WELCOME SHOALERS!

ALL STAR II BOAT LETTER 2006


This is the letter that describes everything you’ll want and need to know about preparing for All Star II this year. EVERYONE should read it - even you Old Shoalers who think you know all of it already.  The Boat Letter will also be on the All Star II web site (www.allstar2.gurus.com)   It is important to read that carefully as well.

BEFORE YOU PACK:

We are continuing the tradition of having custom designed All Star II 2006 T-shirts available for purchase.  You can look at the design and get further information on our website (www.allstar2.gurus.com).  Make sure your kids and teenagers know about them too.  

Bring something for the Art Auction. Of course you can always do the work on the island but you could also bring something with you that you've drawn, painted, or made in prior years.    Proceeds from the Art Auction help support the Ginny Levine Shoalership Fund which is used to bring shoalers to Star who might otherwise be unable to come.

This year we will continue the tradition of a “cleaning out the cupboards” Adult Farewell Party.  Conferees bring snacks or drinks to the party that they have brought to the island and have not consumed.  This lightens the return luggage and helps the All Star II budget.

WHAT TO BRING/PACK:

This is NEW ENGLAND.  Be prepared to enjoy a variety of weather every ten minutes.  Think layers since the days usually start out cool, may get quite warm by early afternoon and cool down at night.  Sweatshirts, long pants, warm socks and windbreakers are necessary. Unfortunately, rain gear can also be helpful but sun screen, swim wear and beach towels are also useful.  Water temperature is chilly but those early morning "polar bears" are a hardy, determined lot! The island is rocky, so sneakers and sturdy shoes are best. Bring enough clothes to last a full week.  But remember that you can wear the same clothes over again.  After all, if we’re lucky, we get two showers during the week.  Star is a casual place but on Banquet Night people do "dress up" a bit, so at least one nice outfit is suggested.

Island rooms have no locks so leave your valuables at home.  Bring a flashlight as the uneven terrain makes walking at night tricky.  The electrical service is very limited so do not bring appliances with heating elements - their use is strictly forbidden in your bedroom.  Outlets for hair dryers are available only in a few bathrooms (i.e. basement of Oceanic).

Sports activities are available "Star Island" style so bring your tennis racket, softball glove, and a Frisbee. There are a few rackets, bats and gloves available for common use.  Musical instruments that you enjoy playing are always welcome. The All Star II conferees are a very musical group, with lots of singing and chances to play your instrument.  Some shoalers bring treats (like real maple syrup or hot sauce) to share at meals with tablemates.  

Most shoalers look at their week on Star as a chance to get closer to the natural world.  Spend a week without cell phones, laptops, game-boys, Walkmans, mp3 players etc.  You can do it!  While frowned upon, cell phones may be used in your own rooms but there are no hookups for checking e-mail on island, nor facilities for fax sending or receiving, except in extenuating circumstances (the island has only two phone lines). Our week on Star should be a retreat and a break from most technology.

The ferry ride from Rye only takes about half an hour, is usually smooth but not always.  If you need it, make sure you bring your motion sickness pills/devices.  

Finally, think of Star Island as wilderness experience. Take only pictures, leave only shoe prints.  Whatever you bring in, plan to carry it out. This applies especially to food/drink bottles or cans you may have brought.  Recycle your empties in Rye or at home.

HOW TO PACK IT ALL:

Now the hard part - all of the above must be consolidated, securely packed and not weigh over 50 lbs. because Pelican luggage handlers will not load anything over 50 pounds.   Our new ferry service, with smaller boats, requires that we practice wardrobe restraint!   ONE bag (plus carry-on) per person limit!  Keep in mind the safety of luggage handling crews and be aware that luggage will be passed on and off the boat and over railings.  Loosely packed items run the risk of being dropped in the water during handling.  Carry-on luggage is limited to what will fit on your back, under the seat or in your lap.  

ALL luggage must be labeled with your name, address & phone number before you arrive at the dock.   Duffle bags are the preferred form of luggage (no garbage bags or paper bags please).   All bags must be securely closed since cargo nets may be used to move your baggage.  Put any valuable items and anything you can’t live without such as glasses, medicines, contact lenses, etc. in your carry-on luggage.

DIRECTIONS TO RYE HARBOR:

From the North:
Take 95 South to Exit 5, take first exit to Rt. 1 Bypass and stay in left lane for the Portsmouth Traffic Circle. Take Rt. 1 South Exit off of the traffic circle. Follow Rt. 1 South; take a left onto Elwyn Road (the set of lights after McDonalds). Follow Elwyn Road until it intersects with Rt. 1-A at Foyes Corner. This is a 3-way stop, go straight through onto Rt. 1-A, follow until you come to Rye Harbor.

From the South:
Take 95 North to Exit 1 onto Rt. 107 toward Seabrook, go 0.5 mi. Turn left onto Lafayette Rd (US-1) for 4.2 mi. Turn right onto Rt. 27 East. Follow until it ends at the ocean. Turn left onto Rt. 1-A and follow all the way to Rye Harbor.

From the West:
Take Rt. 101 East to North Hampton/Rye Exit. Exit left onto Rt. 111 East. Follow Rt. 111 East until the end and turn left onto Rt. 1-A North, follow Rt. 1-A North to Rye Harbor.

PARKING AND COSTS

Once you arrive at Rye Harbor, check in with a parking attendant. The attendant will have a conference list to confirm that you are going to Star Island and will then direct you to the Star Island parking area where Pels will be waiting to give check-in and parking instructions. The fee for parking is $9.50 per day. If a conferee car is not parked in the Star Island lot and issued a parking permit by the Pelican on duty, the owner of the vehicle must notify the Front Desk immediately upon arrival on the island. The owner must complete a form indicating where the car is parked and must leave keys with the desk so that the car may be properly parked. If the desk is not notified, the car will be towed at the owner’s expense.

