Month: November 2018

Dedication of the Useppa Museum Miller Room – Thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin – On Saturday night, November 24th Island neighbors and friends gathered in the Barbara Sumwalt Museum to dedicate the Miller Room. It was a chance to both honor the memory of Paul F. Miller Jr and to celebrate all he and Warren Miller have done for Useppa’s Museum and the Useppa Island Historical Society. Last year’s Museum Fundraiser paid tribute to both Paul and Warren, and the money raised enabled this year’s interior redesign to accommodate larger crowds attending Museum events. Because of Paul and Warren’s stewardship, the voluntary contribution of architectural design advice, the physical sweat equity of hard working men and women, the Museum Board, its Director Rona Stage and The Useppa Island Club, the Barbara Sumwalt Museum is both a place to learn Useppa history and to gather together as an island community.

Thanksgiving on Useppa 2018 – Thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin – Thanksgiving on the Island begins on Wednesday when the Cookie Brigade bakes chocolate chip cookies and draws pictures for the men and women who take care of Useppa. This year the children’s good deeds were rewarded when Deputy Fire Chief Chris let them play with a hoses at the Firehouse. On Thursday all ages played in the pool, walked the beach, visited with friends, walked pets and enjoyed Island life. The Collier Inn served a traditional Thanksgiving meal, and the hospitality of its staff made all of us feel welcome. Dinner was delicious. On Useppa we are all a family.

Useppa Members Welcome Back Party Part II – Pictures and thoughts by UseppaGin – The smiles were genuine, the fellowship real at the Useppa Island Club Members Welcome Back Party. Summer was rough this year in Florida. For year-rounders to be able to gather outside with friends old and new was especially meaningful. We don’t take island life for granted. For seasonal residents just being back on Useppa was cause for celebration. Thank you to Useppa Island Club Management and Staff for a great evening.

Useppa Island Members Cocktail Party Part I – Pictures and thoughts by UseppaGin – It was the best Members Party in recent memory. The setting both across the new Collier Patio and inside the Inn was perfect. Gourmet stations with appetizers and dishes tempted and satisfied every palette. New and long-time Members mixed sharing family and Island stories. The Collier staff seemed to enjoy it as much as their guests. The evening ended with everyone smiling.

Veterans Day and More – Words and Pictures by UseppaGin – On Useppa we celebrate Veterans Day with the quiet raising of flags in honor and memory of the men and women who served and are serving now in our country’s military. Thank you to each of them and to their families. We enjoy our freedom because of you.

Halloween and More on Useppa – words and photos by UseppaGin – From the TV weatherman interviewing a visiting star at Halloween’s Happy Hour to the completion of the new pool and Collier patio, a rebuilt Bill’s Grille, Island family visits and reunions; life on Useppa has been busy. Costumed members and guests gathered on Friday night in the Tarpon Bar. Over the weekend the first dives celebrated a reopened pool, and lunches were served again on the patio. Boats from the Field Club from Sarasota docked at the Marina. People played croquet. Another Useppa season is underway.