Island Spring
Photos and Thoughts by UseppaGin
Planting orchids, trimming mangroves, playing bocce, relaxing in the hot tub, swimming, lunch on the Collier patio, spending a few nights at the Marina, saying good-bye to a friend…
It’s spring on Useppa
When choosing an island home, one of the most important details to consider is your view and the comfort from which you will be able to enjoy it. West Wind entirely exploits its water’s edge location, offering unobstructed northwesterly views toward Boca Grande Pass.
West Wind is a two-story, three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home built high on pilings, with command presence. On the ground, you’re 11′ under the first floor, in a vast open area shrouded by tasteful white lattice. Within this area is a large, elevated and enclosed storage room with ramp. A golf cart fits inside with ease offering a healthy amount of remaining space for other items. Astride the storage room is a 40 KW propane generator for emergency backup, which is fed by a 500 gallon outdoor tank. Outside, on the water’s edge is a 15’x35′ heated swimming pool wrapped in Brazilian hardwood decking. Deeded, deep-water dock space is included in the sale. Its dock slip is located at a brand new dock just down the shoreline and can accommodate boats of 42′.
Entering the first living floor, you’re greeted by a large, open living area with waterfront views beyond the numerous French doors as its backdrop. Those doors open up to a large, partially-wrapped, screened patio which features a grilling station complete with a stainless steel grill. The chef’s kitchen is adjacent to the living room and is appointed with robust granite countertops and dark wood cabinets. The refrigerator is a spacious Sub-Zero. A large guest bedroom with private balcony and full bath overlooks the property’s lush landscaping on the south side. To round-out this floor is a laundry room, half bath and plenty of storage.
The second story features two bedrooms, the dominating Master Suite and one which would be perfect for young children but would also serve nicely as an office. The Master seems to have been built around its amazing views of the water. Outside the French doors is a grand master balcony towering over the shoreline, a perfect vantage point to observe dolphins hunting on the shallow flats and their prey scattering for safety. An opulent master bath has both a large glassed-in shower as well as a whirlpool bathtub. His/hers sinks laid in plenty of counter space, a private toilet cordoned off with a pocket door and huge mirrors creates a safe environment for more than one person at a time.
West Wind brings island living to a new level. It an impressive build and is decorated with a sharp eye and skilled touch. The pool is a rare feature among Useppa Island homes and the envy of other homeowners. Make West Wind the setting for your new island lifestyle.
This home is offered for sale furnished at: $1,690,000
Useppa Sandpipers Sail Off For Lunch
Story by Bob Stevens
Photos by UseppaGin
Such a lovely morning. No breeze though, so getting off the moorings on Useppa was a challenge. Loading the lunches aboard was not so hard with no waves to contend with. Everyone got their boat loaded up, off the moorings, and out on Pine Island Sound. With about no wind, I was thinking about making up a giant string of towed boats, knowing that doing such a job was all but impossible, when a wisp of wind came around North Point.
Off eight boats went, along with an accumulation of powerboats along the way. The morning turned out to be just a delightful sail to Pelican Pass, up the ICW to the east of Punta Blanca Island.
Big happenings on the way over with Jay and Ginny T. showing up on Floridian, their beautiful Grand Banks cruising boat. She is just lovely, and stood down on the ICW to say hello to us all.
Some of us managed to wander by a pirate-looking boat, that turned out to be a ketch rigged sailboat, with two square sails on the forward mast, and a lot of built up superstructure. Looked like “home” for the folks aboard. She had been anchored out, west of Patricio Island, for a night or two.
Useppa powerboats stayed “on patrol” following the sailboats over to Cayo Costa, and we had absolutely nothing to do. Nice day to volunteer.
A delightful change of pace Saturday for the Sandpipers. Picnic on a beach with good friends, I sure enjoyed the lunch cruise, and wonder how we can do any better.
Presidents’ Weekend 2017
Photos and story by UseppaGin
Sailing catboats on Saturday, dining on the Collier Inn patio, splashing in the pool, making new friends at the Marina dock, parents, grandparents and kids…a winter break on Useppa is a perfect escape from mainland reality.
