Fancy Hats, Mint Juleps, Dancing Music, a Pig Roast, and …
A Horse Race
Kentucky Derby Useppa Style
Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin
The Tarpon Bar was full with half as many hats as people. Mint Juleps were the most popular drink. There were cheers as horses ran the muddy Kentucky Derby track. Prizes were awarded. An old-fashioned pig roast was the perfect dinner. Cheers determined the winning festive chapeaux.
Thanks Useppa and Hilary F. for making it all happen.
April Winds Down
Thoughts and Photos by UseppaGin
April ended quietly on the island. Good-byes were said to Yankees going north, Mid-Westerners heading back to the Heartland, and Westerners flying back to the other coast. Grandchildren said good-bye after the last lunch on the Collier patio, that last dive into the pool. Year-Rounders – Members and homeowners – waved good-bye as boats pulled away, and then sighed.
It’s almost summer. Good times ahead for all of us lucky enough to call Useppa our full time destination for fun and friendship.
Easter Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Tournament
April 19th, 2017
Thoughts and photos by UseppaGin
Kids have fished on Useppa for thousands of years. It’s a tradition passed down through the centuries. The tradition of Izaak Walton Tournaments goes back to the days of Barron Collier back in the 1920s. The tradition of Kids Izaak Walton Tournaments goes back long enough that two young men passing out trophies this year in the Easter Tournament fished in the event when they were boys. They sharpened their fishing skills off Useppa docks.
Competition was slow when the tournament started. Captain Ken led the kids in reciting the Fisherman’s Oath. Captain Eddie and Kyle stood by ready to “help their fellow fishermen when help was needed.” Finally the first fish was caught, and then one more and another. Trophies were awarded. Blue Ribbons were given to all non-trophy winners, and everyone shared a big batch of candy.
Thanks Useppa Island Club and Miss Hilary for making it all happen.
A Hopping Good Time
Thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin
Easter on Useppa is a combination of good times and hard work.
While residents, members and guests shared a sunrise church service and Easter greetings on the beach, colored eggs were scattered and work in the kitchen began. The Joseffa was going back and forth to the mainland, doors to the store and office opened, the pool was cleaned, and trash picked up. Behind the scenes the co-operative efforts to make it a special holiday were underway.
Then the Bunny appeared, and the fun officially began. Bunny posed for pictures with young and old. Everyone looked for eggs. A gourmet brunch was served at the Collier. There was music and dining on the patio. Some went for a dip in the pool. There were good-byes and hugs on the dock.
Easter is family, and it was a wonderful Easter for all of us sharing Island hospitality. In fact, it was a hopping good time. Thank you Useppa.
Easter Sunrise Service
Photos and thoughts by UseppaGin
The sun rose as golf carts were pulled into a semicircle and people took their places on the folding chairs in front of the gazebo on the beach. Continuing a long-standing Island tradition, the Useppa community gathered together to celebrate Easter.
Years ago it was an Episcopal Communion Service with chairs set up in formal rows across the chess board by the pool. For the last twenty years, it has been an ecumenical gathering at the water’s edge of neighbors and guests, members staying on their boats. Everyone is welcome, children lead us in the Lord’s Prayer, the handshake of peace goes around, and we all share in communion.
On Useppa, we are one family.
Useppa Island Yacht Club McMahon Regatta
April 8th 2017
By Race Committee Chair Bob Stevens
Two good races, with Bill Welch showing the whole way and Sherry Welch aboard as his crew. Very well done by both of them. Paul Beisswenger sailed to second place, with Joe Cox as his crew. Kurt Stocker sailed Ragtime to third place. Kurt had Tony Colgan along as his cheerleader, tactician, and rope puller. Ten boats raced along with Gretchen Coyle out on Sink ‘r Swim with Bev Anderson on board. Nice morning, but not enough wind in the afternoon to complete the third race. I called it off, abandoned it, and everyone went to the shore.
Kay Chapin, Karen Albert, and Aimee Lockhart put on a wonderful chili lunch, with hog dogs and cookies. Another fabulous Bill’s Grille for us all.
I had my usual fine help from Stu Sheldon, who brought Peter Bennett along to pull the marks along. Kathleen Stocker was aboard Snooper, along with Bill Newbold our fleet Judge, Dan O’Connell who managed the anchor for me – pulled it up several times, and Ginny Amsler who took another thousand pictures of the goings-on. Sydney did the timing, once more. Flawlessly, too.
