How We Found Useppa Island

Volume XIX
Second Quarter 2016
Number 2
How We Found Useppa Island
by Leslie Carroll
verybody has a story about how they found I read the fine print and it said something about
Useppa Island. Ours starts with some junk mail “Useppa Island.” Mike and I had the same reaction:
delivered to our home in New York City. “What’s Useppa Island?”
The mail included a catalog entitled something like
It was time for a phone call. The catalog had a phone
“Premier Properties in
number and I dialed it. I
Florida.” It was probably
spoke to a very nice person
no coincidence that the
who told me that, to visit,
marketers had sent the
you had to be a member of
catalog to New Yorkers in
the club. Oh. Immediately
February.
the obstacles of joining a
T he ba ckg rou nd is
New York City club went
that I had been tr ying
th rough my mind the
for some time to get my
requisite recommendations,
husband Mike interested
the letters, the interviews,
in a property in Florida.
the wait lists, and most of all
It was hopeless. Mike’s
the need to know the right
lists of reasons included
people. We didn’t know
Leslie Carroll and Michael Young
that he did not particularly
anybody.
like Florida, there were too many cars, too much air
So I said to the person on the phone, “Thank you,”
conditioning, too many parking lots, etc., etc., etc. I and dutifully reported to Mike that Useppa Island was
got nowhere.
a non-starter. I explained that you had to be a member
Anyway, this piece of junk mail arrived. It so of “the club.” Mike (never one to let obstacles get in the
happened that I was looking for something to read at way) said, “So let’s join the club.”
breakfast. It also so happened that the catalog fell open
I could see that it was time for him to take over. I
to a page with a spectacular picture of a house on a beach. let him.
Now I say it was a picture of “a house.” In fact, you
So he got back on the phone and asked to speak to the
really couldn’t see much of the house except for the porch “Club Director”. He figured that, if there was a club,
railing. What you did see was a magnificent beach, palm there had to be a “Club Director.”
trees, and blue sky. That’s not to say that New York City
Sure enough, a pleasant-sounding fellow named
is not swell in the dead of winter. But the beach looked Rogan White got on the phone. Mike asked about
pretty good.
the club, what membership entailed, and what it took
So I kept the catalog. On Saturday morning, I to be a member. Rogan White was at his wily best.
showed it to Mike, expecting the usual, “No way.” Before the end of the call, Mike was giving him his
Instead, his reaction was: “Wow, where is this place?” Continued on page 15
E
Useppa Chronicle
Page 2
A View from under the Mangroves
Poor Grammie...
by Virginia Amsler
W
hat if Grammie moved to on Useppa over Easter, Liam and
California I asked towheads Grammie were driving Grammie’s
Anna and Maisie when I was out newly refurbished golf cart. Liam
there for a visit last month. My was at the wheel, Grammie to his
eight-year-old twin
grandgirls went from
dancing around the
living room to freeze
tag motionless.
Then the wailing
protests began.
“But we wouldn’t
see our friends.”
“We wouldn’t see
the Millers and
the Sipprelles.”
What about the
Pirate Party?”
“And the Fishing
Tournament?” “We
won’t see Tyler and Liz’s baby… right working the pedals. All went
or Jake and Cara … or Troy and well until Liam took an abrupt
Maggie … or Liv.” “We won’t turn by the Bacons’ and Grammie
be able to play with Giada or meaning to hit the brake… hit
the accelerator. We got the scrub
Vanessa.”
There was no “Oh gee Grammie, tree head on and only nudged the
that would be great. We could see big guy tree. Unfortunately that
nudge ruined the golf cart carriage,
you all the time.”
A few days later when I was smashed the front right light, and
with five-year-old Rory and her severely bruised the drivers’ pride.
Grammie said to Liam, “When
eight-year-old brother Liam, I
asked the same thing. What if you screw up, you have to fess up.”
It was a long walk to the Service
Grammie moved here?
Rory tried to be nice, but her Department to tell mechanics Magic
downcast eyes told me how she felt. and Roger about our accident. They
Liam said, “No way Grammie. We listened seriously and respectfully to
couldn’t go fishing with Captain the young boy and his grandmother.
