Sandpiper “Worlds” on Useppa

Volume XVII
First Quarter 2014
Number 1
Sandpiper “Worlds” on Useppa
by Bob Stevens, UYC Race Committee
ere we go again! Time for the 11th semi-annual and more and more Sandpipers showed up, along
Catboat Rendezvous here on Useppa Island, a with other catboats. Catboats as small as the perfectly
catboat gathering first held in January 1994. beautiful twelve foot Beetle Cats up to about thirty foot
Gretchen and John Coyle, here for the winters on cat boats came to enjoy the company and the sailing.
The crowds grew
Useppa Island from their
over the years, and
island home on the New
after running seven or
Jersey coast, began to see
eight Rendezvous, by
catboats in Pelican Bay
themselves, feeding
and on the ICW. They
the gang from their
got to thinking that they
cottage, with help in
should host a Catboat
later years from Kay
get-together on Useppa.
Chapin, who hosted the
Gretchen publicized
final day brunch and
the first Rendezvous in
awards, Gretchen and
the Catboat Magazine,
John handed over the
which she edited for its
responsibility of running
membership of catboat
2012
Catboat
Rendezvous
the Rendezvous to Mike
enthusiasts.
The 1994 gathering had about 25 people showing Albert and Jay Taylor. This year, Mike and Jay have
interest, but because of really lousy weather, 12 had to limit further participation because they already
showed up, some in catboats, wringing wet from have signed up more than 120 participants - 120 is the
maximum the Island can feed at the Tarpon Bar.
the rain.
This year’s “Worlds” (a tongue-in-cheek description
The first few Rendezvous were largely social, with
fun sailing over to Cabbage Key for lunch, beaching the of the importance of the Sandpiper Regatta, meant to
boats, not tying them to the docks, which about drove show that we will include any foreign entries who wish
the dock master crazy - boats were to be tied up to the to come, and that it is the major Sandpiper Regatta
docks there. A PVC pipe flagpole was constructed on anywhere in January/February) will be held from
the beach, and flags were flown to tell the participants Wednesday, February 26 through Sunday, March 2.
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the lawn just
what was what - no internet then. Lots of fun though,
and increasing numbers of participants over the years. south of the Tarpon Bar will kick off the “Worlds” on
Racing became an issue, and John was reluctantly Wednesday evening.
dragged into doing real racing as the numbers grew, Continued on Page 11
H
Useppa Chronicle
Page 2
From the Back Office
W
by Donald Beckstead, Resident Manager
ith another year on Useppa gone and 2014
upon us, we’d like to take the opportunity to
announce some recently completed and
much needed upgrades to the Club benefitting all
Useppa Members.
First, I’m proud to announce
the addition of the Joseffa II, our
new 34’ Corinthian Catamaran
Club Launch. Not only does it
increase our limit from 16 to 36
people per trip, but its modern
design and twin Yamaha 150
hp Fourstroke engines allow
for increased fuel efficiency
and a dry comfortable ride.
She can be found cruising the
waters of Pine Island Sound
with dolphins happily jumping
in her wake. Please refer to our new website for the
Launch schedule.
Which brings me to my next topic: our new website!
We have been working with the Tampa based marketing
firm Pat Hill & Associates to enhance our web presence,
and if you’ve recently visited useppa.com the changes
R.I.P. old “Belle”
“Useppa Belle II” reporting for duty.
made are apparent. We are still fine tuning the site, so
please bear with us, but rest assured we won’t be as
glitch prone as some other websites out there…. Having
a fresh and updated website will allow us to effectively
market and introduce Useppa
to potential new members
and property owners in a
meaningful way. We also will
be working closely with the
firm to dramatically increase
our public relations exposure
to produce solid editorial
content in local, regional,
and national media. The
Southwest Florida real estate
markets and general economy
are steadily improving.
This targeted campaign
will further establish our commitment to this market and
coupled with our new Facebook page (USEPPA ISLAND
CLUB) we will have a much broader audience sharing
our Useppa experience.
