Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us and Life On A Star I conference guest speaker, wrote about his unusual meeting with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in the Wall Street Journal.

On Jan. 19, 2007, my wife, Rosemary, and I spent several hours with Col. Moammar Gadhafi in his tent in the Libyan desert, sipping tea and discussing sociology and political theory. It was a strange encounter at the time, and after the horrific events of the past week in Libya, it seems stranger still.

Read the complete article here.

The New Hampshire Seacoast will come alive in early June as a fleet of racing yachts from coastal New England vie for honors in the Gosport Regatta, the resurgence of a vintage sailing race around the Isles of Shoals first held in the late 19th century.

After a successful revival of this historic regatta late last year, Star Island Corporation will host the Second Annual Gosport Regatta on Saturday, June 11, 2011, in partnership with the Piscataqua Sailing Association (PSA). The premier regional pursuit race also kicks off the summer conference season at Star Island, one of the rocky, wind-swept Isles of Shoals, located six miles off the coast of Rye. Star Island is a recreation destination for day and overnight guests who travel to the island by ferry, charter, or in their own boats.

The sailing race, which takes its name from the original Gosport Regatta first held in 1874 at the Isles of Shoals, is expected to draw hundreds of sailing enthusiasts and racing skippers to the Granite State. Competitors from ports as far south as Marblehead, Massachusetts, and north to Portland, Maine, will participate in the historic race, sailing vessels ranging from one-design J/24s to large cruising yachts.

“We welcome Seacoast residents, sailing enthusiast’s and New Hampshire visitors to discover Star Island by participating in the 2011 Gosport Regatta,” Star Island CEO Victoria Hardy said. “The traditional race offers guests an extraordinary glimpse of life as it was in the 19th century at Star Island and the opportunity to experience an exhilarating race at the Isles of Shoals. We look forward to hosting the New England sailing community at Gosport Harbor once again this year.”

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On Saturday, November 19, Star Island will host the annual Starry Night benefit. This fun, social event held in 2009 and 2010 was attended by about 200 and raised an average of $6,000 after expenses from ticket sales and commissions on art.

This year we figured out a way for everyone to be part of the fun no matter where you live by creating a Starry Night-A-Thon. Shoalers near and far are welcome to organize your own Starry Night event and join in the fun in your own region.

What would it involve to be part of the Starry Night-A-Thon?
• Find a space (your church or your home depending on number of guests)
• Plan a program (options include music, art exhibit, Star Island video or slide show, invite a guest speaker, or view “Weight of Water” about the Smuttynose murders starring Sean Penn)
• Arrange for refreshments (dessert and coffee, pot luck finger foods, spaghetti supper, or other simple options)
• Track down other shoalers in your region to co-host
• Ask for a donation at the door ($20 suggested) to benefit Star Island
• Get out invitations by going viral on the internet! Or contact the SIC Development Office for a list of shoalers in your area

If you are interested in being part of the Starry-Night-A-Thon social and raising some money for Star Island in the process, please contact the Development Office to make arrangements by calling (603) 430-6272 or emailing email hidden; JavaScript is required for more information.