Below is a note from one of our volunteers last year
Greetings Linda and Tim,
I hope this message will get to each of you so that you can have my thanks and my praise. I was part of the team of volunteer “worker bees” at Star Island last weekend. Every part of the experience was positive. It was well organized, from the first call for volunteers, to your prompt responses once I came on board, to clear statement of work expectations, to the work parties, themselves, and all the way to our Sunday departure.
My only earlier part in volunteer experience occurred 10 years ago when Joe Watts was Volunteer Coordinator. That was a positive encounter, too, and I now wonder why it took me so long to volunteer again.
During the weekend I was part of various teams or sub-groups. For the most part, I believe Hannah was our captain. It would be a mistake for me to neglect to comment on her leadership, organization skills and her unflappability. Aside from getting the necessary work done, I am really pleased to note that a volunteer weekend provides a structure and experience for a young person (Hannah and others) to develop leadership skills. Somewhere in Star Island’s structure there are some smart, thoughtful people at work.
I fully expected to share a room once on island and was prepared to do so. I don’t know how it happened, but Plan B was that I lucked into a single room. Thank you; that was a welcome courtesy that I appreciated.
The weekend was good, hard (not too hard) work and I left Star with a feeling of accomplishment. It was a job well done in the company of persons who have great affection for the island, its programs and its traditions.
Thank you, Ed Rubacha
Interested in Volunteering?
If you’re interested in volunteering on Star Island, please click here to sign up.
The photographs you take on Star Island will stay with you forever. Star is a true photographer’s dream with abundant sunlight. The historic structures surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean offer unique perspectives to focus your camera on. With little to block the view on Star Island, you will be amazed at the mesmerizing colors that sunrises and sunsets create. The wide open ocean and expansive skies are easy to fit into a shot, just as quiet nooks and table settings will delight your eye. It is no wonder that Star Island, known for its creative inspiration to writers and painters, has been hosting photographers for a number of years. Some come back year after year to our 44 acre island and find new subjects to photograph on each visit.
Taking part in a photography workshop on Star is simple and enjoyable. You’ll gain knowledge from other photographers and best practices for camera use. You’ll learn while doing, and you’ll find that on Star Island there is no shortage of natural beauty.
These programs on Star Island provide the best opportunities for practicing your photography skills whether a beginner or a pro:
Shooting Star Photography Retreat
Thursday, September 10 to Sunday, September 13
This annual retreat for the NH Society of Photographic Artists is open to everyone interested in photography. Now in its 18th year, this retreat is great for both film and digital photographers. Participants will gather each day for a series of instruction with time set aside to take photos. This retreat provides an opportunity to learn from each other and to learn from guest photographers.
Saturday, August 29 to Friday, September 4 or Saturday, September 5 to Friday, September 11
Explore, study and photograph the beautiful Isles of Shoals. Each day includes instruction, critique, historical studies, free time for exploring, composing and taking photographs and the mutual support of other photographers. Emphasis will be on composition, visual language and learning how to see. Beginning and experienced photographers are welcome.
This annual summer program provides a wealth of opportunity for the creative soul through a multitude of workshops. The photography workshop is special this year as it focuses on the spiritual photography. Instruction will be based on connecting your own spiritual aspect to taking pictures. Exercises will demonstrate ways to pick and set-up photo shoots. Photos will be discussed and critiqued throughout the week.
Throughout the summer you can come out to Star Island and use the island as the subject for your photography. Your photographs can juxtapose the textures of rocks against the clean lines of clapboard siding, or photograph migrating birds as they travel north or south. If you’re visiting for an overnight, make sure to be on the west end of the front porch come sunset to find one of the most spectacular views you’ll ever see.
Looking for something else? We have programs focused on a myriad of topics like history, religion, and the arts. Click here to explore our complete 2015 program list.
The creative spirit on Star Island, ever present in our summer programs, is equally ingrained in our summer staff. Before work starts, between shifts, or when a day is over our staff can be found painting on the rocks, strumming their guitars, or taking photographs of the beautiful scenery. Even during work you might find our staff — the Pelicans — singing while they fold laundry, or thinking up ideas for a skit in that week’s Pelican Show.
What is the Pelican Show? This is the staff’s weekly talent show for our guests. Usually held in the Oceanic Hotel lobby, the show is our staff displaying their talents generally through music and acting. The Pelicans often sing or play original music, sometimes inspired by their island experiences. Others perform covers of songs that speak to their summer. Their have been flashmobs with Pels jumping out from all over the lobby to sing “Bohemian Rhapsody” and barbershop quartets dressed in costume. Original poetry and prose are shared, and skits are often remakes of classic Monty Python skethces.
