keep reading to find out the six tips Dietsch and Dooley say you should follow before starting a new remote job, as well as four tips to follow every day.

6 Things Professional Organizers Say You Should Do Before Starting a New Remote Job 1. Create a mobile home office

IKEA

Both Dietsch and Dooley suggest using a three-tiered rolling cart to store your remote work essentials, allowing you to turn any part of the house into your office.

“I suggest creating a mobile office so supplies are easily within reach wherever you do your work,” recommends Dooley. She recommends using the top tier for a filing system, the middle tier for office supplies and the bottom tier for reference books or snacks.

“One of our favorite work from home tips is to create a rolling office cart,” adds Dietsch. “The cart can hold your files and office supplies, and you can even attach a power strip to charge multiple devices while you work. Then when the workday is done, “unplug your cart and roll it into the hall closet,” which allows you to “mentally close out your workday.”

Related: I Asked 3 Professional Organizers About the Biggest Back-to-School Mistake Parents Make—They All Said the Same Thing

2. Set up a dry erase board system

Mod Quaint / Getty Images

If you have a dedicated office in your home, Dooley suggests buying two small dry erase boards, and sticking one on the inside of the door and one on the outside, in order “to reinforce the physical boundary and minimize interruptions.”

The dry erase board on the inside of the door is for you to write down reminders for yourself for the next time you leave the room, such as moving laundry to the dryer. The one on the outside of the door is for others to leave you a message, such as your child reminding you to contact their teacher or your partner letting you know when dinner is.

Related: These 155 Instagram Expert-Approved Organizing Tips Will Help You Tidy Your Entire Home

3. Choose your systems before your first day

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“Decide ahead of time how you’ll manage your calendar, your task list and your files, whether that’s a digital project management tool like Basecamp, a paper planner, or a mix of both,” says Dietsch. “If you wait until you’re already overwhelmed to figure out your systems, you will never actually build them.”

4. Set boundaries

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“Setting boundaries and communicating expectations with others living under the same roof is another important thing to do before starting to work remotely,” says Dooley—especially if you have children in the house.

“It’s inevitable that little kids will want to be near you when they find your attention is elsewhere,” she explains. To help keep kids occupied when they are nearby, she suggests setting up a small “office” play kit with old office supplies like calculators and keyboards, as this will allow your child to “work quietly near you if they are having a hard time separating.”

“Another idea for kids is to let them design an open or closed sign for the door of your home office,” Dooley suggests. “It’s easier to get children to respect your availability when they are involved in creating that boundary.”

5. Create a morning routine in lieu of a commute

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“When you work remotely, you lose the natural transition time a commute provides, time that used to separate ‘home mode’ from ‘work mode,'” says Dietsch. “Before starting a new job, think through how you’ll create that transition yourself, whether it’s a short walk, making coffee or reviewing your calendar before you log on.”

She explains that “building that buffer in from the beginning helps you show up focused.”

6. Create a shutdown routine

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Similarly to creating a morning routine to transition into the workday, Dietsch is a big advocate for creating a shutdown routine at closing time.

“One of the hardest parts of remote work is knowing when to stop,” explains Dietsch. “If you decide in advance that you’ll do a daily reset like clearing your desk, writing tomorrow’s to-do list, closing your laptop at a set time, you are much less likely to let work bleed into your evenings.”

It’s important to come up with this routine before settling into your new job, as “this is something that’s far easier to build as a habit from the start than to retrofit later.”

Related: The 3 College Majors That Lead to the Most Regret, According to Career Coaches

4 Things Remote Workers Should Do Every Day to Stay Organized 1. Keep two to-do lists

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Dietsch recommends keeping both a master to-do list and a daily to-do list, and peeking at them every evening.

“The master list should hold everything you want to get done eventually, big and small,” she says, while your daily list will include tasks you intend to get done the following day.

Every night, you can “use your master list to fill in the holes on your daily list,” explains Dietsch. “This will keep you focused on what actually matters instead of staring at an overwhelming master list, and it means starting your morning already knowing what to do instead of figuring it out on the fly.”

2. Get dressed every morning

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“While working from home means you can stay in your comfy clothes, mentally shift to work mode by changing out of your pajamas daily,” says Dooley. This doesn’t mean you need to put on a suit or do your makeup—but at least change out of your PJs and into a fresh pair of sweats.

