Category: Uncategorized

Change of Plans – photographs and thoughts by UseppaGin – Labor Day Weekend was more subdued than usual because of Hurricane Dorian fears, but because of the men and women who work on Useppa, the Island was ready for whatever happened. As it turned out, Dorian stayed off the West Coast. Year round residents relaxed. Families came out for the day. People gathered around the pool. A young girl worked on her school project about the Calusa Indians. No one took the beauty, the serenity, and the gift of Useppa for granted. Thank you to all who worked to prepare the island just in case. Thank you to everyone who worked the Labor Day Weekend making Useppa a place of island welcome for homeowners, members and guests.

While Nobody’s Looking, Summer at the Useppa Service Department – Words and pictures by UseppaGin – Most resident Islanders are away during the summer months. Local Islanders boat over on weekends. But while Useppans are away, caretaking never ends. In fact so much has been going on that pictures are in order. The Reception Center and Fitness Center have been painted. Landscaping has been working from one end of the island to the other removing palm fronds, getting rid of coconuts a.k.a. Hurricane Missiles, and removing debris. A golf cart parking area is now next to the Tarpon Bar. Work was done on the Spa. All the water lift stations are being serviced and repaired, and pipes are being mapped. Eleven large metal containers in the Service Yard allow for removal of construction debris. Electrical work and replacements for the RO plant are being installed and there will be major upgrades to the electrical system. A big Useppa thank you to all the men and women making this happen.

Pig Roast Family Fun – Pictures and Words by UseppaGin – The food was delicious but the family fun was even better. In the pool, down at the Bocce Court, along the pathway on Calusa Ridge, and in boats at the Marina, everyone enjoyed the last free weekend before school begins and reality returns. Tides were high. Fish were biting. Kids and grownups alike were swimming. Thank you to the Collier Staff and all the men and women behind the scenes who make life on Useppa something to treasure.

Hot Weather, Warm Friendships – Words and Pictures by UseppaGin – Hot weather, sunset sky paintings, and warm friendships describe July on Useppa. A mother and father with two little children play on the beach and fish for dinner. Families plan a Sunday lunch and an afternoon in the pool. Old friends enjoy one pina colada and just one more. A favorite Island couple revisit. All of this describes lazy summer life on Useppa.

Island Summer Continues – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – The sunsets are beautiful. Nights at the Collier Inn are quietly intimate. A patio visit combines swimming and lunch. Fishing with Dad is a special time. It’s easier to imagine the past walking the island on a soft warm morning. Families love summer on Useppa because the beach and pool seem to belong just to them. Birds peacefully perch on trees, wade through shallow waters undisturbed by wakes of passing boats. Useppa in the summer is a world of tranquility and serenity, a private sanctuary.

Forty-Four Fish and Useppa’s Almost All Girl Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Tournament – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – It wasn’t intended, but the 4th of July Izaak Walton Kids Fishing Tournament ended up five girls, one two year old boy, and another little boy on the sidelines. The girls called it an All-Girl Tournament and since they caught 43 of the 44 fish, nobody argued with them. Sixteen year old Jonathon Kerr fished Kids Tournaments when he was younger. He and two friends volunteered to run this one. Jonathon, Josh Milam and Scott Larguier administered The Fisherman’s Oath, measured and released each catch. It was kids helping kids. Trophies were awarded for Most Fish, First Fish, and Second Most Fish. Elliot won a trophy as the Youngest and Only Boy to Catch a Fish. The Most Dedicated Fisherwoman hung in there and caught her first fish with only minutes left in the tournament. The Bravest Fisherwoman was fishing, and fell kerplunk in the water, but didn’t give up.

Island Fourth of July – Thoughts and pictures by UseppaGin – There are no parades on Useppa to celebrate the 4th of July, no flamboyant displays or fireworks. Flags quietly stand beneath trees planted in honor of friends and family who have died. They mark the entrance to the Collier Inn. They wave from pilings, fences, and pathways. Boats pulling into the Marina display the red, white and blue of the United States. Useppa honors the founding of our country in the gathering of friends and families at the Collier Inn, in the patio pool, fishing off Island docks. In times when there is so much political disagreement, on Useppa we humbly celebrate how lucky we are and wish our country Happy Birthday.

The First Days of Island Summer – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – There’s a quiet about Useppa when summer begins. Boats come and go. People have lunch at the Collier and spend a lazy afternoon in the pool. There are no schedules to meet. Walks happen early on the morning. Drinks are sipped slowly watching the sun set. Seasonal residents and visitors are gone. More birds than people share life on the island.

Father’s Day Weekend on Useppa – Thoughts and photographs by UseppaGin – A mixture of ages, grandparents and grandchildren, fathers and their children, mothers making it happen…There is no better way to celebrate Father’s Day than to be on Useppa. The love, the joy, the happiness on the dock, at the Collier Inn, the pool, playing chess, everywhere on the island was a celebration of family.

Employee BBQ – Thoughts by Dakota Likewise and photos by UseppaGin – June has arrived and as the weekdays slow, a tradition Useppa Island Club on the first Monday of Collier Inn seasonal closure puts on our End of Season Employee BBQ! For 20+ years, on this day, all Island staff gather around for cheeseburgers in paradise off the BBQ manned by one of the caring leaders of our Club, it’s a great time where Landscaping hangs out with Captains, Accountants with Housekeepers, Island Executives with Painters and everyone gets the chance to just enjoy each other for at least an hour over a good meal. It’s keeping up with the traditions and showing appreciation to our hard working staff that keep us strong, Thank You to all the Staff of Useppa Island Club once again!