Star Island Pelicans

From: “Bruce Parsons”
Date: May 18, 2009 11:00:10 AM EDT
Subject: Pelicans

Hi All,

Okay we have all had our fair share of receiving those great e-mails that promise eternal happiness or millions of dollars or whatever if we just pass it along to 10 of our friends. So we are all multi millionaires and have experienced divine happiness, right?

Okay maybe not but here is just one more for you to read and gain the greatest Karma you have ever experienced provided you follow the important directions.

Once upon a time we each received a letter stating that our application for employment had been accepted. The letter has changed very little over the decades, so much has changed very little over the decades. (more…)

From: The History and Mystery of the Isles of Shoals

By Laura Knoy on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.

An Island Kingdom chronicles the culture, scenery and 400-year history of the Isles of Shoals - an isolated chain of islands ten miles off the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine. A captivating look at a little-known piece of New England by Vermont filmmaker Andrea Melville.

Click Above to Watch a Preview of the Show

 Streaming Audio: Download

www.seacoastonline.com…

Smuttynose offers a new local brew

March 24, 2009 6:00 AM

By Rachel Forrest

PORTSMOUTH — In a city where hundreds line up for a release of the Portsmouth Brewery’s Kate the Great Russian Imperial Stout, a new brew from its sister beer crafter Smuttynose Brewery is also an exciting event.

No one will have to get in line at 5 a.m. to buy this one, however, because the Star Island Single is a full-time beer that will be around for quite some time. But, in order to make room for the new brew, something had to go. After 11 years, Portsmouth Lager is all tapped out.

“It’s an old friend,” said Peter Egelston, owner of the Smuttynose Brewery and the Portsmouth Brewery. “I’ll miss being able to order one at the brew pub. It’s been a hard one for us. We’ve always liked that beer. At beer festivals it’s usually the most popular beer we serve and it’s popular in the brewery. It’s always been well-received.”

Egelston said it was a challenge to figure out why the beer didn’t sell as much as brewery staff thought it would over the years.

“Maybe it’s the image — the lobster buoy on the barn door didn’t tell the story,” he said. “But I do think lager beers tend to have an uphill battle in the world of craft beers.”

Other factors like hometown branding might also have been a factor, Egelston said.

“We tried to identify it with our hometown, but it wasn’t an easy sell,” he said. “New Hampshire has a history of shooting itself in the foot — it’s separated into little fiefdoms: the White Mountains, the Monadnock region, the Seacoast. It’s difficult to market.”

Egelston said the new Star Island Single reflects the growing awareness of the convergence of two trends in the beer world: a growing awareness of Belgian beers and some hip packaging, which will help get the word out that this new beer should be noticed.

“We saw the pendulum swinging hard toward extreme beers,” he said, “but the Star Island Single is designed to be the beer to have — like the old Schaefer commercial: ‘The one beer to have when you’re having more than one.’ It’s the more user-friendly, ’session’ beer.”

David Yarrington, executive brewer at Smuttynose Brewery, said he and his staff worked on the beer for about a year.

“We had different variations of it floating around; one was under the Blond Ale name, but we decided to go closer to the Abbey style. It’s a Belgian ale style that even if you don’t understand what it is, it’s accessible.”

Yarrington said they added a little coriander to it.

“With a great Belgian beer you should understand there’s something special about it but not quite what it is,” he said. “This has a little honey malt with the Belgian-style wheat strain.”

The team came up with packaging for the Star Island Single that reflects both the character the beer and the area. A photo of a mermaid with flaming red hair, relaxing against tall gray rocks, gazing at a golden chalice filled, one imagines, with the new brew, calls beer lovers like a siren.

“At first, we had a hard time coming up with a visual concept for the beer. We wanted to tie it to the Seacoast,” Egelston said. “Joanne (Francis), who does all the graphic design, wanted to have a mermaid and we were at the brewing conference in San Diego. We walked into a consignment shop, and the woman running the shop had this towering flaming red hair and Joanne asked her if she would model for the label.”

The woman turned out to be a model and burlesque performer called Miss Dixie von Trixie.

“She came out last June,” Egelston said, “donned a complex costume complete with fins and became the Star Island Single mermaid, flaming red hair and all.”

While Egelston said he’s sure there will be many who’ll miss the Portsmouth Lager, including himself, he hopes the new beer will be much like the vibrant new packaging.

“We hope it’s alluring,” he said.

Try the Smuttynose Brewery’s new Star Island Single at a launch party at The Press Room in Portsmouth Thursday, March 26 at 6 p.m. and on tap now at The Portsmouth Brewery.

As mentioned last fall the Sci-Fi channel’s series “Ghost Hunters” taped an episode focusing on Star Island and the Isles of Shoals. According to their online schedule this will air on Wednesday March 18, 2009 at 8 PM EST (and again at 11 PM)

Source: www.scifi.com…

• ” title=”http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20081216-BIZ-81216022

” class=”autohyperlink” target=”_blank”>www.seacoastonline.com…

Video - You can watch this episode on hulu.com… at:

www.hulu.com…

www.seacoastonline.com…

112-year-old Star Island makes 21st century upgrades
By Karen Dandurant
kdandurant@seacoastonline.com…

November 23, 2008 6:00 AM

PORTSMOUTH — People have been visiting Star Island since 1987, 112 years.

At that time, the rates at the island retreat were $10 a week and covered the room and three meals a day for a week.

Times have changed, but the island hasn’t changed much. It still has that unique 19th-century feel that is guaranteed to put anyone’s mind at ease.

Today, the island is changing in subtle ways designed to maintain the character that makes people want to visit, but add amenities important today.

While a lot of people are involved in Star Island’s operation, its evolution is the work of the new head of the corporation, Victoria Hardy.

“Someone said to me that there’s a new sheriff in town,” Hardy said in her easygoing manner. “I think it’s important to send a signal to the people that we understand what we’re doing now.

“My goal is for Star Island to be here for another hundred years. There are so many options for ways families can spend time together. The changes are marketing tools, but Star Island is unique. Our niche is who we are. We have a 19th-century ambiance that’s different from the Balsams. So, we’re adding gentle additions to the basic Star Island.”

Hardy said $435,000 was put into the facility last spring and summer as officials continue to upgrade the life-safety elements of the Oceanic Hotel and the other buildings scattered across the island.

Hardy said this year, Star Island sent three signals to the community to get its attention.

“First, we restored the flagpole,” she said. “It had been down for many years. “When the season opened, the flag was there and that’s a symbol. It is also a memorial for a man who died at war. It needed to be done.”

For those who have visited the island, it’s no secret that the back, or west wall, was in deplorable condition.

“It faces the Atlantic, with the harshest weather,” Hardy said. “We renovated it. We scraped and painted. The signal that (it) sends is that we understand the basics have to be done.”

Hardy said she never realized how many boats passed between Star Island and White Island until people started letting her know they had seen the new and improved wall.

“The other day I was at the Seacoast Science Center looking out toward the island,” Hardy said. “The sun hit the wall and it was like a big white light.”

The third change concerns a part of Star Island that is one of the most well-known and visited places.

“We improved the path to the chapel,” Hardy said. “If there is one, the chapel is the iconic symbol of Star Island. It’s been there since 1800 and is in pristine condition. It was the linchpin in getting Star its Natural Historic designation.”

The path was in poor condition, making it hard for seniors and people with disabilities, and impossible for a person in a wheelchair.

“My goal became to be able to bring a wheelchair to the base of the path,” Hardy said. “We put a lot of stone dust down on that path. Now we can use our golf cart to bring the chair to the base and go to the chapel.”

Making Star Island more accessible to the general public is another goal of Hardy’s.