Scenes from a Pel Show
These Pelican Shows have been occuring for years, and our island museum in Vaughn Cottage has a number of recordings from shows in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s. You can click here to listen to a sampling of that collection. Throughout the years the outfits have changed, but the enthusiasm and talent has remained constant. The Pelicans still gather in front of the gift shop doors to perform and guests are seated in dining hall chairs moved into the lobby.
When you visit one of our week long summer programs, you’ll be treated to a Pelican Show. And as you stroll around the island during the day you might even come across Pels practicing music while sitting on the lawn. Stop and listen, you’ll be amazed at the beautiful voices and pure talent.
When each Pelican Show concludes the staff finishes by singing the Pelican Encore. Here’s that encore from a show in the 1970’s.
Star Island’s ability to inspire creativity is uncanny. And those seeking to hone their creative writing skills would be hardpressed to find a more picturesque and inviting place for writing workshops than Star Island. About an hour’s boat ride from Portsmouth, NH, Star Island not only plays host to a number of writing programs each summer, it also provides quiet spaces to sit down with your thoughts and bring pen to paper.
Mainly through Celia Thaxter’s Victorian-era salon, the Isles of Shoals have hosted a number of famous American writers. Nathaniel Hawthorne, noted for his novels The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables, visited the Shoals in 1852 keeping a journal of his experiences and encounters with island folk. Other famous writers and friends of Thaxter include Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Sarah Orne Jewett, and John Greenleaf Whittier.
Celia Thaxter was also a noted writer in her time becoming famous after a poem was published in the Atlantic Monthly. Further poems and essays added to her portfolio over the years while she lived on the Shoals and later on the mainland. Thaxter’s brother Oscar Laighton was also a poet.
You can use the same natural beauty found at the Isles of Shoals that inspired Thaxter and her friends to imbue your writing. We have ample space for poets, essayists, and songwriters. Your creative fibers will be nurtured on Star. Check out these programs to experience writing on the Isles of Shoals:
Writers in the Round
Thursday, September 10 to Sunday, September 13
This program offers poets and songwriters a supportive, creative atmosphere to stetch your wings. Writers in the Round hosts classes, small group discussions, a chance to workshop your creations, and time to hone your material. You’ll find inspiration in Star Island’s natural beauty, and through collaboration with other writers.
When you finish attending Writelines, you’ll feel uplifted with a desire to continue writing. How do you get to that point? Through constructive workshops and carefully chosen prompts. Writelines is that supportive workshop environment that allows you to experiment with your writing whether you are new to the craft, or an avid writer.
This weeklong program provides a wealth of opportunity for the creative soul with writing workshops serving as one highlight. This summer, the writing workshops at Star Arts will focus on the art and history of the haiku. Participants will read many poems, and try their hand at haiku writing through prompts and free time.
Whenever you come to Star Island during the summer you can find a quiet place to sit down, relax, and get your thoughts on paper. You don’t even have to be spending the night on Star to enjoy this. Find a spot on the expansive front porch of the Oceanic Hotel to sit and jot down sentences in your notebook. Walk a trail to the back of the island and perch yourself on the rocks to gaze out over the open ocean then funnel your thoughts onto paper. After lunch, retreat to your room and write memorable dialogue you overheard to inspire a scene you’ve been working on.
Beyond the above programs that offer specific writing workshops, you can attend any summer program and find time to write. Star Island is your home to explore your creative spirit.
Looking for something else? We have programs focused on a myriad of topics like history, religion, and the arts. Click here to explore our complete 2015 program list.
Amongst our artifacts we recently found this poem written by Sewell Hayes. The poem captures the community aspect of Star Island, which has been the hallmark of our summer gatherings since the start of conferences in 1897. The poem is undated, but is most likely from the 1920’s or 30’s based on the year of other ephemera it was located with.
We’re not sure if Sewell wanted to capture some sort of New England or downeast twang in this poem, or if he simply liked forcing words to rhyme with Star. Either way, this poem provides a youthful voice exclaiming the bright community fostered on Star Island. Below we offer the text of the poem, and if you click on the image, you can view a larger image of the original.
Have you met all the people on Star?
They got singin and frolic over thar.
They got laughter in their eyes,
And they don’t have time for sighs;
That’s the people you find on Star.
If you ever go out to Star
Say “hello” to all the people over thar.
They will shake you by the hand,
And they’ll make you feel so grand,
That’s the people you find on Star.
When you’re packing your trunk for Star,
Carry only happiness for people thar,
They will give it back to you,
With enough to take you through,
Til the next time you come to Star.
