Star Island Pelicans

Hi All – First off, be sure to check http://starisland.org/news/ for the latest news. We’ll also do our best to send out e-mail updates as soon as we know more too.

As mentioned in the update yesterday (http://starisland.org/2010/09/01/weather-update-for-pel-reunion-and-laity/)  the Saturday boat is officially cancelled and the status of the Friday afternoon boat is questionable at this time. If you can switch your schedule to come out on the Friday 9:25 AM boat they are currently collecting names for that boat roster. Note if you wish to come out on this boat they request people show up at the dock 90 minutes in advance (7:55 AM). Please let me know if you can make that boat and I’ll make sure your name gets on the list. Also, if you are unable to switch to coming out on Friday and need to officially cancel let me know that too.

Also – Regarding housing for those arriving Thursday night or, if the conference is cancelled, we have a suggestion for alternative lodging on the mainland. Kris Lofrumento, one of the Pel Reunion conference chairs, has contacted Mark Woolley, former Pelican and General Manager of the Hampshire Inn (and independent hotel) in Seabrook, NH. ( http://www.hampshireinn.com/) This is 7-10 minutes from the ISSCo dock. He welcomes any Pels/folks coming for PR to contact his hotel, especially if folks want to come Thursday night to be on a Friday morning boat OR if the conference does get cancelled, a place for those who can gather to do so.

Currently he has 27 rooms open Thursday night
16 open Friday night
4 open Saturday night (he expects more to open as some of these folks decide to change their plans)
12 open Sunday night

He also has a function room available.

When you call the Hampshire Inn’s front desk at 603-474-5700, ask for the Pelican rate which will be 30% off his reg rate per night or $79/night/room.

That’s all for now. We expect another update from the island on or before 5 PM today.

-Matt
—
Matthew J. H. Baya
85 Guptill Farm Road, Ellsworth, ME 04605-4109
H: (207) 667-4892
e-mail: matt@baya.net    web: http://matt.baya.net/

Dear Pel Reunion and Laity,

We are closely tracking Hurricane Earl and considering all options for your group.  Safety is the number one factor, and we are evaluating wind speeds and seas to determine what is safely possible for your groups.

Here is our current update:

• The Saturday Thomas Laighton boat is cancelled.
• The Friday Thomas Laighton 9:25 a.m. boat is still a go.
• The Friday Thomas Laighton 1:55 p.m. is still a possibility, though may be cancelled.
• Anyone who comes early on Friday who was planning to come on Friday does not need to pay extra.
• Anyone who comes early on Friday who was planning on coming on Saturday would need to pay the 3 night rate; for a double room, this rate increase is $65 (which represents a significant reduction from our standard per night rates).
• Sunday boats may or may not run.
• Boats for Monday are expected to be back to normal.
• If we expect sustained high winds on Friday night and Saturday, we will likely cancel your conference and evacuate the island.

We know uncertainties are a stressful factor in planning for the next few days.  We will continue to make updates on our website at www.starisland.org, and we will send another update such as this one tomorrow afternoon.  Though cancellation is a possibility, we will wait to cancel your conference until we’re absolutely certain this is necessary—this may be Friday morning.  We wait until this time so as to give those individuals who can work within a smaller window the opportunity to make it to the island.

If we are able to host you this weekend, please note that people with health concerns should NOT come out to the island this weekend, as there would be a chance that an emergency medical evacuation would not be possible.  Also, we will likely ask you to remain in the main hotel/Gosport buildings during periods of high wind, meaning activities may be limited.  We do expect there can be fun and interesting ways to pass the time on island, but we want the expectations to be clear up front.

Please send any questions and concerns to your conference leadership and they will route those questions to me.  I am working closely with our Marine Services Manager, our Fire and Safety Manager, our Logistics Manager, and Joe Watts, our primary Island Manager to ensure any decisions are thoroughly thought through and in everyone’s best interest.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation through this ‘stirring’ time!

Shannon Roecklein

Shannon Roecklein

Assistant Conference Center Director

Star Island Corporation

30 Middle Street

Portsmouth, NH 03801

Island: 603-601-0488

Office: 603-430-6272

From: “Priscilla Hodgkins” <phodgkins@starisland.org>
Subject: NH Chronicle features Star Island August 13

Star Island will be featured in a new New Hampshire Chronicle episode to be broadcast on Friday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m. on WMUR-TV.  The show will also be available on line at http://www.wmur.com/chronicle/index.html following the air date.

The Jennifer Crompton, the producer, and Chris McDevitt, the videographer, spent last Wednesday on the island.  Jennifer interviewed Vicky Hardy, Sarah O’Connor, Molly Mansfield and Jeff Cullinane. Thanks to all of you for giving such splendid interviews.  Chris recalled doing the camera work when Fritz Wetherbee filmed a segment on Star about five years ago.  Chris shot a lot of extra film around the island; he clearly likes the place.  Jennifer is related to the Haley’s of Smuttynose – she and Sarah has a lot to talk about. They had a wonderful time and were pleased with all the material they gathered.

Thanks to everyone who added their support for the film crew and a special thanks to Deskie Noah Braiterman who set up a room for the crew to videotape on very short notice.

Priscilla Hodgkins
Community Outreach Coordinator
Star Island Retreat and Conference Center
30 Middle Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 430-6272