Lastly, if you’ve been driving past the Collier Inn Dock
recently, you’ve probably noticed we have significantly
upgraded our Useppa Belle barge. We’ve retired our old
34’ Belle after many years of noble service, and replaced
her with a state of the art custom built 40’ sectional barge
built in Baghdad, Kentucky. She will increase our hauling
capacity in both weight and volume by 30%. All of the
rigging and deck house was meticulously built in house
by Paul Webb-Martin and crew, so the next time you
see them, give them a big “Atta Boy!”
We had a great turnout this holiday season with
members and homeowners enjoying things like our
New Years Eve Party, another great Beach Croquet
Tournament, and a “blowout” Superbowl Party. We
thank you for this continued support of the Club and
look forward to a wonderful 2014!
The USEPPA CHRONICLE
is published by the Useppa Island Club
Editor: Virginia L. Amsler
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
The Shell Seeker
by Virginia
She walked along the sunset beach, white hair pulled back,
Polished fingers reaching down picking up this, dropping a small piece of that.
Moon snails, clams, coquina, left spiraling whelks, scallops, cockles, and conchs,
some shells kept, some thrown back.
She had done that with her past.
Carried memories like fragile shells in the soft woven basket of memory.
Time worn shapes touched in dreams without connecting.
Facts with hard edges, kept if they suited
or tossed into mind’s forgetful sea.
Treasures collected over seventy years.
A father reading bedtime stories before drinking too much to see the words,
The English soldier brushing back her red hair with a fair-skinned hand,
A solid gentleman loving her before courtship began,
The Museum with her name, images of the past, Calusa Woman, Calusa Man.
On Saturday nights in the island’s old inn,
She spoke in her soft southern drawl.
When the clock struck nine and dining was done
the man at the piano began.
The duet they sang was old love remembered
With her husband holding her hand.
Spirits looked through windows, listened in shadows.
Calusa Man, Calusa Woman,
invisible in their vigil
through long dark evenings,
afternoon walks on the beach
along the path between worlds.
Gradually the basket tips.
Yesterdays disappear into the mind’s deep sea, today close behind.
Empty shells and empty memories.
Only a soul stays behind.
Under a rising Harvest moon
two spirits offer their arms.
Three silhouettes on the beach
Calusa Man, Calusa Woman,
and a white-haired woman
gathering shells.
Useppa Chronicle
Page 4
The Fire Department Needs You!!!!
A New Team, a New
Fundraiser
Equipment That Could
Save Your Life
LUCAS CPR DEVICE
This machine hugs
the patient’s torso and provides lifesaving chest
compressions to circulate blood. It takes the place of
two medical personnel who can then concentrate on
other aspects of resuscitation
COST: $15,000.00
ZOLL X-SERIES CARDIAC MONITAR The
Zoll monitor is the state-of-the-art cardiac monitor/
defi brillator. It can detect heart attacks, convert
lethal heart rhythms, monitor all vital signs, and
detect blood gasses. It is water-resistant, can survive
drops of 6 feet, weighs 11 pounds (an industry
Useppa Fire Board Holiday Open Meeting held at the miracle), and has a small footprint to carry on a
smaller emergency vehicle.
Tarpon Bar with Board members: Assistant Chief
COST: $30,000.00
and P.A. Laura Stokes, Bobbi Caraway, President
EZ-GLIDE STAIR CHAIR This chair allows
Ray George, Carol Doherty, Fred Boos and Useppa
comfortable,
safe transport from floor to floor or across
Fire Chief Frank Stokes
uneven terrain. Its “tank” tracks allow two rescuers to
xcitement builds on Useppa Island as we prepare for maneuver most patients regardless of size.
our semi-annual Fire Department fundraiser.
