Posts Categorized: Newsletter

Spring Newsletter 2019

Star Island had a wonderful year, full of fascinating programs, exciting projects, community building, reflection, intention setting, gratitude, and joy. The 2019 spring newsletter celebrates all we have accomplished together, and what we look forward to in the coming months. We hope you have enjoyed reading the spring 2019 newsletter. If you haven’t seen it… Read more >

Bright Future Begins with Solar Array

by Kyle M. Belmont, Program & Outreach Coordinator At 47 acres, Star Island’s relatively small size is providing ample space to create a model for sustainable communities. Our most visible endeavor in this effort – a solar array – started operating on November 19, 2014. The project is designed to deliver up to 60% of… Read more >

Last Call: A Star Steward Bids Farewell

by Angela Matthews, Director of Development There it was – my last season on Star Island – the start of Natural History Week and the echoes and harmonies of the Arts conference morning singers are only just fading. Arise – arise – open your eyes! Arise and greet the day. It is of course how… Read more >

Bedded Bliss

With 274 guest mattresses on island, Star works tirelessly to make sure visitors get to rest comfortably when tired. Conference Center Director Justina Maji explains the maintenance process: Our crew goes around the island physically and visually inspecting each mattress. Mattresses are rated from 1 (absolutely needs replacement) to 5 (excellent and beautiful). Working within… Read more >

Bringing a Sustainable Light

Created in 2009 by the Star Island Board of Directors, the Bringer of Light Award recognizes those Shoalers who have made a significatly long and noticeable impact on the greater Star Island community. At the 2013 Annual Meeting, Bruce Parsons and Dick Case were presented with the award to celebrate their hard work and volunteer… Read more >

‘CHAIR’itable Giving

by Rev. David Scheuneman, Residential Life Advisor & Island Chaplain As a conferee since my childhood in the 1970’s, with twenty stints as minister-of-the-week and eight seasons as a conference chair, I thought I mostly knew how Star Island runs. Working here for the past two summers, however, I have been amazed at how much… Read more >

On Island: A Lot to be Happy About

Greetings, fellow Shoalers! As I write my first report to you as President of the Board, I feel such a sense of gratitude. I am writing from the island, where the Life on A Star conferences have had two glorious weeks. LOAS has broken its attendance records, and is full of joy, music and fellowship,… Read more >

The Happiness Quotient

by Angela Matthews, Development Director This is my fifth summer on Star. I know – a mere infant in Star life – but nonetheless an interesting vantage point from which to experience this precious 40 acres. Every week is a self-contained whole that gives us a quite complete variety of personae – intellectual, fun-loving, music-in-every-moment,… Read more >

Bakin’ Bits

Star Island’s bakery provides hand crafted bread and desserts for island guests every day of the week. While our non-profit mission says nothing about making sure we are filled with cupcakes and cookies, we are so glad to have a bakery staff continuously creating such delectable treats throughout the years. Here are some scenes from… Read more >