Author: Useppa

Employee Summer Barbecue – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – An old tradition returned with a summer barbecue for Useppa Employees. Instead of taking care of the island, Island stewards were taken care of at an old-fashioned picnic. Family members visiting their parents joined in. Second and third generational Useppa employees made the day even more fun. Captain Michael Keel was chosen Employee of the 2nd Quarter selected by his fellow Useppa workers. According to one, “Captain Mike goes above and beyond to help anyone in need whoever they are. He makes us all comfortable, and on the boat coming and going to Useppa, music is playing, he’s smiling and joking.” Captain Mike’s wife Samm and new baby Oaklee joined in the celebration.

Flags, Friends, and Families: 4th of July on Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Flags welcomed friends and families to Useppa celebrating the 4th of July. Flags flew over Island cottages, lined pathways. Employees asked to hold flags in their pictures. From different places, different backgrounds, with different beliefs, we were together in spirit celebrating our country’s birthday.

July 4th Kids Izaak Walton Fishing Tournament – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Twelve kids caught twelve fish in Useppa’s July 4th Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Tournament. William Siviter caught the Most Fish. The Biggest Catfish was caught by Weston Beckman – a 19” Grouper. Brothers Brody and Benton Ball tied, each winning a trophy for catching the same size Biggest Mangrove Snapper. AND…. For the first time someone over twelve also won an award. Useppa’s bait shrimp had died. Frozen ones were purchased, but they weren’t the same. Captain Rhett Morris was on the island with family and friends. He and the kids got in their boat, went out, and caught bait. Captain Rhett won a trophy for Most Bait Caught. Thanks to Tournament Director Kyle Corey, Captain Ken Horney, and Jasmin Al-Shimary for making it all happen

Useppa Fathers, Sons, and Daughters – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Useppa fathers love the water, love the island, and love sharing both with their families. Boats arrive at the Marina with fathers and kids of all ages ready to explore, ready to enjoy. Fathers staying here with their children drive around on golf carts, conduct homeschool in the Tarpon, fish off the docks. The smiles on faces of wives and mothers radiate the love we are all lucky to share. Father’s Day on Useppa is a gift.

Decades of Fatherly Island Love – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Twenty years of fathers on Useppa. Twenty years of love passed on from one generation to the next. Some children in these photos are now fathers themselves. Some fathers in these photos are here in spirit. Some fathers, now grandfathers, still walk the Pink Path, tie up in the Marina, swim in the pool, dine at the Collier. We are all one family. Different generations all part of the Useppa community.

Familes and Fun on Useppa – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – The best parts of the last two weekends on Useppa were families and friends celebrating the gifts of fellowship. In a world with too much physical and verbal conflict, having lunch on the Collier patio, swimming in the pool, being on a boat, just being together are gifts we don’t take for granted. And on Sunday the Goodies Brigade shared croissants and eclairs from a French bakery on Pine Island with Useppa employees and each other. Families and friends… a 10,000-year-old island tradition.

Families, Friends, and Gratitude: Island Memorial Day Weekend – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Flags on Useppa flew at half-mast in honor of the children and their teachers murdered in a Texas school shooting. Safe and protected, families and friends gathered on Useppa. On Monday flags were raised in honor of the men and women who fought for the security we no longer take for granted. We thank those who gave their lives. We know how lucky we are to gather round the pool, have dinner at the Collier, lunch on the patio, walk the beach, watch a sunset. Each of these pictures is a visual thank you note.

Memorial Day 22 Useppa Izaak Walton Youth Fishing Tournament – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Twenty young anglers fished in the Izaak Walton tradition of catch and release during Memorial Day’s Useppa Youth Fishing Tournament. They learned or sharpened their skills reeling in and letting go Snapper, Snook, Flounder, Grouper and one Skipjack. Harlow caught The First Fish. Bryce caught The Most Fish. Eric caught The Ugliest Fish. Lillian caught The Biggest Fish – a 23 1/2” Snook. All the kids (and their families) had fun. Thanks to Maggie McCormack in the Front Office for record keeping and organization. Thanks to Kyle Corey, a former Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Tournament participant, now coach and a Tournament Director to the next generation of Island anglers. How lucky all of us are to share the gift of Useppa.

Derby Day and Mother’s Day, Moms and Horses on Useppa – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Okay, last weekend the horses were on T.V. at the Tarpon Bar, but mothers and grandmothers were everywhere. At the dock, in the pool, and on the patio, there was laughter and affection. The traditional Derby Day Party and Roxie’s Mint Julips were delightful. Everyone enjoyed the Collier Inn Buffet on Sunday. All ages from new babies to “old” grandmothers shared hugs and love with their families. Smiles were everywhere. How lucky the Useppa family was to be together. A special thank you to the Island employees who gave up being with their mainland mothers and grandmothers to take care of us.

Sunday Croissants & Eclairs, and Seasonal Good-byes – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Good-byes are never easy, and it’s that time of year for seasonal Useppa sendoffs. There are tears behind the smiles and waves, the musical shell cries as the boat pulls away. Lots can happen between May and November to the Island and to our Winter homeowners. Some this year said good-bye for good. And yet, on Sunday there were reasons for grins and fun. On Pine Island in the Getaway Café French Bakery, boxes of chocolate and vanilla eclairs and bags of croissants were ready for pickup. It’s on a first seen first shared basis. Employees and kids get the first chance when the 11:30 Joseffa Launch pulls in. Then …. If there are any left… lucky grownups can have some too. Useppa is a gift shared by everyone.