Category: Photos

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.

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

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.

The White Rose Cottage, #513

White Rose Cottage is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom family cottage with 2 king size beds and a trundle bed. Upstairs has 1 king bed, a trundle bed in a separate bedroom, and a full bathroom. Beautiful water views from the back deck. Newly renovated, full size kitchen and living room with modern amenities. Internet is also offered in this beautiful twin family cottage.

Summer/Value Season Rates from $394.00-$336.00 per night

Winter/Peak Season Rates from $546.00-$465.00 per night

Holidays Rates from $625.00-$532.00 per night

Useppa Property Company
P.O. Box 640
Useppa Island, FL 33922
Licensed Real Estate Broker
239-283-4227

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.