They said they would go and get
Pat or go to Cabbage Key.”
“But I would be in California.” the cart.
Then we had to make the long
“But what about Maxwell?” said
walk
back to Whelk Cottage to tell
Liam “And the Bubble Room?”
“What about my friend Annah?” Liam’s parents. Because we were
Rory asked. “What about the pool honest and accepted responsibility,
we were forgiven.
and the tortoises?”
The Service Department billed
When Liam and Rory were here
Liam $20.00 and Grammie the
rest. Liam and Grammie both had
to use their savings. Liam asked.
“It’s your golf cart Grammie. Why
did I have to pay?”
“We were both
driving.”
My children
and grandchildren
play on Useppa’s
beaches, cannonball
into the island’s
pool. They store up
island adventures
and experiences.
They
have
memories we love
to share over and
over again.
Looks like poor
Grammie is stuck here for years
to come with dolphins swimming
in front of Whelk Cottage. Osprey
in the nest just beyond my porch,
cookie baking with my Island
grands, Happy Hour friends,
Wednesday Fried Chicken at the
Collier, walking buddies, patio
lunches, endless sunsets, a rebuilt
golf cart, and my grandchildren.
I have pretty smart grandchildren.
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
KIDS’ STUFF
Izaak Walton Fishing Tournaments
Memorial Day and 4th of July
Winner of 14 Trophies, Isabella Soriero retires on top
Mallory and her snapper with Captain Ken
Camille, Mallory, McKenzie & Madison
Blue Ribbon Winners
Camille and her shrimp
Colin Gaddis
Useppa Chronicle
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Useppa Chronicle
Page 5
2016 Izaak Walton Tarpon Tournament
Useppa Island June 3 & 4
by Tom Liber
Useppa Chronicle’s first drone picture taken by Pason Gaddis as hopeful tarpon fishermen
and their guides begin leaving the Island Marina
T
he tarpon had lockjaw, but twenty brilliant guides
and forty steadfast anglers toiled over two challenging days to make this year’s Useppa Island
Izaak Walton Club Invitational Tarpon Tournament a
fantastic success. Eight fish were caught in total and
two by the winning fishermen on day two.
Captain Cliff Utt guided the winning team of UIC
members and homeowners Doug Corey and Jamie Moore.
Cliff won the $3000 first place prize and will have his
name etched on the Izaak Walton Club trophy forever.
In accepting his award, Captain Utt said: “As a SW
Florida native, I totally appreciate the impact of the
history of Useppa Island on tarpon fishing. Winning this
tournament and having my name engraved on its trophy
is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Second Place in the Tournament went to Tom Liber
and Donald Beckstead.
Useppa members and guests from all over the United
States and Canada enjoyed the fishing, food, entertainment and education. Dr. Aaron Adams, scientist, author
and angler updated us on the latest Bonefish Tarpon
Trust activities to research and further understand the
habits and the habitat of these regal fish. Most of our
tournament proceeds got to support BTT. This year all
anglers received BTT memberships, and (through the efforts of BBT) we will be tracking two tarpon tagged here
locally with acoustic receivers over the next few years
The food and beverage staff was incredible again. We
ate like kings and queens. Thanks to everyone for the
many volunteer hours that went into staging this event.
Brother Glenn Foden, a UIC member and avid historian of all things tarpon, waxed nostalgic for us by
reading from Izaak Walton’s “The Compleat Angler,”
first published in 1653, a prayer for fishermen before
our banquet dinner. It truly gave us all pause to ponder
the enormity and beauty of this island paradise and the
gift of this remarkable fishery.
All the anglers had a great time with the Calcutta
betting and parceling out the winnings. But as I said to
Ginny Amsler when we were wrapping up, the beauty
of this Tournament is that the proceeds go to our two
most precious resources - the guides and the fish!
