Bronze Archie statue honors artist for hometown anniversary
A statue of the comic strip character Archie sits on a park bench, created by sculptor Valery Mahuchy, as it was unveiled in Community Park, Meredith, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, as part of the town’s 250th anniversary celebration. Archie illustrator Bob Montana lived in Meredith for 35 years and worked many local residents and scenes into the comic strip until his death in 1975 at age 54. Posing with the statue are Montana’s children, Paige, Donald, Raymond, and Lynn. (Tom Caldwell/Laconia Daily Sun via AP)