Thanks to the artist, whomever he or she may be, who installed the bit of guerilla art, "Standing Bow," at Boulevard Park. I hope the city will let it stay. I believe it really fits the Bellingham ethos and the spot that it is in. It was a favorite with some friends visiting from the East Coast, so I guess we can say it is an immediate tourist attraction!

- Gwen Parker of Bellingham, via Letters to the Editor

I just wanted to comment on the page on Connecticut in the Nov. 9 Bellingham Herald. I grew up in Connecticut and was at the launching of the Nautilus in 1954. My father worked at Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., and Mamie Eisenhower was the one who cracked the champagne bottle over the bow. My father was a draftsman and helped design the engine room on the Nautilus and we toured the Nautilus after the launching. We waited in line for what seemed like four hours before we were able to get on board.

I grew up in a home built in 1790 that was right on the Niantic river.

Another thing that happened when I was around 10- or 12-years-old was that I brought a cocoon into the house thinking that it would become a butterfly. When it finally opened it was praying mantises, thousands of them. Since they are the state insect, killing them was not the thing to do. At that time the only thing to do was to vacuum them up.

It was certainly a great place to grow up. I have fond memories of dating Coast Guard cadets, ice skating and swimming in the river and having the best sledding hill around.

Kathy Chasteen of Bellingham, via Letters to the Editor

I want to thank the Fairhaven Veterans for maintaining the flag and flagpole on Eleventh Street. As I drove north on Eleventh Street last Sunday morning I saw the flag waving in the wind and sunshine in all of its glory. It was a beautiful sight. Thank you veterans for reminding us of our precious freedom.

Susanne Warren of Bellingham, via Letters to the Editor