Author: Useppa

Under the Stars, the 2023 Museum Fund Raiser – Thoughts by Linda Colgan, Pictures by UseppaGin – Friday, March 10th was a night of island magic for over one hundred members of our Useppa family listening to strolling guitars, enjoying paella from an open fire, and coming together to support our Barbara Sumwalt Museum. With a beautiful starry night above, an open tent on the croquet court, it could not have been more perfect. The fundraiser committee, spearheaded by Brian and Mary McColgan, the Useppa Island Historical Society’s Board of Directors, and Rona Stage, Executive Director set out to promote goodwill, have an entertaining evening, and help the Museum raise funds. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported the event. The Museum more than succeeded in meeting its goals!

Dancing the Night Away – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – The year’s 1st Cotton Club party could not have been more fun. An almost full moon rising over the water, the band Deb and the Dynamics playing, a deck filled with dancers, and smiles everywhere. Thank you to all who made it possible. The night was a gift to all of us.

Island Fun on Useppa – Thoughts by UseppaGin, Pictures by UseppaGin and Cindy Ryan – The island is almost back to normal activity wise. On a Wednesday morning coffee, questions, and fire extinguishers at the Fire House with Fire Chief William Schobel. Another day the Paradise Partnership volunteered members for an overgrown plant cleanup duty at Bill’s Grille. Friday Happy Hours are fun for all at the Tarpon Bar. Sunday means French bakery goodies and a ride on the island launch. Everywhere smiles.

RAIN A History for Stormy Times: Useppa Museum Talk by Cynthia Barnett – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Speaking at the Useppa Museum, award-winning environmental author Cynthia Barnett shared a natural and cultural tour of RAIN, from the torrents that filled the oceans four billion years ago to the modern story of climate change. In a thank you Barnett wrote, “Useppa Museum is a gem and I was so honored to be invited to return. I love the extent to which the community honors barrier island history, style, and wild landscaping. I hope you all can hold tightly to those commitments as the rest of the region grows too quickly and too generically. Thank you for a lovely weekend.”

Useppa Yacht Club, Another Season Begins – Thoughts by UseppaGin, Photographs by Cindy Ryan and UseppaGin – Marshall Catboats back in the water Friday, Bill’s Grille on Saturday, and on Sunday morning, the 2023 season’s 1st Sail. It was a fun weekend for everyone, and only the first of many to come. Comradery on and off the water describes the UYC. Thanks to the Useppa Service Department for getting the boats back in the water. Thanks to all who made Bill’s Grille a delicious treat, and thanks to the UYC Race Committee for making it happen.

Butterflies, Children, and Grownups – Photos and Thoughts by UseppaGin – On a Saturday afternoon we were all together. It was a magical time for all ages. Children created artwork, and then wondering through the Butterfly Garden, they discovered tomorrow’s butterflies ready to hatch. Grownups shared fellowship and nature. Thank you to the Useppa Butterfly Garden for making us all one in nature.

Island Cleanup, A Community in Action – Thoughts by UseppaGin, Pictures by Cindy Ryan – Island-wide Useppa Hurricane Ian cleanup was a huge success. Homeowners and employees met at the Firehouse and were off for a day of shared hard work. The boots of all were on the ground. Together the Useppa family can do anything. Thank you to everyone who helped. The Useppa community is a gift we share with each other, a place we continually build together.

History and Fellowship: Author Bob Macomber at the Useppa Museum – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – In another sign of Useppa’s post-Ian recovery, author and Island friend Bob Macomber recently spoke at the Barbara Sumwalt Museum. It was a gathering of friends, history buffs, a talk, book signing, and fellowship. The story Macomber told was “The Patriot and The Widow.” James Henry from a Florida family married Sophira (AKA Sophia) a member of the Seminole tribe. It was an interracial marriage in a time when that was unacceptable. To many of James Henry’s family he was also a disgrace because he fought for the United States instead of fighting for the Confederacy. Useppa was a Yankee outpost. James and Sophira lived there during the war with their daughter. Henry was shot by a sniper during a rescue mission off Ft. Myers. Sophira was still on Useppa and later Sanibel. Widowed four times she died in her 90’s. After his talk, Bob Macomber said, “I always enjoy it when I speak at Useppa–the audience is full of accomplished, nice people who ask great questions!” The Island equally enjoys Bob. “Onward and upward for us all….”

Saturday on Useppa, Almost Back to Normal – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Finally, amidst Hurricane Ian debris pickup and the Marina dock being rebuilt, life on Useppa is returning to normal. Favorite homeowners are returning. Croquet lessons are given every Saturday. Members boat out for lunch at the Tarpon Bar. Orchids are going back up in the trees. Families are swimming off the beach. Friends work together on island cleanup. Useppa is still a gift in our lives.

Hurricane Ian Debris Cleanup is Underway – Thoughts by Ryan Berger, Pictures by UseppaGin – Contractors have mobilized to Useppa Island to begin the FEMA reimbursed cleanup efforts under a contract with the State of Florida. A collaborative effort between Inland Marine Group (Lil Mo, Heavy Equipment, and Barges), HernandoAg (Tractors and Trailers), and DRC Emergency Services (Monitoring and Support) is underway to remove all Construction Debris as efficiently as possible. The process will take a few days to move the debris to Lil Mo, which is acting as a temporary debris management site, where it is then sorted and accounted for before being barged to the mainland for final disposal.