Author: Useppa

Incoming Current & Shifting Breeze

Useppa Yacht Club Races, February 6, 2016

By Bob Stevens, Race Committee

Nice morning.  We saw breeze at about 8 knots to start, and it quietly settled all morning, then shifted abruptly to the west.  Caught me unable to set a finish line, and to get the final race off very well.  Perfectly lousy starting line, with my boat not knowing just what to do with the incoming current and the shifting breeze.  Sorry to have such a sad looking starting line for the third race!

But, six boats were out this morning: Bill and Sherry Welch in Purrfect, Paul Beisswenger and Michael Carmichael in Spirit –changing skippers/crew along the way, Ed King and Kim Lockhart in Coot — changing skippers along the way, Ray George and Jim Doherty in Little 7 Up, Kurt Stocker and Tony Colgan showed up in Ragtime — they too, changed skippers, and John Coyle was out in Sink ‘r Swim.

We got in three races, the first two were twice around the windward/leeward course, and the final once just once around.  The big news for the day was Kim Lockhart, at the helm for the first time ever, winning the second race, with Ed King as his crew aboard Coot.  Nice work, Kim!!

Spirit managed a first, a second and a third this morning, Purrfect did the same, a first, second, and a third.  Coot had Kim’s first effort win and two third place finishes.  So, each of the three won a race this morning, and they all finished in the top three each race.  I had Ginny Amsler aboard as help this morning, and Stu and Diana were out moving marks with their usual diligence and attention.  My thanks to all three.

Thanks to Bill Newbold, of Bill’s Grille fame, who did the grilling.  Thanks to Kay Chapin, and all the rest who helped with lunch on the beach.

Zuro & Weaver Win

2015 Useppa Beach Croquet Tournament

Photos by UseppaGin

 

The final croquet match pitted perennial nine wicket champion Mike Zuro and his novice partner player Chris Weaver against seasoned player Tyler Sipprelle and his beginner partner Sam Pastor. Zuro and Weaver won that game, but everyone who played on the beach during the long day, both winners and losers had a great time. That’s what croquet on Useppa is all about.

Block Winners

Clare Sipprelle & Maxwell Powell

Linda O’Connell & Cole Meznieski

Jake Merrill & Emily Fermint

Betty Folkerth & Curtis Chapin

Steve Kaufman & Mark Smith

2nd Place Winners

Tyler Sipprelle and Sam Pastor

1^st Place & Undefeated Winners

Mike Zuro & Chris Weaver

Forty-eight players were in the tournament. Thanks to Mike Albert, Karen Connery, Suzy Trino and Scott Carlson for backstage the work that made the day such a success. Thanks to all the seasoned players who shared their knowledge of the game with their inexperienced partners.

Let the Play Begin!

Useppa Annual Beach Croquet Tournament Part I

Photos by Island Annah, Starfish Maisie, Ocean Anna & UseppaGin

The players gathered on the beach December 30th for a day of nine wicket croquet. Names were drawn, pairings were made between the “Best of the Best” and “Newbies. Intermediates were divided into two groups.

The first rounds of play began at 9:30 and the fun began. Laughter and moans, missed shots and perfect hoops. It took a team of young photographers and UseppaGin to catch the action.

Winners????

Tune in for Beach Croquet Part II

1^st Annual Useppa Duathlon

by Simon Bound & pictures by UseppaGin

The 1st Annual Useppa Duathlon took place on December 29th with over 20 competitors finishing. Some entrants participated as individuals, some as members of a team, and all had fun.

A 2k run was followed by 1k sea swim and another 2k run.

The winner was Alex Bound, 2nd Tyler Sipprelle and 3rd was Jack Bound.

This will be an annual event over the Christmas week going forward.

See you all in December 2016!

 

Pirates on Useppa

POA Party at the Tarpon Bar

Photos by UseppaGin

 

It was only for one night, but there were pirates on Useppa walking the plank, dancing, looking for treasure, sipping a drink or two, and more.

Normally quiet homeowners on the island with patches on their eyes, carrying swords, and wearing ruffled shirts showed up and claimed the Tarpon Bar for one night. It was the Annual Useppa Property Owners Association Party and a good time for all ages. Neighbors old and new, young and old, celebrated being part of the Useppa family.

2015 Izaak Walton Kids’ Christmas Fishing Tournament

Photos by UseppaGin

Lots of kids, lots of fish, and lots of families participated in the 2015 Kids’ Izaak Walton Christmas Fishing Tournament.

Following in a long Davis tradition, little Loraine caught the most fish with her grandfather, grandmother and aunties by her side. Anastasia caught the Biggest Fish. Maxwell caught the Weirdest Looking Fish. Twins Anna and Maisie each won a trophy. Anna caught the 2^nd Biggest Fish and Maisie caught the 2^nd Most Fish.

Old time kids, now grownups, came back to cheer on the newest island fisherpersons. With the help of Captains Ken & Jeff and Donald Beckstead, the tradition continues of kids fishing off Marina’s docks continues.

Christmas Eve at the Collier Inn

Photos by UseppaGin

 

The tall tree in the foyer, Shane’s eggnog in a crystal bowl, Roxanne behind the bar, and music in the Barron Collier Dining Room….

Then the carols and the Useppa Chorale led this year by Miller grandson Tor Carlson.

Family pictures, children singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the Capella Bound brothers Harry, Jack and Pete, a duet with Tor and Lynne Sipprelle, plus The 12 Days of Christmas Maestro Steve Kaufman…. a night of Useppa merriment, joy, and gratitude.

Christmas Eve, Santa, Useppa Kids & the Fire Department

Photos by UseppaGin

Twas the Night Before Christmas when Santa arrived on the island for cake and ice cream, and to ride on the fire truck with Useppa’s children.

(Later he said confidentially, “Riding on a fire truck is even better than riding in a sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer.”)

Thanks Stokes Family for making it happen.

Thanks Santa for stopping by.