Vote for your quarter

Somerville Theatre, one of the three Somerville locations considered for the next state quarter. By Cathleen Twardzik Governor Deval Patrick recently announced that Massachusetts residents may vote on which nationally-recognized site in the Commonwealth to feature on the reverse side of the new quarter. One site, as well as three alternates, will be selected. The U.S. Mint presented this unique opportunity to the state, according to a press release. In Somerville, three locations, The Rosebud, The Somerville Theatre, and The Nathan Tufts (Powder House) Park will be considered. Helen Defrancisco, manager of The Rosebud, is excited about the prospect of the diner's possible use on the new quarter. "All my customers are thrilled, and they're all going to vote for us," said Defrancisco. "I think a diner would be a perfect image on a coin," she said. If The Rosebud is chosen, the diner's business will profit, according to Defrancisco. She foresees that that will occur "because diners have been around forever, people love coming into the home style cooking and everything." Additionally, The Somerville Theater is a possible pick for the new quarter. "We're certainly more than honored to be selected for consideration. It would further cement The [Somerville] Theater's role in the history of the city. I don't know that there would be an immediate benefit," said Ian Judge, General Manager of The Somerville Theater. Personally, "From the three that were indicated for Somerville, I would certainly go with The Powder House [because] that's a little bit more historic," said Judge. That sentiment also holds true for his colleagues, according to him. "Our Commonwealth has many great parks and historically significant sites," said Governor Patrick in the press release. "It will be fun to let everybody help choose the one to submit." More than 100 sites have been selected for voters' consideration. The original master list for this project included over 4,000 potential sites. Beginning in 2010, as part of America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act, the new quarter will be issued at the rate of five new state designs per year. If you are interested in voting for the new quarter's design, you may visit http://www.mass.gov/governor/quarter or call 1-800-227-MASS [6277]. Voting is open until February 26, after which, the winners will be announced. Additional information is available at 617-725-4005.