Author: Useppa

Catboats on the Water – Thoughts by Race Committee Chair Bob Stevens and Pictures by UseppaGin – Another delightful morning on Pine Sound, with a breezy start.  Seven Sandpipers were out, and we ran four races with little more than oscillations in the breeze.  Lunch at Bill’s Grille was another success. Ed King had a fine morning on the water, handily winning all four races.  Kim Lockhart was his crew as Ed showed the way about all morning into both a southeasterly breeze and the incoming tide. Catsup U44 with Andy Hotchkiss at the helm and Dawn as his crew finished in second place twice, and third place once.  Chris Dreher sailed Still-Don’t-Know-Yet U7 to a second place in the fourth race and two third places.  Chris had his dad, Bruce with him as his crew. Paul Beisswenger sailed Spirit U8 with Michael Carmichael as his crew to a second place, and Duncan Rowley skippered PurrFect U4 to a third place with Mark Smith as crew. Brian and Mary McColgan were out as were Heath Wilder and Susan Bentley, and Steve Acuff and George Preckwinkle.  So, seven boats, all counted, on the water in a breezy morning. Dan O’Connell was out with Joel Bentley, Linda O’Connell, Steve Kaufman, and Cindy Ryan helping with the marks.  Aboard Snooper with me were Sydney Stevens on the horns, Ginny Amsler on the camera, and Doug Ryan on the anchor. Another fine time on the Sound with folks we all love to be with.

Island Winter – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – How lucky we are to define Useppa winter by time spent boating, sailing, having lunch on the Collier patio, swimming in the pool, relaxing in the hot tub, and playing on the beach. Winter on the island is a gift. We are lucky and we know it.

Smiling People and Flowers – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Island spirit is in its people and in its flowers. Things are quiet on Useppa. It’s easy to stop and look up, pause and see the flowers above in the trees, along the side of the Pink Path, framing our old fashioned dirt roads. Families and friends dine on the Collier Patio, sit together by the pool. A fading bridal bouquet is gently tossed into the water. Sunsets are a blessing. Useppa is a blessing.

Valentine’s Day and President’s Weekend Island Style – Pictures and Thoughts By UseppaGin – It was an old fashioned gathering of families and friends on Useppa. People comfortable together kept friendly safe distances from others, and everyone enjoyed themselves. Useppa is a gift in these confusing times. Breakfast at the Tarpon Bar by the Marina. Lunch on the Collier patio and fun times in and around the pool. Valentines in cards, gifts and smiles made it a perfect weekend.

Useppa’s Catboats, Bill’s Grille, and Good Times – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – On Saturdays January 30th and February 6th seasoned skippers and new sailors were on the water. Oldtimers helped new skippers learn the ropes, read the winds, become part of the Useppa Yacht Club sailing community. The more experienced sailors won the races, but there is new talent getting used to and becoming part of the Island’s Catboat tradition. Bill’s Grille gave everyone a chance to kibbitz over lunch and a season ahead of fun for all lies ahead. Thanks to the Race Committee and Bill’s Grille volunteers. You made it all happen.

Super Bowl Weekend – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – The Super Bowl was celebrated on Useppa with take-out pizzas and the traditional Tarpon Bar Party. Precautions were taken to keep everyone safe – staff and football enthusiasts. The rest of the weekend was fun too with tennis, swimming, bird watching, and in the Butterfly Garden, baby Monarch Butterflies leaving their chrysalis. On Useppa there is something for everyone.

Weekend Fun on Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – It was a leisurely two days. Some folks sat for hours on the beach just enjoying the view and each other’s company. Some lunched on the Collier Patio. Old and new friends hung out at the pool. Sunsets were a gift. There was no pressure to be anywhere or do anything. Life on Useppa.

The First Sail of 2021 – Words by Race Committee Chair Bob Stevens, Pictures by UseppaGin – Wow, what a lovely lunch and, after it, a very nice sail.  January 23rd was a perfect day on the water, and the socially distanced Bill’s Grille.  The first Bill’s Grille of the season was just a delight, and our thanks to the crew for a fine job on our behalf. After lunch four races were run; Ed King, with Kim Lockhart as his crew aboard Coot (U38), won all of them.  PurrFect (U4), sailed by Mark Smith, and with Duncan Rowley crewing, finished in second place in the first two races, and third in the third race.  Brian McColgan, with Mary aboard as crew, sailed Oh Happy Daze! (U85) to second place in the third race, and third place in both the second and in the last race.  Amrita (U2) was out, skippered by Heath Wilder and crewed by Steve Acuff, who managed a second place finish in the final race, and a third place in the first race.  Sydney Stevens was aboard Snooper as the timer, and Ginny Amsler came along to preserve the afternoon in pictures.  Mike Albert volunteered to come out to help with the marks, and had Gary Alderman aboard as his crew, They did a perfect job moving the windward mark for the fleet.  All in, a nice time for me out on the water on a simply lovely day. A fine kick off for our sailing this year.

Happy Birthday Gar Beckstead from Useppa Island – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – We send you best wishes and thank you for all you have done over the years to make the Useppa we know a place where we are all welcome, where we can walk the beach, play croquet, sail, have dinner at the Collier, swim in the pool, tie up at the dock. For some of us Useppa is home, for others it is a place to take a deep breath and relax. Families rediscover the simple joys of being together captured in a Banyan Tree picture. Romances begin. Fishing tales are told over a drink .. or two. The history of 10,000 years of other islanders is passed down. Thanks to your leadership we are today’s Island stewards.

Winter on Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – It’s been a gentle beginning to a new year on Useppa. Residents, visitors, birds, and tortoises… we’re all taking it easy. We’re on Island Time and there’s no rush. Being here is a gift, and we all know it.