iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 02/10/2026

Bluesky, it's been a while, but I just wanted to remind all the Chicago journalists out there that TODAY is the last day to submit your work to the Chicago Journalists Association's annual awards contests! We're accepting submissions until 11:59 p.m., so don't miss out! We'd love to see your work!

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Kat Abughazaleh @katmabu.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

happy hobonichi day to all who celebrate

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Sbooks @bemorelikeharper.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Today is three much. Please take at least one much away.

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🐙Ash Says Fear The Old Blood🩸 @kingcocoabutter.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Never has this felt more relevant 🫠

Tintin "What a week, huh? Captain it's Wednesday" meme.

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Ken Plume @kenplume.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Death is a blind fool.

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Silas Holloway @silashollo1104.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Jesus….now Tim Curry?!? R.I.P.

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 26/08/2026

Ugh, one my absolute FAVORITE movies. A real '80s dark fantasy classic and he's so good in it.

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Michael Schulman @michaelschulman.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Well, shit. RIP Tim Curry. I got to have this long talk with him last year for the publication of his memoir, and, while he was physically weak, he was still darkly and deliciously witty. No one will ever be sexier than him as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...

newyorker.com

Tim Curry Does the Time Warp

The actor and singer discusses the origins of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” his relationship with David Bowie, and the joy of working with Miss Piggy.

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Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

WHAT IS THE GRIM REAPER DOING THIS WEEK AND HOW CAN WE MAKE HIM STOP

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lighthouse prince @historiancole.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

tim curry keeping up the bit twenty years after the fact by writing in his memoir that he and miss piggy had an affair during the filming of muppet treasure island is just so good and funny

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 26/08/2026

Dang, not Tim Curry, too! We're losing our greats in such quick succession. 😞

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 26/08/2026

Now, let us admire how good our girl looks in the, objectively, best shade of pink. 😊

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 26/08/2026

At 80, I truly hope I'm as fabulous and committed to my values and morals as Dolly Parton was. Then I'll know I'll have really done something right. May we all live in our truths as the best versions of ourselves and follow her stellar example of being a decent, kind, well-dressed human being. 💖

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kate bush’s husband @airbagged.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

RIP TO ONE OF THE GREATEST TO EVER DO IT

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Garry @thegmcconnachie.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

This is why Dolly Parton will be remembered and loved ❤️📚

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SinnamonS @sinnamonscouture.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

#Chicago's Sears Tower is glowing pink tonight to honor Dolly Parton! 💖🌟🙏🏽✨

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Heidi MacDonald @ SPX @comixace.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Why was Dolly able to do all these things? Because BMI (and ASCAP) protect songwriter’s rights and songwriters are paid royalties for everything. Dolly never sold her immense catalog of songs and it made her a 9-figure fortune.

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William B. Fuckley @opinionhaver.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Dolly Parton’s husband being just some guy rocks. Guy owned a Nashville driveway paving business and just did his own thing, never sought celebrity at all.

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Manimal @sammyhagarisgreat.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Dolly Parton decided to cover "Stairway to Heaven" as a gospel song, and asked Robert Plant for permission to write a new verse for it, and Robert Plant basically said "of course you can, you're Dolly Parton" youtu.be/YhTvxVxXJLQ

youtu.be

Dolly Parton - Stairway to Heaven (Audio)

YouTube video by Dolly Parton

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🌛salty!🌜 @saltmatey.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Farewell, dolly

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River Ellis North @cricketnoise.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Wonderful video about Dolly and who she was (a truly lovely person).

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Bebe Neuwirth (she/her) @bebeneuwirth.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Thank you Empire State Building. NYC ❤️ Dolly.

Empire State Building lit up in bright pink in honor of Dolly Parton. Beautiful.

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Garrett Gilchrist @garrettgilchrist.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Dolly Parton had grown up poor. She understood the value of what she had, and that it could be used to help people. She saw poor people and rural communities as people deserving dignity. This is a lot rarer than it should be. Until you've been very poor you don't fully understand how others live.

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Boze Herrington, Library Owl @sketchesbyboze.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Dolly Parton rose from poverty to stardom. She gave $500 to every student in her hometown who finished high school; she built hospitals & bald eagle preserves; her Imagination Library has gifted 300 million books to children. Roger Ebert met her and came away thinking she was a literal angel. RIP.

“In Dallas for the premier of '9 to 5', I had an uncanny experience, and on the plane home to Chicago I confessed it to Siskel: I had been granted a private half hour with Dolly Parton, and as we spoke I was filled with a strange ethereal grace. This was not spiritual, nor was it sexual. It was healing and comforting. Gene listened and said, "Roger, I felt the exact same thing during my interview with her." We looked at each other. What did this mean? Neither one of us ever felt that feeling again. From time to time we would refer to it in wonder.”

