In Wheeling, it’s all ‘Vote for Haley’ on Idol
Every chance she gets, Wheeling Mayor Judy Abruscato reminds people to vote for Haley Reinhart.
At village board meetings. When she talks to students. At Rotary Club gatherings. Even when she’s having dinner around town, where more and more “Vote for Haley” signs are popping up.
“I love it,” Abruscato said about Reinhart’s rise on “American Idol.” “The signs, it’s the least we can do. She’s such a nice young lady. Everyone in town is getting pretty excited.”
They have good reason to. During the first few weeks, Reinhart teetered her way through her songs, but lately she has hit her stride, nailing Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” last week.
That same week judges’ favorite Pia Toscano was voted off the show, leaving Reinhart and only one other female contestant remaining, with six guys. If Reinhart makes it to the top three, Wheeling gets to host a hometown parade much like the one Mount Prospect hosted for 2010 “Idol” winner Lee DeWyze.
Not that Abruscato is thinking that far ahead.
Just kidding. Of course Abruscato is thinking that far ahead.
“It’s already in my head,” she said. “I can’t help it.”
Wheeling residents and businesses are taking Reinhart’s fate one week at a time — Market Square Restaurant, Tuscany Restaurant and PS Pub have all hosted “Idol”-watching parties on Wednesdays.
Last week more than 70 people hung out at Market Square and enjoyed the $5 “Vote for Haley” buffet, said Sam Pappas, the restaurant’s owner.
“People are getting more and more into it,” he said. “Things are definitely picking up steam.”
Part of the reason Haley Reinhart is so popular in Wheeling is her parents, Patti and Harry Reinhart, have lived in town for more than two decades and reside 10 doors down from the mayor. And Abruscato isn’t the only Wheeling official listening to what Judge Jennifer Lopez has to say every week — Wheeling Police Chief Bill Benson is a huge fan as well. More than 20 years ago when he was just a canine officer, Benson lived next door to the Reinharts.
“When I heard Haley made it to the finals, I was not surprised,” Benson said. “She is so talented and her parents are such down-to-earth people. They are just really good people.”
The Reinharts stopped by a Wheeling village board meeting March 21 to thank trustees for their support. They ended up staying for the almost two-hour meeting and chatted with audience members for a good while afterward.
“Thanks for all the incredible support,” Harry said. “We’re so proud of her and we’re flabbergasted by everything the village is doing. Thanks for all the signs.”
Reinhart, 20, graduated from Wheeling High School, where her younger sister, Angela, is still a student. She went to Harper College and joined the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab. She tried out for “Idol” in 2009 but didn’t make the cut.
Patti met Harry in 1978 when she tried out for the band Midnight. Since then the couple has been singing all over the suburbs. Harry is in another band, Traffic Jam, which calls PS Pub in Wheeling home. He’ll be taking the stage there Saturday night, said Donna Bastone, an owner of the pub.
PS Pub is selling those “I Love Haley” T-shirts that Patti and Harry wore when they were caught by the “Idol” cameras a few weeks ago.
They’re $10 each with the proceeds going to the Reinharts, to help pay for their trips to L.A. to watch their daughter perform.
So far, Bastone has sold more than 200 and she has a hard time keeping them in stock.
“It’s just Tuesday and I have to call my T-shirt guy already,” Bastone said. “They are good friends, and this is just our way of supporting them.”
Reinhart takes the stage sometime between 7 and 8:30 tonight on Fox. One contestant will be voted off the show on Thursday.