Read more at www.seacoastonline.com…

Seacoast area is a spooky magnet for ‘Ghost Hunters’
Back to film 2nd episode at Isles of Shoals
By GEOFF CUNNINGHAM Jr.
gcunningham@fosters.com…
Article Date: Saturday, November 22, 2008

PORTSMOUTH — The investigators behind the Sci-Fi Channel’s “Ghost Hunters” program can’t get enough of the Seacoast’s spooky history, so they returned this past week to film a second episode seeking out paranormal activity on the Isles of Shoals.

Producers, a film crew and the stars behind the hit cable reality show spent two days in October looking for scientific proof of ghostly activity at the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and Fort Constitution. Results from that visit are slated to air on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

On Friday, a black van with yellow letters spelling TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) pulled up in front of the Athenaeum historical museum in Market Square with other vehicles, and crews began unloading equipment for an afternoon shoot.

Jim Dugan, a supervising producer with “Ghost Hunters,” said his crew spent the week working on a second Seacoast-based episode where they studied the paranormal history of Star Island on the Isles of Shoals, which is a cluster of islands six miles off Portsmouth.

Read more at:

www.fosters.com…

Hello Pelicans present and past.  We had a great Pelican Reunion Conference Steering Committee meeting last weekend.  The Committee now has Chairpeople and a new membership structure ( more to follow on this).  We are planning for the 2009 Conference.

We will be sending out periodic newsletters through this web site over the next 9 months to keep you all posted on what the conference will look like, opportunities for scholarships, etc.  We are very much looking for your input so please contact us anytime with your thoughts, questions and ideas.

Idea number one for you all to work on:

We want to build an Island Trivial Pursuit game, Pelican Edition.  We want to have a very large possibly ongoing trivial pursuit game going during Reuniion  but to do so we need all your help.  We need from all of you questions and answers of trivial facts and events that have happened during your time on the island or stories you have heard.  We need to know the year of your event.  Things like what year did B.J. and Tom set the Chapel on fire, those kinds of things.  The more questions/answers we get the better the game will be.  Start those memories going but remember we do not want to make anyone too uncomfortable or ruin any relationships or political careers.  We will establish teams of competitors with a mixture from all the decades.  This will help us all get to know what has happened over theyears and get to know some new people.

Look for a Pelican Reunion page on Facebook coming soon.

We are gladly sharing the weekend with Laity once again this year.

There is one week this year between LOAS II and Pel Reunion.  We are working to see if we could create a work conference during that time to be able to give back to the Island, stay tuned for more information on this.  We are also going to look into an earlier arrival option for those traveling further or wanting an extra day on the Island.

Here is the really big challenge, we need you all to talk to everyone you possibly can about how great Pel Reunion is, dig through those old pel papers as well as your Christmas card list, connect with others through facebook.  This is our 29th year as a conference.

Talk with you all soon,

Bruce and Carole

www.wickedlocal.com…

Prudence C. Randall

Special thanks to Christopher Bruns for digitizing this LP. Higher quality of samplings of pristine copies of this recording and 1976 provided by H. Perry Mixter are planned to be done by Vance Galloway in the near future.

If you have any audio or video of any Pel Show performances please let us know so we can work on building an online archive.

You can download the entire album in zip format (including LP Cover Art) (35.8 MB) or you can download individual songs, or play them through your web browser below.

The Pelican Show — 1974

Highlights From The Summer’s Best Performances

Star Island

Isles of Shoals, Off Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Pelican Show — 1974

RAYMOND HARDIN, Musical Director

Side One

Band 1. The Introductory Skit

• A Television Parody, Featuring (in order of appearance.) Terry Bouricius, Leslie Bannon, John Robbins, Dave Phoenix, and Brian Fey. - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Band 2. The Pelican Chorus

• The Drummer and the Cook (arr. Jacobsen) - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

• The Barbershop Quartet
  • Wiffenpoof Song [Trad. Yale Song] - MP3

  • Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

  • Coney Island Baby [Anon.] - Ray Hardin, Terry Bouricius, Peter Kolbjornsen, and Dean Jorgensen. - MP3

  • Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

• Pelican Solo - I Sit Beside the Fire (word by J. Tolkien) - John Robbins, vocal and guitar - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Band 3.

• Down East Monolog - Stu ‘George’ Georgitis - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

• The Maintenance Crew (words by R. Joffe) - Featuring Paul Coleman, Stu Georgitis, Peter Kolbjornen, and Lyle Ramshaw (piano and earphones) - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

• The Kitchen Crew (represented by Dean Jorgensen and Dennis Walsh - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Side Two

Band 1. Summer’s Song

• Here Comes the Sun (G. Harrison) - Randy Good (guitar) and John Robbins (guitar and vocal) - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Band 2. The Madrigal Singers

• Fa Una Canzona (O. Veech) - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

• Awake! (R. Wagner) - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

• Breathe Soft, Ye Winds (W. Paxton) - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Band 3. The Best of Pel Show Performances

• Listen, People (Anon.) - Randy Good, guitar, Robin Lovely (guitar and vocal) - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

• Melissa (G. Allman) - The Jazz Quartet: Randy Good, Hadrian Merier (guitars.) John Robbins (guitar and vocal), Dean Jorgensen, electric organ. - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

• Farewell To Tarwathie (Trad.) - Sung by Vange Bicknell - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Band 4. Finale

• Oil Refinery Blues - Words by the Staff of ‘74 - MP3

• Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

• Pelican Encore - Words, V. McGill, Tune, J. Marais - MP3

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Ever since 1947, when John Woodworth organized the first Pelican Chorus, the Pelican Show has been put on weekly each summer for the entertainment of the conferees. But, in truth, it seems as if the Pelicans themselves enjoy it even more than do the conferees. The summer of 1974 stands out in particular for two reasons. First, there was a well of talent to be tapped on the island, as well as people who had inherent talents for making people laugh. Above all, the Music Director was outstanding for putting it all together each week.

But the second reason is not so obvious. Living and working together creates a unique opportunity for a great spirit of unity to form amongh the Pelicans on Star. It is hoped that this can be felt while listening to this album.

This record was made possible by several people: Lynn Stewart, the president of Pel Club, Terry Ward, the Treasurer, and most of all, Ray Hardin, whose patience each week was as durable as East Rock in a nor’easter. And, of course, the Pelicans helped a little bit, too!

H. P. M.

January 1975

The Pelican Club

• Lynn Stewart, President
• Raymond Hardin, Musical Director
• H. Perry Mixer, Recording Engineer & Producer
• Recorded Live in August, 1974

Hello, If you intend to attend Reunion and you haven’t registered yet, PLEASE consider registering for Reunion immediately. If we have too few registrations and we have to scale back to one conference boat, the number of spaces we have left is seriously limited. Thank you for your consideration, LAurie Lentz-Marino

Contact; registrar@pelicansarepelicans.org…

From SeacoastOnline.Com

Isles of Shoals ghost stories

dmcdermott@seacoastonline.com…

Sandy Smith of Eliot, Maine, and her sister, Linda Walton of York, were born and raised in Kittery Point.

Smith is fond of saying that her first trip out to the Isles of Shoals occurred in 1939 when she “came out in a wicker basket” as an infant. Sister Linda’s similar trip occurred in 1941, “so I guess you know who’s older,” Walton was quick to quip.

The sisters’ grandmother had been the head of waitresses at the Oceanic House on Star Island since the 1920s, and on weekends, the family would gather on their father’s fishing boat for the trip from the mainland.

Some of the sisters’ favorite childhood memories are of the one precious week each summer they were allowed to stay on the island with their grandmother.

As adults, Smith and Walton have long been Shoalers, following in the tradition of their childhood. Out on the island for a conference several weeks ago, they joined a group of folks out on the rocks around a bonfire for a night of old-fashioned Shoals ghost stories.

