A MURAL FOR DONNA FARGO

Dynamic duo Donna Hiatt and Ann Vaughn and the Donna Fargo Mural Committee have teamed up with local businesses and members of the community to sponsor a mural to honor award-winning country music legend, Donna Fargo. “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA” is returning to her hometown for the mural’s dedication on July 4th. She and JEKS (Brian Lewis), the mural artist, will be coGrand Marshalls of Mount Airy’s Independence Day Parade.

Donna Fargo’s likeness will join the renderings of other Mount Airy greats displayed throughout the city: Andy Griffith, Melva Houston, and the Easter Brothers. Her mural is unique, however, in that she is the first LIVING person to be depicted by JEKS. The Greensboro artist was thrilled and honored to be chosen for the project. He and Donna have collaborated on the design and have become fast friends.

The location of the mural is of special significance to many involved in this project. The site agreed upon was Canteen Alley on the wall of Walker’s Soda Fountain, formerly Lamm Drug.

“Donna Fargo went to the soda fountain there, and the location really means a great deal to me,” Donna Hiatt confided. “I knew the owners of The Canteen, Archie and Margaret Barker. Their daughter, Mae Barker, was my best friend. Also, my uncle, Russell Hiatt (owner of Floyd’s Barber Shop) has a memorial bench there. And, of course, David Jones, the owner of Walker’s Soda Fountain, is thrilled!”

Also unique to this major undertaking is that all fundraising has been through private donations. Friends and fans from near and far and of all ages have come together to make the mural happen. The Donna Fargo Mural Committee has left no stone unturned.

Fundraising projects included a “Star-Spangled Donna Fargo Fashionista” at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, where the response was so great, the museum agreed to host two shows! The program featured Donna Fargo look-a-likes from 7 to 70 walking the runway. Fargo’s personal costumes and other never-before-seen outfits and memorabilia were on display for all to enjoy. Music was provided by John

Rees, a former member of her band. In addition, Marty and Sally Adams of Mayberry Online Auction conducted an auction which not only included items and memorabilia from Donna Fargo’s music career, but also some of her cards and books from Blue Mountain Arts. Moreover, local businesses and individuals contributed, showing their support for this worthy cause.

Their second event was held at Slate Mountain Baptist Church, where Donna Fargo was a member and sang in the choir. The gospel venue highlighted local talent and included bluegrass, country and traditional gospel songs. The touching grand finale was Fargo’s “You Can’t Be A Beacon if Your Light Don’t Shine.” The free-will donations collected went toward the mural and other expenses, such as preparing the wall for painting, lighting, landscaping, and maintenance.

“An Evening of Donna Fargo’s Reflection in Word and Music,” the committee’s final event, was held at Mount Airy High School in the Blue Bear Café, where Polly Long’s Workforce Initiative students provided refreshments. Enter- tainment included members of the Mount Airy High School Band, directed by Nik Tirpack; the Mount Airy High School Choir, led by Jennifer Riska; a poetry reading by Niya Smith; and Emmy Smith, winner of the Donna Fargo Fashion Show singing “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA.” Special guests read from Donna Fargo’s published works, as John Rees provided musical accompaniment.

A personal video message from Donna Fargo that includes her latest song, “One of the Good Guys,” (featuring three locals – Floyd Rees, Wally Shelton, and Ray Reed) was played at each event, expressing how much the love and dedication of her friends and fans meant to her.

Born “Yvonne Vaughn,” Fargo grew up just outside Mount Airy and graduated from Mount Airy High School. After earning her degree from High Point College, she moved to southern California and became an English teacher. Fargo recalls picking tobacco for ten cents an hour in her younger days and working at Ellis Clothing Company in high school.

“She is truly genuine,” Ann Vaughn said. “She is always so kind and gracious and humble. We want her to know just how very special she is to us.”

Donna Fargo, Donna Hiatt, Ann Vaughn and the Donna Fargo Mural Committee want to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who contributed to this project. They really appreciate the support of Linda Cottingham and Brenda Madden of the Donna Fargo Fan Club.

So mark your calendars for July 4th and don’t miss a single minute of this history-making event. It will surely be a “Skip-a-dee-doo-dah day!

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the Donna Fargo Mural Fund, send your contribution to one of the four locations of First Community Bank in Mount Airy.

For more information about event schedules and locations, visit the Donna Fargo Mural Page on Facebook.