Sandcastles First, Love Later...Much Later

Volume XVIII
Fourth Quarter 2015
Number 4
Sandcastles First, Love Later...Much Later
by Jake Merrill and Cara Sipprelle
J
ake:The trip to Useppa is frustratingly long for a young
kid from Boston: a three-hour flight, an hour
drive, and a 20-minute boat ride. I’d mark the trip
with familiar sights and smells. Seeing the first palm
tree, smelling the warm salt air, and then navigating
the endless streams of wheelchairs and elderly drivers
leaving the airport. The excitement really kicked in
when my family took the boat through Jug Creek, and
I’d catch my first glimpse of the island.
Every year, every Christmas, for as long as I can
remember, I’ve made this trip to Useppa. It’s the
highlight of my year as my extended family gathers
to play croquet, go fishing, and eat tons of food.
I’ve participated in the Izaak Walton fishing tournament, the island wide scavenger hunt, and the annual
croquet tournament. I’ve done all there is to do on
Useppa, but it’s what Useppa has given me that has
affected me most.
One thing I never expected was that I would meet
my future wife at the age of eight. Okay, so it did take
me 13 years to realize that there actually was a fifth
Sipprelle child as she never seemed to show up on the
tennis court, but at least I didn’t wait too long. It also
helps that while on Useppa, the pool of eligible men
is drastically smaller – pushing me closer to the top.
Kidding aside, Useppa is where I first felt the strength
of a loving family and where my journey to begin my
own family took its first steps. For this Useppa will
always hold a special place in my heart, although now
there is no escaping the in-laws during the holidays.
C
ara: I always mark the length of time I’ve spent on
Useppa by my brother Troy’s life. He was just
a baby when we first arrived on the island, and I can
still remember the freedom I felt – not only of being
allowed to run around without supervision – but also
of being given the permission to take my little brother
Continued on page 15
Useppa Chronicle
Page 2
A View from under the Mangroves
Christmas Eve’s Useppa Family
by Virginia Amsler
W
e don’t have a church on
Useppa. There is no
place where we gather
as an island, except for one night of
the year. On Christmas Eve whether
part of a family, visiting
guest, boating member,
employee, single or in
a group, old and young;
we make our way to the
historic Collier Inn.
A tall tree welcomes
us. There are holiday
cookies decorated by
Useppa employees, a
Wassail Bowl, Shane’s
Eggnog, and Christmas
music. Old friends
reconnect around the
Tarpon Bar. Children
connect running around the tree.
Tables fill in the formal dining
room, the overflow standing in
doorways arms around each other.
Every one is welcome.
The tradition of Wassail and
carols began with Bob Sumwalt
directing the night, leading the
singing. Bob, the father of Useppa
Croquet, and his wife Miss Barbara,
the creator of our museum, were
the centerpieces around whom
we gathered. At some point in the
evening, Steven Kaufman led The
Twelve Days of Christmas. Gar and
Sanae Beckstead with their children
always seemed to get the coveted
Five Golden Rings part.
Years passed. The Sumwalts
are no longer with us. Mika and
Donald Beckstead have children of
their own. The Sipprelles and the
Miller/Merrill/Carlson little ones
are now mostly grown. Jake Merrill
and Cara Sipprelle are engaged to
be married. Lynne Sipprelle and
Liv Carlson, who once sat on their
mothers’ laps, hold my grandchildren
Maisie and Anna on theirs. The
extended Castallanos family takes
Christmas Eve Revelers 2014
up an extended table and more. Santa
Claus still comes sometimes. With
Mrs. Claus at home, he shares an
eggnog with Kay Chapin.
Paul “Oompah” Miller leads the
Useppa Chorale. Last year he and
grandson Tor sang Silent Night in
English and German remembering
WWI enemy soldiers who sang the
hymn together across the trenches.
One year Stephanie Greer sang I
Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,
and another tradition began. Her
daughters were little then and stood a
bit back, the way children skeptically
watch parents. Now that is “her
song,” and no one enjoys it more
than college students Jackie and Lily.
