Conference Updates
July 02, 2014
Star Island staff, in conjucntion with the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company, are currently tracking Tropical Storm Arthur. We believe the storm will not impact travel to and from Star Island, including on Saturday, July 5 when the All Star 1 Conference departs in the morning and the All Star 2 Conference arrives in the afternoon.
If you have any questions, please contact the Front Desk at 603-601-0832.
Conference Updates
May 14, 2014
Registrations keep pouring in through the mail and online. If you want to take part in a Star Island summer program in 2014, register soon. Last year saw historic numbers for several programs, and we’re already ahead of our registration numbers from last year at this time.
Sign up now for one of these summer programs, and know that your spot on the front porch will be waiting for you:
Click here to register for Star Arts
Respond to the challenge of your inner artist with wild creation. Star Arts is a gathering that engenders the creative drive in all of us. Whether you paint or sing, act or dance, write or photograph, you will find inspiration through an idyllic backdrop and an enthusiastic community of like-minded amateur and professional artists.
Workshop Leaders:
Click here to register for Star Arts
Click here to register for NHW
Eric Masterson, noted author, guide, and lecturer will conduct daily seminars on the several hundred eastern birds that visit the Isles of Shoals, with a focus on the forces of change, including climate, habitat, and food distribution. Planned is a whale/bird watch to Seavey Island and Jeffreys Ledge. Rick Van De Poll will lead a morning walk focusing on the symbiotic relationship between the island’s flora and fauna.
Natural History Week is also full of entertaining workshops and activities. The Two Fiddlers duo will lead contra dancing on Tuesday night. And explore writing, kite-making, pewter-casting, tile firing, and more throughout the week.
Click here to register for NHW
Click here to register for YES
The YES conference is an intentionally welcoming community that empowers youth ages 15-22 by giving them a safe space to grow as leaders and spiritually-grounded people. It is a transformative week of adventure, thought-provoking workshops, and impromptu dance parties under the stars.
Click here to view the YES brochure
Click here to register for YES
Click here to register for AS 2
During All Star II, young and old will awake to the sounds of ocean and gulls, marvel at the diversity of flora and fellow Shoalers, and close each day with an inspirational candlelight service in Star’s historic stone chapel. Hours in between are filled with sports, art, music, rowing, theatre, dancing, reading, friendship, and a thought-provoking lecture series, or simply relaxing in a porch rocker at the Oceanic Hotel, communing with one’s self, one’s family, and old and new friends. Morning and afternoon children’s programs led by our wonderful and expert staff offer creative fun for the kids. Gather with us in 2014 for laughter, friendship and spiritual renewal.
Theme speaker: We are so pleased to have Liza Bakewell, PhD in Anthropology from Brown University as our guest speaker this year! Liza attended Sarah Lawrence College and received her PhD from Brown University in 1991 has been on the faculty at Brown since 1992, first as teaching faculty, and then as research faculty. She has taught courses at Brown as well as at Bowdoin College and Colgate University in the areas of linguistic anthropology, gender and language, art and aesthetics, art and politics, material culture, religion and women’s studies. Liza has published broadly and has won numerous awards for her writing. We are thrilled that she will be with us to share her incredible experiences as a writer, single mother of twin daughters and world traveler.
Click here to register for AS 2
Please explore our summer 2014 room and board discounts to make your stay on Star Island more affordable.
Star Island Corporation
April 28, 2014
You’ve registered for your stay on Star Island this summer and now it’s time to figure out how to get the dock in Portsmouth. Your GPS is great, and here are our suggestions for travelling to the Portsmouth, NH area and hopping aboard the M/V Thomas Laighton out to Star.
Before we get started though, please note the final destination is 315 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801 – the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company.
The best option for those staying in downtown Portsmouth. Simply meander over to the Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. dock at 315 Market Street. Look both ways when crossing the street.
Click here to view a map for walking from Market Square/Downtown Portsmouth to the Dock
From the North (Maine): Head on down I-95 and use exit 7. At the end of the ramp (the stop lights), take a left onto Market Street. Go through three sets of lights. Try to be in the left lane by the third light. After this last light, you’ll approach an intersection with a blinking light, take a left into the Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. lot at 315 Market Street.