Related: Here Are the Top Second-Act Career Change Ideas for Women at 40, According to Career Experts

3. Handle your inbox daily

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“Open new emails right away if you have the time, or flag them and move them into a short-term follow-up folder to be handled within a day or two,” suggests Dietsch. “Letting things pile up, even for a few days, makes everything feel more overwhelming than it actually is, and small tasks are much easier to knock out one at a time than all at once.”

4. Make a breakfast station

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Dooley recommends setting up a simple breakfast station in the kitchen “to avoid the morning madness,” especially if you live with kids.

“For example, keep spoons and a stack of bowls next to easy-to-pour cereal containers. Or bread, jam, peanut butter, with some pre-washed fruits,” she says. “Be sure to set expectations or teach everyone to put their dishes away before heading out.”

Up Next:

Related: 9 Back-to-School Organization Tips Professional Organizers Swear By

Sources:

• Jenny Dietsch, Founder and CEO of Getting it Done Organizing
• Ann Dooley, Master Level Certified KonMari Consultant and founder of Simple Joy with Ann

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It’s never too early for Halloween decorations. As soon as the first hint of autumn is in the air, many people start planning how to transform their homes and yards into festive, spooky retreats. Whether you are a dedicated Halloween enthusiast or just love adding a touch of seasonal charm, getting an early start means you can enjoy your decorations all season long. 

The DayLightir Solar Halloween Pumpkin Pathway Lights have quickly become a seasonal favorite for anyone who wants to add a cheerful glow to their outdoor spaces. They’re now just $17 for a set of two on Amazon, which breaks down to under $9 per stake!

DayLightir Solar Halloween Pumpkin Pathway Lights, From $17 (were $25) at Amazon

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These pumpkin lights charm at first glance. Each set comes with two large, twelve-inch pumpkin heads that stand out along pathways, porches, or tucked into garden beds. The pumpkins are made from sturdy, weather-resistant fabric and mounted on metal stakes, so they hold up well through autumn’s unpredictable weather. 

Because they run on solar power, you don’t need to worry about wires or outlet locations. A few hours of sunlight is all it takes for the pumpkins to shine for up to eight hours after dark, adding a warm and inviting touch to any yard.

One detail that shoppers love is the choice between two lighting modes. With the press of a button, you can set the pumpkins to twinkle or opt for a steady warm glow. This flexibility makes it easy to create just the right mood, whether you are hosting a Halloween party or simply want to welcome trick-or-treaters with a friendly, illuminated path. 

DayLightir Solar Halloween Pumpkin Pathway Lights, From $17 (were $25) at Amazon

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Assembly is simple, and the lightweight design means moving the pumpkins is a breeze. When Halloween is over, the compact construction makes storage hassle-free.

Shoppers have described the lights as “cute as a button” and praised their convenience and bright display. One shopper shared how much they appreciated not having to plug them in, saying, “I have a lot of Halloween decorations, and I really appreciate that I can put these anywhere. They light up bright, just like the pictures and last for hours.” 

“After assembly, I was amazed how sturdy they are,” another wrote, noting they “go up like an umbrella.”

Besides being adorable, these pumpkin lights create a welcoming atmosphere for guests and trick-or-treaters alike. The soft, golden light they cast brings whimsy to your garden, patio, or walkways.

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• Olixis Accent Chair, $85 (was $130) at Amazon
• Plhxfr Floral Area Rug, $66 (was $79) at Amazon
• Suclain Utensil Holder, From $17 (was $23) at Amazon

Related: Amazon’s $20 Linen Button-Down Tank Is the Perfect ‘Lightweight’ Summer Travel Companion

These $17 solar Halloween pumpkin lights offer an affordable and easy way to celebrate the season. They bring together charm, convenience, and durability. Grab yours in orange or purple, and get the spooky season started. 

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The early 1970s were a wild time for music, as psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and other experimental sounds were finding their way onto the music charts. But few hits were as unique as Dutch rock band Focus’s 1973 song “Hocus Pocus.”