Maestro Steve Kaufman still
conducts The Twelve Days of
Christmas, perhaps even more
vociferously. A few years ago Winky
Merrill contributed additional lyrics.
Now we sing The Twelve Days of
Useppa Christmas, Five Golden
Rings replaced by Five Scorpion
Stings in the less idyllic version.
Newly divorced, I was alone for
my first Useppa Christmas. Rob and
Phyllis Wells included me in their
traditional Cabbage Key
Christmas party. Later,
walking by myself to
the Collier, Gar and
Sanae Beckstead saw
me and invited me to
join them for dinner
after the caroling. Now
I go with my daughter
Karrie, her husband Joe,
and grandgirls Anna
and Maisie.
Each one of the
years in between hangs
like an ornament in
my memories. Bob
Sumwalt was the father I never
had. The Millers and the Sipprelles
became my island family. Other
faces missing this year will still be
there in spirit.
Useppa is a gift we share. For
one night, we are all part of one
family, the Useppa family.
Merry Christmas.
The USEPPA CHRONICLE
is published by the Useppa
Island Club
Editor: Virginia L. Amsler
Artwork by:
Karen Kaufman
Editorial Assistant and Layout:
Dr. Bob Lade
Direct correspondence to
The CHRONICLE
P. O. Box 640, Bokeelia, FL
33922
Telephone: 239-283-4997 or
E-Mail: [email protected]
Useppa Chronicle
Page 3
Island Christmas Traditions
NEWS FLASH!!!
Santa is Coming to Useppa
by Laura Stokes
As most of you know, Santa and the staff
of the firehouse, are in direct communication
throughout the year.
We just received the official “Santa
Schedule” for the 2015 holiday season and
found out that Santa will be able to stop by
on Christmas Eve!
Santa will visit the islands of SW Florida
in the afternoon, and we expect that he will
arrive on the Useppa Beach by boat at 2:30
pm. (The reindeer will stay on Pine Island)
Because Santa loves fire trucks, we will
pick him up at the dock, ride him around
the beach for a few minutes, then drop him
off at the visiting area. I am sure he will be
bringing some small pre-Christmas gifts for
the children. We will celebrate with cake and
ice cream then wave goodbye as he travels to
the next island.
All children (and adults) of Useppa Island
are invited: Kids: be at the Firehouse at 2:00
pm to ride with us on the fire truck to getSanta.
Residents, visitors, and staff members… See
you on the beach.
Anna, Vanessa, Santa, Maisie and Giada
Santa and Maxwell
Useppa’s Twelve Days of Christmas
by Winky Merrill
Useppa’s Idyllic Version
12 Carolers caroling
11 Kites-a-flying
10 Terns-a-diving
9 Fish-a-leaping
8 Boats-a-sailing
7 Kids-a-swimming
6 Dolphins playing
5 Angel’s wings
4 Croquet balls
3 Boat slips
2 Pelicans
And an osprey in a palm tree.
Useppa’s Reality Version:
12 Hungry house guests
11 Capsized sailboats
10 Stuffed up toilets
9 Grocery transfers
8 Docks with bird poop
7 Busted golf carts
6 Broken shutters
5 Scorpion stings
4 Hurricanes
3 Dead phones
2 Rusty bikes
And an island in a blue sea.
Useppa Chronicle
Page 4
Useppa Chronicle
Page 5
The Grotto Shirts... Only on Useppa
Members’ Cocktail Party
by Chris Fitzsimmons
T
Rob & Phyllis Wells, Bill Marquardt and Karen Walker
Joe Cox
Tim Fitzsimmons, Bob Melvin & Chris Fitzsimmons
Tom Liber
he Grotto. What is it? How do you describe it?
Who thought of it? And how did it get there on
the southernmost tip of
Useppa Island?
Several years ago I kept
hearing a lot of people
saying “Have you seen the
Grotto? Isn’t it amazing?