Sandpiper Sailing and Bill’s Grille for Lunch
Saturday, February 11, 2017
By Bob Stevens, Race Committee
Wow, just a PERFECT morning on Pine Island Sound for Sandpipers. A morning sailing and lunch at Bill’s Grille.
With 11 boats on the course the starts were a slugfest, but the first race got off with everyone ok. Kitty Kat, sailed well by Gary Fretz, with Nic as crew finished in first place, followed by Buttercup out with Charlie Chapin at the helm and Bill Cox as his able crew. The third finisher, but inches from Buttercup, was Purrfect, sailed by Bill Welch and Sherry.
The second race, over the same course but even longer because of the lighter wind, was won by Purrfect with Buttercup in second place. Ragtime, very well sailed by Tony Colgan, with Kurt Stocker as crew, finished in third place.
I moved the windward mark for the last race and shortened the course quite a bit. The sailors were getting hungry, and several left for Bill’s Grill. Five boats remained. Coot won the race, handily with Kim Lockhart as Ed King’s crew. Spirit skippered by Paul Beisswenger with Joe Cox along as his crew finished second. The third boat was Little 7 Up with Ray George at the helm and Jim Doherty as crew.
Others sailing Saturday were: Amrita with Mike Albert at the helm and Dan O’Connell as crew; Dragonfly with Rich and Lorraine McGinn aboard; Patty P sailed by Paul and Shane Swigert; and Flying Cloud with Frank Greer as skipper and Stephanie Solien as his able crew.
Aboard the Mark Boat were the Sheldons in Wahoo Wah. Great help as usual – it would not be the same without them.
Steve Kaufman and his fact checker Alan Symonds were out on Little Blue Chip to “call the race” for those ashore. Aboard Snooper were Ginny Amsler taking about 1000 pictures in a picture perfect morning, Kathleen Stocker as the scribe, and Sydney as my timer. I simply cannot do what needs to get done without them. My thanks.
Bill’s Grille was another delight. The McGinns sailed in the first race and then retired to come in a cook for all of us. Aimee Lockhart, Kim Cox and Kay Chapin put the lunch together.
All and all, another wonderful morning on Pine Island Sound.
Photos & Story by UseppaGin
Old time radio in the Tarpon Bar complete with bad jokes, homespun stories, gut tugging music, local talent, poems, sound effects, and a mystery all added up to another Useppa Home Companion.
A meatloaf comfort supper set the stage. Petty Cash played while audience and cast members danced.
Then Dan O’Connell in dark blue suit, red tie, white shirt, and red sneakers took the microphone. In that slow Garrison Keillor way, the show began.
Guy Noir was there. “Hallelujah” sung by Allie Klunker opened hearts and tear ducts.
Shane Swigert’s “mom guilt” is an art form. Virginia Amsler read two of her poems, one about the island, one about its Wizard.
Ensemble cast members also included Linda Colgan, Kurt Stocker, and Paul Beisswenger.
Sound effects, clapping shoes, slamming doors, and more were “performed” by Aimee Lockhart and Paul Swigert.
Rona Stage and Linda Colgan wrote “Useppa Home Companion” in the spirit of Lake Wobegon and Public Radio’s “Prairie Home Companion”. It was produced by the Useppa Island Historical Society.
Cowboys & Cowgirls on Useppa
Pictures by UseppaGin
Once a year the POA throws a party and all ages revel in a night of island fun. Useppa members of the Property Owner’s Association, their families and houseguests celebrate being together at the Tarpon Bar. Thanks and a tip of a cowboy hat to the McColgans for organizing everything.
Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Tournament & Cody Davis
The Christmas Kids Izaak Walton Tournament was fun for all ages. Kids, parents, grandparents, and new friends were all part of the excitement on the Marina Dock. Lots of fish were caught and all were safely released. There were blue ribbons for everyone and prizes for some. But, this year’s event was especially memorable.
Long-time Useppa member and resident Cody Davis helped granddaughter Lorraine reel in a good-sized catch. He also helped a new young man catch his first Izaak Walton fish. It was the last time Cody could so. This kind-hearted man who helped so many learn to fish died a few days later of a heart attack.
There will always be holiday Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Tournaments, but there was only one Cody Davis.
He will be remembered by all of us.
Photos by UseppaGin
