Author: Useppa

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.

Useppa Holiday Memories: Bocce, Kids Fishing, Roasting Marshmallows and More – Thoughts and Photos by UseppaGin – Families treasured time together, friends played bocce in old fashioned rivalry, kids fished off the dock, the Fire Department and Useppans gathered round a fire pit on the beach, and so much more. There was a different feeling on the island this year. Being together was the gift we all treasured. The only gift we wanted.

2021 Useppa Beach Croquet Tournament – Thoughts by Mike Albert and Pictures by UseppaGin – Every December 30th since 1978 residents and members of the Useppa Island Club gathered to play in a 9 Wicket Tournament. Most years this drew upwards of 64 players. This year’s event was limited to 32 players because of Covid concerns. The only two times the tournament wasn’t held were 2004 when the island was recovering from a direct hit by Hurricane Charlie and last year 2020 when the pandemic shut operations down worldwide. The Service Departments spends several days leading up to the 30th raking and leveling the beach before laying out the courts. This year we played on eight courts which allowed all sixteen teams to play at the same time. Everyone played four games. Prize “Mallets” are awarded to the winners in each quadrant. This year’s final match for the championship was between Michael Carmichael and Mark Goodman against Tor Carlson and Karen Connery-Albert. The last time Karen played this tournament was thirteen years ago when her partner was once again Tor Carlson at that time halfway through the ninth grade. This year’s matchup had all the stars aligned. Tor and Karen played a beautiful game and pegged out both balls a couple of wickets ahead of Michael and Mark to be 2022 Useppa 9 Wicket Champs.

Useppa’s Butterfly Garden – Thoughts by Karen Kaufman, pictures by UseppaGin – Today we celebrated new “caterpillar residents” in our butterfly hut. The Useppa Butterfly Garden once was a sandy wasteland. Thanks to our donors and volunteers, today it teems with color and welcomes nature lovers of all ages. Stop by anytime, find a bench and enjoy meeting our fluttering neighbors.

Employee Christmas Pictures Part II – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Another thank you from the Becksteads, Useppa Members and Homeowners, Guests and Friends to retiring CEO Tim Fitzsimmons and to the men and women who continue a 10,000-year tradition of island stewardship. We couldn’t be here without you.

Families, Carols, and Christmas Eve on Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – It wasn’t our customary Christmas Eve of carols, voices raised inside the Collier Inn. It was an outside night of Island family magic. Less formal, in many ways more loving, we gathered on the patio. Children danced to the music. Grownups smiled and everyone had fun. Thank you to Music Man Steve Kaufman for leading us from the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas into a new way of celebrating the holiday in a safe, spontaneous Useppa way.

Santa Visits Useppa – Thoughts by Yardley Cub Reporter and Pictures by UseppaGin – We all waited to start the parade. Our golf cart went first! Santa came on the boat. Last year, he stayed on the boat but this year he got off the boat and met all the kids! Everyone told him what they wanted for Christmas and we each got a candy cane. Everyone decorated cookies and we had cake and ice cream. That’s all for today’s news on Christmas Eve!