Many well-worn tales were told. There’s the ghost of Blackbeard or at least his wife, who legend has it was abandoned on the isles by her roving husband who is said to have left buried treasure behind.

Then there’s the child of Betty Moody. Moody hid in one of the natural rocky crevices, more of a cave, from Native Americans, so the story goes. Moody’s child started whimpering, and she smothered the child to death trying to stop the sound.

And of course, Smuttynose Island is replete with tales of the ghosts of Karen and Anethe Christensen, who were murdered in March 1873.

Smith later sent along her own ghost stories to share with Seacoast Sunday readers. Following are her accounts: (more…)

New CEO: ‘I want to encourage people to come here’

May 18, 2008
From Seacoastonline.com…
By Karen Dandurant
kdandurant@seacoastonline.com…

May 18, 2008 6:00 AM

RYE — The new chief executive officer of the Star Island Corp. at the Isles of Shoals has a goal of bringing the island up to code and into the 21st century.

Of course, visiting Star Island is a bit like stepping back in time, and that’s important to many of the regular visitors.

And that means walking a fine line to accomplish both objectives.

Victoria Hardy said the island is part of Rye and the Seacoast community and, as such, it needs to be more accessible to the public.

“I want to encourage people to come here,” Hardy said. “I am looking at promoting a lot more day trips, and offering incentives like ‘dinner and a mooring.’ We are partnering with the staff at the Wentworth by the Sea to maybe donate box lunches. They are going to provide executive training for our food service people. They, in turn, want information about Star Island to give to their guests.”

(more…)

Maybe this’ll be a new feature here, find a blog entry/website/ebay listing that’s Pel related? Post it here. Just found this today:

http://ontheselvage.blogspot.com/2008/03/isles-of-shoals.html

Saturday, March 1, 2008

The Isles of Shoals

This unlikely couple met at a little island hotel on one of the rocky islands divided along the border of New Hampshire and Maine. She was a waitress and he was a scholar and Shakespearian actor from a prominent family. Fortunately, opposites attract, because this pair are my great-grandparents (that’s Dar on the right!).

My Grandmother told the best stories of their adventures together… she being the one to change a flat tire when the car broke down, and her mother-in-law scolding him because his wife preferred the company of “the help” in the kitchen to that of the high-society guests at a dinner party.

I have their wedding silverware, and I use it every day. The thought of her standing over a sudsy sink, laughing with the servants (she had such a servant’s heart) makes me smile and makes washing my own dishes a little more pleasant.Maybe this Spring I’ll make it to this place that was so special to all of them… I’ve always wanted to go. It’s not so far from Brooklyn…

SSC Heritage Dinner Feb. 28

Rye — The Seacoast Science Center’s Feb. 28 Heritage Dinner brings Emmy-award winning producer Andrea Melville for a dynamic discussion on the making of a documentary about the historic Isles of Shoals.

Intended to air on public television in New Hampshire and Maine in October, “An Island Kingdom” will feature photographs, film, paintings, music and interviews with regional scholars to showcase the remarkable cultural changes at the Isles of Shoals over the past several centuries.

To set the stage, Shoals historian Ann Beattie will explore the four century history of the Isles through a series of fascinating historical images. Ms. Melville will then delve into the creative and hands-on process of producing and taping the hour-long documentary, An Island Kingdom.

Sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, the evening begins with a social hour at 6 p.m., dinner and presentation follows. Cost is $45/person; full payment is required to reserve your spot; reservations must be made by Feb. 22. To learn more, contact 436-8043, ext. 20 or registrar@seacentr.org…, or visit www.seacoastsciencecenter.org

As you may be aware, on July 20th, the Star Island Corporation board announced the formation of the “Island Opened Late” committee “to review the elements which lead to the delayed opening of the 2007 season and recommend any changes to board policy and process or the staff and its process.”

The committee has been meeting and reviewing documents, as well as talking to interested Shoalers.

A summary of the committee’s activities to date is available on the web at http://StarIslandOpenedLate.BlogSpot.com – the blog is intended to give the Star Island community a way to know what the committee has been doing. All of the committee’s conclusions and products will be released when they are ready for public review. The blog will *not* contain any “interim” reports or conclusions; it is just a vehicle for talking about the committee’s activities.

The committee welcomes input from the entire Star Island community. Our e-mail address is StarIslandOpenedLate@gmail.com…

In the Star Spirit,

Jordan Young

Chair, “Island Opened Late” committee

Forwarding message from Ben Kunz - benckunz@gmail.com…

Hey Everybody,

Sorry for the late notice but Pelicans are Pelicans.

The Pelicans Present…
A BANQUET BENEFIT FOR STAR ISLAND

Saturday, July 21, 2007
at South Church in Portsmouth, NH.

Social Hour begins at 5:00 p.m. (BYOB)
with dinner fresh from the kitchen of the Oceanic
and a short but spirited Pel Show to follow

Suggested donation $25 (young adults), $50 (adults), $100 or more
(anyone
who can)
All proceeds to benefit Star Island directly in a time of great need

Donations are tax deductible (less banquet value of $25)

Reservations strongly suggested; space is limited
Call the Front Desk at (603) 601-0832 to reserve your space!

CHILD CARE WILL BE AVAILABLE!

(South Church is at 292 State Street in downtown Portsmouth, NH)

Directions are located here

southchurch-uu.org…

You Will Come Back!
Ben Kunz
Snack Bar Supervisor
_______________________________________________
Pelicans mailing list
Pelicans@lists.pelicansarepelicans.com…
pelicansarepelicans.com…

THIS MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF AMY LOCKWOOD. PLEASE REPLY TO alockwood@starisland.org….

Dear Star Island Community Members,

As you know, we have been working closely with the Rye Fire Department and New Hampshire fire officials to outline a thorough process to enhance the level of safety at Star Island. As a result of the assertive planning and execution of the life safety upgrades, we are pleased to inform you that today the Rye Fire Department granted Star Island permission to reopen.

We are so thankful for the support of the safety officials who guided our people through this process, to the licensed professionals who completed the safety upgrades expeditiously, and to our people and the generous community for its uncompromising support as we worked diligently to make the essential life safety upgrades.

Star Island will reopen its doors to conferees Sunday, July 22, 2007.

Our focus now turns to our hotel operations so we may ensure our facilities are ready for the arrival of our conferees and other visitors. We are now contacting conference leaders directly to inform them of the opening as we coordinate the new transportation schedules and other details. We ask for the continued patience of our conferees as we make these arrangements.

During the next several days, we will be contacting our vendors, ordering food, and making the beds in anticipation of our guests. We apologize again for this disruption and we look forward to serving everyone again in the days and months ahead.

We have asked our conference leaders to begin assessing the interest of conferees in attending a personal retreat model conference. Star Island will begin taking reservations from planned guests on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 5 p.m. Priority will be given to the conferences scheduled for this time period. Reservations may be made by contacting the front desk of Star Island’s Oceanic Hotel by calling (603) 601-0832.

Additional details will follow in a subsequent email tomorrow afternoon and will also be posted on our website at www.starisland.org….

Here is a link to the media release we will be sending to press in the morning regarding this news.

www.starisland.org…

Sincerely,
Amy Lockwood

–
Brian Winters FOR AMY LOCKWOOD
Development Associate
Star Island Corporation
10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 8, Worth Plaza * Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 430-6272 * bwinters@starisland.org… * www.starisland.org…

Dear Pelicans!

As you should have read - the Fire Marshall and Safety Folks have reviewed all the work as well as the plans for further upgrades. As those of us you have ever worked on the island know - we will ALWAYS be needing to make things safer - and pick up the bits and pieces (some pretty big) that were done quickly and need to be finished properly - for our safety, not just to satisfy inspectors.