When you leave all the people at Star
Give a thought to the friendships over thar.
Keep their memories in your heart,
All the time you are apart,
And for God’s sake, come back next yar.
The creative spirit is alive and well on Star Island every summer with programs specifically devoted to music, singing, and dancing. Join in fun, lively programs like Chamber Music, Star Hampshire Dance, and Star Harmony. These programs offer brilliant demonstrations and avenues for development in a picturesque setting.
Sure you can listen to live music on the mainland, but the Star Island setting is what sets these programs apart. Activities happen in such places as our 200-year-old stone chapel set on the island’s highest point, in the lobby of the historic Oceanic Hotel, or overlooking the waterfront with sailboats passing by. And what can you expect in 2015?
Chamber Music
Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13
Cellist Theodore Mook returns to Star Island with a cast of friends to delight visitors with music from French Impressionists — Debussy, Ravel, Satie. The weekend will feature concerts and talks in the stone chapel, hotel lobby, and pink parlor. You’ll enjoy the exquisite music, and the equally exquisite views.
Professional musicians provide structure to this traditional dance focused weekend where contra-dances are the main feature. English country, square, and couples dances are also held throughout the day. Known mostly for fantastic dances each evening in the Brookfield building overlooking Gosport Harbor, this program starts every day with waltzes before breakfast in the hotel lobby. These morning waltzes are accompanied by the sounds of the lobby’s majestic grand piano.
Looking for a chance to sing? This program is for you. Star Harmony is a weekend of a cappella harmony singing led by Mary Cay Brass, Mary Alice Amidon and Peter Amidon. You’ll have the chance to sing so many types of songs: spirituals, hymns, folk, and shape-note, among many others. And all this singing takes place on a beautifully rugged island.
If songwriting is more your style, check out Writers in the Round which provides a supportive, creative atmosphere to stretch your songwriting wings. You’ll have classes, small group discussions, a chance to workshop your creations, and time to hone your material. Find inspiration in the sound of waves crashing against the rocky shore, or the smell of salty ocean air.
Looking for something else? We have programs focused on a myriad of topics like history, religion, and the arts. Click here to explore our complete 2015 program list.
The middle of the 20th century saw a bit of a building boom on Star Island. Buildings went up made of stone, wood, or both. Some were meant to last, some designed as only temporary. All of these buildings still remain and are put to good use. The year of 1953 saw three buildings completed and were dedicated on July 19 of the same year with a short ceremony: the Newton Center Parish House, and the motel units Founders and Sprague.
Newton
You’re quite right to wonder why a parish house for a congregation in Massachusetts would be built on Star Island. Fred McGill answers this interesting bit in Somthing Like a Star: “The Newton Centre society, with a declining membership, had voted to sell its property and divide the major part of its resources between the Unitarian church in West Newton and Chestnut Hill. But they offered $30,000 to Star Island, observing that we already had a meetinghouse and a parsonage, but were lacking a parish house; and proposing that the money be used to repair that deficiency, and as a memorial to the Newton Centre church itself.” And so, the building came into being. Designed by then Board President Roger Greeley, the building sits on the site of the old schoolhouse which served the town of Gosport during the fishing village days. Star Island received the donation for this building in 1950, the foundation poured in 1951, and final construction completed in the spring of 1953.
Newtown Center, or Newton as we simply refer to it now, was used in its early years for two purposes. The front room sat around 200 people for talks and lectures, as it still currently does. The back room served as a bunkhouse for youth. Not until the Baker and YPRU motel units were constructed later in the 1950’s did the back room turn into another meeting space. Newtown is now a frequently used spot for evening social hours featuring snacks, beverages and live music, as well.
Below are pictures of Newton being constructed.
Founders and Sprague
The plan for the motel units were temporary structures. And in 2015 they are still standing strong having received upgrades over the years. The motel units, as seen in the drawing on the right, are one story with a simple layout. The design shows space for two twin beds, two bureaus, a table and chair. And in reality, the actual rooms are not that different from the original plan (just one bureau fits in each room — the rest remains true).
One point in regards to the drawing is the placement of the sink in the half-bathroom located at the back of the room. You might note that the sink is not centered underneath the window. This is really how the rooms were constructed. We’re not sure of the reasoning behind this off-centered approach.
We have more details about Sprague than Founders, including a dedication list for the five Sprague rooms. The list shows a number of organizations and individuals who gave money to help support the construction effort. The dedication plaques for these rooms still remain, and answers the question as to why Sprague 3 is labeled as “Tom” — it has nothing to do with shoes.
