Author: Useppa

Thank You in More Than Words: Useppa’s Employee Christmas Fund – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – It’s that time of year to tangibly support Useppa’s stewards, the men and women who take care of the island we love. It’s time to give to the annual Employee Christmas Fund. Rebuilding after Hurricane Ian was still going on when Hurricanes Helene and Milton smacked Useppa. Instead of giving up, our employees only worked harder. Landscaping and debris cleanup is well underway. Our infrastructure is up and running. Shoulders squared and smiling, our boat captains juggle people, mail, packages, and tides, coming and going from a small Village dock. There is a new Joseffa Boutique in the Pro Shop, a Reception Center and Mailroom in Grandmother’s Cottage. The Bocilla Shoreport is being rebuilt. Housekeeping is busier than ever. There is a new chef at the Collier, the best we’ve ever had. The restaurant and kitchen staff are smiling. This year more than ever we need to say a concrete thank you and donate to the Useppa Island Employee Christmas Fund. Our staff has made recovery happen.

Thanksgiving on Useppa – Thoughts and Photos by UseppaGin – Thanksgiving was quiet on Useppa this year, but it was the best Thanksgiving dinner ever at the Collier Inn. Recovery after Hurricanes Helene and Milton is still going on and rebuilding the main dock is a slow and arduous process, but the spirit of the island never left. Those of us here are grateful for each other and grateful our island homes. Useppa’s Service Department staff works tirelessly to restore landscaping and solve problems. The Joseffa Boutique is now in the old golf pro shop by the pool. A new mailroom is being built under Grandmother’s Cottage where upstairs Reception and the Captains share an office. The launch is running on a limited schedule coming and going from a Village dock. The Collier Inn is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a hard-working crew and a delicious new menu for lunch and dinner. Cheers to Happy Hour fellowship and Useppa perseverance.

Island Life Continues – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Happy Hours at the Collier, patio lunches, landscaping jobs, Service Department work, and Marina reconstruction are all part of Island life. Jobs inside and out smiles are shared, stories told, and one day at a time, Useppa hurricane recovery continues.

Hurricane Recovery Turns Another Corner – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Pilings are being driven for Useppa’s new Marina dock. The Collier is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is a new chef and new menus. Meals are 4 star!!!! Cleanup continues. Island boats run back and forth from the Bocilla Shoreport. Water and electricity is restored. Barge deliveries continue to the North End. Mail service is back, and packages can be delivered again. The tennis, croquet and bocce courts await players. Is it perfect? No, but it’s starting to feel again like the island we love.

Boots on the Ground – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Two hurricanes smacked Useppa, but because of the men and women working on the island, recovery is happening one day at a time. Homeowners, the Fire Department, private contractors & their crews, volunteers, and loyal Useppa employees are rebuilding the island we love. It isn’t easy. It takes time, but Helene and Milton didn’t destroy us. New docks and decks are being built. We have water and electricity. Landscaping is being brought back. The Collier Inn is reopening on a limited schedule. The launch brings us back and forth from the mainland. Home repairs and cleanup are well underway. Cheers and thank you to the men and women who saved our island.

Sunrise Walkabout – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – On a short Island walk this morning, I saw a sunrise sky reflection over the new Marina dock being built, I saw the beauty of a new day beginning on Useppa. Some things don’t change. The last picture is a 9:00 am picture of bright sun and dock reconstruction fully underway. It will take time, but Useppa is on the road to recovery.

Post Hurricane Helene & Pre Hurricane Milton – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Only two weeks ago the storm surge of Hurricane Helene pummeled Useppa. Docks were damaged or destroyed. The main barge dock in front of the Collier Inn is trash. Island infrastructure took another hit. Homes were flooded underneath; air conditioners and hot water heaters are junk. Unsecured propane tanks washed away. ASAP Service Department employees, the Collier and Tarpon staff, the Bocilla Marina crew, landscaping, management, and contractor personnel were at work cleaning up the debris, fixing the mess. And tonight, Hurricane Milton potentially even more devastating than Helene will pound Useppa. The last boats left the island on Monday. The Fire Department closed everything down yesterday. These pictures show some of Helene’s damage. They also show the spirit and resilience of her caretakers and residents. but tonight…Whatever happens…Useppa doesn’t give up.

The Beginning of Island Fall – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – The first fall weekend on Useppa was full of smiling families and friends. Dining in the Collier or on the patio, swimming together in the pool, at the Marina, or walking the Pink Path … the spirit of Island happiness was contagious.

Last Days of Island Summer – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Smiles and hugs were shared as another Useppa summer came to an end. At the pool, beach, Collier Inn and Patio Tarpon Bar, Pink Path, and Marina, families and friends savored the windup of another island season. No one takes time on Useppa for granted. Each day, each visit is a gift.

Labor Day Kids Izaak Walton Fishing Tournament – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – The tradition of holiday kids fishing continues. Standing on one leg with a hand in the air the promise is made to “release unharmed” every fish, and the fun begins. Anglers promise to help each other “when help is needed.” Grandparents, parents, and friends are there to help too. Island visitors watch from their boats or sitting together under the Crow’s Nest. An Izaak Walton Kids’ Fishing Tournament is fun for all ages.