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Seeking Free-Range Unitarian Universalists

September 07, 2012

The Unitarian Universalist Association is trying to survey folks who identify as Unitarian Universalist, but are not currently connected to a congregation. The UUA is finding that many of their “Free Range” UUs visit camps and conferences including Star Island.

So, if you identify as Unitarian Universalist, but don’t attend a congregation, please take the survey “Free-Range UUs: 13 questions total”. Your feedback will help transform the way we live into our faith. There are so many ways to be a Unitarian Universalist! Click Here for Free Range UU Survey

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Overnight options available for Anita Shreve’s appearance at Literary Festival

August 15, 2012

Star Island announces a new way to enjoy the first annual Star Island Literary Festival this August with an overnight during Anita Shreve’s visit on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

This special overnight will grant guests the opportunity to take part in Shreve’s visit to Star Island including an afternoon talk, question and answer session, and book signing. Shreve is known for her many best-selling novels including The Weight of Water, which offers a fictionalized version of the 1873 Smuttynose Island Murders.

Shreve said, “I’m so looking forward to being at the Isles of Shoals and their terrific literary festival this year Star Island strikes me as the perfect place for such an event — rich in literary history, remote, and even a little gothic in its history.”
Read more…

The Pels

Community mourns the loss of Dave Pierson

August 15, 2012

The Star Island community recently lost a dear friend, former staff member, and long-time Shoaler: Dave Pierson.

His many years as winter caretaker, with his wife Edith, and time spent as island engineer, among other roles, kept the island running for decades. The island celebrated Dave’s life by ringing the chapel bell 2 p.m. Tuesday in parallel with a mainland service.

We cannot express our condolences enough to Dave’s family and friends.

Read more about Dave on the Vaughn Cottage Web site.

Conference Updates

Save 30% on Historic Star: Mystery and Mayhem

August 09, 2012

Star Island offers discount for 7-Day Historic Star Conference

Star Island Corporation is pleased to announce a 30% discount on room and board for the 7-night Historic Star Conference on the Isles of Shoals from Saturday, August 25 to Saturday, September 1. This 7-night event will entertain people with speakers, workshops, and activities focused on the lore and legends of Star Island and related mainland communities.

With scandals as big as murder and stories as intriguing as pirates, witches and ghosts, the Historic Star Conference invites you to learn about our region’s history and separate from the mainland for a week.
Read more…

Star Island Corporation

Anita Shreve set to return to the Isles of Shoals for Literary Festival

August 08, 2012

Star Island welcomes celebrated author to first annual Literary Festival

Celebrated author Anita Shreve said she feels that she owes the Isles of Shoals her allegiance, because 15 years after the publication of her best-selling novel “The Weight of Water,” which is set there, the islands still resonate with her.

“The place itself was such a profound character in the novel,” she said. “I can’t just take from the place. I have to give back. Whenever I’m asked, I will come.”

It is for this reason that she will be coming to Star Island, a featured author at the Star Island Literary Festival taking place Aug. 26-31. Themed “Literally: An Island,” the festival will bring together many authors who have written about islands, such as Shreve.

“The Weight of Water,” published in 1997, chronicles two stories: One of a photographer assigned to take photos of nearby Smuttynose Island and the other of the lives and terrible secrets that lead to the murder of two women on the island in 1873. Shreve’s fictional account is based on the true story of the so-called “Smuttynose Murders,” which remain among the most-known crimes in Seacoast New Hampshire even today.
Read more…

Shoalers in the News

Star Island employees rescue boaters from sinking vessel

July 27, 2012

From SeacoastOnline.com:

Coast Guard Petty Officer Thomas Barossi said the Coast Guard received a call at 10:40 a.m. reporting a 35-foot cabin cruiser was sinking off Star Island, one of the Isles of Shoals.

“It was taking on water. It was completely submerged at one point,” he said.

Kyle Belmont, assistant conference center manager for Star Island Corp., said guests walking along the shore heard a loud “crunching” sound when the boat hit the rock and reported the accident at the front desk.

Marshall Frye, the island’s engineer and boat operator, and Drew Clark, truck crew supervisor, jumped in a boat and rescued three people off the vessel, which was already listing, Belmont said.

Read more.

On the Island

Grand Prize winner to receive week-long writer’s residency

July 19, 2012

Celebrated Author Joyce Maynard to serve as Grand Prize Judge

PORTSMOUTH – The New Hampshire Film Festival is pleased to announce that in addition to the existing prize package, the Grand Prize Winner of the NHFF Screenplay Competition will now receive an all-inclusive weeklong writer’s residency at the Star Island Family Retreat and Conference Center.

Thanks to a generous sponsorship package offered by Star Island Corporation, this year’s top screenwriter and a guest will receive room, board, and ferry transportation to Star Island, which sits among the Isles of Shoals in the ocean off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire.

Read more…

Events

Historic New England excursion set for Aug. 8

July 18, 2012

The Isles of Shoals have long captured the imaginations of New Englanders. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on August 8, spend the day with Historic New England discovering the fascinating history of these islands. Start with a boat ride through Portsmouth Harbor before journeying eight miles out to Star Island for a historic walking tour and lunch at the Oceanic Hotel. You’ll also have time to explore the island on your own. Lunch and boat transportation to and from Star Island are included.

Price is $60 for Historic New England and Star Island Corporation members; $70 for non-members. Registration required.

For more information and to register, call (603) 436-3205 or visit HistoricNewEngland.org.

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Foster’s Daily Democrat highlights our green initiatives

July 09, 2012

In today’s edition of Foster’s Daily Democrat, writer Jim Cavan highlights some of the green initiatives happening on Star Island, including our new solar panels.

For a piece of sea-bound land temporarily called home just a few months out of the year, Star Island would seem an unlikely place for “green” to take permanent hold — with a lone, albeit beautiful hotel, and a smattering of centuries old houses and cottages to its name. Lately, however, the second largest — and most frequented — of New Hampshire’s Isles of Shoals has sought to prove that improved amenities and sustainability-minded practices need not be mutually exclusive.

Read more at Fosters.com

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Star Island oil paintings by Chris Volpe to be exhibited in Portsmouth

July 06, 2012

Between 15 and 20 oil paintings by Christopher Volpe featuring the unique geography of Star Island will be exhibited during the month of August at the Discover Portsmouth Center in Portsmouth, NH.

Painted largely on location, Volpe’s paintings capture the brilliance and desolation of Star Island’s stark, light-drenched coasts and weathered landmarks with minimalistic design, characteristic color, and expressive brush and knife work.

Opening reception for the show is scheduled for Friday, August 3, from 5-8 p.m.

Volpe’s paintings can be viewed online at christophervolpe.com. For more information about the exhibition, visit Discover Portsmouth Center.