I had no idea. But the
south end of Useppa has
always been one of my
favorite spots. I grabbed
Brady Stokes at the Fire
Department. I heard he
put an enormous amount
of effort helping Brian
Kershen create the thing
everyone was talking
sbout.
“Come on,” I said,
“Show me this Grotto
thing.”
It was a cool autumn
day, perfect for the trek to
the end of the old airstrip
to explore. We parked the
cart and proceeded down a white sandy path lined with
conch shells and marked off with branches twined into
rope. We came around a corner to the entrance of a
mystical magical place woven through the mangroves
marked by an a sign hanging at the entrance “Welcome.
Come In.” And so we did.
Trails went every which
way leading to interesting
treasures mixed with organic
artifacts left by people and
creatures before me. I looked
around at the menagerie of
treasures with amazement. It
was really hard to describe,
but I decided right away
that this place had taken
on a life of its own and
would become legendary in
Useppa’s legacy.
It was in that vein that
I decided to photograph a
few elements for a collage
and make a commemorative
shirt. It took awhile but with
the help of my very talented
artist friend, Melissa Smith
of Venice, we set to work on
what we hoped would be a
great souvenir for those who
love the Grotto. Naturally we wanted to appeal to the
Kids, but also to the inner child of adults. The Grotto
is just that kind of place.
Brian Kershen & Brady Stokes
Grotto Treasure Box
Gretchen and John Coyle
Alan Symonds
www.Useppa.com
Useppa Chronicle
Page 6
An Old Wicker Chair and a Good Book...
Christmas at Mom’s House
by Karrie M. Amsler
As these neighbors and friends travel below me, I
white wicker chair on the porch of my mom’s
house. This is what I picture when I first think of find myself drawn to them. As each new person goes
by, whether it be Jake and Maggie Merrill with their
Christmas on Useppa.
At seventeen, while curled up on this chair, croquet mallets, Liv Carlson and her island friends,
or Keekee with her poodle,
I read Louise Erdrich’s
little by little, my body
Love Medicine. At twentymoves out of my mom’s
five, a new cushion kept
wicker chair.
me comfortable while I
Before I even realize it,
finished Angle of Repose
I am no longer yearning for
by Wallace Stegner. And
the solitude anymore but
finally, at thirty-nine, I
am seeking the company of
am looking forward to
my Useppa community. At
stretching out on that
that point, I am practically
same chair, my feet on the
running to intercept my
aging ottoman to tackle
friends along the path,
a new non-fiction book,
eager to catch-up, to share
Just Mercy, by Bryan
Karrie,
Mom
and
TR
Amsler
in
the
detritus
of
Christmas
news, and to connect again.
Stevenson.
morning circa 2002..
From that point on, I
My life outside of
Useppa is filled with people. Both in the past and in jump whole-heartedly into Christmas on Useppa. I
the present, I’ve been in schools, once as a student sing like the best of ‘em at the Wassail. I jog to the
and now an educator and administrator. I spend my end of the island and breathe deep along the beach.
days interacting with others. Although this has filled I cast a line and dream big of catching a fish. And,
now as a wife and mother,
me with great joy and
I take time to eat fried
challenge, there always
grouper sandwiches with
seems to a come a time
my husband at the Collier
when the more introverted
while we watch our 7
side of me longs for
year-old twin girls swim
solitude and quiet.
in the island pool.
It is at this point in my
Christmas on Useppa
hectic daily life in California
is a time for me to
when my mind starts to
rejuvenate, breathe,
wander. I picture Christmas
laugh, and play. It is a
on Useppa. I picture my
time when I am able to
mom’s wicker chair.
truly relax and celebrate
While perched on what
some might dismiss as a Maisie, Joe, Mom, Anna & Karrie Christmas Eve 2014 in my family and friends.
the Collier Inn.
