Author: Useppa

A United Island – Thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin – Useppa is a family of members, residents, and the men and women who work here. These pictures reflect their faces and spirits. Multi generations stay together hunkering down in their homes until the Coronavirus Pandemic ends. Husbands and wives don’t take this time together for granted. They treasure it. Folks alone see their neighbors on walks or when a homemade dinner is dropped off at the cottage door. Employees had to be let go, but not without knowing they mattered, not without knowing if there had been a way to keep them, it would have been done. Jobs have shifted. Instead of Front Desk or Kitchen, it is Housekeeping. Landscaping crews are hard at work. The Service Department is on the front line for needed repairs whether it be of the water system or a broken down golf cart. Residents enjoy Collier Inn take-outs and support the restaurant staff. Management juggles each day’s shifting demands. Island life is not taken for granted. We are all working together in the Useppa tradition. We can still smile even as we keep those six feet between us.

Saint Patrick Makes Early Island Visit – thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin – On Sunday, March 15th before social isolation, before crowd limits, the Island celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day in its own unique way. Led by Admiral Useppa and the Firetruck, Islanders in decorated golf carts and dressed in green paraded up and down the beach. Prizes were awarded, and judges are still trying to determine whether kids or grownups had the most fun. The afternoon ended at the Tarpon Bar with toasts to each other and Useppa. How lucky we all are to be part of our Island family.

Island Sailing – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Six knots and less on Pine Island Sound. Seven catboats on the water and Bill’s Grille on the beach. Boats and people kept their distance, but we still spent Saturday together. There were three races and three winners Spirit, Flying Cloud and Coot. Ultimately Coot was the overall victor based on technical scoring. Later hamburgers, hotdogs, cookies, and plastic gloves at lunch. Tradition and today’s reality co-exist on Useppa.

History and Style Under One Roof – Thoughts and Pictures and UseppaGin – On a windy Friday afternoon March 6th, ladies of Useppa gathered for a fashion show and party at the Barbara Sumwalt Museum. Director Rona Stage thanked everyone for all the work they do to make Useppa’s Historical Society such an integral part of island life. Then the fun began. The Art of Fashion and More in historic downtown Fort Myers brought clothes, accessories, and jewelry that both their models and Useppans showed off to good natured laughter and applause in the usually staid and serious museum. Glasses of Prosecco were raised in toast to each other and the spirits of Useppa’s past.

Three Races & Seven Boats – Thoughts by Bob Stevens, Photos by UseppaGin – Being on the water, finally, after a couple of weeks not on the water, was just a joy last Sunday.  Nice breeze, about 8 to 10 knots or so, with some wind higher.  Seven boats out, and a fabulous Bill’s Grille,  it doesn’t get much better.    It takes a village to put on a morning’s sail and a beachside lunch.  Our collective thanks to you all.

Art and Fashion on Useppa – Thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin – Artists took over the Tarpon Bar on February 15th. Sponsored by the Useppa Island Club and Useppa’s Paradise Partnership, paintings, cards, photographs, jewelry, and unique pieces of art were for sale. It was a collaboration between mainland and Useppa artists. A percentage of profits donated to the Partnership will help in the organization’s continuing work to enhance Useppa’s natural beauty. Homeowners, members and guests chose favorite pieces and also took advantage of a sale in Joseffa’s Boutique. The creativity, neighbors’ unexpected talents, breathtaking photographs, whimsical and serious pieces of art – a day to remember.

Useppa Fire and Rescue Department Open House – Pictures and thoughts by UseppaGin – On Valentine’s Day the Useppa Fire and Rescue Department hosted an Open House for Islanders and guests to stop in and see the equipment, the medical examining room, part time employee accomidations, check out the trucks, golf carts, the hoses, and talk to Chief Maria and Deputy Chief Chris. Bloody Marys, Mimosas, snacks, explanations and conversation reinforced what we already knew. Useppa is well taken care of by true professionals.

High Winds, Low Tides, and a Full Moon: Backdrops to Island Life – Thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin – Sailors met at Bill’s Grille for lunch. Other Islanders and friends had lunch at the Collier Inn including a swim for some before going home. Boats tied up at the Marina docks for a night or two. Dogs ran the beach under their owner’s watchful care. Residents, longtime members, and first time guests all savored the magic of being on Useppa.

Super Bowl Island Style – Pictures and thoughts by UseppaGin – Just the right amount of people, just the right amount of fun to watch the game and/or the commercials. We also celebrated Emmerson Beckstead’s seventh birthday. Another family night on Useppa.

The Cats Are Back on the Water – Words by Bob Stevens and pictures by UseppaGin – Wow!  Turned out about perfect weather for sailors on the Sound.  Out Saturday were veteran Marshall Cat sailors on Buttercup, Coot, and Patti P. Buttercup and Coot each had two first place finishes, Patti P finished second twice, and Coot and Buttercup each had a second place finish.  Newcomers sailing Amrita had the usual learning curve to traverse, but they never gave up and will be back. Our new Race Committee crew aboard Winter Whelk helped with the marks.  My thanks to all of you. And, then, once the racing finished to the best part of the day, Bill’s Grille.  A delightful hamburger/hotdog spread on the beach.  We’re off to another great season.