Centerville, TN – November 12, 2025 — The Hickman County Imagination Library celebrated a major milestone today with the official ribbon cutting of the Storybook Trail, an outdoor literacy experience designed to help children fall in love with reading while exploring the natural world.

The featured story on the trail is Where Butterflies Grow, displayed page-by-page along a walking path to encourage families to read together, move together, and enjoy time outside.

A Collaborative Community Effort

Sandy Worboys, Chairman of the Hickman County Imagination Library, delivered remarks during the ceremony and recognized the team of volunteers, community leaders, and sponsors who brought the project to life.

Volunteers pictured at the event include: Marsha Anderson, Angie Manor, Jennifer Hudgins, Gayla Bunn, Ernestine Burlison

Event sponsors and partners pictured:

Mayor Jim Bates, Hickman County

Mayor Gary Greer, Town of Centerville

Lynne Wheeless National Banana Pudding Festival

Brenda Brock, Centerville Main Street

Marcia Alexander, Hickman County Chamber of Commerce

Sheila Bettini, Heritage Bank 

Kim Freeman, The Lumber Yard

Special thanks were offered to Keith and Stacey Mercado, who installed all of the storyboards along the trail.

Partners and sponsors not pictured include:

Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association, AGRANA Fruit US, State Farm, Dickson Graphics, Duck River Conservancy, McDonald Funeral Home, Jacobs Custom Autobody, and Wesley Whitaker along with the instructor and students of the CTE Construction classes at both East Hickman High School and Hickman County High School.

Supported Through State Literacy Funding

In February 2024, the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) awarded Hickman County Imagination Library a $4,000 grant to support the creation of the Storybook Trail. GELF partners with communities across Tennessee to strengthen early-literacy foundations and encourage a lifetime love of reading.

Visit the Storybook Trail

Families are invited to visit the trail, enjoy the story at their own pace, and celebrate the importance of reading together at every age.