Conference Updates

A Look at the Second Half of Summer 2013

As we shared earlier in the summer, there’s a lot happening on Star Island. As the months continued, even more has happened. And while we could inundate you with endless sunset pictures, we have something even better to share: moments of community.

Here are some highlights from the latter part of summer 2013:

Star Island Queen Victoria Visit
  • A new map greeting visitors on the pier was installed.
  • The historians at Vaughn Cottage created a beautiful video telling the story of carrier pigeons on island.
  • Leaders from FarmAid met with island guests and staff during Life on a Star 1.
  • Several duct tape boat races saw crowds cheering from the pier as youth paddled (or swam) their way from the dock to the beach.
  • The Thomas Wesley Stern band performed for both guests and staff.
  • The Swell Society hosted an afternoon Gatsby party complete in vintage attire.
  • Weekly Pel Shows have continued with great applause including one ending with a rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.
  • Queen Victoria visited the Historic Star Conference for a high tea and discussion.
  • Star’s winter caretaker, Alex de Steiguer, released a book of photographs taken on Star Island.
  • A helicopter from the Dartmouth Hitchock Advanced Response Team made a test landing.
  • Guests staying during Star Island Experience Week, Conversations in Creativity and Historic Star took part in a reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech celebrating the 50th anniversary of it’s original delivery on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
  • Star Island Welcomes Gatsby Party
  • Many softball games!
  • Appledore trips full of history and wandering around Celia Thaxter’s garden.
  • Some groups staying on island coordinate Pelican Auctions which gives a chance for staff to provide a service or art with proceeds going to the Pelican (staff) fund. Some lucky auction winners received cooking lessons from our kitchen crew.

  • And while this list is long, it does not even begin to depict the full community experience of Star Island. You will come back!