Written in record time by Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman, the nearly seven-minute epic from the album Moving Waves features a symphony of instruments not often found in rock songs, including an organ, flute, and accordion. And there’s another element that’s even more unheard of: a yodel interlude.

Almost completely instrumental, “Hocus Pocus” features extended guitar and drum solos, and the only lyric comes via van Leer’s yodeling. Released in 1971 in the UK, the song reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1973 and became the only U.S. hit for the Dutch rock band, officially making them a one-hit wonder in the United States.

Van Leer once reflected on the song in an interview with Prog, explaining that the unusual song was born “during a jam when [Akkerman] began playing the riff.”

“He played it four times and then stopped,” van Leer recalled. “The drummer did two bars of a basic solo, and I just started to yodel spontaneously – for the first time in my life! That’s how it was done: it was written in three minutes and became our big hit. It’s amazing.”

Van Leer also told Classic Rock that his spontaneous yodeling “came from nowhere; a piece of pure improvisation, inspired by the fun of playing together.”

“I still think it came from heaven,” he added.

“The guitar riff is one of the greatest ever created by human beings,” the musician noted to Prog. “I had a feeling we could conquer the world with just that one riff.”

Ultimate Classic Rock once ranked “Hocus Pocus” among the top progressive rock songs of all time, describing it as “that one ’70s rock song where the guy yodels.”

“In a performance so virtuosic it borders on hilarious, singer Thijs van Leer also eefs, scats, whistles, uses the overblowing technique on his flute, bounces merrily on his Hammond organ and skyrockets into operatic high notes,” the outlet noted. “But the song is more than novelty acrobatics, grounded by Jan Akkerman’s scorching hard-rock riffs and Pierre van der Linden’s jazz-rock drum solos.”

Last year, Akkerman, 79, told Guitar World he didn’t think an instrumental track like “Hocus Pocus” would be a success today. But more than 50 years after its release, the Focus classic remains a standout from the experimental ’70s era.

Related: 1981 Timeless Rock Classic Became a Career-Defining Anthem — A Nightmare to Record

Amanda Batula and boyfriend West Wilson aren’t exactly keeping their summer romance under wraps—and fans have plenty to say about their increasingly playful Instagram posts.

The Summer House alums have been sharing plenty of moments together this summer, from nights out to a particularly memorable photo of Batula doing a handstand while Wilson lines up a pool shot between her legs.

With Summer House currently filming without them, their very public presence has sparked everything from “good for her” support to accusations that they’re trying too hard to prove how happy they are.

The reaction has been especially focused on the contrast between Batula’s past relationship with estranged husband Kyle Cooke and her life with Wilson. One commenter summed up the irony by writing that Batula and Wilson were “clearly having themselves a NIGHT” after years of watching Batula give Kyle grief over his partying ways.

Others, however, defended Batula’s right to enjoy herself, arguing that there’s a difference between partying with a partner and the behavior that allegedly contributed to the problems in her marriage.

Still, not everyone is buying what Batula and Wilson are selling. Fans accused the couple of being “thirsty” and trying too hard to show off their happiness, while one commenter bluntly asked, “Why are they so thirsty?” Another suggested Batula was “trying so hard to be fun so he doesn’t leave her,” a comment that racked up more than 1,600 likes on one Instagram post.

The reaction wasn’t limited to their partying, either. Fans also took aim at the sheer amount of couple content, with some questioning why Batula and Wilson seem so determined to show off their relationship online. One commenter even warned, “Posting them is just going to get you an unfollow,” while another simply wrote, “Too bad insta doesn’t have a dislike button.”

Wilson and Batula blew up Summer House when Batula, who was separated from Cooke, began dating Wilson, who had previously dated and recently reconciled with Batula’s close friend Ciara Miller. The romance shocked the cast and Bravo fandom, and the fallout was swift, with fans largely siding with Miller and Cooke. Batula and Wilson were subsequently left off the upcoming season.

If you’ve ever spent an entire travel day stuck on tight layovers, sprinting between European airport gates just to reach a Mediterranean island or coastal hideaway, your vacation planning is about to get a massive upgrade.

In the largest international network expansion in its history, United Airlines announced it’s launching nonstop service to 10 new international cities across Europe and Asia for 2027.

