Out of Portsmouth Harbor we motored on the fishing vessel, Perseverance. It was my fifth year as a volunteer on Star island in the Isle of Shoals. This year my two sisters went along for the adventure. A full weekend of chores was in store for us in our assigned tasks of cleaning, and gardening.
The Oceanic hotel has been in operation since back in the days before electricity. It still evokes another era as one of the grand dames of period architecture - graceful staircases, wainscoting and a general ambiance of class in all the details. The chapel is the central building of about six other stone ones. It was once used with multiple purposes as general store, meeting house and storage.
The island has a religious past as a retreat and still is supported in this mission. It has become a successful place for many people to get away for a weekend, engage in one of the many workshops offered or just be. Elegant in one sense but simple in another. The place has nothing you would expect but everything you hope for - quiet solitude, the wind and water, friendships to be made, a moment or two for reflection in our hurry up world. It is always with dedication we give our time to keep this wonderful place going. And did I mention the food? Upscale like you wouldn't believe for an island where everything has to be brought in. They are going green in many ways but the upkeep is constant. I was taken off my assignments when they found out about the one task I could do and I spent the rest of my time prepping old window frames with a heat gun, removing broken glass, adding new panes, points then glaze. I loved it!
www.starisland.org
Guest post and photos today by member Deborah Curtin. Thank you for this information and the photos.
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