Roger Johnson, Doug Hitchcox & Capt Jason Ramer
Capt Mark Westra, Daren Miter & Pason Gaddis
Glenn Foden and Tom Liber
Winning Captain Cliff Utt
Champs Doug Corey, Capt Cliff Utt & Jamie Moore
Paul Benavidez and Daniel Sear
Rogan White, Capt Jason Marsh & Tim Fitzsimmons
James Bynum, Patrick Leach & Capt Kelly Kaminski
www.Useppa.com
Useppa Chronicle
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Useppa Chronicle
Page 7
Island Summer
Janet and Mark Smith
Mermaids: Useppa Style
Roxie
The Pastore family celebrates the 4th on Useppa
The Hudson Gang
Allison and Chauncey Goss
Loaded up and cruising for fun
John Ross
George Wilson and Rachel
Lunch on the Collier Patio
Just Chillin’
Maureen and Bill Berges
Ready for the fireworks!
Grotto Fourth of July
Useppa Chronicle
Page 8
Useppa Chronicle
Page 9
Don’t Flutter By, Come On In!
by Judith Sear
hey hover on the margins of the Butterfly Garden, were out in the dozens. They were rubbing tails (mating)
attracted by shining yellow petals of beach sunflower, and laying eggs. It is beyond description to see them
dusky orange disks of Indian blanket,
transition from flittering about to
and azure spikes of porterweed.
folding their wings and carefully
Butterflies? Actually, no.
hovering to lay the tiniest of golden
Butterflies already feel welcome
eggs in precisely strict clustered
thanks to a year of research into the
lines. The eggs hatch a couple of
correct balance between flowering
weeks later. What’s unique to this
plants that produce nectar for adult
species is that the small golden
butterflies and other plants, often with
caterpillars that emerge remain
few flowers, that produce foliage for
in a cluster as they travel along
egg-laying and larval food.
eating in an ever-moving pack. It’s
The tentative visitors are Useppa
not unusual to watch them cause
members and island guests admiring
multiple giant leaves to simply
the plants around the butterfly signs
vanish. As they transition from 1
and wondering whether to delve
to 3 inches, they separate from each
further into the Garden.
other to more easily satisfy their
This year, thanks to ongoing
appetites and grow into large black
support from Butterfly Garden
and gold-spotted caterpillars with
members, we made the interior of the
black hairs.”
Nature’s Magic (photo by Kaufman)
Garden more accessible and inviting
“At this point, the most
for human guests. We added white stepping stone pavers miraculous transformation occurs. The mature hairy
to allow safer strolling between gopher tortoise holes, caterpillar attaches a strong silk filament to a stem and spins
and after Joe Gatewood’s
its cocoon (chrysalis) within
team erected shady cedar
which it metamorphoses
arbors, we placed a garden
into the black and yellow
seat under the Dutchman’s
butterfly.”
pipevine to welcome
To help young children
children and adults.
explain the butterfly
Budding Dutchman’s
life cycle to their adult
pipevine flowers are curved
companions, Karen painted
ivory pouches that look like
a circle of five pavers and
old Dutch meerschaum
installed them around the
pipes. As the flowers open,
central tree trunk table and
they mature into huge
stools.
mauve and tan freckled
Passionflower vines are
flowers that drape like
another butterfly favorite
fine chiffon. Even if you
and eggs and larvae
don’t care for butterflies,
appeared on most varieties
the flowers themselves are
this year. Visitors observed
worth a visit.
the brown and tan eggs of
For Karen Kaufman, the
the orange and black striped
Stages in the life of a butterfly.
butterfly life cycle is close
Gulf fritillary butterfly, and
by Karen Kaufman
to magic. After a recent
caterpillars of the orange
visit, she wrote, “The pipevine pruned in March has Julia on the red Lady Margaret passionflower vine
grown to over 20 feet tall, rapidly covering the trellis put near the Gaddis property. Fritillary larvae are tiny
in place just for its use. The black and yellow Polydamas orange caterpillars, fingernail crescent size at first, later
Florida plants, we aim to make the garden completely
independent of artificial irrigation. In the meantime,
Paul Webb Martin and Chris Stack have guided us
through installing a new more efficient system – a big
expense, but necessary.
