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Sunrise Easter, Sunrise Hope – Thoughts and Photographs by UseppaGin – Useppa is still recovering from Hurricane Ian. The island’s Easter service is all inclusive. Everyone is welcome, everyone is part of a thoughtful celebration of community. On Easter Sunday as the sun rises beyond the gazebo, we lift our voices in prayer and song. We share the gift of fellowship and hope for a better tomorrow.

Celebrations and Ending, Useppa Yacht Club 2023 – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Useppa Yacht Club ended the 2023 season with prizes, the seasonal closing of Bill’s Grille, and discussions about next year. Longtime member and sailor Tony Colgan won the 1st John Coyle Memorial award. The trophy honors John Coyle “in recognition of his unfailing service to Useppa” and presented to a sailor showing similar “esprit de corp.” The 1st Stocker Cup Trophy went to race winners Ed King and Kim Lockhart. Kurt and Kathleen Stocker were long-time supporters of the UYC. It is fitting to have an award in their names. The crew at Bill’s Grille, Carol and Bill Newbold along with Amy Lockhart are turning in their gloves, but the tradition of delicious hamburgers and hotdogs will be carried on next year under new management. Memories of John Coyle and the Stockers will be preserved in trophies. The crew from Bill’s Grille will be honored in a continuation of table fellowship.

Easter Cotton Club – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Another night of fellowship and fun under the stars dancing poolside to music by Stolen Fruit. Thank you to Doug Hitchcox for arranging everything. Thanks to Jaclyn and Ryan Berger for sponsoring the event. And thank you to Donald Beckstead and the Useppa Island Club for making it happen. Hurricane recovery continues.

Springtime on Useppa – Thoughts and Photos by UseppaGin – Recovery from Hurricane Ian continues, but it no longer defines life on Useppa. Reconstruction of the Marina dock is almost finished. Members and guests mix with Islanders enjoying lunch and Friday Happy Hour at the Tarpon Bar. The Barbara Sumwalt Museum hosted a favorite writer. Craig Pitman spoke about Florida’s efforts to save the panther combining humor and science. The UYC is sailing every Saturday, weather permitting, and then gathering for lunch at Bill’s Grille. Spring Break means family visits. Useppa’s Cub Reporter is checking on butterfly births. Useppa is a gift we don’t take for granted.

Saint Patrick’s Day on Useppa Part II – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – One week ago, we paraded and partied. We danced and went to a delicious barbecue under the Pink Path Banyan Tree. Thanks to the Useppa Island Club and generous homeowners, we tipped a few beers, we listened to the Jug Creek Band, and just had fun. The comeback from Hurricane Ian continues. Thank you to all whose good deeds remind us just how fortunate we are.

Saint Patrick’s Day on Useppa, Part I – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Hurricane recovery is hard work. Sometimes we just need to have fun, come together as the Useppa family and play. The tradition of a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is decades old, but this year it was Part I of a celebration. Decorated golf carts paraded up and down the beach. Prizes were awarded to all, and then in Part II, there was music and a barbecue. How lucky all of us were to be part of it. Congratulations to the winners in the parade and thank you to all who made it possible.

Under the Stars, the 2023 Museum Fund Raiser – Thoughts by Linda Colgan, Pictures by UseppaGin – Friday, March 10th was a night of island magic for over one hundred members of our Useppa family listening to strolling guitars, enjoying paella from an open fire, and coming together to support our Barbara Sumwalt Museum. With a beautiful starry night above, an open tent on the croquet court, it could not have been more perfect. The fundraiser committee, spearheaded by Brian and Mary McColgan, the Useppa Island Historical Society’s Board of Directors, and Rona Stage, Executive Director set out to promote goodwill, have an entertaining evening, and help the Museum raise funds. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported the event. The Museum more than succeeded in meeting its goals!

Dancing the Night Away – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – The year’s 1st Cotton Club party could not have been more fun. An almost full moon rising over the water, the band Deb and the Dynamics playing, a deck filled with dancers, and smiles everywhere. Thank you to all who made it possible. The night was a gift to all of us.

Island Fun on Useppa – Thoughts by UseppaGin, Pictures by UseppaGin and Cindy Ryan – The island is almost back to normal activity wise. On a Wednesday morning coffee, questions, and fire extinguishers at the Fire House with Fire Chief William Schobel. Another day the Paradise Partnership volunteered members for an overgrown plant cleanup duty at Bill’s Grille. Friday Happy Hours are fun for all at the Tarpon Bar. Sunday means French bakery goodies and a ride on the island launch. Everywhere smiles.

RAIN A History for Stormy Times: Useppa Museum Talk by Cynthia Barnett – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Speaking at the Useppa Museum, award-winning environmental author Cynthia Barnett shared a natural and cultural tour of RAIN, from the torrents that filled the oceans four billion years ago to the modern story of climate change. In a thank you Barnett wrote, “Useppa Museum is a gem and I was so honored to be invited to return. I love the extent to which the community honors barrier island history, style, and wild landscaping. I hope you all can hold tightly to those commitments as the rest of the region grows too quickly and too generically. Thank you for a lovely weekend.”