Even better for travelers looking to avoid the usual crowded capital hubs, eight of these destinations are routes no other U.S. airline serves nonstop, connecting American flyers directly to seaside escapes, historic old towns, and island retreats starting as early as March 2027.

Related: United is Turning Economy Seats Into a Bed

View this post on Instagram Sun-Drenched Mediterranean Islands and Coastal Spain

For travelers dreaming of salt air, fresh seafood, and warm water, United’s new lineup unlocks some of Southern Europe’s most iconic coastal playgrounds without a single connection.

Taking off from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), flyers will be able to touch down directly in Ibiza, Spain, known for its whitewashed villages, cliffside coves, and world-class beach clubs, as well as Valencia, Spain’s vibrant paella capital lined with futuristic architecture and wide Mediterranean beaches.

Italian island escapes are also getting a major boost with new direct flights from Newark into Olbia on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda—home to dramatic granite peaks and superyacht-filled harbors—and Catania, Sicily, the historic gateway to Mount Etna, Baroque piazzas, and incredible Sicilian street food.

Related: United Reveals First-of-Its-Kind Flight to Japan’s Winter Wonderland

French Harbors, Fairytale Castles, and Alpine Lakes

If your travel style leans toward historic architecture, sidewalk cafés, and scenic mountain views, the new schedule opens up direct gateways across Western and Central Europe.

From Newark, travelers can fly direct to Marseille, France, the sun-soaked port city serving as the front door to the lavender fields and rosé vineyards of Provence, or explore Luxembourg City, famous for its cliffside fortifications and fairytale gorges. United is also adding the first-ever U.S. nonstop to Ljubljana, Slovenia, putting travelers minutes from storybook bridges and the emerald waters of Lake Bled.

Out of Washington Dulles (IAD), a new daily route will land directly in Toulouse, France, the charming “Pink City” in the heart of southwest France known for its terra-cotta brick buildings and rich culinary heritage.

Related: United Airlines Just Made Reaching This Historic Spanish Landmark Much Easier

Subtropical Island Sanctuaries in the Atlantic and Pacific

For true island lovers, the expansion introduces direct flights to two breathtaking archipelagos.

From Newark, United will fly to Terceira in Portugal’s Azores, a lush volcanic wonderland filled with natural ocean swimming pools, green calderas, and pastel-colored historic towns.

On the West Coast, travelers flying out of San Francisco (SFO) will get direct access to Okinawa, Japan—a subtropical paradise celebrated for its crystal-clear dive sites, coral reefs, distinct Ryukyu culture, and slower-paced island lifestyle.

Related: New Nonstop Flight Connecting Newark to Underrated Caribbean Island

Smarter Flying on the New ‘Born to Explore’ Aircraft

Many of these new European routes—including flights to Ibiza, Marseille, Toulouse, Valencia, and Luxembourg—will be flown on United’s brand-new Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

Designed specifically for long-haul routes into boutique destinations, the single-aisle plane is outfitted with lie-flat United Polaris suites with privacy doors, free Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi, and a new Economy Plus seating option that leaves middle seats open for extra elbow room and shared console space.

Beyond the 10 brand-new cities, United is also adding new direct links between Los Angeles and Osaka, Japan; Washington, D.C. and Milan, Italy; and Denver to Paris, with tickets for the 2027 season officially on sale now.

Related: I Toured JetBlue’s New BlueHouse Lounge at Boston Logan—Here’s a Look Inside the Cozy, Locally Inspired Space

When Dolly Parton stepped up to the microphone alongside Kenny Rogers to record 1983’s “Islands in the Stream,” she did her close friend a massive favor. Two years later, it was time to collect.

Looking for the perfect duet partner for her 1985 album’s title track, “Real Love,” Parton called in her payback. Rogers readily agreed to lend his vocals.

The song leaned headfirst into the endless tabloid rumors surrounding their friendly chemistry and undeniable connection. The tease and a great song steered the track straight to the top of the Billboard Country Charts, cementing one of the most beloved vocal partnerships in music history.

According to American Songwriter, the iconic duo topped the country charts 41 years ago, on August 24, 1985, with “Real Love.” The song enjoyed a lengthy 20-week run.

