Author: Useppa

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!

Thank You Useppa Employees Part I – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – The Annual Useppa Employee Christmas Party on December 1st celebrated all the men and women who make island life a year-round gift to members, homeowners, and visitors. Donations to the Employee Christmas Fund were distributed based on length of employment from years ago to one lady here on her first day. A thank you to all who contributed. Billy Gay who runs our Water Department was honored as Employee of the Year. Tim Fincher on staff in the Collier Inn was honored as the Employee of the Quarter. Special recognition by Management and Staff was also paid to CEO Tim Fitzsimmons, part of the Useppa family for 42 years.

Useppa Tree Lighting, A New Tradition Begins – Thoughts by Cub Reporter Yardley Wiessen and Pictures by UseppaGin – We had a tree lighting party on Useppa, and we all made ornaments for the tree out of shells. Shelby Gatewood’s was probably my favorite because I loved her creativity in her work. There were also cookies, and personally, my favorite were the little sugar cookies! Shelby and Kay Chapin hosted the tree lighting. Ryan Conner lit the tree which he thought was very special!
That is all for today’s news!!

Thanksgiving – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Today was day of gratitude and thanksgiving for the gift of family, friends and Useppa. Dinner at the Collier was prepared and served by hardworking and caring men and women. There was time on the dock for families to go fishing, play volleyball on the beach, or spend hours by the pool. The Tarpon Bar and Joseffa Boutique were open. The Front Desk and Marina Captains helped in any way necessary. Serenity, fun, good friends, good food …generations together shared Thanksgiving on the island we all love.

Welcome Back – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – On Saturday, November 20th Useppa Island Club hosted its annual Members Welcome Back Party at the old Collier Inn. Old and new friends gathered in the Tarpon Bar, the Baron Collier Dining Room or out on the Patio. It was a relaxed and comfortable affair with delicious dishes to sample, cocktails to enjoy, and easy conversations among all the guests. A thank you to the Club and to its staff for a memorable evening.