Just from the loss of 5 full weeks and the cost of the various trained safety consultants and licensed State approved engineers to do the work, we have lost a significant amount from our reserves. For us to complete this season, pay the accrued bills, and prepare for next season we MUST make up the losses.

We must complete the 2007 Annual Fund Drive of $625,000 — ** EQUALLY ** important is that we really need to each evaluate how much this piece of rock - that is so much more - means to us and give more generaoulsy than ever before as the additional funds just to cover the expenses of this year is an addition $1.2 million.

This makes a GRAND total of $1.825 million as soon as We Shoalers can manage.

To make this easier - there is a SECURE link at the starisland.org website - so you may donate on line. If you are so moved - you may also send a check (relieving the island of paying the credit card company to transfer the funds).

You can mark that you are a Pelican and should be “categorized” as part of Pelicans or Pelican Reunion (even if you have not yet made it to Pel Reunion!).

Also check the starisland.org web site for regular updates.

I hope to see at least some of you who live nearby at the Banquet & Pel Show fundraiser this Saturday!

Sincerely, Joanne Bulley
‘76 & ‘77

Thank you to everyone who has offered support during this very challenging time. It is heartening that so many people have responded with generous donations, fundraising ideas, and words of encouragement and support.

I am happy to tell you that we now have the capability of accepting Visa or MasterCard donations directly through our website. There is a link to the secure form on the Donating page at starisland.org. Here’s a direct way to get there:

http://www.starisland.org/donating/online

Please let other interested Shoalers know.

Thank you. Together we can meet these challenges.

Karen Muldoon
Development Director

–

SENT BY

Brian Winters
Development Associate
Star Island Corporation
10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 8, Worth Plaza * Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 430-6272 * bwinters@starisland.org *
www.starisland.org…

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070717/NEWS/707170402

By Karen Dandurant

kdandurant@seacoastonline.com

July 17, 2007 6:00 AM

RYE — The staff and “Pelicans” at Star Island have raised the term “making the best of a bad situation” to an art form.

The nonprofit conference center was dealt a heavy blow when it was forced to remain closed instead of opening for the season after failing a fire-safety inspection. Now hoping to open in early August, the center is facing a revenue loss of $1.15 million and an outlay of $330,000 for the mandated electrical work.

While disappointed at the delay, staff members are using the time to get projects done that had been delayed because of a lack of time.

Executive Director Amy Lockwood said the decision to stay active has been a good one.

“We’re all about the silver lining here,” said Stephanie Katz, a “Pelican” and the island naturalist. This is Katz’s third year returning to Star, and she clearly has deep feelings about being there. “Pelican” is an affectionate term used to describe about 100 young people who work on the island.

Each regular job on the island, including docking boats and handling freight; cooking and serving food; maintaining the grounds, buildings, power plant and waste-water treatment facility; and providing all hospitality services is performed by a Pelican.

The Pelicans, invariably upbeat, are the soul of Star Island. The term was started by a worker in the 1920s who bought a sailboat and named it the Pelican.

Katz said the conference center closure has presented some unique opportunities for first-year Pelicans, who usually don’t get their pick of jobs.

“We have nicknames for the jobs here,” she said. “We call them dishies, kitchies, truckies. Since some of the Pelicans can’t do their job without conferees, they are learning some valuable new skills.”

Some Pelicans repaired roofs while others built beds during the enforced stand-down. They were gardening, painting and even working at the waste-water treatment plant. The island staffers generate their own power, handle waste and have a reverse-osmosis water purifier for drinking water. They are completely self-contained.

Since they have spare time, Pelicans are holding classes, learning from each other’s areas of expertise. They learn to sail, they play music and take philosophy classes.

Lorenzo Reef said they are calling themselves residents of Gosport Town and have developed a real sense of community.

“I’m teaching the philosophy class,” he said. “I’m talking about autonomy and free will. We have baking, handyman, knitting classes.”

Star Island is a rambling property that combines the old with the new. Recently, boardwalks have been added to connect buildings. As part of fire-safety measures, 50-foot “trenches” are kept between the old buildings and the brush from the wild parts of the island.

“Making those is really hard work,” said Katz. “But, we’re so invested in keeping this island safe, we are OK with the work.”

It’s not all work, though. Katz said they celebrate all holidays while on the island, like Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Halloween.

“Only the Fourth of July gets celebrated on the right day,” said Katz. “We celebrated all day long; it was great. We built a boat, made paper airplanes and played ‘capture the flag.’ We also play softball, tennis — and there’s lots of board games.”

Star Island is now open to day visitors, but not to overnight guests because the bulk of the work is being done at the former Oceanic Hotel. Sitting in one of the long line of wooden rockers on the big front porch, a visitor took in the spectacular views and peaceful location and cited a desire to sit there forever.

It’s easy to see why Star Island has remained popular ever since the 1600s, when it was a thriving fishing settlement. It’s simply an easy, serene place to be — and soon, it will be back to business as usual.

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 17, 2007
Work at Star Island to enhance life safety ongoing Island life continues for Pelicans in the spirit of original Gosport Shoalers
ISLES OF SHOALS, NH ─ Work at Star Island to enhance life safety is ongoing under the direction
of safety engineers who are on island regularly to execute a plan being devised by fire officials and Star Island jointly. Meanwhile, its seasonal Pelican staff is taking the opportunity to develop a community of active learning in the spirit of the original Gosport, a fishing village founded in the 1600’s, as well as work on maintenance projects. The outpouring of support from community members continues.
“The safety of our employees, conferees and visitors has been and remains our highest priority,” said Amy L.
Lockwood, executive director of Star Island Corporation (SIC). “We are working closely with state and local
fire officials to ensure safety remains paramount and history is preserved. We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with the Rye Fire Department and New Hampshire fire officials. We have worked
together to build a thorough plan to enhance the level of safety. We now have life safety engineers engaged
and on site to execute the plan.
Star Island Corporation experienced a delayed conference opening due to crucial fire safety upgrades. This
temporary closure has affected conference groups from throughout the Northeast region. “We take full
responsibility and we apologize to our conferees and business partners for this disruption,�? Lockwood said.
“We are grateful for the continued support of our conferees, business partners and visitors. We look forward
to serving everyone again very soon.”

Star Island is committed to making changes to its internal operations to ensure future safety improvements are built into its strategic plan, executed in a timely manner and facilities are well maintained to meet or exceed applicable codes. The SIC Board of Directors has established a committee to review the elements
which lead to the delayed opening and recommend any changes to board policy and process or the staff and
its process. It is expected the committee’s report and recommendations will take several months and that a
progress report will be given to the board at its August meeting, Lockwood said.

“Our immediate focus is to ensure life safety remains paramount,” Lockwood said. “This means we will
continue to work diligently to complete the crucial life safety upgrades that will make certain our people and
our facilities are protected and allow the conference center to open as soon as possible.”

While Star Island Corporation works diligently with fire officials towards completing the vital life safety
upgrades on the Island, people from all walks of life are rallying to support Star Island’s fundraising efforts
and preserve its history. “We are grateful for the enormous outpouring of grassroots support from our
conferees, business partners and the general public,” said Lockwood.

At the same time, the seasonal Pelicans have taken the opportunity to enhance their Pelican community by
creating an environment of active learning and teaching one another in the areas of philosophy, photography, knitting, bike and furniture repair and reverse osmosis education, a process used to turn salt water into drinking water on island. They also share nature walks, history lessons and the ghost stories and legends of Gosport from centuries past and present.