Paddles and Music in the Air
Photos by UseppaGin
A thank you note from Warren and Paul Miller for last weekend’s Museum Fundraiser held in their honor.
Dear Magnificent Useppans,
Paul and I have just heard how great your response to the fundraiser has been. (Over $130,000 raised). You outdid yourselves, and we are so honored.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
So many of you worked so hard to make the evening such a success. To name only a few is all we can do, but just tag your name onto the list and soak up the praise. We worked personally with Rona Stage, Frank Greer, and Bob Stevens – all of whom gathered you together to pull off this remarkable evening. They arranged for our participation via hi-tech machinations that allowed us to dine with you, and watch the auction afterwards. Quite a special evening!
Much love to all,
Warren & Paul
Gratitude in Word & Deed
Raises over $131,000
Part I of II
Friday, March 24th
Photos and Story by UseppaGin
Music, kind words, memories and donations expressed Useppa’s gratitude to long-time homeowners and members Paul and Warren Miller. Hosted by The Useppa Island Historical Society, the tribute in their honor Friday raised over $131,000.
One hundred people dined and danced on the Collier patio, shared Miller stories, and made contributions to add a much needed large room in the Museum for gatherings and exhibits.
Bob Stevens, President of the Useppa Island Historical Society thanked all who made the night a success. Gala Chairs Stephanie Solien and Frank Greer did the hard work of organizing the affair, and also made it possible for the Millers to watch a live feed of the event from the comfort of their Philadelphia living room.
Island neighbors and friends celebrated two of their own, two people who have always brought out the best in the Useppa community.
Paul and Warren were with us all in spirit for a magical night.
“Stocker – Colgan Blow Competition Away”
Dateline: 03/18/2017 Useppa Island, Florida
Story & Photos by Bill Welch
Curt Stocker and Tony Colgan aboard Ragtime U-5 sailed a flawless race on Pine Island Sound to take line honors in the Inaugural “Round-the-Ragged-Key-Race.” While doing so, they also broke the time record for how long you can take to sail around the island and still win.
Stocker attributed their success to taking 3 of the 4 purchases out of the peak halyard making it possible to raise their sail. Colgan explained there were tense moments after they took the lead when both felt the unfamiliar burden of being in front and having to make sure they were going to the right mark. Finishing in: 1hr 49min 16sec, they were almost an entire leg ahead of the next catboat. “You don’t get to see a catboat far behind you very often” Stocker shouted to the crowd gathering after beaching Ragtime in front of his cottage.
About 8 minutes behind was Purrfect sailed by a solo Sherry Welch. Happy to race alone, she sang tunes and soaked up the Sound. Spirit was 3rd, skippered by Paul Beisswenger and his son Ben as crew. Disappointed by their finish, they were sure they were moving up on Purrfect and would have easily caught her in another mile or two of racing. Earlier the fleet was concerned about Paul bringing in a professional sailor. The rumor was going around they had been up all night tricking out the catboat’s rig. Next to finish was Little 7-Up skippered by Ray George and Commodore Jim Doherty as crew. Doherty was also tactician. In an exclusive interview obtained by our on the scene reporter; Doherty explained, they were waiting for the big left wind shift to come in as predicted by their private meteorologist’ wind prediction service. Not only was it to go left, but the speed would also pick up, which boiled the race down to who got that shift first. Well the wind did go left, and they caught it, but it went even lighter. What made it worse was that they were caught under the wind shadow of Petricio Island. That pushed them back to an unexpected 4th place. That’s sailboat racing. But they both understand there is always next year.
Paul and Shane Swigert were next, as always having a great time just being out on the water. When crossing the finish line Shane turned to her skipper and shouted, “look Paul, there isn’t a catboat in sight, I think we won.” Last to come off the water was Laura Stokes (her first time racing one of these complex thoroughbred racing yachts) with Sink ‘R Swim’s owner Gretchen Coyle as crew. Stokes remarked that these catboaters have a lot of tricks up their sailing shorts and plans to spend time consulting Charlie Chapin about the fine points of racing techniques. Also out on the water were: Stu Sheldon, Austin Carmichael, and Austin’s great friend Alex Genk manning the mark-safety boat. And of course, thanks to the staff of Bill’s Grill who had a fantastic feast of burgers and hot dogs on the beach when the hungry sailors returned to shore.