COST: $8,000.00
With the help of our talented creative arts group, we
anticipate a fabulous evening. There will be a silent
auction featuring outstanding items such as sports
miniature Adirondack chair sits in a sandy spot all
tickets and memorabilia, jewelry, art, a small boat,
set up for the beach. Next to it is a ceramic
vacation experiences, and fine dinners. A wine grab rowboat complete with hand-hewn oars and mini fish
including a variety of high-end vintages and a raffle basket awaiting a very small, imaginary fisherman.
of gorgeous lanterns created by our arts ladies group
While these might sound like movie props, they
will tempt the palette and please the eye. Dancing are actually two of the twenty lantern centerpieces
under the stars, cocktails and a buffet dinner prepared created by the Useppa Artists for the upcoming Fire
by our wonderful chef and his staff will finish off a Department Dinner and Auction on April 12.
fun-filled night.
Useppa artists get together on Friday mornings and
This year we have a new team at our firehouse, let their imaginations run wild to create hand-made
with the ability to take us to a higher level of care. We “lanterns” of many forms. They will be on display
are hoping to raise funds to purchase three important and auctioned after they adorn each of the tables
pieces of lifesaving equipment, as well as an array of for the benefit dinner. Materials used are as varied
medications and treatment options to enable our new as the artists’ approaches. Beautiful shells highlight
emergency-certified physician’s assistant to address a metal and glass lantern. Brightly colored painted
more serious situations and care for people on-island, glass hurricane lanterns surround large candles.
without helicopter transfer.
Fabric, wood, clay and yarn are some of the other
We look forward to welcoming homeowners, materials that the artists have used to make their unique
members and guests to experience a magical evening centerpieces. Each lantern is awaiting a permanent
on Useppa Island.
home with someone who appreciates it after the Fire
Save the date! Saturday April 12th.
Department Benefit.
(Thanks to Bobbi Caraway for this article. Ed.)
(Thanks to Carolynne Krusi for this article. Ed.)
E
Lantern Centerpieces
A
Useppa Chronicle
Page 5
Birth of a Croquet Lawn
by Barney King
few weeks ago, a member of the Naples Yacht Club, the Sarasota Croquet Club, The Breakers, and Hammock
playing in their Golf Croquet Event during their Dunes. They were hired to redo ours.
three days on Useppa, commented that the fertilizer
Using much of the equipment borrowed from the
Useppa was using had made a huge difference in the UIC Service Department, Turf Masters stripped the
croquet lawn. The grass
old lawn and laser-leveled
was greener and like a
the base turf with a laser
putting green. The actual
guided scraper. They then
answer, I told him, was a
rolled forty foot long six
new lawn, the result of a
inch thick sod that was a
super partnership between
Dwarf Bermuda Tift Grand
the Useppa Island Club
developed by the University
(Tim Fitzsimmons and
Of Georgia Ag Experiment
Paul Webb-Martin) and
Station in Tifton Georgia. It
the Useppa Island Croquet
was created for golf course
Club.
tee boxes. A very forgiving
The normal lifespan
and robust grass.
of a croquet lawn is
While this was being
Bob
Cherry,
Mike
Zuro
and
Barney
King
approximately ten years.
done, the Service Department
“Time for a Cocktail”
Our lawn was fourteen
renovated and upgraded the
years, and even with the Service Department’s sprinkler system with new Rainmaster Heads allowing
aggressive efforts, we were fighting a losing battle for better and even distribution of water. They also built
against old age, various critters and, very possibly, a strong bulkhead around the court to insure stability.
the wrong grass. The original grass was Sea Shore The net result, a beautiful new lawn.
Pass Paspaulum, a salt resistant grass, that while
This whole project could not have been done
recommended for some coastal golf courses, proved without the generous contributions from the Useppa
not to be very robust or fungus resistant.
community (many who were not Croquet Players),
After many discussions with Golf Course managers the huge contribution of the UIC and the Service
from The Gasparilla Club, Sarasota Croquet Club and Department whose labor efforts made the project
Palm Beach Croquet Club, Jay Taylor found the firm possible, and to Jay Taylor who quarterbacked the
Turf Masters. They had installed the croquet lawns for entire effort from start to finish.
