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 stamp is a beauty, it’s taken from Hepburn’s 1942 film “Woman Of The Year.”

It will be unveiled on what would have been her 103rd birthday at the theater which carries her name in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.

This is so appropriate because Hepburn called the Fenwick section of Old Saybrook her paradise.

The Kate will host this first day issue ceremony.

At the 44-cent stamp unveiling will be Sam Waterston, who acted with Hepburn in the film “The Glass Menagerie,” and Anthony Harvey, who directed Hepburn in “The Lion in Winter.”

U.S. Postmaster General John E. Potter will have the honors of introducing the stamp to the world of the iconic 4-time Academy Award winner. The stamp is the 16th in the USPS’ “Legends of Hollywood” commemorative series.

Hepburn spent summers at her family home in the Fenwick section for most of her life, living there permanently later in life. She died in 2003 at age 96.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. For more information, go to www.thekate.org or call 860-510-0473.

See you at The Kate!
Ann Nyberg, Trustee

Put on those new pajamas you got for Christmas and set yourself down for a a great Katharine Hepburn classic on Saturday, December 27th at 8:00 p.m. It’s on Turner Classic Movies. Check your local listings.

The 1942 Katharine Hepburn-Spencer Tracy pairing in “Woman of the Year” will be on. It’s the first of nine movies that Hepburn and Tracy were paired, talk about chemistry!
I’ve posted a You Tube clip just to help you remember how great the movie is.

See you at “The Kate!”
Ann Nyberg, Trustee, KHCAC

This is Katharine Hepburn being in apart of a documentary about the first time she met the love of her life, Spencer Tracy. This is just sweet. You can hear the joy in Hepburn’s voice when she speaks about “Spence.” She meets him prior to the two of them playing opposite each other in the film “Woman of the Year.”

Hepburn speaks so fluidly and vividly about the man with whom she fell in love. So here is Kate like a school girl remembering meeting the man who made her heart skip a beat.

See you at “The Kate.”
Ann Nyberg, Trustee, KHCAC

A Woman Rebels

This is huge for Katharine Hepburn fans! Beginning at 6:00 a.m. on August 30th, 2008, you can watch Katharine Hepburn all day long. Of course you’re also free to set your recorders if you have to be away from the set. Turner Classic Movies is putting on this Hepburn Holiday for you. By clicking here (2008) you can see all the trailers to wet your appetite. Bon Appetit!

See you at “The Kate.”
Ann Nyberg, Trustee, KHCAC

Sylvia Scarlett

Woman of the Year

Woman of the Year