The full time and seasonal staff, also known as Pelicans, continue to perform maintenance tasks in anticipation of the guests’ return. For example, the Pelicans are undertaking fire prevention tasks such as expanding Star Island’s fire break. The fire break is a 50- foot buffer between the natural brush on the island and buildings that would delay the spread of any fire and provide more time for evacuation. Persistent teams of Pelicans are working in full Tyvek body suits to clear brush.

Other Pelicans are tasked with maintenance projects such as painting, siding, roofing and carpentry. For
example, furniture repair and bed building is ongoing including the construction of 26 new beds to replace
those in disrepair. The front porch, remembered by visitors most often for the tranquility found in its
wooden rocking chairs, has undergone a full clean-up.

The full-time staff has integrated a new apprentice program into its maintenance planning in the temporary absence of visitors. This is the intentional recruiting of seasonal staff – Pelican apprentices - who came to Star Island in entry level positions and may be interested in working with other departments in future summers.

Apprentices are working in maintenance, the Vaughn Museum, the Shoals Marine Lab, the kitchen, and in logistics. “Work at the Island continues and we will keep the public informed of our progress moving forward, Lockwood said. “We wish to extend a warm gratitude to the local and state fire safety officials who are guiding us through this process and to our generous community for its unyielding support.
The nonprofit Star Island Corporation has owned and operated Star Island for “religious, educational, and
kindred purposes�? since 1916, providing affordable individual and family retreat. While Star Island is founded on the liberal spiritual ideals of Unitarian-Universalism and the United Church of Christ, people of many denominations and faiths (including none) attend conferences regularly. Each of the Star Island conferences is self-administered by a dedicated group of volunteers and the island is staffed in the summer season by over one hundred young people, affectionately known as Pelicans.

Anyone interested in supporting Star Island’s fundraising efforts may log onto its website at starisland.org….
Contact the development team about fundraising efforts by calling Karen Muldoon directly via email at
kmuldoon@starisland.org… or by calling the Star Island office at 603-430-6272.
###
Media Contacts:
Amy L. Lockwood
Executive Director of Star Island Corporation
603-430-6272 (O)
603-817-8694 (C)

THIS MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF AMY LOCKWOOD. PLEASE REPLY TO alockwood@starisland.org….

Dear Star Island Community,

This message is relayed to you with the permission of Connie Lentz and Bart Bouricius.

As you may be aware, on Friday, July 13, Zach Bouricius, a 21-year-old Pelican, suffered a serious fall on Star Island and sustained some serious trauma. He was transported by the Portsmouth Fire Department to Portsmouth Hospital, and was later transferred to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. Zach underwent surgery for multiple fractures Saturday and is in the hospital healing now. He is medically stable.

Zach has much rehabilitation in front of him and is expected to fully recover.

He is at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston in the surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Cards, flowers, and letters to Zach’s room are welcome. While Star Island Corporation does not have a specific room number to offer to you, our understanding is that mail addressed to the surgical ICU will reach Zach promptly.

Our thoughts are with Zach and his family. Connie and Bart are staying with Star Island friends in Boston and are well-tended by close friends.

As you can imagine, other Pelicans have been worried, and, nonetheless, exemplified courage and skill in emergency management response, and compassion as a community in tending to one another as Zach recovers.

Thank you,
Amy Lockwood

–
Brian Winters FOR AMY LOCKWOOD
Development Associate
Star Island Corporation
10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 8, Worth Plaza * Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 430-6272 * bwinters@starisland.org… * www.starisland.org…

A MESSAGE FROM BRAD GREELEY, PRESIDENT. PLEASE DIRECT YOUR CORRESPONDENCE WITH BRAD TO board@starisland.org… OR uubrad@aol.com…. THANKS!

Dear Shoaler:

As luck would have it the Board of Directors had scheduled its annual Island retreat for Thursday, Friday and Saturday (today) of this week. It was a vital time for us all to be together in that place with time to do our business. Let me bring you up-to-date on that meeting.

After a lengthy update from Amy that reassured us that everything was being done to make the Island safe for you, we spent a morning with our fire safety consultant, Nick Cricenti of SFC and our corporation attorney, Tony Delyani. That discussion included all the possible solutions we could imagine. It finally focused on the advisability of making plans that would enable us to open the Hotel as soon as we get the green light from the Rye Fire Chief. We analyzed our loss of income and our additional expenses. We decided the best course was to follow the firm advice of our consultants and devote all our efforts to re-opening the Island to conferees in early August. This is clearly the best possible out come for you who still have a conference to attend (and we will be sure all the beds are filled with those of you who missed your conference are able to join us in August). It is also the best possible solution for us as a Corporation. To do otherwise would be catastrophic, indeed.

That has allowed us to keep the Pelicans employed on the Island, as Amy has informed you. Some of them will be involved in adding the path of the electrical consultants as they track the wiring through out the Island. Others will be fire safety work. And still others will attack the substantial backlog of non-technical maintenance work left over from former years. They are allowed to stay because of the training in fire safety and evacuation.

The Board spent considerable time determining the financial ramifications of the crisis we are experiencing. The decrease in income and increase in accumulated expenses to make our Island safe forces us to ask the Trustees of the Star Island Permanent Trust Fund, who have responsibility for the management and usage of our endowment, for a loan of $1.5 million dollars to see us through the remainder of this year.

Our plan to proceed is predicated on your concern for Star Island being translated into continuing, and, where possible, expanding your support of the Star Island Annual Fund. The Board of Directors, before it left the Island, indicated its commitment by pledging a substantial increase in its personal giving. We are at a serious crossroad and call upon all who have enjoyed Star Island’s unique experience to give more generously than ever.

You, as well as we, wish to be assured that we have learned the serious lessons this crisis imparts. We have established a broad-based committee to review what happened and recommend changes in Board policy and practice and in staffing needs. I am contacting individuals this evening who we have indentified have the skill and abilities which we think will make them particularly valuable participants in this effort. Once the group is in place, we will let you know their names, how to contact them, and the processes for their work so that you stay informed on this front.

We are clear that there is no one thing that caused this circumstance. It is the cascading effect of a number of things. We will be deliberate and thorough in working to understand what they were and rebuild our structure to prevent this from ever happening again.

We know the value of communication. We believe that you are as thirsty for it as we are. We understand the importance of it in keeping us united in our effort to preserve and maintain our beloved Island, particularly when we do not have the experience of gathering together for a week. The Board also worked on a communication plan and committed ourselves to doing all we can to keep you in touch with what is happening. I am sure it feels to many of you that we are holding back and not doing our part in communicating with you. I cannot argue with that feeling. But I can affirm our intention to keep you up to date as best we can in the coming days. It is very much in our interest as well as yours.

Speaking of communication, I want to add my voice to that of Amy’s in recognizing your pain and disappointment and in requesting thoughtful and appropriate discourse in your conversations with our staff. I had no idea how much time they are spending on helping us cope with this crisis until I was on the Island. They deserve your forbearance and courtesy. Thank you for your part in making that the way that we all treat each other.

We have always taken the threat of fire at Star Island very seriously. Nonetheless, the Board reaffirmed its commitment to making Star Island as safe a place to live and enjoy as we possibly can.

And finally, the Board took note that our Executive Director has done an outstanding job in managing and leading us through this crisis, a crisis with its origin long before her arrival among us. I cannot think of any Executive Director I have worked with in 40 years of non-profit experience who could have done a better job. Together, Amy and her staff, the Board, the Pelicans and all of us, will assure our ability to return to our spirit’s home on Star Island.

In the spirit of the Island,
Brad Greeley

PS: Let me also say that our finances will benefit from the generosity of donations in memory of beloved individuals, or other sizeable gifts, to our Permanent Trust. That income, protected in perpetuity, keeps on giving in the form of annual grants to Star Island.

