Lowell National Park almost makes it onto currency
I know: Almost doesn’t count except in horseshoes. Maybe it’s true, but I got a kick out of this article in yesterday’s Boston Globe, reporting that the Fisherman’s Memorial statue in Gloucester has been nominated to appear on the 2010 Bay State quarter. According to the article, the weathered-green copper statue received votes that accounted for “more than four times its closest competitor, Lowell National Historic Park.” The governor’s office submitted the fisherman statue as well as three alternatives to the Feds (not sure if Lowell was included as an alternative). Ultimately, it may not matter because the U.S. Mint is the final decider. Still, you have to admit, second place is close. Imagine, Lowell National Park depicted on quarters…As my teenager noted, “That would have been sick!” (BTW, the first Massachusetts quarter of the new century, minted in 2000, depicted a Minuteman soldier from a statue in Concord and was designed by middle-school children.)