Author: Useppa

Thank You to Useppa’s Employee Family – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – The Island closed early on Monday, June 29th for an exclusive party. It was a time to celebrate and thank all the men and women who work on Useppa. Especially during the Pandemic, the fact that so many of these employees come to and from the Island by boat every day, the fact that others live fulltime sheltering on Useppa…. their dedication and hard work deserved a salute. Much of what they do is behind the scenes. The Housekeeping Department works quietly, efficiently, and methodically thoroughly cleaning homes, the Collier Inn, the Office, Tarpon Bar, Rest Rooms, the Pool Patio, and all the public areas of Useppa. Joseffa’s Boutique is the Useppa Mall with a little bit of all we need for fun or necessity. Thank you Roxie and Robin. Landscaping takes care of nature – clipping, cutting, planting. The Service Department keeps the Water Department functioning. It fixes electrical, mechanical, and structural problems everywhere. It builds or takes down whatever needs to be done. The Collier Inn Staff cooks our meals, serves our dinners, pours our cocktails. The Office behind the Front Desk and every other desk does the behind the scenes business of running Useppa. The Marina Captains direct our dockings, organize our visits, care for our boats, and run all of us back and forth to the mainland. Each person has a unique talent and shares it with our Island. Each person who works on the island is an integral and important part of the Useppa Family.

Fathers and Grandfathers on Useppa: Happy Father’s Day to All! – Thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin – Father’s Day Weekend and Grandparent’s Camp on Useppa was a gift to all this year. The Pandemic teaches us that being together as a family is something never to be taken for granted. As one father said, “This place has been inhabited for 10,000 years. There’s something special about just being here.” Some fathers and their families came for lunch. Others came for the weekend. Two sets of grandparents continued their annual tradition of coming just with their grandchildren for a few days. Parents weren’t allowed. Pictures tell the story. The Useppa spirit is contagious.

Island Time – Thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin – Families and close friends live on Useppa, visit the island. It’s that time of year to wave goodbyes to those closing their houses, heading north. It’s the time when Florida families come by boat for vacation, or for a long, summer lazy day. Wearing masks and buffs is supported, social distancing encouraged for all. The hugs in these pictures are goodbyes between trusted buddies. Useppa is an island of peace and freedom in the Pandemic but its tranquility is one to respect and treasure, not take for granted.

Until We Meet Again – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – One week ago an era ended. Two of the Island’s dearest residents Tim and Judith Sear moved to the mainland. Part of Useppa life since the mid 1980s, their departure was acknowledged by a sunset neighborly serenade and morning employee leave-taking applause. Judith and Tim found Useppa on a visit to Sanibel and Captiva. They started coming for vacations when their four children were young. Adam, Jason, Kate, and Daniel grew into young adults, became parents and visited with their own families. Over the years Judith and Tim moved from one home to another all the while supporting their Useppa family financially and personally. After Hurricanes Charlie and Irma, they led Member and Homeowner support of fund raising to help Island employees. They recently helped them again in the Useppa Property Owner’s Association COVID-19 response. They have supported the Island Fire Department, the Useppa Historical Society, Pine Island’s Randell Research Center and Beacon of Hope. Tim was an early member of the weekly discussion group PIGGS (Previously Important Geriatric Gentlemen). They were early members of Bookcombers, Useppa’s book club and loyal volunteers at sailing events. Judith is one of the founders of the Useppa Paradise Partnership and one of the hardest workers in that and the Butterfly Garden. She is Copy Editor and Common Sense Advisor of the Useppa Chronicle. Tim’s valiant Alzheimer’s struggle, Judith and family by his side, the help and support of the Useppa community whenever and however needed has been a lesson to all of us in courage and humility. Being their friend is a privilege.

Useppa Memorial Day Weekend Part II – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – How lucky we all were to be together on Useppa. Respectful of social distancing but enough room on the island for everyone to feel free, to relax, and to have fun. Thank you to the men and woman working hard to make it possible. We are one country and one island.

Memorial Day 2020 – Words and Pictures by UseppaGin – Thoughtfully and carefully Useppa welcomed back members and friends to Island life. It began with volleyball, a barbeque, and music on the beach. Children fished off the Marina dock in the traditional Izaak Walton Kids Memorial Day Fishing Tournament. The pool was open but numbers were restricted and social distancing encouraged. Reservations were taken for lunch and dinner in the Collier and on the patio. On Sunday a casual lunch was also served with music at the Tarpon Bar. On Monday flags flew at half-mast. Useppa never forgets the reason for the holiday. Masks were worn by some. Others honored personal space. Being together again was enjoyed by all. Thank you to the men and women working on the Island who made it all possible.

Izaak Walton Memorial Day Kids Fishing Tournament – Thoughts and photos by UseppaGin – There were more boats in the Useppa Marina than kids fishing and fish biting, but the tradition continued. Young children found out how to fish off the Marina docks, and teenagers who once fished the Tournament helped them learn. The philosophy is simple. The oath was given by Captain Ken. Catch your fish, release it unharmed, help your fellow fishermen when help is needed, and Have Fun Fishing. Each Tournament a youngster fishes builds confidence. Prizes are given to the top anglers and Blue Ribbon Medallions are awarded to everyone else. A thank you to Miss Lisa for record keeping, Captain Ken, and to Owen and Tyler for volunteering to help.

Thoughts, Love and Gratitude – Words and Pictures by UseppaGin – Useppa has been quiet over the last two months. Some of these pictures were taken when families self-isolated, when we all kept a safe distance from each other. Some were taken when the Island opened back up and members could come back to visit – everyone still being careful, still respecting the need to keep space between one another and sometimes wear a mask. No one knows what tomorrow will bring, but all of us attached to Useppa appreciate and respect the many gifts of Island life. We are all Useppa stewards and guardians of each other. We are all part of one island family.

More Memories Old and New – Pictures and thoughts by UseppaGin – Looking through decades of pictures tracing Useppa’s 21st Century seems a good way to spend time while the island we love is shut down. Soon enough we will be back to having lunch at the Collier, tying up at the dock, playing croquet and bocce, enjoying a golf cart ride, but before that… have fun reliving beach croquet tournaments, first bocce games, the 2003 and 2007 visits to Useppa by survivors and family members of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, see members of the 2001 Useppa Bookcombers, a 2004 gathering of those airlifted off Useppa in medical emergencies, and more…..

Island Memories – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Useppa is quiet. Only homeowners, and essential workers are on the Island. None of us know what tomorrow will bring, but we can look back at yesterday. We have the time to look at photographs taken over the years of historical discoveries, the Collier era, pictures of croquet, kids fishing tournaments, catboat races, duathlons, families with children who are now parents. This posting contains a little bit of everything. Memories to treasure of the people we’ve known, the friendships we share, and life on Useppa. Over the next few weeks more will follow.