Dedication
The dedication for these buildings, on July 19, featured a short order of service that highlighted the importance of Star Island’s past as well as the future. The Spraque building was named after Isaac Sprague, an important figure in the early stages of Star Island’s history as a religious conference center. A letter to Sprague’s son, of the same name, offers a look into the respect Sprague still carried many years after his involvement. Each new building served a destinct and needed purpose as more people arrived at Star Island’s dock every year.
The short ceremony featured a dedication for all of the buildings: “In gratitude to the great company of those whose gifts have made these buildings possible, for purposes which they cherished, we dedicate the fruit of their giving and pledge ourselves to its worthy use.”
Building Boom
While going through old documents related to the 1953 building dedications, we came across one interesting image. It showed a Star Island populated by many buildings, and absent at least one major structure. This image is of an unknown date, but believed to be sometime around 1950-1952 owing to its inclusion of the Newton Centre Parish House and misplacement of the Founders unit labeled “E-1953 Unit”. Removing what are potentially the Founders and Sprague units, this image shows eight other buildings that could have been constructed. Two of them were built as more motel units — the Baker and YPRU structures — but many more could have populated the east side of the island.
Also, look closely at the image and you’ll see something rather remarkable. In the bottom right hand corner Gosport is missing. In its place is a well appointed deck featuring cafe style seating and table tennis. The deck, located above the front porch, just doesn’t seem like the best place for a ping-pong table though. And this is probably why Gosport is still standing, and those other buildings never came into being. Of course, we jest. But it’s quite interesting to see what one vision of Star Island was back when.
If you’re new to Star Island, you probably have some questions. Sure, you can look up pictures of Star Island on Facebook or Instagram, but you want to know more. You want to know what you’ll be doing.
Located about an hour’s boat ride from Portsmouth, NH, Star Island is not your typical summer vacation. And that’s exactly the way it’s meant to be. We are without traffic lights, department stores, and fast food joints. The commute you’ll be most worried about each morning is if there’s a line to get coffee on the front porch. And even if there is a wait, you’ll be waiting on the front porch of a historic hotel on an island surrounded by ocean views.
So let’s clear some things up and answer this important question: what do I do on Star Island? Here are our suggestions.
Attend Your Program
Most likely, if you’re coming to Star Island, you’re attending one of the summer programs. For the most part, these programs have activities for everyone throughout the day and into the evening. Program leaders fill out schedules on chalkboards in the lobby, often with meticulous handwriting and/or beautiful drawings. The activities listed on these chalkboards, except for orientations, are optional. So you can pick and choose which activities you want to take part in. For example, there might be a photography workshop at the same time as a history tour. Ask yourself which one you’d rather do and go for it.
Your time on Star Island will be as invovled as you make it. So attend those morning theme talks, engage with the theme speaker, and soak in all that you are learning. Bring that knowledge with you to lunch and dinner, and have a conversation over grilled cheese and tomato soup.
If you have children and are attending one of the multi-generational programs, your kids are going to be just as busy as you. With youth programming, they’ll probably be rowing over to Smuttynose Island one morning and running around Star Island to complete a scavenger hunt in the afternoon. Your kids can sit with you or new friends at each meal. You might even find yourself and your older child enjoying some independence from each other knowing that you are both nearby.
In the evening, your options might include things like a talent show in the lobby, musical performances in Newton, or card games in the Snack Bar alcove. No matter what, wholesome and entertaining activities are never far away.
Scenes from a talent show
Choose Your Own Adventure
You might be wondering, what if I don’t want to attend that photography workshop? Or, what if I want to sleep in one morning? Hey, that’s fine with us. You choose how involved you are with the program you sign up for. Besides orientations, you are free to attend as much or as little of the scheduled activities you would like. If you want to take a rowboat out one afternoon, go ahead. If you want to drink coffee on the front porch while reading a novel, do it. Not full after an ice cream social? Order your own sundae at the Snack Bar. There are so many activities you can take part in on Star Island, that you might find yourself just as busy even not attending scheduled events.
And while we promote our welcoming community atmosphere, we also recognize that many people come to Star Island to find a peaceful location to focus on projects like writing and painting. So if your mission in coming to Star is using our beautiful vistas for inspiration, please know you’re welcome. We also know, you’ll have to come in for a meal sometime, so we look forward to greeting you in our historic dining hall with a hearty meal.
Visit the Chapel
Hey, you know we have a chapel. Nice research. Our chapel is used most often by our summer programs for morning and evening services. Evening services are held by candlelight creating some of the most beautiful and soulful experiences you’ll have in a spiritual setting. Services are typically non-denominational, and are generally led by a person attending a summer program or a Minister of the Week. Ministers generally come from congregations affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association or United Church of Christ.
