Events

A Tasty Weekend on Star Island

September 21, 2015

Star Island Aloft Sailing

Treat yourself to a food-filled weekend on Star Island starting Saturday, September 26. As part of the Gosport Regatta overnight, you’ll depart from Portsmouth on Saturday morning aboard the Thomas Laighton. Watch as sailboats jockey for the lead, the wind filling their sails. Upon your arrival to Star Island to see the sailboats reach the finish line, a bounty of food awaits.

The front porch of the Oceanic Hotel will be decked out in appetizers featuring Island-made chowder. Warm up after a windy boat ride with this rich dish. Find an assortment of other delicious treats on the front porch as you also enjoy live music.

When the racers arrive to the island, the evening’s meal will start in the dining hall. Hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, and chicken will be fresh off the grill. Sides, like coleslaw and New England-style baked beans will fill out your plate.

Later, sit down and relax for our movie night complete with a popcorn bar. Fill your own bowl of popcorn with sweets and seasonings as The Swiss Family Robinson plays on our big screen.

On Sunday, rise for morning coffee on the front porch, and make your way to the dining hall. The kitchen will have prepared our typical hearty breakfast. You’ll have the entire day ahead of you, and a warm plate in front of you. Relax, you’re on Star Island time.

Finks BBQ
Then, the final meal of 2015:

Our front lawn will be a busy scene by Sunday afternoon. We’re hosting Fink’s BBQ to serve a multi-napkin worthy lunch. Feast on pulled pork, bbq chicken, and grilled veggie skewers. A host of sides including potato salad, corn bread, and corn on the cob will be just as filling for your eyes as they are for your stomach.

So while a sailing race might be the major focus of this weekend, we’re making sure the food will be just as exciting.

Click here to learn more about the Gosport Regatta and to sign up!

Star Island Corporation

Star Island Receives $25k Grant for Thaxter Museum

September 16, 2015

IMLS Logo

On September 15, Star Island received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to strengthen the care of artifacts in the Celia Thaxter Museum located on Star Island, one of the Isles of Shoals.

This $24,990 grant from the IMLS’s Museums for America program will bolster the facilities and staffing needed to ensure the Celia Thaxter Museum’s entire collection, including important historical artifacts, are properly maintained.

The Celia Thaxter Musuem on Star Island currently holds such artifacts as hand painted pottery by poet Celia Thaxter, tool remnants from Native American activity, and hand drawn maps. The museum focuses on three major time periods of the Isles of Shoals: the Gosport Fishing Village, the Grand Hotel Era, and its current use as a religious and educational retreat center.

“Our rich history surrounds everyone visiting Star Island, and we are excited and honored to receive this support from IMLS,” said Joe Watts, CEO of the non-profit Star Island Corporation. “These funds will strengthen our ability to engage our visitors in deepening their understanding of an integral part of US history.”

“IMLS helps museums provide opportunities for visitors to experience science, history, art, technology and living collections in unique and interactive ways,” said IMLS Acting Director Maura Marx. “With this federal support, museums all over the country will be better equipped to care for their collections, create exhibitions and learning experiences for visitors, and contribute to a better quality of life for their communities.”

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit IMLS.gov.

Star Island is one of the nine Isles of Shoals located six miles off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine. Home to the historic Oceanic Hotel and a fishing village from the 1600’s, a visit to Star Island is a step back in time. The 43 acre island is owned and operated by the nonprofit Star Island Corp. During the summer months, Star Island welcomes families and individuals to explore Star’s rugged beauty for a day or take part in weekly programs with a variety of themes such as spirituality, world affairs, ecology and the arts. Star Island is an all inclusive vacation retreat where guests are encouraged to unplug and connect with each other and nature.

Events

The Annual Gosport Regatta Sets Sail September 26-27

September 16, 2015

RegattaSailboats

The 6th Annual Gosport Regatta promises a spectacular weekend on the water on September 26, 2015 with a family festival at Star Island on September 27th. The storied sailing race from Portsmouth Harbor to the Isles of Shoals is organized by the Piscataqua Sailing Association to benefit sustainability initiatives at the nonprofit Star Island.

The Gosport Regatta has a rich history with the first race held back in 1874. Today, the race is open to sailboats in four classes of competition. Sailors register with the Piscataqua Sailing Association.

Spectators are encouraged to enjoy the competition from the deck of the M/V Thomas Laighton out of Portsmouth or watch the spinnakers unfurl from the porch of the historic Oceanic Hotel on Star Island. Everyone is welcome to Star Island for post-race events including an awards ceremony, live music and food. This year Star Island is offering a special family-friendly overnight package that includes lodging, all meals and children’s activities, capped off by a kite festival and barbecue pig-roast lunch on Sunday.

Star Island CEO Joe Watts says, “This regatta has a wonderful seafaring tradition which we were happy to revive in 2009 in partnership with the Piscataqua Sailing Association. We are excited to offer an expanded weekend event that includes activities and fare for the whole family, along with a special overnight package so even more people can experience the nautical magic of Star.”

