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Useppa Labor Day Celebrations – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Clusters of families and friends gathered on the island. Small groups and large celebrated the holiday, celebrated the spirit of Useppa. Relatives and friends in one family came together to commemorate a tradition going back thirty years, impromptu dinners by the water, children fishing the Izaak Walton Kids’ Tournament, and this year to say good-bye to its patriarch who died in April. Club Members boated over for a last summer Collier lunch and afternoon in the pool. Happy Hour brought old and new Islanders together. With safe distance between us, we had a weekend filled with old fashioned fun.

Labor Day Kids Izaak Walton Fishing Tournament – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Nine fishermen hooked Snappers, Flounders, Mango Snappers, and Pinfish. One fisherman also got hooked. The Most Heroic Trophy Winner had to go to the mainland and have it removed. Izaak Walton veteran Kyle Corey set the tone. He helped anyone needing help catch and release unharmed every fish (part of the Kids’ Fisherman’s Oath). He also joined Tournament alums who once fished as children and now helped their own kids. Judging by the smiles, parents had more fun than their little ones.

Thank You Useppa Employees – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Labor Day on Useppa was business as usual for Island employees. Landscaping worked on the North End. Housekeeping cleaned rental units. The Service Department had men on the dock loading and unloading. Other necessary work was done behind the scenes. Trash was picked up. In the Marina boats were sent off or tied up. Launches ran all day. Without our loyal employees, life on Useppa would be impossible. Thank you from the guests and members here for the weekend. Thank you from those of us lucky enough to call Useppa home. You have earned our respect. We admire your integrity and honor your work ethic.

Families and Fun – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Useppa doesn’t take for granted how lucky we are to be an island where families and friends can gather in these troubled times. Smiling faces look at the camera but masks are nearby and worn when appropriate. Reunions are gifts. A father can hug his son. Girlfriends can hang out together. Staff members work together and stay safe. In one picture it even looks like a helicopter is wearing a mask, but upon take off, with plenty of air space, it was no longer necessary.

Island Summer Quiet – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – A small wedding celebrated Island memories remembering a friend here in spirit. Old friends visited. Families spent the weekend together. Useppans helped each other through health and COVID worries. Nature’s vibrant blue-sky days and paintbrush sunsets were gifts. In a time of uncertainty, Useppa offers peace and serenity.

Signs of Island Summer – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Walking the island, reading a good book by the pool (sometimes staying awake), lunch on the Collier Patio, comings and goings in the Marina, families sharing jet ski beach time, an engagement, a celebration of the lives of Dr C and Cindy Castellanos…. Useppa summers are something to savor. Like the names of Useppa cottages, some signs can be read. Other signs are more subtle, but smiles give them away.

Life on the Dock, Fishing, and More – Thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin – Summer life on the Useppa docks has its own rhythms. People arrive by boat and tie up with the advice and help of Marina Captains. Groceries and packages are unloaded. Folks come and go on the Island launch. And over the 4th Weekend for the first time, there was an all-girl Kids Izaak Walton Fishing Tournament. Tropical Storm Elsa discouraged some families from coming to Useppa, but it didn’t deter four girls from throwing a line, waiting patiently for a bite, and determinedly reeling in a catch. Tournament veteran Kyle Corey administered the Fisherman’s Oath, his mentor captain Ken by his side. Each angler learned more about fishing and her confidence grew. Sometimes large numbers are fun, but there was something special about just four girls on the dock.

Useppa Father’s Day Weekend – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Old and new Useppa families gathered on the island to celebrate Father’s Day. One group has been part of Useppa for three generations. One bought a home last spring. Another sold their house but continue the tradition of Father’s Day lunch on the Collier Patio. Each of those fathers and every other island father was wearing that Useppa smile – one of gratitude and happiness. Whether teaching a little one to swim, catch a fish, ride a golf cart, run a boat … Useppa Father’s Day rituals continue.

Island Serenity and Fun – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Mid-June is a quiet time of year on Useppa between holidays and before summer hurricane worries. Faces have peacefulness behind smiles. Children play in the pool without having to share it with too many grownups. Happy Hours are like family gatherings. Members visiting and year-round Islanders spend time together watching a sunset, lunching on the Collier Patio. It’s the soft period on Useppa. Quiet rhythms shape a day.

Useppa Celebrates Memorial Day – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Old and new Useppa Members gathered on the island to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend. A band played Sunday at the pool. Breakfast, lunch and dinners were served in the Tarpon Bar, on the Collier Inn Patio and in the Collier Dining Room adding to the festivities. Families and friends honored High School graduates with picnics, parties, fishing, and trips to Cayo Costa’s beach. In the background, flags reminded everyone the solemn reason for the holiday. Behind smiles there was also reverence for all those who gave their lives for our country.