Category: Uncategorized

Orchids, Scoundrels, and Author Craig Pitman at the Useppa Museum – Comments and photos by UseppaGin – A standing room only audience listened to Craig Pitman’s tales of orchid adventurers in their quests to find the rarest flowers. For hundreds of years plant swashbucklers trekked across continents smuggling specimens home.
This nefarious activity is described in Pitman’s “true crime/gardening” book The Scent of Scandal.

Friends, Family, Sailing & Bill’s Grille – Comments and photos by UseppaGin – Another Saturday on the waters off Useppa with Island sailors enjoying the morning breezes. Three generations in one family sailed Ragtime. Husbands and wives smiled at each other as though on dates. Purrfect was handed to a new owner, sailed by both. A Committee Boat set the course and Blue Chip’s captain gave a running commentary on race results until he had to go and grill hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch at Bill’s Grille. It doesn’t get any better.

Cold Weather, Warm Smiles – comments and photos by UseppaGin – The weather was too cold for sailing. Only two Sandpipers braved the gray skies and low tides last Saturday, Feb 3rd. But by lunch time, hamburgers on the beach and lunch on the Collier Inn Patio were a perfect match for warming temperatures.
In the winter, there is no better place to be than Useppa Island.

Super Bowl on Useppa – photos and comments 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.

Island Wintery Weather – Comments and photos by UseppaGin – Anchorage off Useppa, croquet, bocce by the beach, the Collier Inn for lunch, sailboats, families, and birds – just another Island winter day. Temperatures cold by Florida standards only make nature’s warmth more intriguing.

Doc Anna: Swamp Doctor of Florida Makes a House Call on Useppa – Comments and photos by UseppaGin – Swamp Doctor Anna visited the Useppa Museum the other night. “If you haven’t heard the roar of a bull alligator and some night bird answer, you haven’t lived,” she told her listeners. The second woman doctor licensed in the state of Florida, she practiced for 47 years and delivered over 1,000 babies. “Too many to count but not to remember.” Carrie-Sue Ayvar, a nationally acclaimed bilingual storyteller, brought artist and physician Dr. Anna Darrow (1876-1959) to life in a one woman show. It was a privilege to be in the audience.

2017 Nine Wicket Beach Croquet on Useppa Island – Comments and photos by UseppaGin – Beach Croquet is an Island tradition. Sixty-four players dressed in white meet every December 30th and the fun begins. Names are drawn – those who know the game paired with those who have never held a mallet. Friendship, good natured banter, and even some serious competition characterize the day. This year the Tournament was played in honor of long time Island resident Paul Miller. For thirty years, his sportsmanship and sense of humor made the game fun for everyone on Useppa. Now his family and friends carry on his habit of laughter and sportsmanship.

2017 Useppa Christmas Tennis Round Robin – Commentary by Fran Coryell, Photos by UseppaGin – While Wimbledon May have its strawberries and cream, Useppa Island’s annual Tennis Christmas Round Robin has its own traditions that no grand slam can rival. Those traditions mean fun and competition between friends old and new. Led by Useppa Island’s tennis pro Fran Coryell, the island’s tennis fanatics enjoyed showing their tennis skills while celebrating the holidays. Thanks to everyone for their participation. Congratulations to Champion Ryan Merrill. See you on the courts in 2018.

2017 Christmas Kids Izaak Walton Fishing Tournament – Commentary and Photographs by UseppaGin – Captain Ken, Official Timekeeper Paul Miller IV and Coach Kyle Corey made it happen.
The fish were biting and the kids were catching – it was another successful Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Tournament.
The tradition of catch and release fishing is a part of every youngster’s growing up on Useppa. Over the years, novices with someone else baiting their hooks and casting their lines turn into self-sufficient anglers. Eventually, like Kyle, they end up on the dock sharing their skills.
Useppa is a family, and nowhere is it more obvious than watching generations sharing the experience and excitement of that first fish.
Congratulations to all the boys and girls fishing in the 2017 Izaak Kids Walton Tournament.
Blue Ribbon winners caught at least one fish. Trophies went to Joe, Maisie, Maxwell, Collin and Vanessa.

2017 Annual Useppa Duathlon: Organized by Simon Bound – Photographs by UseppaGin – The third annual Useppa Duathlon took place on December 28th. Helen won a hotly contested kids’ 500m, Maxwell was second, and Greg was third. The main event was the usual 2k run, 500m swim and 2k run. A strong northerly wind caused the swim to be shorted somewhat by the race committee. A few notable absences this year made predictions difficult. Two time champion Alex Bound was away swim training in CT with brother Jack, and the always competitive Siprelle sons were absent. However, a tight race ensured.
Team Michigan, Josie and Will Ervin won the relay event for the second year in a row, followed in second place by husband and wife team Joel and Susan Bentley, and third “Team Mum” of Maggie Bound, Laura Stokes, and Heather Beckstead. What an inspiration they were! The ladies’ trophy was won by first time competitor Leslie Carroll – running with no shoes! (Remember Zola Budd, Atlanta, anyone?!). The male event was won by Colin Fahey, second place Jake Merrill, 24.30, and a bronze medal for Joe Street, 29.33. A new state of the art timing clock was provided by our stalwart race Marshall Paul Miller IV. Thanks to him and race photographer Ginny Amsler!
The event continues to gather in popularity. Mark your dance cards for late December 2018