Proceeds from the race will help support Star Island’s sustainability initiatives including the largest off-grid solar array in New England and many other innovative water and energy conservation programs. Says Watts, “We are proud to be leaders in how we use our limited resources and appreciate the community effort it takes to create what has become a model of environmental stewardship. While we take advantage of advanced technology for water and waste treatment, we love that Star Island remains suspended in time as a reminder of the original mapping of New England by Captain John Smith, the bygone Grand Hotel era, and the continuous emphasis on enjoying the simple things in life. We are happy to provide a welcoming island community that values learning, spiritual connection, and respect for all.”

This is the last event of the season at Star Island, which welcomed more than 14 thousand visitors over the summer.

Package deal

Saturday Regatta Overnight & Sunday Festival – includes lodging at Star Island, three meals, taxes, gratuity, all activities and boat transportation to and from the island:

One adult – $160
Youth under 15 years – $75
Couple (2 Adults in shared room) – $265
For more information on the event schedule and reservations visit www.StarIsland.org/Regatta.

Events

Family Movie Night – Gosport Regatta

September 14, 2015


Watch a movie about an island on an island
On Saturday, September 26 end your day on Star Island with a family-friendly movie night in the historic Oceanic Hotel. We’re screening The Swiss Family Robinson, the classic 1960’s Disney movie based on the book of the same name. This movie night is part of the Gosport Regatta Weekend which starts on the morning of 9/26. Click here to learn more about the Regatta and to register for the overnight.

Before the movie starts, check out our popcorn bar complete with an assortment of sweets and seasonings to create your own custom bowl of popcorn. Then sit down and enjoy the movie after a fun-filled day on Star Island.

This night marks the last overnight of our 2015 season. Register now to find yourself on Star Island before we take our winter break.

Star Island Corporation

Boat Travel on Friday, September 11

September 10, 2015

We will update this page with up-to-date information when it is available.

Update 10:11 AM 9/11/15:
Great news! We received word from the Thomas Laighton staff and our own boat staff that sea conditions have improved sooner than expected to allow us to say the Thomas Laighton will run from Portsmouth today!

The Laighton will depart Portsmouth at 1:55 PM. Please check in at the dock between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM.

If, for whatever reason, you need to travel to Star Island tomorrow, please know there is a Laighton departing Portsmouth at 9:55 AM. Contact Mike Bray (mbray@starisland.org) if you need to arrive tomorrow instead.

Safety is our chief concern and we thank you for your patience.

Update 8:41 AM 9/11/15:
Overnight the sea forecast took an unexpected turn with predicted wave heights increasing.

The Thomas Laighton is unlikely to run today; however, the Laighton staff will make a final decision at 12:30 PM today. At that time, we will communicate with you if the boat is able to run and at what time.

Weather conditions for Saturday are much better and we will share details of Saturday’s boats with you if needed.

Thank you for your patience as we try to work with Mother Nature; we hope to share better news with you later today.

Update 3:54 PM 9/10/15:
The recently updated marine forecast has improved significantly. After consulting with buy tramadol online with mastercard staff from the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company, we are happy to report the conference boat will most likely run as planned at 12:55 PM on Friday, September 11. This page will be updated by 8:45 AM tomorrow morning.

Updated 1:23 PM 9/10/15:
A new forecast of sea conditions is expected at 3 PM.

Updated 11:01 AM 9/10/15:
There is currently a 50/50 chance conference boats will run as schedule tomorrow.

Updated 10:47 AM 9/10/15:
Hello shoalers!

New England weather is keeping us on our toes! We are following tomorrow’s forecast as it changes.

The way it looks now may mean a delay in the boat run to the island tomorrow – for a couple of hours, or worst case, until the morning on Saturday.

We will update you as we get closer, but in the meantime, if you would prefer to come out today, you may do so at a discounted rate of $100. There will be a couple of runs out to the island, which you are welcome to use. One is at 1:20 and another will be at 5pm.

If you would like to come out today, please send an email to Mike Bray (mbray@starisland.org) saying which boat you plan on taking.

Please let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you on the island!

In Star spirit,

Justina Kone Maji
Conference Center Director
Star Island
jmaji@starisland.org

Green Gosport Initiative

Sustainability Digits: Green Beans, kiloWatts and Solar

September 01, 2015

Gardening200x200

We’ve been busy on Star Island measuring our resources. Here’s a look at some sustainability digits from 8/15-8/21.

Green Beans Harvested: 7 lbs

The gardens on Star Island are providing loads of produce for guests and staff. Beyond the 7 lbs of green beans harvested between August 15 – 21, we’ve also brought in 5.5 lbs of arugala, 24 lbs of zucchini, 3 lbs of tomatoes, and 1 lb of broccoli. Much of the harvested food goes to Pelicans — our summer staff — in salads.

Electricity Used in One Day: 1,334 kWh

We’re keeping track of our energy usage and trying to decrease it as much as possible. Thursday, August 20 marked the day with the highest energy usage between August 15 – 21. A total of 1,334 kiloWatt hours were used on that day. The biggest user of energy was the Waste Water Treatment Facility with 299 kWh.