I am grateful for my
rather nondescript piece of
Floridian wicker furniture, I sip a cold Diet Coke and mom who creates this special space for me. Her wicker
take breaks from my pages to watch the occasional chair may need a new cushion and the paint on it might
dolphin or boat go by. My eyes follow as not-so-little be chipping, but it is there, just like always, ready to
any longer “Little Paul” bikes quickly past or Tor welcome me home, ready to accept me, and to nurture
Carlson and Ryan Merrill drive a golf cart with tennis me as the years go by.
rackets in hand. From up high on the second floor, I
say hello to various walkers who glance my way and
we share a friendly greeting.
A
www.useppa.com
Useppa Chronicle
Page 7
My Useppa Family
by Shane Felts
On the night before the Wassail, the entire restaurant
t was June 2010 when I first arrived on Useppa, and
when November rolled around, I was worried about staff decorated Holiday cookies for the members.
spending my first holiday season away from friends Somehow it was decided we would add Old Fashioned
Eggnog to the mix. No one
and family.
knew how to make it. I
Then I found out that
volunteered, and …. I am
even though I would miss
happy to report it has become
the people I loved, I wouldn’t
as much of a tradition as
miss out on the food. Livesinging the Useppa Twelve
On Employees have a
Days of Christmas.
Thanksgiving Potluck. They
The first time I heard
also have a Christmas Party
“Twelve Days” it blew me
exchanging favorite family
away. All the families taking
holiday dishes and a Secret
up their parts standing up,
Santa gift swap. I became
Shane Felts: Part of Useppa’s holiday tradition
sitting down, acting out their
part of new traditions.
Working on Useppa was more like working with a spontaneously assigned parts following in a round… it’s
still one of my very favorite things on Useppa.
community than working for a business.
This will be my sixth Holiday Season on our Little
By the time I attended my first Useppa Employee
Christmas party, I was full of Holiday spirit. Everyone Rock, and there is nowhere else I’d rather be. We have
was festive and jolly. Christmas trees were trimmed and great food, wonderful traditions, loving families and
dressed in holly. The food was a plenty. The company wonderful friends. Who could ask for more? Thank you
all for making this time of year special and keeping the
felt like home.
It was great, but I couldn’t wait for later that evening holidays alive.
As the rains recede and the temperature begins to
when members and guests would join employees for
Christmas Eve Carols and Wassail at the Collier Inn. drop, I can almost hear the tiny footsteps of Santa’s Elves
Then the next day it would our Christmas Day buffet. and Christmas Fairies tiptoeing into the Collier Inn.
I
Useppa and Local Charties
by Donald Beckstead
These donations range from donating weekend
s the Holiday season is upon us and we all have
things to be thankful for, we must not forget those vacations to benefit the Pace Center for Girls to corpowho aren’t blessed with as much prosperity or rate sponsorship of the American Heart Association’s
good health, who often times need a little bit of help. Annual Heart Ball. Over Thanksgiving week, we threw
As we know, many or our homeowners and members a trunk show featuring national retailer J.McLaughlin,
are out there doing great things. Useppa Inn and Dock goods from the Joseffa’s Boutique and handcrafted
Company, the managing entity of Useppa Island Club, jewelry by Darrien Segal. Fifteen percent of the prois also firmly committed to doing whatever it can to ceeds, over $1,000 from this trunk show, went directly
give back not only to our community, but also to the or- to the Pine Island Beacon of Hope organization. We
ganizations that represent real people with real issues. hope this event will turn into an annual success!
None of this would be possible without the hard
Aside from contributions to the Island Historical
Society and the Fire Department, in the past calendar work and dedication of all Club employees so please
year, Useppa Inn & Dock Company has made a total give them kudos any chance you get. If you would like
of 39 in kind and cash donations to a variety of local to know any of the local charities and organizations
charities or fundraising efforts raising an estimated we are committed to supporting and add your support
as well, let me know!
$30,000 through charity auctions.
A
Useppa Chronicle
Page 8
Useppa Chronicle
Page 9
Island Thanksgiving ...