And what if you’re not UU or UCC? Very good question. We welcome people of all faiths, and those without, too. People talk about the spiritual aspect of Star Island, and that spiritual part can be an uppercase or lowercase “s” for you. Just like your involvement in the program activities, we leave how you renew spiritually up to you.
What About the Mainland?
We get it. You’re coming to Star Island for the first time, and you want to know what to expect. Have it in your mind that you’re swiping left on the mainland for a bit. It will be there when the boat brings you back. We strongly suggest you try to leave your mainland worries behind. Or, try to focus on activities on Star Island that will make your life better, more informed, reinvigorated on the mainland.
Your cellphone will, in our experience, work. But you’re not coming to Star Island for a typical experience, so we encourage you to use the phone as little as possible. The west end of the front porch, the side closest to the mainland, will get you the best reception if needed. There’s also wi-fi available on island, with computers to use in our business center as well. We’re hoping when you’re talking about facetime on the island, it isn’t a feature of your phone or tablet though.
In Conclusion
Simply put: Star Island looks forward to your arrival, and we want your experience to be great. You can take part in as much or as little as you want on island. Let us know if you have any questions by emailing office@starisland.org.
Star Island is full of love stories. From falling in love with the place to our summer staff finding their soulmates while working, our location seems to bring people together. To help you spread a little love this Valentine’s Day season we’ve put together what’s become a sort of tradition: some Isles of Shoals themed love notes with a strong emphasis on puns. They make us laugh, and we hope they make you and your special someone laugh, too.
Please share your favorite image with the person you have your eye on. It’s easy, just click on the image, save it to your computer, and upload it to Facebook or Twitter.
Will you be my Shoalmate?
Asking someone to be your soulmate, errr, we mean shoalmate is a pretty big deal. Think carefully, then go for it. Let that person know you’re ready to spend every summer afternoon with them rowing around Gosport Harbor.
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
The breakwaters connecting Star Island to Cedar Island, and Cedar to Smuttynose are the perfect metaphors for a long-lasting relationship built on granite. All relationships are built on granite, right? Well, at least in our home state of New Hampshire they do.
A Solar Powered Love Affair
While the sun warms us up during the summer, it’s also keeping Star Island humming with activity thanks to our solar array — the largest of its kind in New England. Why not tell someone you love about the energy they give you?
Cottage B Mine
While we have many cottages on Star Island, there’s only one that wants to B yours. Why? Because it’s Cottage B, of course. So B-4 you go out and buy some run-of-the-mill chocolates, use this beast of a line on your crush.
Blank Space
Sure, you can use some lyrics from a 2015 pop song on the person you love, but wouldn’t it just be better to let them know you’ve got a blank space in your heart, and they can fill that shoal for you? We thought you’d like this one, too.
APPLEDORE LOVE!
Our friends across Gosport Harbor always have our eye. The way they operate on solar power, have composting toilets, and maintain a recreation of Celia Thaxter’s gardens. You make us melt. And even if you were still called Hog’s Island, we’d still love you.
If these cheeky messages get you inspired to plan a date night, why don’t you click here to reigster for a summer program first? You’ll love it just as much as we love you.
How To Share These Images
Click on any of the images you want to share. Then, right click the image and save it to your computer. Share it how you normally would by attaching it to an email, or inserting it to a post or tweet online.
by Scott Stewart, Volunteer and All Star 1 Conferee
There are the obvious reasons to come out and volunteer at Star Island: giving back to a place we love so much, helping save the island money and a wonderful time of communing with nature to name a few. But there are also the less obvious ones.
If your child is a Pelican for the summer, this is a wonderful time to get to know some of his or her friends. At Christmas time it becomes so much more rewarding to hear about their friend Chloe acting in a production of Hair in New York when Chloe is also somewhat a friend of yours, for example. The Open Up crew always contains amazing people, and getting to know them even a little is a wonderful experience.
Working alongside your child, and even better working for your child, is a great experience for both of you. Having them be your boss creates a great, short term dynamic that strengthens your relationship.
When I volunteer, I often end up on the dish crew. Because this is so different than my nine to five job, it is wonderful for my mind and my body. It refreshes me and it is fun, it brings me back to my younger days and I challenge myself to try to keep up with my co-workers.
And finally, the power to go through the door from the dining room to the kitchen is powerful and magical. You become part of the Pelican team, if only for a couple of days.
Volunteering on Star Island is a wonderful, rewarding experience.
Below is a note from one of our volunteers last year
