This message posted on behalf of Karen Mathiasen, Clerk.

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 2 of the bylaws, notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the Star Island Corporation will be held at the First Unitarian Church of Worcester, Massachusetts, (Directions) on Saturday, October 13, 2007, at 9:00 AM for the transaction of the following business:

1. To hear reports regarding the Island opening late, financial matters, and other issues concerning the 2007 conference season and their potential impact on future conference seasons, and in particular to hear the report of the Island Opening Late Committee.

2. To have an opportunity for discussion regarding the aforementioned issues.

Karen Mathiasen, Clerk

Note on RSVPing: Corporation members will receive special RSVP information by first class mail shortly. Non-members are welcome to attend this meeting; an RSVP to email hidden; JavaScript is required is required as demand may outpace available space. Carpooling is recommended!

PDF copies of the agenda and driving directions are available.

Please feel free to forward this annoucement to any interested parties.

Addendum, Friday, September 21: A meeting of the Council of Conferences will follow the Corporation meeting at 1:30 p.m.; an agenda is forthcoming.

Island Haven

Hotel, cottages and shoreline make for a memorable spot—Chelsea Conroy, Concord Monitor, August 23, 2007 (posted with permission of the Monitor)

(Photo: Lori Duff) “Tradition is king on Star Island, and a day trip there offers a peek into a time when sprawling wooden hotels were common vacation spots, the staff put on weekly variety shows (think Dirty Dancing – the original) and guests played Bocce ball on the grass. Day visitors can lunch with conference attendees who fill the hotel, take a tour of the 46-acre island with a pelican or retreat to the solitude of the rocks on the back of the island, looking out to the open ocean.”

Serene Star Island

Tradition continues for families who make Shoals visit—Karen Dandurant, Portsmouth Herald, August 20, 2007 (posted with permission of the Herald)

(Photo: Karen Dandurant) “Some are drawn back to the island for its serene setting and old-time feel encouraged by the presence of historic buildings and the absence of modern-day appliances. One of Star Island’s most prominent features is the chapel, a simple stone meetinghouse built in 1800 on the highest point of land. Others are attracted to the companionship of friends and family who return each year, and the time-honored lobster dinners and weekly softball games featuring a cemetery in left field and a newly constructed green monster.”

Exciting news from the ISAUU—the Gift Shop has opened an online store with CafePress. This is the only official place to buy Star Island cards, calendars, and more when you’re back on the mainland—all proceeds from the ISAUU support Star Island in a myriad of ways, including conference scholarships, building renovations, and large construction projects. The Isles of Shoals Assocation (Unitarian Universalist) has been working behind the scenes on Star Island since 1897, fostering community, comfort, safety and fun.

P.S. Take a look at the 2008 Calendar—you can preview each of Connie Lentz’s photos and they’re all fantastic!