...Useppa Style
The Beisswengers
Jamie, Jon & Jake Albert
Gizmo and Berkley
Longtime Useppa Homeowners and Island
Supporters Linda and Dan O’Connell
Naples members & newlyweds Ron and Joanna Kresge
Future Midshipman Sam with sisters Brittany and
Tori Webb-Martin
The Speiss family on their first Useppa visit
Donald & Heather Beckstead
Jamie and Roxanne Moore
Adam Kutner, Will Kline & Daryl Kutner
www.Useppa.com
Useppa Chronicle
Page 10
Useppa Chronicle
36th Annual Beach Croquet Tournament
December 30th 2015
Page 11
New Year’s Eve Carnivale
by Donald Beckstead
by Michael Albert
P
lease join us on the beach for our 36th Useppa
Island 9 Wicket Croquet Tournament.
As in the past the tournament is open to all
members and guests of Useppa Island. We will meet
on the beach at 8:30 am to draw the pairings. Games
will begin by 9:00.
The tournament is open to all levels with beginners
paired with the most experienced players. The field
is limited to the first 64 players, age twelve (12) and
above, to sign up and submit a check.
There will be snacks and coffee in the morning and
lunch served court-side at noon.
The final game usually finishes around 3:00 pm.
This is the longest running event on Useppa Island,
originally started in 1979 by Bob Sumwalt.
No experience is necessary to become a part of this
tradition. Many Useppa families have competed for
25 years or more.
If you are new to the island or just new to croquet,
why not come on out and join the fun. We promise a
great time for everyone.
Please contact the front desk for additional
information and pricing. Entry forms will be available
at the Reception desk or online. Deadline December 24th.
Oldtimers Mike Zuro, Jake Merrill, with novices Emily
Firment & Peter Bound
Runners-up Peter Bound and Mike Zuro with Event
Chairman Mike Albert
Good-Bye to Old Friends
Lou Ann and Terry West
U
Champions Emily Firment and Jake Merrill
Useppa’s referee Paul Miller IV
1st Annual Useppa Duatholon
On Tuesday 29th Useppa’s Inaugural Useppa Duathlon. Run 2k, Swim 1k, Run 2k. Start 4pm. Briefing 3.30pm on
the beach. Contact Simon Bound at [email protected] for more details. Registration includes a tee shirt.
seppa Island Club invites you to join us for an
evening full of mystery and wonderment.
On New Year’s Eve we are hosting a very special
Carnivale night to wow the senses!
Aerialists, contortionists, jugglers, and more will
dazzle party goers with their extraordinary skills while
an elegant French menu delights your taste buds.
Doors will open at 6:00 pm with dinner served at
7:00 pm, followed by an afterparty with D.J. Nicky
spinning all of your favorites, and then...
FIREWORKS AT MIDNIGHT!!!
Dinner will be $150 per person and will include
the Carnivale show and after-party.
Tickets for the after party alone will be sold at the
front desk for $20 per person.
Don’t hate yourself in the morning. Be there!
T
erry and Lou Ann West leave Useppa at the end of
December. Terry has been here for 29 years and
LouAnn for 24. Their departure marks the end of an
era. It won’t be the same on the Island.
Most of us bought our homes from Terry and we thank
him. Without his help we might not have chosen Useppa.
Many of us know LouAnn because of her kindnesses
to employees and homeowners. She began the tradition
of honoring an Employee of the Quarter. Employee of
the Year began under her watch. The Employee picnics
and barbecues were more fun because of her hard work.
Rosie Perez “grew up” working on the island
beginning in Housekeeping. “LouAnn saw me studying
accounting on the boat and encouraged me. When there
was an opening in the office, she hired me.
“LouAnn has a big heart. She is a beautiful person,
and my role model. I will always miss her.”
Useppa will miss you both.
