Author: Useppa

2024 Memorial Day Kids Fishing Tournament – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Standing on one foot, the young anglers took The Fisherman’s Oath to help their fellow fishermen when help was needed and to release all fish caught unharmed. Then the fun started. Tournament graduate and Izaak Walton fisherman Kyle Corey, Marina Harbormaster Captain Ken, Jasmin and Ian from the office, and two more young men made it all happen. Thirty fish were reeled in, measured, and released. Prizes were awarded to Weston for the Biggest Catch – a 15 1/2-inch Mangrove Snapper, to Blaine for the Most Fish Caught (5), and to Bryce for the Most Unique Fish, a 10-inch Blue Runner. If only grownups could have as much fun…..

Mother’s Day Weekend on Useppa – Thoughts and Photos by UseppaGin – Pickleball, swimming, cocktails, walking the Pink Path, and more. At the Marina, in the Collier Inn, in the pool, and around the island, families and friends spent quality time together. Everyone was smiling. Useppa can bring out the best in all of us. Thank you to the hard-working staff who make it possible.

Springtime on Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Useppa springtime is Happy Hour gatherings of neighbors and friends before the northern exodus begins. It’s lunch on the Collier patio, the Kentucky Derby at the Tarpon Bar, relaxation in the hot tub by the pool. It’s goodbyes at the Marina. For one of our residents, it’s her 40th year for that last wave as the boat pulls away heading to Florida and beyond. (As almost 100-year-old Thurston Greene once said getting ready to leave on the launch, “This is Useppa.” And he pointed, “Florida is over there.”)

Sunset Museum Cruise & Author Bob Macomber – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – It couldn’t have been better, a sunset cruise sponsored by the Barbara Sumwalt Museum and a talk by multi-award-winning author Bob Macomber. The Lady Chadwick welcomed Museum members aboard, cocktails and snacks were served. Cruising the waterway toward Boca Grande Bob Macomber told stories about Useppa during the Civil War. It was history made real with a setting sun and green flash on the horizon.

Spring on Useppa Island – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Family reunions, afternoons at the pool, hellos and goodbyes at the Marina, lunches and dinners at the Collier Inn, hardworking employees, and more are all part of spring on Useppa. Sunrises and sunsets, golfcart rides, visits for a few hours, a few days…. April is a magical time on the island.

Easter Kids Fishing Tournament – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Lots of kids – new and old anglers, parents, and volunteer helpers were on the dock and ready to go when Tournament alum Kyle Corey sounded the horn. It was an hour of fun and success for all.

Easter on Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – A weekend docked at the Marina, lunches and dinners at the Collier Inn, pool time, beach time, holiday visits and multi-generational reunions with families and friends…. Easter on Useppa is a time to savor old memories and make new ones. Thank you to the Useppa Island staff members who make it all possible.

Easter in the Butterfly Garden – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Kids, a bunny, a gorilla, colored eggs, a Monarch Butterfly, and grownups all celebrated Easter together in Useppa’s Butterfly Garden. Thank you to all who made it happen. Thank you for all the goodies, the crafts, and the fun.

Useppa Easter Sunrise Service – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – The passing of peace is a Christian tradition. Peace was shared by all at Useppa’s Sunrise Easter Service. In love and humility, neighbors and friends greeted each other smiling and hugging. We are all members of the Useppa family. Thank you to the volunteers who organized church on the beach, to the Useppa Island Club for the coffee and donuts, and to the Easter Bunny who joined the fun.

Useppa Fire and Rescue Record Breaking Fundraiser Part II – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Thank You to Chief Marc Mascarelli and the Useppa Fire Department. Thank you to President Annie Hyder and the Fire Board for the great party. The fund-raising auction was amazing. Art works, photographs, handmade gifts, vacation destinations, and so much more were bid on in friendly high-spirited competition. At the end of the evening, attendees added to the already generous amount of money raised by pledging even more financial support for the people who take care of the people and homes on Useppa. In any emergency, the Useppa Fire Department is ready to help.