Instagram story viewer> @danacaridi> Posts

Dana Caridi

@danacaridi

909

followers

644

following

Sometimes you have to dive.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Happy 92nd Birthday to my beautiful mom @alicegellert and Happy One-year-old birthday to my fantastic twin grandchildren! taken in Menasha, Wisconsin by @danacaridi

43

5

21 days ago

Georgian Bay-bies #lakehuron #lakeontario #canada🇨🇦 taken in Lake Ontario by @danacaridi

80

4

2 months ago

I love Dolly Parton, and I am not alone. In 1982, I entered a Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds look-alike contest to promote The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The winners from the local contests were flown to Nashville for the premiere and a weekend packed with special events.

I was lucky enough to meet Dolly at a meet-and-greet and then spend more time with her after the premiere. What stands out most isn’t just how exciting it was to meet a legend, but how genuinely sweet, generous, and kind she was to everyone. She made me feel like she really cared about me, and I’ve never forgotten that.

In 1990, I went to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, wearing my Dolly outfit. People flocked to me with happiness and excitement. They thought I was Dolly!

Dolly didn’t just become famous and leave her hometown behind. She invested in it. Through Dollywood, she helped create jobs and opportunities throughout the area, and through the Dollywood Foundation, she created programs that have touched countless lives.

In 2016, I visited Dolly’s hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, and posed in front of her statue. Standing there made everything feel full circle—from the look-alike contest in 1982 to being a lifelong Dolly Parton fan who still carries her with me.

And today, no matter where I go, I have Dolly with me. Five years ago, I got the personalized Tennessee license plate honoring Dolly’s Imagination Library, her amazing global program that gives books to children and encourages a lifelong love of reading. My plate says DONNE—the name my grandchildren will call me.

So every time I get in my car, I’m reminded of Dolly and her kindness, generosity, creativity, imagination, and commitment to giving back. Dolly Parton has been my idol for more than four decades. And now, in a small but meaningful way, I get to feel her with me everywhere I go—and she’ll always be in my heart. ❤️

#DollyParton #DollyFans #Dollywood #ImaginationLibrary #Tennessee #Sevierville #CountryMusicLegend #iwillalwaysloveyou taken in Nashville, Tennessee by @danacaridi

109

9

2 months ago

How sweet it is to be in love with you (both)! #twins #10months #grandkids taken in New York, New York by @danacaridi

77

8

2 months ago

Sitting pretty taken in New York, New York by @danacaridi

64

9

4 months ago

There is nothing quite the same as the love of a grandchild for a grandparent #neville #holly taken in New York, New York by @danacaridi

88

5

5 months ago

Just another Nashville flyby. #bna #homeawayfromhome❤️ taken in Nashville, Tennessee by @danacaridi

41

3

6 months ago

Happy Birthday to my lovely daughter @oliviacaridi — I love you to the moon and back! #happy #birthday #marchmadness #34 by @danacaridi

95

9

7 months ago

Flying to my Happy Medicare Birthday Party! #65 #medicare #finally taken in Austin, Texas by @danacaridi

39

7

7 months ago

Smize #holly taken in New York, New York by @danacaridi

64

10

7 months ago

Future’s so bright…
#neville taken in New York, New York by @danacaridi

57

3

7 months ago

Joy to the World, sweater weather has come! #holly #neville #3monthsold #grandmother #love taken in New York, New York by @danacaridi

96

19

9 months ago