In whatever way your may help our beloved island, we are grateful for your generosity and your faith in us.

–
SENT BY:
Brian Winters
Development Associate
Star Island Corporation
10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 8, Worth Plaza * Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 430-6272 * bwinters@starisland.org… * www.starisland.org…

PLEASE NOTE: THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SENT BY BRIAN WINTERS ON BEHALF OF AMY LOCKWOOD. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COMMUNICATE WITH AMY, HER EMAIL ADDRESS IS alockwood@starisland.org….

Greetings Star Island Community Members:

First, let me say that I wish I were able to write updates much more frequently than time is allowing. All the senior management is working close to around the clock on working with fire professionals, contractors, Pelicans, and many others on the current problems for Star Island.

The priorities we are using in this work are a) work that is actively getting the island open, b) communications and as much support as possible to conferences being directly impacted at the time, and c) communications to the broader community. I deeply apologize for the resulting seemingly inevitable truth right now that communications to the broader community are slower than any of us want. I can assure you the entire senior management team is working well in excess of 80 hours per week to get Star open and communicate with you, and will continue to work as hard as we can to meet your needs.

A brief update from the island:

As you may know, on Wednesday Star Island Corporation was conclusively informed that prior to opening it must complete an electrical survey of the island to map where our electricity comes from and runs to, and detect any areas where circuits might be overloaded or other electrical problems may exist. This project has been on a long term list agreed upon between SIC and fire officials. Star Island Corporation has spent over $780,000 in the last five years alone on fire safety projects. Fire officials feel that this mapping project is a necessary next step to assure the island’s safety before we have guests on the island. As you have probably heard we estimate a timeline of one month to complete the project.

As we have with every step in the process over the last few weeks, within the afternoon of learning this conclusively, we a) arranged all the professionals needed to conduct this project in the most time-efficient manner possible and b) started contacting conference leadership of groups that would be impacted.

Many conferees have asked if we are dedicating enough resources to shortening this timeline. We have contracted with en electrical engineer who is intimately familiar with Star Island’s systems as he has been assessing them on the consultant team originally put together in 2002. He is bringing a work team with him , and in addition we have retained a minimum of six electricians to be on the island over the next month to address any issues as they arise (as well as address issues we already know about). Our electricians, who have been doing Star’s electrical work for over five years, have committed to bringing in extra electricians should we discover any other significant issues as we proceed. We have also committed Pelicans to provide set up and staging assistance when needed. We began project set up work with the electrical engineer on Thursday by giving him planning information he needs. He has confirmed that this team will work every day (that is, including weekends ) for the duration of the project; we have, of course, offered him the opportunity to stay here at the island to the extent he feels that would enhance his ability to perform this work.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to a very positive start with the new interim fire chief in Rye, Skip Sullivan, as he arrives at the island for a visit and collaborative check in on this project on Tuesday. Chief Sullivan took over for Chief Richard O’Brien on Friday as Chief O’Brien moves to a similar position in another New Hampshire community. This visit is a real opportunity for dialogue early in the project to assure we are all working toward similar goals, will allow Chief Sullivan to see the work that is going on firsthand, and will minimize any chances for miscommunication on what those goals should be as we proceed.

We are also working with statewide press as they carry interest in this story. Overall, I am very pleased to have worked collaboratively with all fire officials and the press in this matter. Unfortunately this morning the Portsmouth Herald, which has been carrying this story regularly, issued a story that could imply otherwise. As I missed a reporter’s response deadline by one minute yesterday evening, the Herald decided to run with their own story and hence, the Star Island Corporation did not have the opportunity to state in the article its responses to fire official’s statements. In actuality, Star and fire officials have discussed all the issues in the article extensively and have reached a mutually satisfactory understanding on how they are being addressed. We look forward to having our responses to these statements printed in the Herald as soon as possible.

Six months ago the board of directors had fortuitously scheduled an on-island retreat for this week. They arrived Thursday evening and have been spending intensive time beginning review and dissection of what has happened, the financial impact on the island, and talking with experts to assist them in assessing and selecting proper courses of action. By the end of this retreat today they will announce the results of much of that work in ongoing updates.

One sure decision they assessed and decided upon at this time is that, given all the financial information we have right now in hand, the best course of action is to work as aggressively as possible toward an August opening. The board has done a full assessment of the resources we know we have in hand such as emergency reserves, and those resources have been deployed. The board is in conversation with the board of the Permanent Trust already and will be continuing a conversation about how the Trust can assist the Corporation with short and long term needs successfully.

The brightest spot in all of this challenge is the Star Island Pelicans. I consider myself fortunate to be here on the island where I can be exposed to their energy – some anxious with understandable reasons, but on the whole, amazingly positive and wonderful. This will not surprise you, but their commitment to being the successful front line of stewardship for Star Island in this crisis seems to have no bounds. I was more pleased than I can say to be able to inform them yesterday that our plan is to continue progressing toward an August opening. In the one month window between now and then, we intend to house and employ Pelicans to the level they need. Many have indicated they would welcome voluntary time off during some of this time which we will work to honor. We are currently working on a work plan that will keep daily functions moving along, keep the fire safety work on the highest level of importance, and tackle some large scale, but low-to-moderate expense projects that we’ve dreamed about having time to do for the island for some time – catching up on exterior painting being just one of them.

In other notes, conference deposits are all in the process of being returned now. Many conferees and conferences have asked about whether they can receive reimbursement for expenses they incurred planning on their conference. Please send all such requests in writing with as much specific back up as you have (such as receipts) to Kristi Vazifdar, Finance Manager, at the Star Island Corporation office (kvazifdar@starisland.org…). The board of directors is mapping out a reimbursement policy and will announce it as soon as it is complete. In the meantime, Kristi will collect information sent so we are able to respond to you fully.

Finally, as someone new to Star, it is of course difficult for me to imagine the frustration, pain and fear many of you may be feeling at the loss of your conference or, more importantly, the potential devastating impacts of this event on Star Island’s future. Because we are still fully engaged in two tiers of work, getting the island open and beginning assessment of the impact for the island, we simply do not have all the answers you feel you need on how this happened and how it can be prevented. As you may have heard, the board is in the process of establishing a committee that will be broad-based to assess these questions. Dave Boynton, Vice President of the board, is chairing the committee (d.boynton@comcast.net…). These answers will come together, and the information gathering process has started already. If you have questions you would like to see answers to, or your own insights as to what has occurred, please contact Dave and he will be sure to get your thoughts into the committee’s mix.

In the meantime, I have one request of the community. I ask that you pause and be thoughtful about where and how you direct your fear and anger, as justifiable as it may be. The Star Island Corporation office and other front-line communications staff are taking the brunt of many people’s anger at this time.  They have been subjected to angry messages found on the office door, angry and even abusive email messages, and angry phone calls. They do not deserve this, and such anger is inappropraite for the community of this religious and educational conference center. So I ask that you please bear in mind the thought that the person you speak with on the phone or via e-mail in the office could not possibly have caused the problem at the root of this frustration. In addition, all staff members do truly have the best updates there are at the time. If they do not have the answer to your question it is because we, even in the upper management and board, are still seeking and developing the answer to your question. We have received overwhelming support from many Star Island community members for which we are deeply appreciative.

Now that we are settled on clear plan of work and timeline, my expectation is that we will have more time for regular communications and updates to you. Please know that is a goal, second only to the efforts we are putting into helping Star get back to what it should be – full of conferees enjoying it’s special place in their lives.

Sincerely,
Amy Lockwood
Executive Director

–
Brian Winters
Development Associate
Star Island Corporation
10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 8, Worth Plaza * Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 430-6272 * bwinters@starisland.org… * www.starisland.org…

Dear Friends,

I appreciate your patience and your frustration during this crisis that has caused us to cancel or relocate three of our first weeks of conferences. It is awful. And no one of us on the Board or throughout the Staff feel anything but grief.