Thanks to the generous annual contributions of
Butterfly Society members and friends, the Useppa
Butterfly Garden is able to welcome visitors to a tranquil haven of flowers, foliage and butterflies in all their
various stages. Do come on in.
T
Karen Kaufman spins the story of a butterfly’s life for
Rory Anusasananan
developing black spikes to deter predators and growing
to over an inch long before they become a chrysalis.
The two herb beds are also a good place to look for
caterpillars – both on the milkweed and the parsley.
When parsley “disappears,” it has probably been eaten
by hungry caterpillars.
New butterfly plants need regular water to become
established, but by concentrating mainly on native
Derby Down!
Flirtatious ladies and their floppy hats
:
Judith Sear
And the crowd went wild... in the Tarpon Bar
www.Useppa.com
Useppa Chronicle
Page 10
Reincarnating Useppa, 1977 - 1978
S
by Susan Shaffer
o interesting, the cast of characters Useppa has Sunday suits and women in their long dresses standing
drawn to her over the years. Calusa Indians, mythi- by very large, suspended fish – you could almost hear
cal pirates, wealthy socialites, Bay of Pigs the conversations, so immortal and present.
warriors, entrepreneurial visionaries, or adventurous
At first, there were ten of us, all young, two women
youngsters; our lives have
and eight men living and
all been all marked by this
working together in a
remarkable little island.
small place with limited
Fresh from college and
escape options.
new arrivals to Florida,
We quickly became a
we found our first nest at
family of sorts, eclectic but
South Seas Plantation on
enthusiastic.
Captiva Island. It was the
Melanie Meo Long and
early, formative seventies
I were assigned roles not
when Mariner Properties
unlike those of pioneering
was just beginning to hit
women. Most employees
their developmental stride
lived in single rooms. Our
at South Seas. I was in the
task was to keep the men
Tom and Susan Shaffer with Maggie
resort’s reservations office;
fed and watered, boardinghusband Tom was employed as a carpenter for a local house style.
building contractor.
Each day we prepared meals for those living on the
One day a man we knew to be part of that rising island and for the small crews of men imported each
Mariner group, Garfield Beckstead, came to us and morning on the workboat from Pineland. It was my first
made an irresistible offer - “How would you two like experience at cooking for large numbers, but Melanie
move to a tropical paradise called Useppa Island?”
came from a family of restaurateurs, so she was truly
So that’s how it began.
the guiding light on the matter.
Tropical it was. Paradise? Well, maybe not quite.
When we weren’t feeding the men, we were assigned
With no fresh water, power supplied by a couple a post at the Tarpon Bar. Employees could run a tab
crotchety old generators, no telephones, plenty of that would become a payroll deduction. It was a risky
mosquitos and fairly primitive housing, I believe business sometimes leading to big disappointments
rustic might be a better term. But then again, there on payday. It was the only local watering hole readily
was Useppa’s enchanting lure - an ever present available, unless you wanted to hop in a canoe and forge
resonance, something beyond the physical beauty of the Intracoastal to Cabbage Key, something occasionally
the surroundings – the echoes of centuries of history. accomplished by men pining for the company of one
We were among a handful of early recruits, hired to single, female bartender named “Lilly”. I can still hear
clear back the jungle and rebuild the old structures that her name being chanted as they paddled westward across
had lain unattended for so many years. To walk into the flats, passing “Whoopee Island” and parts beyond.
the abandoned cottages still standing along the pink
One memory that Tom & I share is the opening of
pathway was truly a step back into time.
the airstrip. Originally located on the south end of the
There were baskets of tarpon scales sitting in corners, island, it had long since been retaken by the jungle. The
beaded 60’s-style curtains still hanging in doorways, the powers that be determined there was a need to bring
smell of old wood and whispers from the past. There was it back to life. Weeks were spent bush-hogging and
the abandoned casino, Grandmother’s Cottage, rumors clearing the landing area.
of the house of “ill repute” that used to exist on Whoopee
Finally, the big day arrived. Isabel and Gill Fortune,
Island, and cryptic remains of a golf course where a new property owners of one of the original homes,
dump now resided. There were old photos of men in their planned to do the test fly-in with their two-seater.