Useppa Chronicle
Page 12
Useppa and Selamta Families Connect
These Kids Will Do Amazing Things...
by Carolynne Krusi
erhaps the most rewarding times for our family are
when we work together on something that really
matters to all of us. Eight years ago our youngest
son, Christopher, joined a young Ethiopian friend on
a trip that has changed all of our lives. He went to
work on what was then a ground-breaking approach
to the orphan crisis, the idea of re-creating families for
children who were living on the streets. They started
to find homes and train women who themselves had
been marginalized to be moms, located appropriate
schools, and began the work of helping to create new
and permanent families for the children.
Since then, our whole family has worked with the
Selamta Family Project both in Ethiopia and in the
P
US. It has been a delight to see friendships across the
continents flourish and relationships grow deeper with
our subsequent trips to Ethiopia. We do whatever needs
to be done- paint houses, teach English, help with
organizational issues, establish medical clinics and
to help the kids tell their stories though the book, An
Unlikely Family. And in that time, our Selamta kids
have worked hard at school and have been admitted
to the University at four times the national average.
They have broken the traditional Ethiopian patterns
of childhood marriage and early children. They are
healthy, happy, involved young people. Thanks to
the tremendous support from people on Useappa and
around the world, these kids are going on to do amazing
things, not the least of which is Tizita Hagere’s leading
role in the award winning movie, Difret!
Letter from Selamta Family Project’s Tizita Hagere, Lead Actress
in Sundance Award Winning “Difret”
Dear Useppa:
Thank you for welcoming me to your beautiful
island, and for sharing the movie, Difret, with me. I
have been blessed many times in my life with great
opportunities, and the time with you on the island and
the support that Useppa families, including the Krusi/
Beisswengers, give to the children at Selamta Family
Project is among them.
One thing that I could see, even in my short time
at Useppa, was how close the families are. It made me
happy because that is something we share. When my
father died in the war and my mother became very sick,
I was lucky to have the chance to have a new family
because of Selamta. I had a home with a new mom and
sisters and brothers who I love (most of the time!) and
good food to eat and a good school to go to. I even
had the chance to take the acting classes that brought
me to Difret.
Our Selamta families are close like yours on Useppa. We work together and play together and celebrate
the good things that happen and help each other when
things are not so good. And we are all committed to
helping Ethiopia be as good as it can be.
When Christopher Beisswenger was with us in
Ethiopia, he said, “Selamta is based on the view of
family based on the love that we share rather than
the DNA in our blood.” That seems to be true of both
Selamta and Useppa.
Thank you so much.
Tizita
Useppa Chronicle
Davis-Hughes Families Celebrate Tamsyn’s Christening
Elizabeth Davis and David Hughes invited family and friends from all over the world to celebrate with them
and their daughter Loraine the baptism and official family welcome of their newest little daughter Tamsyn.
Elizabeth and her sisters Mary Patton, Caroline and Cody Jr. grew up on Useppa. Their parents Cody and Beth
have been making the Island a second home for decades. Now a third generation will become part of that tradition.
Elizabeth and David divide their time between Hong Kong and Rwanda where they are the founders of
the Akilah Institute for Women.
Beacon of Hope Shines on Useppa
Bren Smith and MP Davis
G3, Shannon and George Argyros with Tizita Hagere
Selamta’s Useppa Team
Page 13
Farmer Swigs and Farmer John
Over Thanksgiving Useppa raised money for Pine
Island’s Beacon of Hope both formally and informally.
A Trunk Show of fashions and jewelry sponsored
by the Club was held at the Collier Inn. Fifteen percent
of its profits went to the Beacon.
The Swigerts and the Coyles spent Thanksgiving
Day distrubuting turkeys to farm worker families in
Immoklie. They brought home fresh vegetables.
Farmer Swigs and Farmer John sold their produce,
all monies raised going to the Beason.
One Island supporting another.
Suzy Trino and Shane Swigert
Useppa Chronicle
Page 14
Useppa Island Club Recognizes Shannon Likewise as
Employee of the 4th Quarter
by Dakota Likewise, Food & Beverage Director
S
hannon has been the smiling face behind the Tarpon freed us up, we took an opportunity to return in 2014.