A
2013 Nine Wicket Beach Croquet
Runners-up Scott Carlson and Cody Davis
Champs Clare Sipprelle and Karen Abell
www.UseppaMembers.com
Useppa Chronicle
Page 6
Useppa Chronicle
Page 7
Island Style
The young George gang
The venerable Messrs. Bacon, Sear, Miller & Symonds
Emerson “Emmy Lou” Beckstead
Lesley Mercer Galloway and her son
Impish and inimitable Judith Sear
Linda and Dan O’Connell
John Coyle and Ed King
Mischievous Mary Bacon and her full of mischief puppy Daisy
Happy Hour at the Tarpon Bar with Tim Fitzsimmons, Sawyer
Smith, Melanie Sabelhaus and Chad Cadwell
Aimee and Kim Lockhart
Useppa Chronicle
Page 8
Useppa... Where Everybody Knows Your Name
By Barrie Loeks
Some lucky visitors have the good fortune to come
oming back to Useppa is like coming home.
back
and become island regulars. Something about
Familiar faces and places, hugs and smiles
bring back rushes of good time memories. Seeing Useppa’s size and isolation, together with its naturally
Useppa through the eyes of friends who never visited friendly people, makes the whole island feel like
family, an uncommonly
the island before, made
interesting family with
homecoming even better.
highly accomplished, fun
Watching my sisterand unpretentious people
in-law (and friend) Meria
from all walks of life in one
and my Michigan friend
small place. New friends
Ginny absorb Useppa
soon feel like old friends.
while I acted as tour guide,
Strangers you meet on a
made me appreciate anew
Thursday can be old buddies
the majestic banyan,
by Sunday! Island time
scurrying tortoises,
may be slow in many ways,
stunning orchids and
but it’s speedy in making
gardens, catboats bobbing
Ginny
Beauregard,
Jamie,
Barrie
&
Meria
Loeks
everyone feel at home.
in the surf, the stately
The Useppa “family” expands to include our
walk up the Collier Inn stairs, and the magical new
extended families that visit, grow up, and independently
south end grotto.
The island’s beauty is remarkable, but no one visits become part of the island. My daughter started visiting
without remarking on Useppa’s friendliness. On the at twelve and immediately fell in love. Fishing from
docks and the paths, in the mail room and the store, the dock, collecting coconuts, and of course driving
at the Collier and on the beach, there is always a the golf cart endlessly around the island at age fourteen
smile and a greeting from everyone. In so much provided constant entertainment. Fifteen years later,
of the world, we walk with eyes averted, avoiding her husband proposed to her on our dock, now a special
interaction. Encountering strangers in a strange place for both of them forever. Married last fall, she
place too often occurs with a hum of fear. Whether visits the island and the Useppa “grown ups” she met as
or not this tension makes sense, it is a part of our a child help her as an adult launch her new business.
We all love a “place where everybody knows your
world – but not on Useppa. With nothing to fear,
and smiles all around, this freedom and lightness is name.” We’re lucky we found it on a beautiful island
(as opposed to a Boston Bar!)
almost a shock to newcomers.
C
Useppa Chronicle
Page 9
Twenty Years: A Museum Milestone and More
by Museum Director Rona Stage
istory, according to Webster’s dictionary is a tale or and are now part of history. On March 8th, Dr. Eric
story; a chronological record of significant events; Milbrandt, of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation
a branch of knowled0ge that records and explains past Foundation will present a program explaining how this
events. Interesting, but how does history really affect came about, and what we can do to help.
Our last program of the
us in our everyday lives?
season will be a celebration of
I silently drifted across
history. On April 2nd, 2014 the
the Sound last week and
Barbara Sumwalt Museum
reflected on all who traveled
will pass a milestone. It was
these same waters centuries
on this day in 1994 that
before us, and the changes
the doors first opened to
that have occurred since.
the public. As we celebrate
Last summer the waters
this 20th anniversary, we
surrounding Useppa, and
are really honoring all the
most of south Florida,
people who have been part
both east and west coasts,
Pat Randell, Gar Beckstead and Don Randell
were dramatically altered Barbara Sumwalt invited Don Randell to cut the ribbon of Useppa’s last 10,000
due to decisions made officially opening the Museum. Randell said a few words years of history, those who
by the US Army Corp of appreciation and presented a bronze replica of the have left their marks on
Pineland gold medallion to the Useppa Museum.