Solar Powered: 9.4 hours per day

On average, Star Island’s new solar array provided 9.4 hours of energy between August 15-21. Our efficient diesel generators provided energy for the remaining average of 14.6 hours per day during the same time.

Want to learn more about the Green Gosport Initiative? Click here to view our online dashboard.

Conference Updates

Star Island Releases 2016 Schedule

August 27, 2015

Life's Journey Profile

One question we receive a lot throughout the year is, when is my conference next year? Well, wait no more. Here’s the schedule of our full-week conferences and Labor Day weekend conferences for 2016:

And you know we still have conferences happening during the remainder of our 2015 season, right? Click here to check out the chronological list of conferences and what’s still available.

Green Gosport Initiative

Sustainability Digits: Cardboard, Water, Chickens

August 18, 2015

Chicken1

We’ve been busy on Star Island measuring our resources. Here are some digits from the week of August 8 – 14:

Compost to Chickens: 611 lbs

Certain leftover foods can be sent to our flock of chickens on island. So instead of throwing out 611 lbs of food, we were able to feed our growing chickens (who will later be food for staff).

Cardboard for Compost: 273 lbs

With loads of cardboard on island, we recycle some, but also shred most to add to our compost. Why? Composting needs a combination of nitrogen and carbon. Our food waste provides the nitrogen; shredded cardboard adds carbon.

Water Per Person: 87 gallons

We create drinking water on Star Island from a mix of sources: reverse osmosis, treated rain water, and imported water. Last week our staff and guests used, on average, 87 gallons of water per person for showering, cooking, and laundry, among other purposes.

On the Island

Baking for 300: Chewy Ginger Cookies

August 18, 2015

GingerCookiesWeb

Meals on Star Island are community gatherings. Long tables seating 10 are each their own microcosm of conversation. At breakfast people converse over their night’s sleep; at lunch the morning theme talk is parsed out; at dinner the day’s accomplishments are discussed. And when the meal is nearing its conclusion, talk turns to dessert, whether that be a cup of coffee and fruit after breakfast, or a cookie to punctuate dinner.

Busy throughout the day, our bakers fill us with the love that is sugar, butter, and flour. Here’s a recipe from their cookbook for chewy ginger cookies. Please note, the recipe is for 300 guests, so plan on sharing if you decide to follow this recipe.

Chewy Ginger Cookies

Wet Ingredients
7 1/2 lbs of butter
15 lbs of brown sugar
20 eggs
5 tablespoons vanilla

Dry Ingredients
37 1/2 cups of flour
2 tablespoons of salt
5 tablespoons baking soda
7 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
7 1/2 teaspoons of ground cloves
2 cups and 1/2 tablespoon of ground ginger

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees farenheit.

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until well blended.

In a separate bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients until well blended. Add the dry ingredients to the wet in three stages, mixing until combined.

Using an ice cream scoop to get uniform size, scoop out the dough leaving a two inch gap in between. Bake for 12 minutes, or until just golden on the edges.

Bake these just until they are golden on top. Then, let sit and firm up, and they are the perfect soft ginger chewy.

Find 300 friends and eat some cookies!

Want to know how to make Star Island’s Lemon Sugar Cookies? Click here for the recipe.

On the Island

Baking for 300: Lemon Sugar Cookies

August 10, 2015

LemonSugarCookieWeb1

Tucked away on the back of the Oceanic Hotel, to the side of the kitchen, and with amazing sunset views, our island bakery bustles with activity throughout the day. Our team of bakers work to fill our stomachs, and also our hearts. The most pleasant smells waft from the bakery throughout the kitchen and outside over the truck trestle. At appointed times, the bakery’s counter fills with bowls of sweet rolls, baskets of chewey cookies, and trays of delicate cupcakes. And when the island is at capacity, the bakery is creating these delicious treats for about 300 people at a time.

LemonSugarCookieWeb2

Knowing that most people stay on the island for just a week at a time, there are 51 other weeks during the year that you must be pining for Star Island baked goods. To help meet your needs, here’s one dessert that is of particular note as it is our Food Service Manager’s favorite: Lemon Sugar Cookies.

Please note, the recipe below will make enough cookies for 300 people.

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Wet Ingredients
22 1/2 cups of sugar
15 cups of butter
23 eggs
2 1/2 tablespoons of vanilla
2 cups of lemon juice

Dry Ingredients
2.5 gallons of flour
1/4 cup + 1/2 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 1/2 tablespoons + 3 teaspoons of baking powder
1 1/2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons of salt
Zest from 30 lemons

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees farenheit.

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs until well blended. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix for a minute.

In a separate bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients until well blended. Add the dry ingredients to the wet in three stages, mixing until combined.

Using an ice cream scoop to get uniform size, scoop out the dough leaving a two inch gap in between. Bake for 12 minutes, or until just golden on the edges.

Let cookies cool on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a coooling rack.

Find 300 friends and eat some cookies!