Author: Useppa

Butterflies, Kids, Grownups & Plan – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Multigenerations gathered in the garden. Two-legged, four-legged, winged, and crawling friends scattered over Useppa’s Butterfly Garden. New plants were introduced to the soil. Little children were introduced to the magic. Chief Butterfly/Plant Enthusiast Karen Kaufman said it best. “Butterfly garden friends of all ages gathered to plant, care for caterpillars, craft for fun and celebrate the Easter season!”

1st Annual UYC Stocker Race – Thoughts by Linda Colgan, Pictures by UseppaGin – On March 19th of this year, the Useppa Yacht Club catboat fleet sailed in the 1st Annual Kurt and Kathleen Stocker Trophy Race. Eight boats raced three times round the island. The Stockers’ two children, Jennifer and Peter, gave the trophy in memory of their parents, to be given to the winner of the race and engraved with the names of both skipper and crew. Ed King was this year’s winning skipper sailing with Kim Lockhart. Fittingly, the day was one of Useppa’s finest, with fair winds and bright blue skies. Kurt and Kathleen would be happy. Enjoy pictures of the race and pictures taken over the years of Kurt and Kathleen.

Saint Patrick’s Day Island Style – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Led by the Fire Department, decorated golf carts filled with friends, children, parents, and grandparents paraded up and down the beach. Other Islanders including Great-grandmother Keekee cheered them on. Judges were old time Useppans who once upon a time strutted and marched themselves. Their smiles were just as big handing out awards. The Grand Prize Winners were two carts… The Oseppa Man and The Oseppa Woman. Spirits of Useppa are still shaking their heads. It was a day filled with just the right amount of blarney and fun.

Brrrrrrr…Memories of Winter on Useppa – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Cold days, some only in the 70’s. Stiff breezes that only experienced Catboat sailors could navigate. Lunch reservations needed on the Collier patio. Families together by the pool, walking the Pink Path, hellos and goodbyes said with hugs on the Marina dock. A new plaque in the Collier Garden honors modern Useppa steward Gar Beckstead. Winter on Useppa is a gift.

Firehouse Pancake Breakfast – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Pancakes and Firemen. It doesn’t get any better (unless you ask the kids who also got to climb on the firetruck, fire off the big hose). Islanders – staff, homeowners, and guests all gathered for an early Wednesday morning Firehouse pancake breakfast. Even with mouths full, we couldn’t stop smiling. We were all together with Useppa’s new Fire Chief Robert McGilloway and his assistants Firemen Ricky and Joe. New Useppans were welcomed. Old Timers felt even more at home. Thank you to the Useppa Island Volunteer Fire Department. Thank you to those flipping pancakes. Thank you for old fashioned hospitality.

Cynthia Barnett and The Sound of the Sea on Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Useppa shell mounds were built hundreds of years ago by Calusa Indians, lived on then and lived on now. Saturday night, February 26th, award winning environmental journalist Cynthia Barnett spoke to an intimate gathering at the Barbara Sumwalt Museum about her book The Sound of the Sea… seashells and the fate of the oceans. Shells have been collected for a hundred thousand years. “They were money before coins, jewelry before gems, art before canvas.” Barnett spoke with reverence, humor, and scientific knowledge about the shells we see everywhere on the island, about shells found worldwide.

Orchid Lovers and Football Fans – Pictures by Cynthia Ryan and Nicole Lukas – Orchid Thoughts by Duncan Rowley: A Super Bowl at the Tarpon Bar needs no words – The Orchid Extravaganza held Sunday, February 13th, sponsored by the Useppa Paradise Partnership, was a smashing success. Over 350 orchids, bromeliads, and epiphyte plants were sold mostly to island homeowners to beautify their homes and gardens. Over 20 UPP members worked to organize, select, and transplant the plants, then set everything up. The Collier Inn, which hosted the event, was a glorious venue generously donated by Donald Beckstead and helped ensure the success of the sale. Thank you to all who helped including a staff member who gave up his day off.

Books and Bobbing – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Four catboats gently bobbed on the water. The wind was only a soft breeze Saturday morning February 12th. Three races were run but only two finished. The third was called, ended by an incoming tide. Saturday lunch at Bill’s Grille was a gathering of fellowship and shared poignant memories of recently deceased long-time Islander Kurt Stocker. That night at the Barbara Sumwalt Museum, the Useppa Island Historical Society hosted New York Times best-selling author Michael Tougias. Tougais talked about his book So Close to Home, the story of an American family’s survival in May 1942 when a German U-boat attacked the ship they were on in the Gulf of Mexico. Afterwards Museum Members gathered outside for cocktails and conversation.

Sailing Fellowship – Thoughts by Bob Stevens – Pictures by Cindy Ryan and UseppaGin – The season started Saturday, February 5th with not much wind, then some fog, followed by a nice breeze that turned everything COLD. An unusual morning for our racing season’s start. But with all that, six catboats were on the water. We ran four races, three with two legs, and the final one only one leg. The Committee boat started the last race and then ran up to the windward mark to set the finishing line, which finally got set after the winning boat had already crossed it. By then, though, we were all but frozen. Our first for the season, Bill’s Grille lunch was a thumping success. Thanks to everyone who made our first day of sailing so much fun. Our hearts were warmed even if our fingers were numb.

Winter on Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Yes, there were a few days of cold, jackets and sweaters necessary accessories, but Winter is already an island memory. Volunteers worked in the Butterfly Garden. Sailors rigged their boats getting ready for another season of Catboat racing. Friends visited and four-legged critters walked the island, played in the sand. For awhile it was mostly inside dining at the Collier Inn instead of on the patio. The pool and hot tub stayed empty. But the sunrises were beautiful. Saturday and Sunday breakfasts at the Tarpon Bar were cold spell highlights, and now, a new Useppa tradition. Island sunsets were daily reminders of how lucky we are to be on Useppa. Good-bye Winter! Back to normal magical island life.