What we undertook as a determined and no holes barred effort to correct the list of deficiencies reported to us by the Rye Fire Chief and the State Fire Marshal has failed, at this point, to achieve the desired results.

The State electric engineer did a major report on the needs of much of the Island in 2001. Many of the things on that list have been attended to in the interim. But not all.

The State Fire Marshal informed us officially today that we cannot open until there is a full study of all electrical systems on the Island and work on them to date. We may also need to complete certain projects identified in that report if they are high priority in terms of safety. We have already hired an electrical engineering consultant to do that work. We are arranging with our electrician contractor to follow the consultant and fix everything that he finds deleterious.

The electrical engineering consultant estimates that this work will be complete in a month.

This is horrific news. That our Island home is deemed to be so far from achieving occupancy for our conferences. That our awareness of this is just now being asserted after 5 years of work. That in spite of our intentions we failed to do all we could in the 5 years to assure this would not happen. That so many of us for whom this Island is home to our annual religious retreat will not be able to experience that special time. That not being able to house you and our other conferees on the Island for so many weeks could raise havoc with the plans of 100 Pelicans who are counting on the summer for income and an important personal experience. And that it will create a financial crisis for our beloved Island that will tax us to the limits. This is horrific news.

We are doing everything in our power to be sure that there is no other course that can be taken in these coming weeks. We would not for a moment more wish to put any of you, our conferees and friends, at risk. This is all about safety. Yet we want to be sure there are not alternatives to this horrific situation.

I have appointed a committee to ascertain why we are in this crisis and to recommend needed changes to Board policy and process and to Staff practices and staffing. They will report to the Board in August.

Our grief, yours and mine, is very real. I, we, are deeply sorry for suffering that this crisis has caused so many of us. You and I know that it will take some serious time and effort to repair all the damage that has been. Let me dare to mention to you that it will also take money. There is no doubt in my mind that if we had had sufficient funds, we would never have failed to make our Island compliant with the safety codes. We are well begun on making it safe. We have a long way to go to have sufficient funds to do so. We need everyone to help, more, in that regard.

In the spirit of the Island,
Brad
board@starisland.org… / uubrad@aol.com…
(603) 430-0969

–
Sent by:
Brian Winters
Development Associate
Star Island Corporation
10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 8, Worth Plaza * Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 430-6272 * bwinters@starisland.org… * www.starisland.org…

With 55 registered conferees there are two more days til the conference is open to anyone. During a meeting with Laity a few weeks ago, they told us that they are filled and already have a waiting list! Let’s get going people! On time registrations are vital to the growth of this conference. Please follow the link http://www.pelicansarepelicans.com/reunion
or give us a call with any questions. 603-436-9392

Hope to see you on the Island!

Rebecca and Jonathan

Star Island Community Update from Amy Lockwood, Executive Director, and Brad Greeley, President.

22 June 2007

As anticipated, Star Island Corporation has been preparing for a facility inspection on Thursday, June 21. In the course of these preparations there was some fairly in-depth research and assessment needed of progress on our hotel electrical systems. We were pleased to learn that a contracted electrical engineer who has inspected the facility today was pleased with the progress that has been made on bringing the 130 year old building up to code. As always there is a great deal to do to assure the safety of our conferees and each phase of our work is an element in arriving at the goal.

Unfortunately the time needed to conduct this assessment delayed our fire inspection. We now hope that inspection will come early next week, and we will be open for conferences no later than the middle of the week.

We will look forward to welcoming the Natural History Conference, which focuses it study and discussion on aspects of the natural environment of the Islands and issues of stewardship and living a religious life. YRUU has been welcomed by Ferry Beach in Maine, which will allow them to preserve the full week experience together. A third conference, the Isles of Shoals Historic Research Association (ISHRA) has canceled its summer conference (although will keep its annual fall conference), and all ISHRA conferees are invited to attend as NHC conferees and enjoy that conference’s programs.

We continue to be deeply grateful to the Shoals Marine Lab on Appledore Island. They have been in close touch and strongly supportive of our staff as we have worked to complete the necessary improvements.

CONTACTS:
Affected ISHRA Conferees: Amy Cook, registrar, ptilota@yahoo.com or (603) 440-8010
Affected YRUU Conferees: Rebecca D. Hutton, registrar, kimreef@hotmail.com or (978) 362-1149
Offers of volunteer assistance: Irene Bush, volunteer coordinator, SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Star Island update for the morning of June 22, 2007", url: "http://pelicansarepelicans.org/star-island-news/star-island-update-for-the-morning-of-june-22-2007/" });

From http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070515/NEWS/705150417&emailAFriend=1

By Karen Dandurant
kdandurant@seacoastonline.com…

May 15, 2007 6:00 AM

RYE — Last month’s storm caused extensive damage to White Island Lighthouse, the pet project of the Lighthouse Kids.

State engineer Tom Mansfield said the covered walkway that connected the keeper’s house to the tower broke apart for the first time since it was erected in 1842.

Retired North Hampton teacher Sue Reynolds and her class of seventh-graders are the driving force behind the Lighthouse Kids, a group that banded together to raise money to restore White Island Light when it fell into disrepair. After many fund-raisers, the students contributed money that two summers ago was used to repair the tower and put a new roof on the keeper’s cottage.

“There was fairly extensive damage,” said Reynolds about the storm. “The solar panels and foghorn are destroyed. This would be the Coast Guard’s responsibility to restore. The covered walkway is destroyed and also the landing to enter the tower. Places on the northeast face of the tower have had the white parget material washed away so the brick is exposed.”

Mansfield said Dan Hayward of the state’s tern project went out on May 6 to assess damage to the islands.

“He took a bunch of pictures and sent them to me,” said Mansfield. “I was appropriately astounded. The covered walkway is physically washed away. About one-third is lying in the ravine it crossed. The solar panels that run the lighthouse were washed away, and the foghorn is now a smashed-up tin can.”

The state wants to rebuild the walkway because it is an historical icon, said Mansfield.

“There are possibilities for money,” he said. “We will file a FEMA claim. That’s a 75/25 match, so we will still need to come up with some money. Sue Reynolds and the Lighthouse Kids will help, and we may be able to use some of the state conservation license plate funds.”

The damage makes the timing of a walkathon scheduled for Friday seem fortuitous.

The LHK walk leaves from Rye Harbor at about 3:30 p.m., said Reynolds. Participants will walk four miles to the south end of North Hampton beach, where a trolley will take them back.

Mansfield said construction on White Island, accessible only by boat or helicopter, would be difficult with the equipment, supplies and manpower needed to carry out the repairs.

“The Lighthouse Kids have been remarkable,” said Mansfield.

Reynolds said she thinks the repairs already done may have saved the lighthouse itself.

“If it hadn’t been restored in 2005, I don’t think there’d be a tower to save,” she said.

For details on The Lighthouse Kids, visit www.lighthousekids.org. Donations for the restoration can be sent to Lighthouse Kids, P.O. Box 96, Rye, NH, 03870.

Dear Pelicans,

For those of you that know Buffy (Diane) Bierman Carson I want to let you know, the date has been set for the Memorial service of Joy for the life of Phil Carson, Buffy’s husband, has been set:

The Celebration is

APRIL 14
10:30
St George’s Episc Church
Durham, NH

Lots of Barbershop singing and flowers and JOY

I am sure all of us who know her have thoughts for Buffy at this time and for the near future.   The first year is so hard.