Bar and Tarpon Snack Bar attendant for the past Shannon enjoys a lot of things about Useppa Island
year. She also assists anywhere in the Department of and Florida from the small community to the beautiful
Food & Beverage from
beaches nearby.
food service to events
She enjoys being
and supervision and
the Friday Night Happy
everywhere in-between.
Hour bartender and has
Shannon also has had
been great about getting
previous experience at
to know your special
Useppa at the Joseffa
drinks and every name
Boutique, Events Planning
& face on a busy night.
and Front Desk positions
She exhibits hospitality
in her 4 years of tenure
and professionalism
with us, making her
welcoming guests, keeping
well rounded and very
the bar tidy and taking her
knowledgeable about all
responsibilities seriously
Shane & Dakota Likewise
things Useppa.
to better serve you. She is
Shannon joined Useppa in 2005 working at the very surprised and happy to be recognized with so
Tarpon Bar as a food server while the Collier Inn many great staff members out here and she appreciates
was under renovaton after Hurricane Charley. She your support. Thanks for a great job Shannon!
followed her husband back to Arizona in 2007. After
Though there may be some bias in this article, it is
several years of desert life and as family obligations for a nice recognition (which I did not vote on, promise)
Useppa Chronicle
Continued from page 1
out on a walk alone. As a young child, Useppa was
the place where we were given the freedom to be
adventurous (although not without some ill-advised
episodes that landed us in trouble). Then, as I grew
up, went to college, traveled abroad, and began
working, Useppa become the peaceful place where
my entire family still gathered to celebrate together
every Christmas.
Useppa is, of course, also the place where I met
Jake through a chocolate chip cookie baking play date
in 1997. I do distinctly remember his downing pure
grenadine at the Inn during a Sipprelle-Miller/Merrill
lunch, but aside from that dramatic incident, he didn’t
make too much of an impression until we connected
our senior year of college. While our relationship
has grown off-island, it’s also given me some new
Useppa yearly markers:
Page 15
Bocce Begins on Useppa
Renee vs Pason Gaddis
2010: the vacation Jake and I became “friends”
2011: the first Christmas we celebrated together
2014: the holiday season everyone thought we
would become engaged
2015: the holiday season we actually are engaged
Throughout this time, Useppa has only become
more special to us, and I feel so fortunate we have
this home to return to, together with our extended
families, each year.
Frank Stokes, Cody Davis & Don Strong
From the Beckstead Family
Support Useppa’s Employee Christmas Fund
We’d like to take this opportunity to send our
deepest gratitude and respect for the overwhelming
response and flood of support, prayer, best wishes,
and general outpouring of emotion that we have
received recently from the Useppa community
regarding Garfield’s health.
We are ecstatic to report that Gar’s needed liver
transplant came right in time for Thanksgiving.
Although he is not quite fully healed yet, he is
doing wonderfully on his road to recovery. It has been
nothing short of a miracle.
We could not be happier and are taking one day at
a time but things are truly starting to look up!
Thank you all so much, we cannot tell you how
much it has helped us all to know so many out there
care so much.
God bless. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Useppa’s inaugural Bocce players
Bocce on Useppa
Useppa Chronicle
Page 16
New Members
New Members
Frank & Jackie Ripa
Frederico & Sheba Matheu
Jim & Judy Leach
Joseph & Donna Giasi
Pat & Diane Elliott
Paula Meyer
Todd & Mary Geyer
Dave & Diane Banyard
N. Brooks Burleson
Rick & Lorrie Wetmore
Michael & Eloise Frey
Kevin & Gena Harakal
William & Corlyn Marsan
Christmas on Useppa with Santa
Useppa Island Club
P.O. Box 640
Bokeelia, FL 33922
(239) 283-1061
STANDARD MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BOKEELIA, FL
PERMIT NO. 3