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| Two efforts would honor city's famous son By Leslie Bridgers Reporter - American Journal Westbrook, Maine; Rudy Vallee’s Hometown |
WESTBROOK (Sep 22, 2008): The wife of legendary entertainer Rudy Vallee and the mayor of Westbrook are looking for help in
recognizing the city's most famous resident.
Eleanor Vallee is campaigning to have a commemorative stamp made in honor of her late husband in celebration of his 110th birthday
in 2011. At the same time, Mayor Bruce Chuluda is forming a committee to start organizing a re-dedication of Vallee Square next
summer.
“I think it's appropriate to remind people of the rich heritage in the city of Westbrook,” Chuluda said about why he wants to re-dedicate
the square, adding that there are a lot of new people living in the city who are probably unaware of the fact that it's Vallee's hometown.
Chuluda said it's a coincidence that Eleanor Vallee is campaigning for the commemorative stamp at the same time, but, he said, he
hopes he can help with that, too.
“It would be a great honor, not only for Rudy Vallee, but also for the city,” he said about getting the stamp made.
In Eleanor Vallee's mind, there's no question that the stamp should – and will – be made.
“He's an icon. He's one of the most famous people in America,” said Vallee in a telephone interview from her Los Angeles home. “Frank
Sinatra just got one, so Rudy Vallee certainly should have his. Frank Sinatra learned everything from Rudy.”
Vallee was born in 1901. He grew up in Westbrook, where his father, Charles Vallee, owned a downtown pharmacy. He went to
Westbrook High School, playing in the high school band, and graduated in the class of 1920. Vallee attended the University of Maine
and Yale. He was one of the most popular radio, recording and film entertainers of the 1930s and '40s, and one of the biggest hits of his
career was "Stein Song (The University of Maine)," which later became the official theme song for the school. His career was
resurrected in the 1960s through a starring role in the Broadway show, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." He died in
1986, in Hollywood.
Eleanor Vallee hired Promotion in Motion, a California company, in January to handle the stamp campaign. A Web site, www.
rudyvalleestamp.com, has kicked off the effort and highlights Rudy Vallee’s 50-year show business career.
Eleanor Vallee filed a formal application with the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee in June and received a letter back from the
committee in July, saying the application was accepted for consideration. Now, she's trying to elicit the support of local officials and
hopes residents of Westbrook can help by sending letters of support to the advisory committee.
There are several requirements set by the U.S. Postal Service in order for someone to be eligible to appear on a commemorative
stamp. Stamp subjects must be deceased Americans with widespread national appeal, and the application must be submitted three
years before a significant anniversary.
Eleanor Vallee, an actress and the author of "My Vagabond Lover," a memoir about her life with Vallee, hopes to be able to announce
that the stamp will be coming at the re-dedication next summer, which she plans on attending.
“We'll get it,” she said about the stamp. “Don't worry about it.”
________________________________________
Based in Westbrook, Reporter - American Journal Leslie Bridgers can be reached at 207-854-2577 or by e-mail at
lbridgers@keepmecurrent.com.
recognizing the city's most famous resident.
Eleanor Vallee is campaigning to have a commemorative stamp made in honor of her late husband in celebration of his 110th birthday
in 2011. At the same time, Mayor Bruce Chuluda is forming a committee to start organizing a re-dedication of Vallee Square next
summer.
“I think it's appropriate to remind people of the rich heritage in the city of Westbrook,” Chuluda said about why he wants to re-dedicate
the square, adding that there are a lot of new people living in the city who are probably unaware of the fact that it's Vallee's hometown.
Chuluda said it's a coincidence that Eleanor Vallee is campaigning for the commemorative stamp at the same time, but, he said, he
hopes he can help with that, too.
“It would be a great honor, not only for Rudy Vallee, but also for the city,” he said about getting the stamp made.
In Eleanor Vallee's mind, there's no question that the stamp should – and will – be made.
“He's an icon. He's one of the most famous people in America,” said Vallee in a telephone interview from her Los Angeles home. “Frank
Sinatra just got one, so Rudy Vallee certainly should have his. Frank Sinatra learned everything from Rudy.”
Vallee was born in 1901. He grew up in Westbrook, where his father, Charles Vallee, owned a downtown pharmacy. He went to
Westbrook High School, playing in the high school band, and graduated in the class of 1920. Vallee attended the University of Maine
and Yale. He was one of the most popular radio, recording and film entertainers of the 1930s and '40s, and one of the biggest hits of his
career was "Stein Song (The University of Maine)," which later became the official theme song for the school. His career was
resurrected in the 1960s through a starring role in the Broadway show, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." He died in
1986, in Hollywood.
Eleanor Vallee hired Promotion in Motion, a California company, in January to handle the stamp campaign. A Web site, www.
rudyvalleestamp.com, has kicked off the effort and highlights Rudy Vallee’s 50-year show business career.
Eleanor Vallee filed a formal application with the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee in June and received a letter back from the
committee in July, saying the application was accepted for consideration. Now, she's trying to elicit the support of local officials and
hopes residents of Westbrook can help by sending letters of support to the advisory committee.
There are several requirements set by the U.S. Postal Service in order for someone to be eligible to appear on a commemorative
stamp. Stamp subjects must be deceased Americans with widespread national appeal, and the application must be submitted three
years before a significant anniversary.
Eleanor Vallee, an actress and the author of "My Vagabond Lover," a memoir about her life with Vallee, hopes to be able to announce
that the stamp will be coming at the re-dedication next summer, which she plans on attending.
“We'll get it,” she said about the stamp. “Don't worry about it.”
________________________________________
Based in Westbrook, Reporter - American Journal Leslie Bridgers can be reached at 207-854-2577 or by e-mail at
lbridgers@keepmecurrent.com.
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