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The song leaned heavily into the romance rumors that surrounded Rogers and Parton after the success of 1983’s “Islands in the Stream” and their long, close friendship. That duet, and their playful on-stage chemistry, fueled speculation that Rogers and Parton were romantically involved.

However, the two were simply great friends who knew their ode to romance wouldn’t land with listeners unless they brought their natural, flirtatious spark to the stage and played right into the speculation. So, they leaned headfirst into the public rumor mill, treating their undeniable off-screen connection as the ultimate tool to give fans exactly what they wanted.

RELATED: Dolly Parton’s 58-Year Marriage: The Secret Life She Shared With Carl Dean

While many casual listeners may have thought there was real romantic chemistry between Parton and Rogers, each was happily married to their respective partners, Carl Dean and Marianne Gordon. Their legendary spark grew from a genuine, decades-long friendship that let them play up the rumors without ever blurring the lines in their real lives.

“Real Love” was written by David Malloy, Richard “Spady” Brannon, and Randy McCormick. Although the song hit the top of the country music charts, it didn’t reach the heights of their previous duet, “Islands in the Stream.” It peaked at No. 91 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 13 on the publication’s Adult Contemporary Chart.

RELATED: Dolly Parton Opens Up About the 1976 Song She Wrote to Fight Back Against the Tabloids

Parton and Rogers hit the road for a joint nine-city U.S. tour in February 1985. The shows were recorded for an HBO concert special, Real Love, and the live footage served as the official music video for the hit single.

Of the chatter surrounding their friendship, Parton joked to PEOPLE Magazine, “We never did go there. There was always so much other stuff going for us. So much love and friendship, we were so compatible,” she admitted.

RELATED: Dolly Parton Shares Huge News About Her Next Chapter—and It All Starts on a Very Special Day

“Kenny’s friendship means more to me than our hit records. Actually, we’re kind of soul mates,” reported Taste of Country per CMT. “He’s from Texas, and I’m from Tennessee. There’s an old famous country song, ‘T for Texas, T for Tennessee.’ We always sang that to each other. I love his singing. I love his voice. I never tire of hearing him sing.”

Kenny Rogers died on March 20, 2020, at the age of 81. Dolly Parton passed at age 80, on August 25, 2026.

Related: In 1983, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Hit No. 1 With an Iconic Country Song Written by Disco Legends

The news of Dolly Parton’s death has left fans around the world struggling to put their feelings into words.

Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives confirmed. She died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones.

The news came as a shock to many fans, particularly because Parton had remained so active and had spoken publicly about her plans for the future just days earlier.

Now, longtime fans are turning to social media to remember the country music icon, not simply for her extraordinary career, but for the kindness, humor and generosity that made her feel almost universally beloved.

Dolly Parton Fans React to Her Death

On Reddit, fans quickly began sharing their grief after news of Parton’s death broke.

One fan summed up the sentiment with the post’s title: “RIP Dolly, there will never be another like you.”

“This is the lowest point of 2026 for me,” another fan said.

“You were smart, brave, inspirational, open-minded, visionary, and kind,” another shared, adding: “We will always love you.”

“Thought she’d live into her 100s,” one fan admitted, while another said: “I had hoped she would live forever.”

Others were simply in disbelief, thinking the death announcement was some kind of hoax. “I saw the video from her nephew and kept checking MSN hoping she’d somehow been hacked,” said another Redditor. “Wouldn’t explain the video even if the page had been hacked, thinking about it, but I just couldn’t believe it.”

“Please tell me it’s a hoax!” another agreed. “I’m going to be in deep denial for a long time!”

Dolly Parton’s Death Has Prompted Tributes From Celebrities, Too

Those reactions of shock, sadness and disbelief are being echoed among fans on Instagram, X and TikTok, too. Plus, tributes from Reba McEntire, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Paul McCartney, Cyndi Lauper and many others have poured in since Parton’s passing.

