When Peace Corps volunteer Andrew Shippee died in July 1995 in Johannesburg, South Africa, hundreds of friends and residents visited his parents to offer condolences and remember his brief, but full, life. His parents, David and Leatrice Shippee of 911 Gibson Hill Road, insisted his memorial service not be a time of mourning, but one of sharing happy memories of their son's many accomplishments. Now, thanks to the effort of Boy Scout Ben Driscoll of Sterling, many more Sterling residents and passersby will get to share in Andrew's life when they relax at a small park Driscoll and 17 fellow Scouts have created. The Andrew Shippee Memorial Park has been created on a small patch of land alongside what is known locally as "Wacky Pond," a large inlet in the Moosup River that sits along the edge of Route 14, across from Main Street in the center of Sterling village.