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Jen Bendery @jbendery.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Dolly Parton is still giving back even after she's gone. From her Instagram account a few mins ago: "In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com." 😭💔

imaginationlibrary.com

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library | USA, UK, IE, CA, AU

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating areas.

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Louie Zong @everydaylouie.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

queen of hearts 💔

a stylized 3d render of dolly parton playing the banjo. the queen herself.

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Garrett M. Graff @vermontgmg.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

One way you know Dolly Parton lived life the right way: I don’t think anyone’s going to get fired for accurately quoting Dolly Parton today.

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 26/08/2026

It's what Dolly would have wanted! 😤

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Ann Powers @annkpowers.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Read this to learn the real story about Tennessee's greatest

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Robert Loerzel @robertloerzel.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

A mural in Edgewater of Dolly Parton

A picture of Dolly Parton painted on a wall

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Ross Johnson @rosserford.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

We’re going to hear about how everyone loved Dolly, and that feels true. But it’s good to remember, and to her credit, that she was attacked for her AIDS activism, her vaccine advocacy, her LGBTQ+ support and even, more recently, for her reading initiatives. She ALWAYS stood firm when it mattered.

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Lauren McKenzie @themckenziest.gay · 26/08/2026

I just think that the profound way we all love Dolly proves how united we are in what kind of world we want to live in and who we want to live in it with. Even if we don’t understand how to get there yet. And that’s beautiful

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Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

“She was the voluptuous embodiment of empathy,” Jane Fonda writes about her friend Dolly Parton. “That’s something of hers she’d want us all to take with us.” "To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you. You know that without me telling you.” www.justjared.com/2026/08/25/j...

justjared.com

Jane Fonda Pays Tribute to '9 to 5' Co-Star Dolly Parton, Sends Message to Her 'Gay & Trans Fans'

Jane Fonda is mourning the loss of her 9 to 5 co-star Dolly Parton. The 88-year-old actress released a statement moments ago after learning of the news of

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WuTangIsForTheChildren @wutangforchildren.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Dolly Parton invested the royalties she earned for writing ‘I Will Always Love You’ in Nashville’s Black community www.washingtonpost.com/arts-enterta... "This is the house that Whitney built" - DP 🥺🙏

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 26/08/2026

I mean, just look at her. A true diva 'til the end.

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ContempraInn 🌹 @contemprainn.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The time Dolly Parton and Kermit jammed to Sly and the Family Stone’s Everyday People Love to Dolly ❤️

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 26/08/2026

Not only was she one history's bestselling music artists, but also committed herself to a life of philanthropy and doing all she could to make this world a better place. A lover of pink after my own heart and truly singular star, she will definitely be missed by this fashion girlie. 💖

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 26/08/2026

Talk about a real fashion icon. Rest in peace to the legend herself, Ms. Dolly Parton. She was unapologetically herself, never afraid to take up room, utterly fabulous, and someone I find endlessly inspiring.

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 24/07/2026

One of my latest stories for @blockclubchi.bsky.social featuring photographs by Kameron Clepper! So grateful I got to report this story with Mr. Bolden, his family, neighbors, and friends.

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 24/07/2026

Chicago folks, specifically local doulas and midwives! Have you ever worked with a client in a hospital? Been hired by a hospital directly? Know someone this sounds like? If so, I'd love to hear from you for a story I'm working on for the @chicagoreader.com! My DMs are open! Orgs are fine too!

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 12/06/2026

New reporting from me via @blockclubchi.bsky.social, for those of you looking for something to do this weekend, especially if you're a local wildlife enthusiast: "Loved By Birders, Far South Side's Marian R. Byrnes Park Hosts Grand Reopening" blockclubchicago.org/2026/06/12/m...

blockclubchicago.org

Loved By Birders, Far South Side's Marian R. Byrnes Park Hosts Grand Reopening

Byrnes Park, a popular birding spot on the Far South Side, will celebrate new amenities such as scenic overlooks, boardwalks, a shade pavilion and improved access.

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 10/06/2026

Any Chicago birders out there planning to be at Marian R. Byrnes Park on Saturday or have been there before? If so, I'd love to talk to you for a story I'm working on for @blockclubchi.bsky.social! Reply to this post or DM me if you're interested and can chat today or tomorrow!

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 02/06/2026

I saw the trailers for I Love Boosters and wanted to see what writing I could find on this, but honestly there wasn't much. So I decided to crank something out myself over on Substack! She's long, but I'd love to know what folks think!

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 02/06/2026

When we’re talking classic fashion films, we’re gonna have to start including I Love Boosters and the many other Black films whose costuming typically goes unnoticed by traditional fashion media outlets. That and wonder why more Black fashion films aren't being made.

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 02/06/2026

I Love Boosters got me thinking. Where are all the other Black fashion films? open.substack.com/pub/maiazine...

open.substack.com

seriously. where are all the black fashion films?

🎥 'cause you know i've been looking.

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