There are no tickets - your fares will be added to your room and board bill.  Round trip, including taxes, is $32.50 for passengers thirteen years (13) and older, and $28.50 for children age three (3) to twelve (12).  Children under three are not charged.  Your name will appear on a boarding list and you will get a hand stamp to serve as your ticket to board the conference boat.

Pick up your family's name tags from Susan Marsh or Gail Colella.  Put them on and don’t take them off until you get back to Rye a week later!

Get a copy of the Dockside Post.  Enjoy getting up to speed with the latest Island and All Star II news.  Watch for the latest changes to Saturday's schedule in the Post.

Your luggage will be unloaded and delivered to your room on island, hopefully safe and sound.  However, the Star Island Corporation is not responsible for replacement or repair of conferee luggage lost at sea or damaged in transport.     

BOARDING THE BOAT

First Boat
 12:00 pm    ARRIVE at Rye Harbor
Drop off luggage and park
Pick up name tags & Dockside Post
         1:30 pm    BOARD & be checked in by Boat Liaisons – Joyce & Parker Hirtle
          1:55 pm    BOARDING STOPS *** No exceptions ***
 2:00 pm    DEPARTURE  
 2:30 pm    Arrive Star Island
            
Second Boat
      2:00 pm    ARRIVE at Rye Harbor
                                        Drop off luggage and park
                                        Pick up name tags & Dockside Post
         3:15 pm    BOARD & be checked in by Boat Liaisons - Ed & Meg Doty    
          3:25 pm    BOARDING STOPS **** No exceptions ***
         3:30 pm    DEPARTURE  
     4:00 pm    Arrive Star Island
                                

WHEN YOU REACH THE ISLAND:

Register at the Front Desk in the Lobby then check the Starboard, (chalkboard with information about all conference activities) also in the Lobby. If you’re not scheduled for a staff meeting, relax and enjoy the island.  There will be a Saturday Hospitality on the front porch of the Oceanic to greet all shoalers with some drinks and snacks.  At 4:30 pm EVERYONE must be in Elliot for the Mandatory Orientation.  

A family conference means there are lots of families (parents, grandparents) and lots of kids, over 85 at last count.  This conference works best when everyone is aware that the rules are there for reasons and they apply to everyone.  Bedtimes and curfews serve the purpose of making sure children and teens are well rested because we all keep pretty busy during the day.  Children’s boundaries are for the safety of younger children.  Parents or guardians are always responsible for their children except when the kids are in morning or afternoon groups.  Check in with one another on a regular basis, at meals, over ice cream, on a walk.  This should be one week in the year that everyone has time to share with one another.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SATURDAY SCHEDULE AFTER ARRIVAL:

 (subject to last minute change…)
    2:30        First boat arrives/check in at the front desk in the lobby
    3:00        Childrens Staff meeting in Sandpiper
             4:00              Second boat arrives/check in at the front desk in the lobby
             2:30 - 4:30       Enjoy refreshments on the porch    
             4:30                 MANDATORY orientation for EVERYONE in Elliot
    5:30           Social Hour
    6:30          Dinner
7:30                     Island walking tours leaving from Front Porch    
    9:30          Chapel (Chairs) * * * note early start time
            10:30          Dictionary in Newton
 

BEDTIMES:    

8:00 pm    Nestlings & Skimmers
8:30          Puffins
9:00         Terns
9:30         Gulls

CURFEWS:

10:30 PM     Jr. Teens
11:00         Mid Teens
Midnight     Sr. Teens  
              

ON THE ISLAND:

 There is a doctor and nurse on staff and available at all times for emergencies. Regular clinic hours are one hour before each meal. Be sure to alert the Island and Chairs of any significant change in your Health Status. And please note that under the best of circumstances, it can take almost 2 hours to transport someone from the island to the hospital.

There is a small lobby store where you can get toiletries and small personal items as well as order newspapers from the mainland.  There is also a snack bar, gift shop and bookstore on island so bring some cash with you.  You can cash personal checks on the Island if needed.  Credit cards are not accepted, so be sure to have personal checks or cash available for those expenses.  Hotel bills MUST be paid by check.

PELICAN GRATUITIES:

The conference center is staffed by a group of young people affectionately known as Pelicans. Pelicans are paid as salaried employees and gratuities are included in the conference room and board bills.  If you want to show your appreciation, please contribute to the Annual Fund, which also benefits the Pelicans. If you wish, you may make a donation to a Pelican Enrichment fund which is used exclusively for Pelican-related projects and activities.

BABY SITTING:

The island staff provides baby sitters who are on duty every evening from 8 to 11 p.m.  All families with one or more children under the age of 8 will have $38 added to their room and board bill to cover the cost for childcare service.
 

IMPORTANT ISLAND POLICIES AND REQUESTS


OUR SPIRIT'S HOME

Those of us who love Star Island need to contribute to the Star Island Annual Fund.  Please be as generous as you can.

This year Scott Ward will be the All Star II Adult Music Director.  Scott will direct the Adult Choir and Chorus, as well as provide music for chapels and those who may need it for Stunt Night or the Musicale.  

Bring ideas for Stunt Night or the Musicale. We have several shoalers involved with these events and volunteers are always welcomed or coerced, which ever works best.

Breakfast will be buffet style again this year.
    
We still have a number of people on the waiting list so if anyone has to drop out at the last minute, PLEASE let us know immediately so someone else can fill your slot.
 
We’ll be greeting all of you on the pier in less than a month!  We can hardly wait!
You will come back!  You will come back! You will come back!

Sara and John
631-849-3525