Category: Uncategorized

Merry Christmas and Thank You to Useppa Island Employees – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Thank you to all the Useppa Employees helping Useppa recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian. The Office, the Mailroom, and Reception building was destroyed. Working from the mainland online and in a makeshift office in the Tarpon Bar, the business of Useppa continues to operate. Landscaping and the Service Department juggle their jobs keeping the Island’s physical recovery on track. Housekeeping keeps cleaning and somehow the ladies keep smiling. The kitchen staff feeds workers on the dock, Island employees, and building contractors. It now also offers lunch and dinners to residents and guests. Hospitality behind the bar is back. The Marina may be gone, but the Captains are everywhere. The regular schedule of trips to and from the mainland is back. Each employee on Useppa is a gift. How lucky we are to have you in our Island family. It’s not too late. If you haven’t contributed yet or want to give more to the Useppa island Employee Christmas Fund….. Please contact Donald Beckstead at dbeckstead@useppa.com

A Soft Reopening – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – There was a Happy Hour in the Tarpon Bar for the first time since Hurricane Ian. Lunch was served over the weekend, and there was a dinner on Saturday night. Lunch will be served every day, Appetizers in the afternoon, and Dinner at night. Because we don’t have phone service, reservations must made by email to Reception @Useppa.com. Dock work continues. Island cleanup advances. Small steps forward but recovery will happen! Our hardworking employees and the contributions of residents make a difference every day. We are reclaiming Useppa.

Useppa Thanksgiving After Hurricane Ian – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – It wasn’t the normal Island Thanksgiving. Instead of a festive dinner inside and outside on the patio, the roof on the Collier Inn was being replaced. Instead of Homeowners’ and Members’ boats tying up at the dock, workmen were busy rebuilding the destroyed Marina. But…. there were still smiles. All of us here, residents and employees share a sense of gratitude for the gift of Useppa in our lives. Recovery is happening one day at a time. Thanksgiving.

Dogged Determination to Rebuild Part II – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Work continues. It sometimes seems unending, but rebuilding Useppa is a partnership of residents, employees, and volunteers. It’s happening one day at a time. And sometimes at night… dinner in the Tarpon Bar.

Dogged Determination, Hard Work, and Island Fellowship Part I – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Construction is underway on the new Marina. Structural and natural debris is properly disposed of in burn piles tended by employees and overseen by the Fire Department. Rebuilding of damaged homes has begun. An ancient Indian mound built centuries ago is cleaned up. Shells put there are once again visible. The work of yesterday’s Useppa stewards is appreciated and honored by those working today. The names of yesterday’s chiefs, workers, island families are unknown. Tomorrow no one will know our names, but the love we show in the rebuilding of Useppa is everlasting.

Faces of Recovery – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Yes, there are piles of debris. Cleanup after a hurricane is hard work. But there are also reasons to celebrate. A new baby begins her life on Useppa, and a longtime member and homeowner celebrates his 88th birthday. The Tarpon Bar serves meals to the staff living on Useppa, and on weekends everyone is welcome to watch football and share pizza and wings. Mail service is back. Trees are sprouting greenery. The rebuilding of homes is underway. Marina destruction is being removed, and dock reconstruction beginning. As another hurricane approached, Useppa was ready. The wind and rain from Nicole weren’t as strong as Useppa trees and people. We don’t give up.

The New Normal…A Useppa Morning Walkabout – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Just over a month ago Hurricane Ian pummeled southwest Florida. Within days Useppa began the assessment of property and landscape damage. Now reconstruction has begun. People are working hard and smiling. Volunteers, Island employees, the Fire Department, and independent contractors are partners. Structural progress is happening. Green leaves bud on brown bushes and trees. Equipment and heart heavy lifting are underway. The rebirth of Useppa is happening.

Useppa Stewards Make It All Possible, Labor Day Part II – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Thanks to the men and women who work on Useppa, we were able to enjoy and celebrate Labor Day Weekend on the island, a gift in all our lives. Families and friends return every year. Residents and local Members enjoy the end of summer and beginning of Fall. It is a time of fun and gratitude. On Useppa the two go together.

Labor Day Weekend of Love, Part I – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – In the pool, lunch on the patio, swing set fun, climbing the banyan tree, …. It’s the smiles in the pictures that tell the story. Hugs, love, and gratitude describe Labor Day Weekend on Useppa. It was the end of summer and one more celebration of Island life.

Labor Day Kids Izaak Walton Fishing Tournament – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Twelve anglers cast their lines (Okay… This is not FAKE NEWS. Some moms and dads helped). From toddlers on up it was another day of kids fishing together on the Marina docks. Snappers, Catfish and a Pinfish were caught and released in the Izaak Walton tradition. Captain Ken Horney and Maggie McCormack made it all happen. Despite the hot summer heat, in the Useppa tradition, parents, grandparents, and kids all had fun.