Sculpting a memory of Harry the K

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA. On the first anniversary of his death, fans continue to mourn legendary announcer Harry Kalas and a project to immortalize him in bronze is gaining steam.

A group of fans created the nonprofit Dear Harry Inc., which has raised 25 percent of the $80,000 for a 7-foot sculpture of the Hall of Fame broadcaster. They said the likeness could be unveiled in late August or early September and talks with the Phillies to have it installed at Citizens Bank Park continue.

“It’s a dream come true to be doing a piece that has the potential to end up at the stadium itself,” said sculptor Lawrence Nolan, who grew up in Merion and now lives in Vermont. “I was at the first game at the Vet in 1971 and I remember looking at those sculptures there and I was just amazed.”

The project started from a Facebook page created the day after Kalas died in the broadcast booth in Washington, D.C., before a game on April 13, 2009.