Isles of Shoals Association (Unitarian Universalist), Inc.
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About the Association
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Mission The mission of the Star Island Gift Shop is to raise funds for the Isles of Shoals Association-(UU), Inc. to use to ultimately benefit Star Island–through the sale of merchandise that reflects conference themes, perpetuates the Star Island spirit, and promotes Star Island religious and educational programs.
History The Gift Shop had its beginnings as a weekly fair in the lobby of the Oceanic Hotel. Early conferences (then known as Alliances) were the chief contributors of donated articles for sale. In 1955, Mrs. Lyndon Tewksbury accepted responsibility for the fair and proposed changing its name to "The Star Island Gift Shop." She vowed to "endeavor to get better articles to sell rather than the type of goods they sell at a fair." A copy of the minutes that include Mrs. Tewksbury's report are available here. Page 1, Page 2.For several years the shop operated from a table in the lobby, with storage cupboards in a corner of the Peace Room. In 1960, the Peace Room was partitioned and the Gift Shop had a home of its own. Tom Mansfield and Bruce Parsons worked on the renovation. They "slid the wall down and had to reverse it in order to make it fit," according to Ruth Koe. Edith Doolittle and Ruth founded the current Gift Shop in 1968. A sign placed over the doorway in spring 1998 recognizes and celebrates their endeavor. Emeritae Gift Shop committee members Edith, Ruth, and Beatrice Miller, actively support and continue their involvement in the shop's operation. Since 1968, the shop has broadened its merchandise, offering a variety of Star Island logo clothing, stationery, and "stuff" to clothe, occupy and amuse Star Island visitors. Warm sweats, hats, mugs and T-shirts are a specialty. We have also sold a map of Star Island, which will be familiar to many shoalers. The shop was redesigned by Tom Mansfield and renovated in 1995. The handsome and handy built-in cubbies were designed and installed by Paul Doolittle (with a little design help from a related committee member). Steve Manning constructed the cabinets.
The Gift Shop Committee (click for photo)
The Gift Shop Committee manages the shop. That includes setting policy, selecting and ordering merchandise, supervising the summer manager and scheduling volunteer assistants. The committee consists of voting members and members emerita*. Comments and/or suggestions are welcome. For information or to submit ideas and designs please write: Star Island Gift Shop Committee, P.O. Box 1409, Portsmouth, NH 03802 |