Here are some of the most memorable tributes so far:

• The Coldstream Guards played “9 to 5” at Buckingham Palace. During the Changing of the Guard on Aug. 26, the Band of the Coldstream Guards performed an instrumental version of Parton’s 1980 hit as tourists gathered outside the palace. The Royal Family also acknowledged Parton’s impact, particularly through her Imagination Library.
• Taylor Swift called Parton’s death almost impossible to comprehend. Swift shared an emotional tribute describing Parton’s legacy as everlasting and reflecting on the profound influence she had on generations of artists.
• Lily Tomlin remembered her longtime friend and 9 to 5 co-star. Tomlin shared a vintage photo of herself with Parton and Jane Fonda, calling Parton the “Great Harmonizer of Humanity” and remembering her as an exceptionally authentic and compassionate person.
• Reba McEntire shared a deeply personal goodbye. The country star remembered Parton’s enormous heart and infectious spirit, ending her tribute by promising to always remember their last conversation.
• Jack White brought back “Jolene.” The rocker revived his famous White Stripes version of Parton’s classic during a concert, performing the song live for the first time in years as a tribute to the woman who wrote it.
• Paul McCartney looked back at meeting Parton decades ago. McCartney shared a personal remembrance of the country legend, joining the enormous group of musicians and entertainers reflecting on her influence and generosity following her death. 

Dolly Parton’s Funeral Will Be Private

Despite Parton’s enormous public life, her family has asked for her final farewell to remain intimate.

A small, private funeral service for immediate family will be held in Nashville, according to her family. There will not be a public funeral at this time.

Parton will be buried beside her husband, Carl Dean, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum. Her nephew Bryan Seaver said she had also made a personal request for her burial: to be laid to rest in a “beautiful bed of plush cotton.”

The family has asked that, instead of flowers, fans who want to honor Parton consider donating to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the literacy organization that became one of the most important parts of her philanthropic legacy.

Other Celebrities Who Died in 2026

Dolly Parton joins a long list of beloved entertainers and cultural figures who have died in 2026. Among the notable losses this year are:

• Bob Weir — Jan. 10, 2026
• Catherine O’Hara — Jan. 30, 2026
• James Van Der Beek — Feb. 11, 2026
• Robert Duvall — Feb. 16, 2026
• Jesse Jackson — Feb. 17, 2026
• Eric Dane — Feb. 19, 2026
• Sam Neill — March 3, 2026
• Chuck Norris — March 4, 2026
• Clive Davis — June 2026
• Bonnie Tyler — July 2026
• Hayden Panettiere — Aug. 16, 2026
• Michael Wright — Aug. 19, 2026

RELATED: Dolly Parton Once Explained Why She Believed She’d See Her Loved Ones Again

Jelly Roll had viewers reaching for the tissues Tuesday when he paid a heartfelt tribute to Dolly Parton on Jimmy Kimmel Live—before sending the monologue completely off the rails with a meth-smoking raccoon.

The country star, who guest-hosted the late-night show, remembered Parton, who died at age 80 on Aug. 25, as a Tennessee icon who inspired his music, songwriting and commitment to helping others. But after calling her “the last American that everyone liked,” Jelly Roll took inspiration from one of Parton’s most famous pieces of advice and promised to put a smile on viewers’ faces. His method? The second annual Jelly Awards, capped by an appearance from “Chewy the Meth Raccoon.”

“We lost a legend today, the great Dolly Parton. She was such an inspiration to so many, myself included. We’re both from Tennessee, and she meant a lot to my family,” Jelly Roll said. “We used to sit around the kitchen table and listen to her music together as a family. I’ll never forget it. I learned so much from Dolly over the years about songwriting, how to handle this crazy business, and how to support your community. So, I want to send my love to East Tennessee and Sevier County right now and representing her.”

He added, “We love you, Dolly, and we miss you. She was infinitely talented. She was relentlessly funny and adored by all. She might be the last American that everyone liked. We will miss her dearly. Rest in peace, Dolly. We will always love you.”

Jelly Roll then wanted to honor Parton in a way he thought she’d want to be remembered. “I love this quote, y’all. Dolly once said, ‘If you see someone without a smile today, give them yours.’ So, I’m going to do as Dolly did and try to put a smile on your face right now with something extremely stupid. Is that okay?”

That’s when he launched into the second annual Jelly Awards where he saved the most bizarre prize for last, presenting the Jelly Award for “Party Animal of the Year” to a raccoon named Chewy that was caught during a traffic stop holding a pipe used to smoke crystal meth.

