If it weren’t for the dozens of volunteers at The Kate, the show just would not go on. Since September 2009 when the cultural arts center opened in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, the crowd of folks helping out has been amazing and they deserved, and deserve some recognition. The Guild recognition ceremony will of course now be an annual event to be able to give those pats on the back that are so deserved. A big shout out to Kate Trustee, Pauline Kezer who so long ago got the Guild rolling.

At this year’s event there were some individuals honored that went above and beyond. Mind you these are all folks just volunteering but are making such a difference. You will never go to The Kate and not see some of the individuals guiding you to your seat, answering questions, giving tours, stuffing envelopes, I could go on and on and on.

Among the honorees, was Pat Schneider. Pat started the Boutique at The Kate, a wonderful alcove where you can purchase wonderful things concerning the theater and the iconic actress for which it is named, Katharine Hepburn. But thing sweren’t always so pretty, Pat first started selling items five years ago out of a storage room at the Town Hall before the theater opened. Initially there were t-shirts and hats. I remember buying a Kate sweatshirt in the early days out of her trunk.  Boy have we grown since then. Pat takes such pride in her work and it shows. Also thanks to her wonderful volunteers who spend so many hours helping her. Three stand outs helping Pat were recognized as Patsy Flanagan, Corrine Ingellis and Maureen Prior.

In the category of Theater Volunteer which included time spent, parking cars, house managing, ushering, greeting and mailings, the three who worked the most hours were Bev Musgrove, Edie Riggio and Gerhard Krauland.

The big honor, Volunteer of the Year  went to Sueing. She never stops and we joke she has a cot at the theater. She was, and is,  willing to work every show.

Sueing is always smiling and is a joy to be around. Congrats, Sueing for being The Kate’s first ever Volunteer of the Year!

See you at The Kate!
Ann Nyberg, Trustee

Actress Katharine Hepburn was given quite a birthday gift today, her own 44 cent U.S. Postal Stamp. Hepburn would have been 103 years old today.

The photo used on the stamp is from a publicity shot taken for her 1942 film, “Woman of The Year.”

The late 4-time Academy Award winning actress would have been 103 years old today.

The red-haired beauty became the 16th star to be honored in the U.S. Postal Service’s Legends of Hollywood stamp series.

The ceremony took place in her theater, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.

By my estimate, there were about 300 people in attendance.

On stage marking the occasion was emcee, actor, and Connecticut resident, Sam Waterston. Waterson was in a movie with Hepburn in her later life called “The Glass Menagerie.”

Waterston told me he loved working with her and that she took the responsibility of feeding the cast and crew while they were on location.

He also told me that while shooting the movie Hepburn said to him “you’re clock isn’t ticking.” She told him when your clock isn’t ticking you’re not full out in the acting mode, but when it is, you give the audience all you’ve got. Hepburn was always one to try to make people better, to push them to their limits, that wasn’t lost on Waterston.

Also on stage, British film director, Anthony Harvey. Harvey made four pictures with Hepburn including “The Glass Menagerie” and “Lion In Winter.” Harvey told me what a character Hepburn was, but that he had the time of his life with her over a 20-year friendship.

The Kate’s Executive Director, Chuck Still started out the ceremony welcoming the residents of Old Saybrook and thanking them for all of their ongoing support of the theater and how Hepburn loved the town of which she thought of as her paradise.

Hepburn’s long time cook, Nora Considine was also in attendance with her daughters and grand daughter. We talked about all the fun she had cooking for Kate in New York City and in Fenwick.

Hepburn’s brother-in-law, former West Hartford Mayor, Ellsworth Grant watched from the front row as his late famous sister-in-law got her due. Grant told me it was a wonderful event and that “Katy” would have loved it.

Members of the Old Saybrook Police Department got into the act as well, standing guard at the venue and also having their picture taken with Waterston, one of the stars of the TV show “Law and Order.”

This was a great day for The Kate, really put the theater on the map today, and the first of her stamps were sold and hand canceled right at the theater.

See you at The Kate!
Ann Nyberg, Trustee

This was an event On April 30th called “Hats Off to The Kate.” There was food and wine and entertainment.

There will be wine and food and some great entertainment.

Suzanne Tanner Meisel will be doing selections from her “Voices of Herstory.” It was a millinery musical that folks loved.

The video was done by Kate trustee, Bob Czepiel.

See you at The Kate
Ann Nyberg, Trustee

The Kate is getting ready for her close-up for the unveiling of the official Katharine Hepburn U.S. postage stamp. This is going to be quite the big deal on May 12. It would have been the actress’s 103rd birthday and dignitaries from Washington and Hollywood types will be on hand for the ceremony. The trustees will be making sure the inside of the theater will look just as gleaming.

The venue is quite the hotbed of activities these days since opening in September of 2009. The trustees are quite proud of the grand old gal and are so thankful that so many are enjoying this little gem of a place with a movie star name.

See you at The Kate
Ann Nyberg, Trustee