Joanne Bulley

Hello all,
Blue Books should have arrived in your mailbox by now. As you have filled out your registration form, as I know you all have done already, you might notice something ‘missing’ from the registration form. No place to request lobster! Has the world gone mad?
No, just streamlined a bit. Lobsters may be ordered upon check in. Believe it or not, this is easier for registrars and the kitchen.
Also, on the back, there is a special place to fill in when you were a Pel and what crew. Did you work when there was a Paint Crew and a Carp Crew? Or did you experience Buildings and Grounds!
Things have changed and I want to hear all about it. If you are interested in sharing your stories or memories, let me know!

Happy (Almost) Spring!
Rebecca

Office Manager - The Star Island Corporation, a nonprofit religious and educational conference center seeks a year-round FT Office Manager to work in our Portsmouth, NH office to provide administrative support to staff and manage all phases of office operations. Must be well organized, take charge person with ability to work independently in a small, busy office with an emphasis on database & meeting management & human resources support. Position works closely with the public so strong customer service skills are required. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel & Access a must. 3-5 years relevant education and/or experience. Salary commensurate with experience; excellent benefit package. Forward cover letter, resume, & salary requirements by 3/12 to: OM Search, Star Island Corporation, 10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 8, Portsmouth, NH 03801, or e-mail to office@starisland.org…. For more info, visit our web site at www.starisland.org.

Justina Kone Maji
Office Assistant
Star Island Corporation
10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 8
Worth Plaza
Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801
603.430.6272

Hello fellow Pels,

I hope this winter has been treating everyone with kindness.

Plans for this years conference are well underway. I, Rebecca Emerson, along with my husband, Jonathan Brown, are the chairs and are looking forward to a great weekend! Many of you have ‘rolled-over’ your registration from last year, Thank you. If you are planning on attending for the first time this year, welcome!

Due to an unexpected production delay, the 2007 Blue Book is not yet in the mail. They had previously expected this mailing to occur by February 9 at the latest, and apologize for the inconvenience this has caused.

The 2007 Blue Book and 2007 Registration Form have been on their web site at www.starisland.org… since last week and they are happy to report that many people have registered for conferences already (the blue book and registration form has been downloaded over 3,000 times in the last six days). They have redone the home page to ensure that the link to the brochure is the first thing people see when they log onto the site.

Tomorrow, they will send a one-time e-mail notification to everybody in the database who has an e-mail address listed, and by Monday, they will mail Blue Books, first class, to everybody in the database.

Our conference has a web site, http://pelicansarepelicans.org/reunion  with all the details that will be in the blue book.

Please email us with any questions, comments or concerns.

Cheers,
Rebecca
Pel 91-94

Philip L. Carson
1941 - 2007
Philip L. Carson, 65, of Durham Point Road, died Feb. 19, 2007 at his home in Durham.

Born June 10, 1941 in Detroit, Mich., he was the son of Lloyd and Nellie (Sponhouer) Carson. Raised in Detroit, he lived in Dover for several years before moving to Durham twelve years ago.

During his professional life he was president of several shoe companies. He was president of a division of Genesco where he developed and marketed the first comfort shoe for women. He also ran the wholesale operation for Tom McAnn Shoes. He held many offices and was president of Boston Shoe Travelers Association and was a member of the 210 Foundation.

For the last fifteen years, along with his wife, they operated a successful sales and marketing agency.

Philip’s life was full of joy and love. He expressed these through participation in various barbershop choral groups. He believed that barbershop singing instilled family values and the joy of music to people of all ages. He was a member of the Society for The Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in American, was a member and past president of the Yankee Clipper Chorus in Portsmouth, Fore River Boys, and was past president of the Worcester Men of Song. He was also a founding member of the Seacoast’s newest group, The Seacoast Men of Harmony, in Dover.

He was a member of the Rochester Elks and was secretary of Deer Point Land Owners Association.

He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Diane Bierman Carson of Durham; his step-father, Austin (Bud) Kerin of Pittsburgh, PA; 5 children, Kathleen Swan of Worcester, Ma, Lori Ellen Heim of Springfield, Ma, Julie Carson of Auburn, Ma, Jill Carson of Worcester, Ma, and Philip L. Carson Jr. of Madera, Fl; 7 grandchildren; a brother, Lloyd Carson of West Va; a sister, Marion Preston of Michigan; a cousin, Annibel Lee Webster of Estero, Fl; two nephews, Mark Carson & family of Wixom, MI, and Leroy Carson & family of Detroit, Michigan; and one niece Debbie May and her family of Wixom, MI. He was predeceased by a brother Leroy Carson.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, should friends desire memorials may be made to the Wentworth Homecare & Hospice, 113 New Rochester Road, Suite 4, Dover, NH 03820.

The Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home, 77 Exeter Street, Newmarket, is assisting with arrangements.

Visit www.kentandpelczarfh.com to view this obituary online.

Hello Star Friends!

Star Island is looking to fill the temporary position of Assistant Facilities Manager for the 2007 season.  Attached is the advertisement, which will be running in this weekends papers and the job description.  If you or anyone you know would be qualified and/or interested let us know!

• afm-ad-3.doc
• assistant-facilities-manager-jd.DOC

Justina Kone Maji
Office Assistant
Star Island Corporation
10 Vaughan Mall, Suite 8
Worth Plaza
Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801
603.430.6272

Betty Sue (Ford) Lentz will be 80!!!!! on 6 March
2007. Her daughters and grandkids would be very
appreciative if you send her a birthday card. Her new
address is 70 Nassau Dr., Springfield MA 01129.

She has been an inspiration, babysitter, peacenik and
ST*R maven to hundreds, if not thousands. She
celebrated 50 years attending ST*R conferences in ‘06!
(She calls herself a ‘27 Ford).

Humbly yours, Laurie Janey and Connie Lentz
Harrison Tessa Eleni Marshall Zach Adam and Josh
Marino     Frye      Bouricius

“Joe and Brenda Watts, with their children Joey, left, 8 months, and Lily, 2, are the winners of The Rosa’s “How I was Proposed To” essay contest. Joe wrote a proposal to Brenda, put it in a bottle, had his friend plant it on the beach, then led Brenda to find it.”  Read the full story at http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/02142007/nhnews-ph-por-rosa.contest.html

Here in Dover,(NH) we have a bar called “The Barley Pub”-which primarily sells local/microbrews, no food and has live music. On days that it snows, they sell $1 Guiness. (I don’t care for Guiness, but - it was a buck!), it was also the only place open yesterday….nasty nasty snow storm, anyways…..On the wall, over the bar, a rifle of some sort is mounted with a plaque that reads “This gun was used in the capture and transport of Louis Wagner, of the Smuttynose Island Murder infamy in 1843″ or something like that, the only connection that I can see, is that they sell Smuttynose Ale, but I thought if anyone was REALLY interested in that, or has a spare minute on their way to or from the Island, its kind of neat, plus we have a great down town to walk around…. or come stay at The Schooner House Inn!
Karen Mairs
1986-91?

Star friends,

We just wanted to remind people that Ruth Koe’s memorial service is this coming Sunday, February 18th at 2:00PM at the First Church and Parish of Dedham (UUA.)

We also wanted to invite anyone who wanted to, to share a little story or a memory at the service.

If you will be unable to attend but would like your story or memory shared please feel free to send it to me, so we can be sure to include it.

Star Island and the people of Star meant A LOT to Ruth and we wanted to be sure that her Star family was included.

Thank you on behalf of Ruth’s family for all the kind words we have received over the past month.

Melanie Elliot (Grand Daughter)

Photographer Alexandra de Steiguer is featured in the Jan/Feb issue of
Yankee Magazine.

Please pick up a copy or go to www.Yankeemagazine.com for the article called
“The Winter Caretaker: Isles of Shoals�?