From the South and Points West: Make your way to I-95 and head towards New Hampshire. Taking I-495 through Massachusetts is usually a good option. Once in New Hampshire, take exit 7 (the last exit in NH). At the end of the ramp (the stop lights), take a right onto Market Street. Go through two sets of lights. Try to be in the left lane by the second light. After this last light, you’ll approach an intersection with a blinking light, take a left into the Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. lot at 315 Market Street.
Parking: Parking for program guests is provided at the Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. lot. Star Island charges guests $12 for each night a car is parked. This charge is added to room and board bills.
Driving directions from a few major cities:
Boston, MA
Burlington, VT
Manchester, NH
New York, NY
Portland, ME
Providence, RI
Worcester, MA
Bus: Bus transportation into Portsmouth is regularly served by C&J Trailways and Greyhound.
C&J will take passengers from South Station and Logan Airport in Boston to their terminal in Portsmouth. The C&J Terminal is not walking distance to the dock in Portsmouth. C&J also has a bus that runs directly from New York City to Portsmouth daily. From the bus terminal, you have two options:
Trolley: COAST operates a trolley that can bring people from the C&J bus terminal in Portsmouth closer to the dock. The bus picks people up right at the bus terminal, and after about a 25 minute ride, will stop in Market Square — the center of downtown Portsmouth. The dock is about a five minute walk from Market Square. (Walking directions: take a right when you head off the bus. Take your first left. Walk down this street, crossing over the right side at any time. Continue past the giant salt piles. The dock will be on your right.)
Portsmouth is between three airports of varying sizes. Boston’s Logan Airport is about 50 miles to the south. Manchester’s Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is about 45 miles to the west. Portland’s International Jetport is about 50 miles to the north.
Logan: The easiest option from Logan is to pick up the C&J Trailways bus which has regular service to all terminals. Then follow the directions from C&J.
Manchester: Arrange a ride through East West Express. This commuter service will bring you to the same terminal as the C&J bus in Portsmouth.
Portland: There is no regular public transportation between Portland and Portsmouth that would make this trek easy. So, fly in to Portland if you’d like, but you’ll have to most likely add an extra day of travel to make the boat.
If you are travelling to and from Rye Harbor aboard the Uncle Oscar, please click here for directions.
Check back next week when we’ll share some suggestions if you get to Portsmouth early and have some time to explore.
Green Gosport Initiative
April 21, 2014
by Jack Farrell, Island Manager & Director of Facilities
We have reduced the island diesel consumption from an annual average of 20,000 gallons to less than 15,000 (2013) through conservation and elimination of one boiler. We expect further reduction for 2014 with elimination of a second boiler and wasteful steam loop.
Increased and repaired cistern collection system reduced need to fill cistern with precious drinking water. Implementing plan to filter cistern water to drinking water standards. Increasing importation of drinking water from Portsmouth via Thomas Laighton (2,500 gallons per trip) and Perseverance (1,600 gallons per trip). Goal to employ costly reverse osmosis as backup source only by end of 2014. Deployed variable frequency drive pumps for salt water intake to reduce power consumption.
Implemented sludge composting to eliminate need for off-island disposal and retain valuable soil enhancement. Reducing waste treatment plant (WTP) power demand through use of variable frequency drive motors. Adding new grease traps to improve quality of effluent reaching WTP to increase treatment efficiency. Adding effluent polishing filter to improve quality of effluent prior to discharge. Design in process for new waste treatment system to provide functional shoulder season leach field, and to eliminate discharge permit through recycling of treated wastewater for irrigation and other suitable purposes (e.g. flushing toilets).
By start of 2014 season we will have moved away from steam generation altogether (reducing heat losses, insurance and maintenance costs), heating water for domestic and kitchen use through a combination of air source heat pumps (ultimately to be solar-powered), solar thermal panels, co-generation (waste heat from new generators) and limited point of use propane heaters. Engineering plan for 2015 to increase use of solar thermal as pre-heat source to feed heat pumps and kitchen.
