Category: Photos

Useppa Butterfly Society volunteers joined Rachel S to plant butterfly friendly wildflower and grass seed in several island locations.

Last summer, Karen Kaufman researched and ordered four seed mixtures appropriate for Useppa’s saline, sandy conditions.  Recommended by the Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative were Butterfly and Hummingbird Mix, Beach Mix, Avon Park Wet Flatwoods Mix and Florida Super Nova Scrub Mix.

Early one morning, the Chris and Rachel’s team cleared small plots of ground for seeding around the Reclamation Pond adjacent to the Butterfly Garden; behind the seawall along the beach; at the entrance to the Village behind Landscaping; and in the Butterfly Garden itself.

Paul Webb-Martin contributed his agricultural knowledge and produced a barbecue load of wood ash to blend with the seeds to help dispersal.  With the direction and guidance of Judith Sear and Rachel Stack, Donna Anderson, Ginny Amsler, Pat Symonds, Suzy Trino, and Kathy Stevenson raked, scattered seeds, put down protective wire mesh and watered.
According to Judith, “There’s no guarantee that the seeds will come up–wildflower seeds being notoriously variable in germination–but we’ve given it a good shot. Everyone looked like a professional horticulturalist out there. They should be proud of their efforts. I am.”

photos by Useppa Gin

by Useppa Gin

Last Saturday night at the Collier was one to remember.  Stacey and John Sutherland with their guests were having dinner in the Izaak Walton dining room.  Homeowners on the island had heard members of the Sutherland party playing the night before at The Tarpon Bar .  Residents and friends gathered in the bar at the Inn.  Would the band play again?  Dan O’Connell asked and found out they didn’t have enough instruments.  O’Connell scrambled up and down the Pink Path scavenging guitars.  Tunes had his Sax and Mark Hoyt could play the Collier piano but to complete the band two more guitars were needed for Jerry Riggs, Barry Dunaway, and Tommy Rich.  Mission accomplished and the music and dancing began, and it was after midnight before everyone went home.