After learning that the pet allegedly grabbed another pipe when officers took the first one away, Jelly Roll dubbed Chewy an “emotional support meth raccoon” and introduced him to the audience in person. The appearance ended with Jelly Roll telling the raccoon, “Never stop being you, little guy.”

In 1949, Bob Cowsill was born into a family that would eventually become so famous for making music together that it helped inspire one of television’s most recognizable fictional families.

The singer, guitarist and founding member of The Cowsills turns 77 on Aug. 26, 2026, more than six decades after he and his siblings began the musical journey that produced hits including “The Rain, the Park & Other Things,” “Indian Lake” and “Hair.”

Long before The Partridge Family put a singing mother and her musical children on a psychedelic bus, there were the Cowsills, the real-life family band whose success helped inspire the ABC sitcom.

And Bob was there almost from the very beginning.

How Bob Cowsill and His Family Became ’60s Pop Stars

The Cowsills’ story began with brothers Bob and Bill Cowsill, who taught themselves to play guitar while their father, William “Bud” Cowsill, was serving in the U.S. Navy. Barry and John eventually joined them, and the boys performed everywhere from church and school dances to clubs around their hometown of Newport, R.I.

“The family angle just evolved,” Bob once recalled of the band’s beginnings.

Bob remembered the lineup expanding piece by piece, beginning with Bill and himself before Barry and John joined them. Their mother Barbara eventually became part of the act, followed by Paul and young Susan.

“We weren’t famous or anything but we were young and we were related and we were quite good,” Bob recalled of an early appearance on Today that helped move their career forward.

After some early recordings failed to take off, The Cowsills signed with MGM Records and broke through in a huge way with 1967’s “The Rain, the Park & Other Things.” With Bill on lead vocals, the song climbed all the way to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

More hits followed. “Indian Lake” reached the Top 10 in 1968, while their exuberant recording of “Hair,” from the Broadway musical of the same name, became another No. 2 hit in 1969.

For a time, the Cowsills were everywhere. Between 1968 and 1972, the band averaged about 200 performance dates a year, while also appearing on programs including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, American Bandstand and The Johnny Cash Show.

The Cowsills Were the Real-Life Inspiration for ‘The Partridge Family’

The family’s combination of pop hits, sibling harmonies and a mother performing alongside her children eventually attracted Hollywood’s attention.

The Cowsills were approached about starring in a television series based around their family, but there was a catch: The producers wanted an actress to portray the mother instead of Barbara Cowsill.

The family passed.

The concept, however, didn’t disappear.

Screen Gems went forward with The Partridge Family, starring Shirley Jones as widowed mother Shirley Partridge and her real-life stepson David Cassidy as eldest son Keith. The ABC sitcom, which premiered in 1970, was loosely based on the Cowsills and ran for four seasons.

Years later, Bob, Paul, John and Susan reunited for a 2004 benefit concert where they finally met Jones. According to the Cowsills’ history, the actress introduced the family that night and called them “the real thing.”

The connection between the two musical families even went deeper than television. Tony Romeo, who wrote The Partridge Family’s No. 1 smash “I Think I Love You,” had previously written The Cowsills’ 1968 Top 10 hit “Indian Lake.”

Bob Cowsill Shared His Birthday With His Twin Brother Dick

Aug. 26 was actually a double birthday in the Cowsill family.

Bob was born alongside his fraternal twin brother Richard “Dick” Cowsill, although Dick took a very different path from his famous siblings. He wasn’t a member of The Cowsills during their late-’60s heyday, but he occasionally performed with the family during later reunions.

Dick died in 2014 at age 64.

In announcing his death, Susan Cowsill revealed a particularly poignant detail: Dick had died peacefully with his twin right beside him. She wrote that he was “sleeping peacefully right next to his twin brother, Bob,” as Bob worked nearby by the light of his computer.

Bob continued making music with his surviving siblings.

The Cowsills reunited in various configurations over the decades, and Bob, Paul and Susan returned with Rhythm of the World in 2022, their first studio album of new material in nearly 25 years.

Looking back on the family’s extraordinary rise and the difficult years that followed, Bob told RetroFan in 2020 that becoming a parent ultimately helped change his perspective.

“Personally, I mean, I had children and responsibilities, and that tends to get your attention,” he said.

