Category: Uncategorized

President’s Day and More – Words and thoughts by UseppaGin – Families in and around the pool, sailors out on the water, Bill’s Grille on shore, croquet games, lunch on the patio, boats at the Marina…. Life on Useppa is a gift.

Lessons for Useppans About Complex Water Quality Issues – Written by Museum Board Chair Bob Stevens, photos by UseppaGin – Three water quality advocate organizations were the attraction Saturday night, February 9th at the Barbara Sumwalt Museum. Their representatives talked about a very real concern for all of us connected to Useppa Island. Our beloved little island is touched by both Red Tides and by algae blooms. The blooms develop from water run-off from Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River watershed. The three organizations are working very hard, with the best available scientific information, to lessen the impact of the water run-offs. Daniel Andrews from Captains for Clean Water, Rae Anne Wessel from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, and Steve Davis from the Everglades Foundation spoke explaining the problems and offering hope for the future. Solutions are in sight, and the Florida Governor has put his leadership support to the efforts, a heartening change from previous state administrations.

Super Bowl, Super Fun – thoughts and photos by UseppaGin – A father and son watching the game, friends around a table, good food, standing for the National Anthem, and a Patriots win. For some life just couldn’t get any better.

Super Bowl on Useppa – Comments and photographs by UseppaGin – What better place to watch the Super Bowl than on Useppa Island? Boats in the Marina, good food, drinks, and football on the big screen in the Tarpon Bar. Life doesn’t get much better… unless you are a Patriots’ fan.

Thank You and Good-Bye to Paul Webb-Martin, Head of the Useppa Service Department – Thoughts and photos by UseppaGin – Paul Webb-Martin, recent big game hunter in Africa and newly appointed head of the Useppa Service Department, began work on the island one week before Hurricane Charley hit Friday the 13th of August 2004. Paul had just left Zimbabwe with his wife Jane and three young daughters because of civil unrest. Gar Beckstead and Tim Fitzsimmons helped give him a new start in this country. After Charley, Paul wasn’t dealing with political disruption. He was dealing with a natural disaster. Paul helped Useppa rebuild, and for fifteen years there is not a job on Useppa he has not been willing to do to make the island a better place. Whether down in the ditch with a broken water pipe, up in the air on a lift rebuilding an osprey nest, loading and unloading the barge, raking the beach… Paul has done it all. Island homeowners, employees, management, contractors and crews held a picnic January 26th, a celebration of gratitude and thanksgiving for the man who touched all of our lives.

Something More Than Candles – Pictures and words by UseppaGin – Family and longtime friends gathered on the island on January 26th to celebrate Gar Beckstead’s 80th birthday. It was a small, quiet dinner party at the Collier Inn for the father of today’s Useppa until… the fireworks. Happy Birthday Garfield from all who call Useppa home.

“Manatee Insanity” with Craig Pittman at the Barbara Sumwalt Museum – Thoughts and photos by UseppaGin – On Saturday night January 19th the Barbara Sumwalt Museum hosted Florida pundit, raconteur, and historian Craig Pittman. In the newly expanded Miller Room with Everglades photographs by Mac Stone as the backdrop, Pittman shared facts and told stories from his book “Manatee Insanity: Inside the War Over Florida’s Most Endangered Species.” Thank you to Museum Director Rona Stage for another evening combining, humor, education, and Island fellowship.

Sandpiper Sailing Begins Another Season – Story by Race Committee Chairman Bob Stevens, Photos by UseppaGin – A perfectly wonderful morning to start our season of Sandpiper sailing.  Five boats were out.  We did four races, each two legged, a beat and a run taking about 25 minutes to complete.  Breeze from the Southeast was more or less from 5 to 10 knots. Mike Carmichael, with his secret weapon Chinese-heart surgeon-sailboat-racer Dr. Jack as crew (who skippered the fourth race himself) won all four races aboard Spirit (U8). He just could not be beaten.  Charlie Chapin and Ray George traded off the skipper assignment aboard Buttercup (U1) and finished second in each race.  Patty P (U11), sparkling in her freshly refinished bottom and wood trim, managed three third place finishes.  She was skippered by John Coyle and Paul Swigert with Shane as able crew and morale officer.  OH! Happy Daze!! (U85) was out with the season’s crew Andy Hotchkiss and Dawn Jalowy schooled by the very able and enthusiastic Sandpiper sailor Ed King. Dawn, Andy and Ed took turns skippering, and Ed finished in third place in the last race, The other boat out was Purrfect (U4), skippered by its new owner, Mark Smith, with Wendi Simpson aboard as crew.  Bill’s Grille, managed by Kay Chapin, was its usual fine showing for us all.  Hamburgers and hot dogs were done by Vic Trino who was supervised with skill by Suzy Trino. Janet Smith supplied the baked beans, and special sauces. Carolynne Krusi and Linda O’Connell helped get it all together.  Nice start to our sailing season for everyone.  Dan O’Connell and his houseguest Neil were aboard the Committee Boat along with Ginny Amsler and her camera.  Sydney Stevens did her usual fine job with the starting sequence (even though I failed to connect the battery for the first try). Until next week.

The Tradition of Beach Croquet Continues – Words by UseppaGin, Photos by Emily Firment – It came down to two teams, and a brother and sister playing against each other. Finally, the “little brother” beat his big sister in a game their families have been playing for years. Troy Sipprelle and his partner Jeff Powell were victors in an exciting game. Clare Sipprelle and Dawn Jalowy were runners up. Nine Wicket Croquet is a holiday tradition on Useppa. It used to be played all over the island, but one year it was played on the beach and it’s been played there ever since. Sixty-four players begin the competition, but hour by hours the number of winning teams are winnowed down until the Quarter Finals, Semi-Final, and finally the Championship. Competition and good fun – for players and fans alike. Congratulations Troy and Jeff. Thanks to Winky and Dave Merrill for doing all the behind the scenes work, and to Emily Firment for keeping score and taking pictures.

Useppa Sports, Duathlon 2018 – Words by Simon Bound and pictures by Liv Carlson – The 4th Annual Useppa Duathlon took place 28 December 2018 in warm, choppy conditions. Maxwell Powell won the kids race for the second time in a diverse field aged 2 to 12 years old! The main race was very competitive.  Troy Sipprelle won in a time of 22.28, 15 seconds ahead of last year’s winner Colin Fahey.  First Lady was visitor and college swimmer Lucy in a time of 25.42, and first Military finisher Jack Bound in 25.00. The team event was won by team “Poker” (thanks Niko) made up of Niko, Greg and Louisa Bound. Thanks to Chris for EMS back-up, Tim, Donald for ongoing Island support, and starter and time keeper Paul Miller IV.   We look forward to 2019 and are hopeful of having all prior winners on the start line, so keep the training intensity up!