this island; from the Paleo
of Engineers. The fresh
(The
original Calusa gold medallion found at the
people of hunter-gatherers
water they released from
Randell Research Center is exhibited in the University to the people that live here
Lake Okeechobee made
of Florida’s Hall of South Florida. It was donated by
today, to the founding fathers
the coastal waters turn a
author Randy Wayne White.)
and mothers who had the
dark brown, threatening the
estuaries. The normal beautiful waters surrounding our foresight to create the Useppa Island Historical Society,
and to the many hundreds of people since who keep the
barrier islands did not fair very well at all.
These fresh water releases happened because of spirit of Useppa alive with their support and love of the
policies and decisions made decades ago in our past museum telling its story. Photo by Marquardt
H
Environmental Photographer
Carlton Ward, Jr.
“King of the Crackers”
Jacob Summerlin
Carlton Ward with his wife Suzie and their little girl
Eldridge spoke about Florida’s cowboy tradition and
the need for a Florida wildlife corridor
Brian Shea in his one-man performance and
recreation of Florida Cattleman Industry Pioneeer
Jacob Summerlin
Historical Society hosts “Jacob Summerlin” & Carlton Ward Jr.
T
he Cracker past of the Florida cattle industry was
recreated by actor Brian Shea in his one man show
at The Tarpon Bar on Saturday, February 15th.
“Jacob Summerlin” told his audience about his
childhood. His father gave him a few cows and he
turned them into a few more and then a few more until
he was the largest cattleman in the state running his
herd the length of Florida, even shipping them off to
Cuba from Punta Rassa. He built a hotel there and one
in Orlando that was so posh that with a wink and a grin,
Summerlin said, “Management guaranteed paying ten
cents to any one person that found a mosquito within
the hotel walls. Not a penny was ever paid.”
At the end of his performance, Brian Shaw was
given a standing ovation.
Earlier in the month photographer Carlton Ward,
Jr spoke at the Barbara Sumwalt Museum about his
cowboy pictures hanging on the wall – pictures of
today’s Florida cattlemen, and about his book Florida
Wildlife Corridor Expedition from Everglades to
Okefenokee, 1000 miles in 100 days.
Carlton Ward is an 8th generation Floridian. Between
his stories and the stories told by “Jacob Summerlin,” a
part of Florida history came alive on Useppa. Summerlin
lived from 1820-1893. The Wards are still raising cattle
today. Only Texas has a larger cattle business than Florida.
www.UseppaMembers.com
Useppa Chronicle
Page 10
It’s Good to be Back
by Chef Dakota Likewise
2013 Employee of the Year Luci Guadarrama
I
t had been seven years since I was last on Useppa
Island though it had become somewhat of a part
of me. My home in Arizona was almost a tribute to
the lifestyle. Photographs of dolphins, the Crow’s
Nest and birds of Useppa from an old employee Jim
Looney hung on my walls. My backyard was even
landscaped with palms, beach sand, tropical flowers
and a hammock for lazy afternoons.
Great timing, a desire for the tropics, opportunity
to assist a place we cared for, and the return of Donald
Beckstead helped us decide to come back for the third
time as part of the Useppa team. My wife Shannon couldn’t
have been happier. We packed up our four bedroom home,
put it up for rent and headed across country.
It’s been an amazing start seeing familiar faces on
the path, keeping busy starting in the beginning of a
new season, working with new caretakers of the island,
and returning to the kitchen where I had my first start
on Useppa in 2001.
We are in the midst of new ideas, keeping old
traditions, and working towards shared goals of an
island restaurant, inn and department to be very proud
of. The staff is a great mix of seasoned and new. Mr.
Bob Havens comes with a great deal of experience. No
one understands Useppa better than Tim Fitzsimmons
and working with Donald Beckstead, we are destined
for great things.
In the kitchen we’ve changed menus, focused on
fresher preparations, and emphasized traditions. We
are a team that works well together. I found out again
and again that whether I’m driving pastries through
a 6:00 am rainstorm to the Tarpon Bar or preparing
Maine lobster on Friday at the Collier, it’s all really
about a team that cares about this Island.
