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A Flaming Success, Useppa Fire Department Fundraiser Part II – Thoughts and photos by UseppaGin – Fire dancing at the Collier Inn Pool by Radiant Illusions set the stage for the second half of the night. People watched fascinated by fire twirling and juggling. A DJ kept everyone dancing. Chef Ryan and the Collier staff served a magnificent dinner. Raffle winners celebrated a new kayak, a woman’s bike and more. Boston Red Sox tickets, artwork, boat trips with Captain Dane, nights at the Tarpon Lodge, a formal ladies tea, cookies by the Cookie Brigade were just some of the items in the Silent Auction. No one went home without smiling. Once again, the Fire Department threw a great party.

Fire and Ice: The 2018 Useppa Fire Department Fund Raiser Part I – pictures and words by UseppaGin – Good food, good music, good friends and a good cause sum up the part Saturday night, March 24th on the Collier Inn patio. A raffle and silent auction, dancing under the twinkling lights, cocktails and dinner showed Islanders’ and visitors’ support of the Useppa Fire Department.

St. Patrick’s Day – Thoughts and photos by UseppaGin – ‘Twas another grand Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Useppa. The wearing of the green on March 17th is an island tradition. For one family, it’s the fourth generation parading up and down the beach. Prizes, applause and accolades were awarded to all the participants aboard decorated golf carts. Green beer awaited all at the Tarpon, and for one day, everyone on Useppa was Irish.

A DAY ON USEPPA – photos and thoughts by UseppaGin – Families and friends on the water, enjoying a game of bocce, riding golf carts, playing on the beach, sitting in the sunshine on the back porch…it’s the time of year when we’re all together and grateful for each day.

Contagious Happiness – Comments and Photos by UseppaGin – A new baby makes her first island visit, archaeologists return, college friends enjoy a reunion, families play on the beach, cottages change ownership, and so much more…Useppa in March is a time to savor.

Orchids, Scoundrels, and Author Craig Pitman at the Useppa Museum – Comments and photos by UseppaGin – A standing room only audience listened to Craig Pitman’s tales of orchid adventurers in their quests to find the rarest flowers. For hundreds of years plant swashbucklers trekked across continents smuggling specimens home.
This nefarious activity is described in Pitman’s “true crime/gardening” book The Scent of Scandal.

Friends, Family, Sailing & Bill’s Grille – Comments and photos by UseppaGin – Another Saturday on the waters off Useppa with Island sailors enjoying the morning breezes. Three generations in one family sailed Ragtime. Husbands and wives smiled at each other as though on dates. Purrfect was handed to a new owner, sailed by both. A Committee Boat set the course and Blue Chip’s captain gave a running commentary on race results until he had to go and grill hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch at Bill’s Grille. It doesn’t get any better.

Cold Weather, Warm Smiles – comments and photos by UseppaGin – The weather was too cold for sailing. Only two Sandpipers braved the gray skies and low tides last Saturday, Feb 3rd. But by lunch time, hamburgers on the beach and lunch on the Collier Inn Patio were a perfect match for warming temperatures.
In the winter, there is no better place to be than Useppa Island.

Super Bowl on Useppa – photos and comments by UseppaGin – What better place to watch the Super Bowl than on Useppa Island? Boats in the Marina, good food, drinks, and football on the big screen in the Tarpon Bar. Life doesn’t get much better… unless you are a Patriots’ fan.

Island Wintery Weather – Comments and photos by UseppaGin – Anchorage off Useppa, croquet, bocce by the beach, the Collier Inn for lunch, sailboats, families, and birds – just another Island winter day. Temperatures cold by Florida standards only make nature’s warmth more intriguing.