STAR Island

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About this quest

When you meet someone on a camping trip who asks if you want to volunteer on an Island with them, you say yes.

I met Mia Khavari on a group camping trip organized by a club (NUHOC) in University. I had just graduated at this point, and this trip was a final hurrah to being a student. There are three things to know about Mia: first, she loves birds, second is that STAR island is a huge part of her life, third she swears that Universalist Unitarians are not a cult.

Funnily enough, I joined her at the island and helped volunteer, waking up at 6 am to haul luggage down a fireline and clean rooms for the next set of guests on the island. It was the easist way to be able to come out and visit.

Through my visits, her love for the island and the family she's made there becomes evident. I hope to share some of that here

STAR Island

Star Island is one of the nine Isles of Shoals located seven miles off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine. The nonprofit Star Island Corporation has owned and operated Star Island since 1916, providing affordable individual and family retreats. While Star Island is founded on the liberal spiritual ideals of Unitarian-Universalism and the United Church of Christ, people representing a variety of beliefs attend conferences regularly.

Mia and her family are members of the Unitarian Unversalists (UU) — which I've learned is liberal religion, and been told numerous times is not a cult — "Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religious tradition, committed to beliefs of interdependence in all beings and the Earth, pluralism of theological diversity and experience, social justice and adaptation, gratitude and hope, and the central idea that every person is worthy of love, respect, compassion, and the ability to thrive. They are a creedless organization and believe in seeking wisdom and knowledge from all cultural backgrounds and religions. " - Unitarian Universalist Association

One really cool piece about this specific building; there are hops that are growing on the sides of the door. I had never seen hops in real life, but it was awesome to see it growing like a vine... and yes the hops smell like what you'd expect (I personally really like it)

The Pelicans

The Island Staff, Pels for short, run the entire island. From unloading the docks as new conferences come at the beginning of the week, to cooking food, doing the laundry and cleaning all of the rooms on the island. The Pels are the backbone of the island. Meeting them (and volunteering myself) made me feel like I was part of a big family, like a summer camp counselor once again, but the adults at the conference where the campers.

featured are one of the Pels and Mia's friends who works in the wordworking shop and was repairing a chair. On right is one of the shared meals with the Pel's that worked the morning shift (myself included).

Olympus XA | 35mm | Ultramax 400 & Chinon CM1 | 35mm |

Conferences & Island Traditions

The final night of the conference, also known as Banquet night, coincided with Mia's familys' conference; Life on Star Island 1 (primarily Universilast Unitarians). We spent the evening sharing a meal with her family before rushing off to help run the rest of the Banquet Night with the rest of the Pels.

After dinner, as is tradition, there was the Grand March. A celebration of the different Pels who helped run the conference, with everyone cheering, clapping and singing as different groups ran through the mess hall. Followed by us all going outside to hold hands sing and walk in a spiral (with the Grand March music still playing). One of Mia's cousins again joked about UU & Star island being almost cult like — once again, not beating the allegations.

Mia during the day runs the marine lab, but at night works witht the music director to put on shows with the island band; Grease Trap. Everyone came out to the docks, where we danced and listened to them play late into the night, with their equipment strung out of the back of the truck.

P.S. their band rocks.

Olympus XA | 35mm | Ultramax 400

Mia's Band: Grease Trap

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