Accelerated composting program for vegetable waste and WTP sludge, reducing need for off island disposal and providing soil enrichment. Utilizing most island cardboard waste as critical carbon source in compost recipe. Efforts significantly reduce handling, boat trips and contractor disposal costs. For 2014, disposable cups and utensils will be 100% compostable.
Continuing to reduce amount of trash sent to landfill (40% reduction in 2012, maintained through 2013) with additional 2013 savings realized through composting of cardboard, re-use of building materials, sale of recycled aluminum. 2014 initiative encourages aluminum beverage containers which can be collected and sold as high grade aluminum scrap in sufficient quantities.
The Pel Garden continues to expand, producing over 1,000 pounds of vegetables for island consumption in 2013 and providing valuable constructive recreational opportunities for staff. WOOF program volunteering contributes significant labor and expertise to island vegetable and flower gardens. Pilot program in chicken raising converted 500 pounds of kitchen waste to 100 pounds of tasty barbecued chicken (program to be expanded in 2014). Continuing efforts to use island and locally produced food including vegetables, seafood and yogurt.
The 2013 Oceanic work produced lots of building material which is being re-used on the island where possible or sold to others for re-use. 2014 projects will continue to sort construction debris for valuable items for re-use. For 2014, waste glass will be crushed and converted to safe, valuable aggregate for island drainage, landscaping and infrastructure projects, saving transport and disposal costs, and providing vital material which would otherwise be imported at high expense.
Working with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, we have eliminated the regulatory requirement for management of hazardous waste on the island, primarily through careful procurement (don’t buy any in the first place) and recycling and reclassification efforts (e.g. waste oil hazardous waste becomes waste oil for recycle which is non-hazardous and which can be sold). This effort has reduced disposal costs by more than $4,000 (since 2011) and reduced level of regulatory and environmental risk to SIC.
Domestic lighting requirements account for ten to twenty percent of power demand. We continue to reduce this load by implementation of energy efficient lighting and procedures to manage lighting requirements more carefully. A 2013 initiative to improve safety lighting on the Chapel path is a good example: LED bulbs and a solar powered ground lighting system (designed, installed and provided by Dick Case) added an important safety feature with negligible load on island electrical grid. For 2014, a major program to convert Lobby and other common lighting to LED bulbs, coupled with a program to encourage conferees to assist in conversion of guest rooms to LED bulbs (Isles of Shoals Association, UU “Adopt a Lightbulb Program”) will continue this process.
In 2013 a significant portion of non time sensitive laundry processing was moved off the island. This resulted in lower costs and reduced demand on water, power, hot water and wastewater resources. For 2014, new kitchen equipment will provide similar benefits. The new dishwasher will use one third the water of the present unit with positive impacts on water, power and wastewater systems. Point source generated steam cooking devices will utilize free waste heat from generators and highly efficient use of propane back up when required. Dishwasher and steam cookers will accept additional input from solar thermal sources which can be added over time.
Our initiatives and goals, as well as the collaborative nature of our process have resulted in recognized benefits. We continue to regularly engage with various aspects of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services in a cooperative and positive manner as a result of our March, 2013 summit meeting. Our growing collaboration withy the Island Institute of Rockland, Maine provides useful resources and experience from other islands from Maine to Alaska.
We are learning that the broader community responds very favorably to an organization that is actively seeking to become more sustainable, and that such response can make operations and innovation more predictable and positive. We are learning that sustainability is a process that requires constant attention and adaptation, and that the goal of a sustainable community can only be reached through an understanding of the integrated and interrelated nature of our activities and use of resources. And finally, based on the overwhelmingly positive response that our efforts have elicited from regulators, neighbors, colleagues, environmentalists, employees and stakeholders- we have realized that our new course towards a truly sustainable Star Island will likely have long term benefits that we are only beginning to appreciate, as we live our vision of creating an example of the world as it might ideally be.
Fundraising
April 21, 2014
Join us at Robert’s on the 23rd from 4:30 – 8 pm and a portion of your dinner bill will help support our vision to create on Star Island an environment that frees all who come to renew spiritually, explore matters of consequence, and gain knowledge about the world as it might ideally be.