More than 60 years after the Cowsill brothers first began making music together, Bob remains part of the family whose harmonies made them pop stars and whose story supplied Hollywood with the blueprint for an entirely different famous family.

Related: ’60s Fictional Band Legend, Who Went on to Work With Cher and Barry Manilow, Turns 81

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It’s easy for small items to pile up and make a space feel cluttered, but sometimes all you need is a simple storage solution that can help keep those everyday essentials neatly contained. Right now, Walmart is selling a “gorgeous” wooden box from Drew Barrymore’s Home Decor Line for just $13, giving shoppers an easy way to tidy up without sacrificing style.

The Beautiful Medium Decorative Wooden Box by Drew Barrymore at Walmart can hold jewelry, keepsakes, remotes, and other small essentials that you want close by but out of sight. Its wooden construction and decorative design make it easy to place on a coffee table, dresser, bookshelf or nightstand. Walmart reviewers called it a “great decor piece” that’s both stylish and functional. 

Beautiful Medium Decorative Wooden Box by Drew Barrymore, $13 at Walmart

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The box measures 3.75 long by 5.75 inches wide, making it a handy size for smaller belongings that you don’t necessarily want left out in the open. You can use the box to corral jewelry, trinkets, remote controls, keepsakes, or other odds and ends that tend to collect on countertops and tables. 

The box is handcrafted from 100% wood and features an earthy brown hue and natural wood grain that give it a decorative look. For shoppers who like to layer decorative pieces, the box can also be displayed on its own or paired with other eclectic accents. If you need more than one, Walmart also offers a two-pack for $26, so you can use one in each of your favorite spaces.

Related: Amazon’s Modern Minimalist Nightstand Set With Built-In Storage Bins Is a Steal at Just $27

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Dolly Parton’s death at age 80 has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, friends, and fellow artists around the world. Among those paying tribute is Harry Wayne Casey, the lead singer of KC and the Sunshine Band.

Hours after Parton’s death on August 25, Casey, 75, shared a photo from his appearance with Parton on her 1976 syndicated variety show, Dolly.

“I am in shock,” Casey captioned the post. “I met Dolly back in the late ’70s. We had the same manager, and I was lucky enough to meet her and know her throughout the years, and then we ended up with the same management team again years later. She was one of the sweetest and kindest people I had ever met. I have many fond memories that I will cherish and hold close to my heart. Such a talent and a tremendous loss to pop and country music and to those who knew and loved her. She will truly be missed.”

KC and the Sunshine Band appeared on the Dolly show on November 27, 1976, performing their disco hit “That’s the Way I Like It” with the country music queen.

Parton introduced Casey and his band by telling fans, “I don’t have to tell you that tonight’s show is going to really be different because we have one of the hottest groups in the country with us.”

She then turned to Casey and said, “KC, I’d just like to give you a big warm Nashville welcome. And to the Sunshine Band.”

“And I’ll tell you what, since tonight is special, why don’t we just kind of be ourselves and pretend like we’re kind of in concert,” Parton added. “You do your thing, like, you do it and I’ll do my thing. … I just wondered if you would sing a song with me.”

“That’s the way I like it!” Casey replied, before the two segued into the 1975 disco hit.

Parton’s syndicated variety show was her first solo TV series. It aired for one season, from 1976 to 1977, and featured a dazzling lineup of popular guest stars from the day, including Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., Anne Murray, Happy Days star Anson Williams and Parton’s future singing partner Kenny Rogers. The series also welcomed Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt years before they recorded the Trios albums with Parton.

At the time, Parton’s first solo variety show was among the most expensive syndicated music shows in production, costing as much as $100,000 to produce each half-hour program, according to Billboard.

While the variety show was highly rated, Parton wanted to focus on her singing and songwriting career without the rigors of a regular series.

“I want to be a recognized songwriter,” she told Country Music magazine in 1977. “And I want my songs recorded by people in and outside of country music. I want to leave things behind for the public and for my family. I want to do TV, some specials, not like my show, because I felt that was prematurely done on my part, and wasn’t really what I had in mind.”

“It seemed senseless to continue something I didn’t feel I was,” Parton explained.

Related: Dolly Parton Opens Up About the 1976 Song She Wrote to Fight Back Against the Tabloids