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Valparaiso Plans Statue For Popcorn King Redenbacher

VALPARAISO, Ind. (CBS) -- Plans are in the works for a statue of Orville Redenbacher in the northwestern Indiana city where he developed the popcorn that made him famous.

A committee in Valparaiso wants to have the statue show Redenbacher sitting on a bench in a city park, where visitors could pose for pictures with the likeness.

Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission member Laura Campbell says the city is working with ConAgra Foods to get permission to use Redenbacher's because it owns the trademarks. She tells The Times of Munster that she hopes the statue will be in place by the end of September.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Felicia Middlebrooks Reports

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The bow tie- and suspender-wearing Redenbacher became a television icon by pitching his popcorn in commercials playing off his wholesome image. He was 88 when he died in 1995.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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