Dedication of "Neighbors" Statue
Thursday, November 19, 2009
2:00 p.m.

On Thursday November 19th, Mayor Dan Malloy and other notable dignitaries dedicated Shippan Point's latest work of art, the sculpture by Henry Kreis entitled "Neighbors". On hand for the dedication were Tim Curtin, special assistant to the Mayor, Ben Barnes, Director of Operations, Ronald Marcus from the Stamford Historical Society, Erik Findeisen, SPA President and James Ryan, SPA Chairman, representatives from Charter Oak Communities and many Shippan neighbors. "Neighbors" was sculpted in 1937 by Henry Kreis as one of the depression era Works Progress Administration projects.

For many years this statue stood at Fairfield Court, a Stamford housing complex.  During the renovation of this complex, Charter Oak Communities set aside funds to restore this statue and another by the same artist entitled "Mother and Son".  Kreis' theme for both sculptures was men and women going to war and women staying behind to hold the neighborhood together.  As both Erik Findeisen and Ron Marcus pointed out in their remarks to the spectators, a similar situation exists today with men and women off fighting in not one, but two wars and many others victims of the current recession. As Erik Findeisen said in his closing  remarks "I am hopeful that years from now my children's children will come out and see this beautiful piece of art and experience the meaning of neigbors supporting each other".

While dedicating the "Neighbors" statue, Mayor Dan Malloy also re-dedicated a memorial stone and newly planted Japanese maple tree in honor of a former city employee, Harry Quirke.  The original memorial stone was discovered during a site inspection while searching for a location for the "Neighbors" statue.  In the 1960's Harry Quirke was responsible for rescuing a Japanese maple tree from destruction during a renovation project at the old Rogers School.  Soon after he completed this project, Harry Quirke passed away and his friends and colleagues honored his life by dedicating the tree he had saved to his memory.

If you have not yet done so, take a walk down to the Shippan Point entrance garden and take a look at the "Neighbors" statue and the Harry Quirke memorial stone and tree.  Perhaps even walk across the street to the Czesik Marina Park and take a look at the plaque which is engraved with the original deed of sale of the are that now includes Shippan Point.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
SPA Volunteers Would Like to Lend a Helping Hand!

Do you or someone you know need help moving a piece of furniture, making a dump run, cleaning up some broken tree limbs, taking out the recycling can or the like?  The SPA has begun an initiative aimed at helping the senior residents of Shippan with some of those chores that get a little bit harder at certain times in your life.  We would like to start building a list of these small projects and get them scheduled.  If you know a senior that could use this type of help or would like to volunteer for this initiative, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call James Ryan at 329-1601.