If you live in the New Hampshire seacoast area, we hope you can make it to Robert’s Maine Grill on April 23.
Green Gosport Initiative
April 18, 2014
by Jack Farrell, Island Manager and Director of Facilities
Sustainability can happen with bold moves like solar installations and new water systems. But it also can happen through the little things that we do every day. We’re trying to work on both of these and we need your help.
As part of the Green Gosport Initiative, Star Island encourages guests and staff this year to opt for canned beverages over bottled whenever possible.
The reasons for this are many: cans are lighter, crushable, easier to store and easier to transport. Cans are also safer. Cans have value as high grade aluminum scrap, and since we don’t have a redemption law in New Hampshire, we can recover some value for the Island by collecting the season’s aluminum and selling it- as we already do with other valuable unwanted metal.
We have been steadily reducing the cost of waste removal over the past few years through recycling and composting, and the elimination of all hazardous waste. Collecting and disposing of empty beverage containers comprises a surprisingly high proportion of the work of the Truck and Boat Crews. With limited concealed space for trash we have difficulty storing these materials while they wait to be removed. The can program will save money and time, provide funds for worthy projects, and help make us an even greener Star Island.
In the first week of Open Up we are already successfully implementing this plan. I really hope that you will consider this option when purchasing beverages for your stay on Star Island.
We all look forward to seeing you on island soon!
Thanks and Cheers!
Fundraising
April 15, 2014
Join us at Robert’s on the 16th and 23rd from 4:30 – 8 pm and a portion of your dinner bill will help support our vision to create on Star Island an environment that frees all who come to renew spiritually, explore matters of consequence, and gain knowledge about the world as it might ideally be.
This special night will also feature a gin lime rickey as a nod to our popular (non-alcoholic) lime rickeys served at the snack bar throughout the summer.
If you live in the New Hampshire seacoast area, we hope you can make it to Robert’s Maine Grill on April 16 or 23.
Conference Updates
April 14, 2014
Several of Star Island’s summer programs have already reached their registration capacity and are operating with wait lists. If the program you were hoping to attend is already full, here are some suggestions for other engaging opportunities this summer:
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During All Star II, young and old will awake to the sounds of ocean and gulls, marvel at the diversity of flora and fellow Shoalers, and close each day with an inspirational candlelight service in Star’s historic stone chapel. Hours in between are filled with sports, art, music, rowing, theatre, dancing, reading, friendship, and a thought-provoking lecture series, or simply relaxing in a porch rocker at the Oceanic Hotel, communing with one’s self, one’s family, and old and new friends. Morning and afternoon children’s programs led by our wonderful and expert staff offer creative fun for the kids. Gather with us in 2014 for laughter, friendship and spiritual renewal.
Click Here to Register for All Star 2
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Rudyard Kipling wrote about the Great Game in the 19th Century: the strategic rivalry between Great Britain and Russia in Central Asia. Today that Great Game continues with the United States, China, India and others maneuvering in Pakistan, which now has the atomic bomb and is a locus of international terrorists groups.
IA 2014 will explore Pakistan’s historic and current strategic role on the international stage and will provide a well-rounded perspective on how and why its people and government do what they do.
Surrounding this theme are a great many activities designed to make a wonderful vacation experience for families of all ages and sizes. These include our traditional workshops in art, music and yoga, various one time workshops, softball games, lectures and book discussions of particular interest to conference participants.
Children ages 18 months to 18 years participate in a robust and engaging youth program.
Click Here to Register for International Affairs
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Baptism, holy communion, ashes on Ash Wednesday, blessings, laying on of hands, anointing at healing services, foot-washing, lighting the Advent wreath—these are a few of the traditional rituals of the Christian church. They are special “spiritual” things we do in church on designated days. But do these practices have a life outside the sanctuary? Are they connected to the realities of our ordinary lives? Do they mean anything to us once we move from Sunday to Monday?
