'A Permanent Reminder of the Power of Volunteers'

Rain sprinkled over Sherman Green Sunday night, but it wasn't enough to keep the town from celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Sherman Green Gazebo, a landmark structure that was built through volunteer labor and donated materials in June 1985.

The gazebo, the venue for the Parks and Recreation Department's popular summertime concert series, is in the heart of downtown Fairfield, and several town officials noted the appropriateness of having a structure built by volunteers in the center of a town where most elected and appointed officials are volunteers - not to mention hundreds of residents who volunteer in youth sports and non-profits.

"This is a permanent reminder of the power of volunteers, and, when people put their heart into a project, the great work that can be done," Police Chief Gary MacNamara said.

Ken Dalling, a former Parks Commissioner who led the effort to build the gazebo after he saw one like it in Cape May, N.J., is in charge of booking bands for summer concerts at the gazebo that draw hundreds of people to Sherman Green.

Fran Cidorowich, of Bridgeport, was among more than 100 people on hand Sunday night to hear town officials re-dedicate the gazebo, followed by a concert by Keltic Kick, a popular Irish band. Cidorowich came prepared with an umbrella in case the sprinkling rain turned into something less refreshing.

"It means a lot," Cidorowich said of the gazebo and summertime concert series. "Very entertaining, and I see a lot of my friends here."

Cidorowich said the live music is always great and she also makes new friends at the concerts. "I talk to everybody. I'm very sociable," she said.

Jo Campofiore, 50, who lives close enough to the gazebo to walk to it for concerts, said, "It's relaxing, and I meet a lot of old friends. I come here whenever I can, which is just about every week," she said. "I love it, I love it. It's a nice social area; you get to meet everyone, new and old."

Campofiore added that she likes all kinds of music.

Before Keltic Kick began performing about 7 p.m., First Selectman Ken Flatto took to the microphone to praise the gazebo and the man who made it happen.

"This is Fairfield, this is the center of Fairfield. This gazebo epitomizes the finest of Fairfield, and the brainchild for having this beautiful Sherman Green Gazebo is Kenny Dalling," Flatto said from the gazebo's steps.

Flatto said the late Jacquelyn C. Durrell, who was first selectman when Dalling went to her with the idea of building a gazebo on Sherman Green, replied in a way that other first selectmen would recognize. Flatto said Durrell said it was a great idea, but asked Dalling where she was going to get the money to build it.

Dalling, though, came through by enlisting volunteers to build the gazebo and donate materials and professional expertise. "It was a great venture," Dalling said. "I'm very proud of all the people who volunteered their labor and materials. It wouldn't be here if it weren't for them."

Alex Durrell, Durrell's son, said he wished his mother was able to attend the celebration but knew his mother was looking down on Sunday night's festivities. He thanked everyone who came under the threat of a downpour to celebrate the gazebo and hear Keltic Kick.

Gerald Lombardo, director of the town's Parks and Recreation Department, said a plaque honoring everyone who donated time and materials to make the gazebo a reality had always been by the gazebo, but became hidden by plantings and some people didn't even know it was there.

The plaque was recently moved from behind the plantings and set in a spot where everyone can see it, Lombardo said. "It wouldn't have been done without the cooperation of everyone in town," Lombardo said of the Sherman Green Gazebo. "It does show the generosity of this community."

Bob Smith, president of the local firefighters' union, said the union sponsors a concert on Sherman Green every year and was already sponsoring Sunday night's concert when the town was forced to reschedule the 25th anniversary party several weeks ago due to the threat of rain.

Smith said off-duty firefighters had 600 hot dogs and sodas and bottles of water for free, and the line to get a hot dog stretched far back on Sherman Green before the re-dedication ceremony began.

Smith said firefighters enjoyed being in a relaxed atmosphere, where they could enjoy each other's company and the company of residents without having to worry about responding to an emergency. "It's fun. We do it every year," he said.

Fire Chief Richard Felner said, "It's great to see everyone here, and, as usual, the firefighters are always there to help the public. I'm happy to be a part of it."