Chris Despain and his family
2013 Employee of the 4th Quarter George Bunting
Landscaping’s Rachel and Chris Stack
Useppa Chronicle
Page 11
Continued from Page 1
beach for the fifth card pick up and the playing out of
The sailboat racing will start Thursday morning the poker hands. Probably the best part will be the
with Sandpipers going around set marks. After a libations on the beach, provided by the Rendezvous
lunch break on the beach, racing will continue in Committee while the poker hands are played out.
the afternoon. If we get enough catboats in other
Friday night is “on-your-own”, and reservations
classes, we will also start them to race around a marks need to be made at the Collier Inn in order to eat there.
course. For all the other
Saturday will be the
catboats, we’ll have
final Sandpiper, and
a handicapped race
other boat, racing, with
around the waters,
lunch on the beach. The
maybe even around the
Rendezvous will be celIsland. We will do our
ebrated at the Collier
best to accommodate the
Inn Saturday evening
other-than-sandpiper
with a cash bar cocktails
catboat skippers with
followed by the awards
some fun racing.
dinner.
On Thursday
Sunday is the goevening everyone will
home day, with tows, for
come to the the Tarpon
anybody needing one to
Race
committee
members
Henry
&
Gretchen
Vare,
Sydney
Bar for cash bar drinks
the mainland, arranged
and Bob Stevens & Kathleen Stocker
and dinner.
by Jay Taylor.
On Friday we’ll have the first-ever Catboat Poker
Helping with the details, under the firm and
Run, an event usually done on high performance experienced leadership of Jay and Mike, are Donna
powerboats, and one we see here on Useppa once in a Anderson, Aimee Lockhart, Sydney Stevens and Kay
while when the boats stop for lunch on our island. It is Chapin doing the lunches. Cocktails and dinners have
not a race, just a fun sail from point to point, picking been arranged by Mike and Jay.
up cards at each stop to make up a poker hand. The
The Race Committee will include a couple of excatboats will sail to a boat at anchor to pick up a poker pert mark setters and course managers, Gretchen and
hand card, then to a beach for lunch and a card pick up. Henry Vare, from Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in
The sailors will pack their lunches, from sandwiches Beach Haven NJ, who have twice been the principal
set out by the Rendezvous committee on the Useppa course manager for the National E Scow Championbeach, before boarding their boats for the Poker Run. ships; Kathleen Stocker, Buddy Williamson and Stu
After lunch they will sail to another anchored boat for and Diana Sheldon from the Island; and Jim Urner
a card pick up. And finally, back to the Useppa Island from Barnegat Bay NJ, north of Beach Haven. We
will have on call, too, Bub and Emma Kovacs from
Long Beach Island NJ (just north of Beach Haven, on
the same barrier island), the recently retired executive
managers of the Optimist Pram class in the United
States, as Race Committee helpers. I’m privileged to
set the courses and start the fleets, with Sydney as my
trusted timer, and she serves the sailors as another set
of eyes watching the starting line.
The Rendezvous should be another delightful
gathering for Catboat lovers from here and around the
country. Entries so far, have come in from the Gulf
Coast of Alabama, Barnegat Bay NJ, and Cape Cod.
I hope to see you on the water in late February for
another fabulous Catboat Rendezvous “Worlds”.
Sherry & Bill Welch balanced on a starboard tack
Useppa Chronicle
New Members
Useppa Island Club
P.O. Box 640
Bokeelia, FL 33922
(239) 283-1061
Page 12
New Members
Rick & Pam Escobar
Joseph & Billie Demchak
Richard & Pat Bossey
Mitch Williamson
Peter & Daun Dessak
Doug & Pam Duncan
William & Marsha Cavinder
Dave Kenyon
George Tucker
Tom & Jintanai Mitchell
Gerald Carlson
Ed & Libby Harshfield
Ed & Meridith Stanton
Robert Moore
BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BOKEELIA, FL
PERMIT NO. 3