This week’s program will explore a few of these rituals (some of which we call ‘sacraments’), looking for ways they are present, active, and ethically demanding in the everyday. And we’ll ask how, in return, our ordinary experiences might enrich and deepen the rituals we practice in church.
In worship, we will explore stories of scripture and stories of life, and be introduced to people who reveal to us the very heart of God. We will practice “seeing people,” and in doing so, encounter God in our midst.
Click Here to Register for Star Gathering 1
Click here to visit the complete summer 2014 program list.
On the Island
April 11, 2014
A trip to Star Island yesterday afforded the chance to see the progress made by Star Island staff and contractors on major projects and the annual activities performed to open up the island.
The early morning boat ride was made worthwhile by calm seas, good conversation, plus coffee and bagels. The calm seas and conversation are typical, but the coffee and bagels were a great surprise.
Spring time on Star Island is quite the unique perspective. If you want to journey out for a volunteer weekend to experience this sometimes chilly, always exciting time, CLICK HERE for more information and the volunteer application.
Star Island Corporation
April 08, 2014
You share because you care, so if you care about Star Island (and you probably do) it’s time to start thinking about how you can share your memorable summer experiences with others. Sharing Star Island is about talking to people about our beautiful island, showing photos of sunsets, engaging in conversation, and demonstrating that Star Island spirit of community.
So we’ve gathered some suggestions if you’d like to share Star Island with people you know.
This is pretty simple, but if you need an explanation, here goes: While having a conversation with friends, mention Star Island. Talk about how you enjoy your trip out to the island every summer, the way the wind cools you off on a hot day, the voices of morning singers waking you up with news of the breakfast menu, or the talent shows showcasing such amazing people.
If you’re anything like us, your friends have probably already heard about Star Island a lot. But it doesn’t hurt to remind people.
Many of the people who come to Star Island first heard about us from a friend at their UCC or UU congregation. And, since we were founded on the traditions of these two faiths, we strongly support engaging people within these communities. When sharing Star Island in your congregation, you can start small by hanging a Star Island poster, or go large by hosting a table during a coffee or social hour. Indulge your imagination to come up with ideas on how to share Star Island within your congregation. One Shoaler bought mugs for his congregation’s coffee hour that feature Star Island’s chapel. Perfect conversation starter.
In between hanging a poster and hosting a social hour table, think about making a Star Island display to hang in a church hall, providing Star Island program catalogs for folks, and putting a Star Island ad in your congregation’s bulletin.
Star Island is offering a very specific discount in 2014 which provides people entirely new to Star Island from selected congregations and historical societies 30% off room and board for attending the full length of selected summer programs.
The links below are more resources for sharing this discount:
Help feed the social media beast with Star Island. We’ve seen you taking loads of sunset pictures on island, and many a rocking chair snapshot, too. So, let the world see these gems. We suggest tagging posts with #StarIslandNH, but there’s no requirement. We love coming across old photos on Thursdays (that’s #ThrowBackThursday if you were wondering why), and we’re still waiting to see Uncle Oscar appear on someone’s feed for #MCM (that’s #ManCrushMonday). Basically, there are a lot of reasons to post Star Island photos, videos, and info. But, the best reason: there’s no reason. Just go ahead and post away.
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some awesome videos set on Star Island:
Okay, you’re right, that last video is more just for laughs, but it shows that Star Island is about having fun with creative people.
Send a postcard…from Star Island, that is. This one is for you procrastinators, and doesn’t require your attention for a few months. Here’s the skinny: Purchase a few postcards and stamps from the bookstore on island. And then write to your heart’s content (as long as it fits on the postcard) about how much you are loving your time on Star and how much the person you’re writing to should visit next year (or later this summer when you both come back for a Personal Retreat).
Don’t forget to affix a stamp to your postcard before dropping it in the mail slot on the front desk. And you’re golden. We don’t usually like to promote gloating, but that’s the prime reason to write postcards, right?
So there you have it. Five simple ways to share Star Island with people you know. If you have any questions, email ambassadors@starisland.org.
And, if you are feeling even more inclined to share Star Island, explore the Ambassador page for resources.