First Annual Useppa Duathlon Competitors
Useppa Chronicle
Page 11
A historic and long-anticipated event, we all jumped
onto the island’s only aging fire truck and rode, with
celebratory cheering and general glee, down to the
airstrip to witness the landing. We must have resembled
a bunch of natives with “island fever” welcoming the sky
gods to their village. Indeed, the gods were smiling that
day because the Fortunes made it in with all parts intact.
The most remarkable opening was that of the Collier
Inn. In ruins when we arrived, the proud old building
had suffered patchwork repairs and neglect for many
years. The Inn’s facelift was a priority of Garfield’s
vision for Useppa, and over the course of the year her
elegant sparkle was lovingly restored.
The Grand Opening was scheduled for New Year’s
Eve, 1977, and the men were putting the finishing
touches on the floors just hours before the Mary Kincaid
arrived from South Seas Plantation with a boatload of
guests.
Much like a Cinderella story, the Island crew was
magically transformed - carpenters, landscapers and
crew cooks became bartenders, waiters and kitchen chefs
awaiting the 100+ guests in formal finery for an evening
of fine dining, drinking and entertainment. As the party
Employee of the First
Quarter 2016
by Chris Stack
Dylan Buster
Dylan and I share the same mother. His last name
is Buster as we have different fathers though his father
raised me from 5 years old. We are very close and spend
our holidays together with our family, which includes
two sisters - his older sister and my younger sister.
We have a very similar work ethic as our parents are
working class and have worked hard to provide for us
in the field of labor. Dylan’s father was a landscaper
evolved and the evening moved toward midnight, one
“glitch” became apparent. Mother Nature decided to
deliver fog for the occasion. A water exit was impossible.
The Captiva vessel could not leave the dock.
The Collier Inn opening became the largest sleepover
party in island history.
As most of the guest rooms and cottages were yet
unrestored, many took to the Inn’s couches and chairs
and carpeted floors for repose.
I will never forget walking up the pink pathway the
next morning at sunrise seeing men and women dressed
in formal attire numbly emerging from the fog. They
were ambling down the hill toward the dock in a post
celebration fuzz, in apparent, desperate need of caffeine
and civilization. A memorable New Year’s adventure
for all, for sure.
The completion of the Inn represented a real turning
point for the island. The Pro Shop was the next in line
for restoration, and many of the original cottages were
sold to new owners. The swimming pool was patched
and filled, chessboard and pieces installed, tennis courts
rebuilt, telephone lines run, generators retired, water systems built. The world began to find its way to Useppa’s
doorstep once again.
Tom and I still cherish those memories of the early
days on Useppa and feel fortunate to have been there
when the past was still so present, and to have been a
part of her future. A future that still treasures that same
sense of timelessness that anchors us all to this very
special place.
when we were young and the foreman of a landscape
company for 15 years. I suppose that’s where Dylan
gets his love for working outdoors with plants and trees.
Dylan is a hard worker and he’s eager to do a good
job. He likes what he does to make a difference, and for
people to enjoy the services he provides. He is a natural
leader and I recruited him to the island 2+ years ago
because we needed hard workers and I knew he would
be an incredible addition to our hard working crew.
When not on Useppa, Dylan helps his father a lot
with his business, which is a handyman service. Dylan
is extremely gifted with painting and carpentry. On the
weekends he enjoys riding his motorcycle and spending
time with his family. We both live near our mother and
visit her weekly. She is very important to both of us.
Dylan is a great worker, and I’m proud to be
able to rely on him both at work and at home in our
private lives.
Useppa Chronicle
Page 12
Useppa Chronicle
Jose Caldez on Useppa Island
Bring Your Bathing Suits & Dancing Feet
by Hilary Fales, Events Co-Ordinator
Listen! Warm summer breezes carry laughter
throughout this little piece of paradise. Kersplash!
Kersplunk! Another cannonball into the pool. Mango
daiquiris and hoola hoops.
Live music on the patio
and fishing off the Marina
dock. Kids of all ages, old
and new friends share an
afternoon by the water,
explore the Grotto, have
dinner at the Collier Inn. So
many young families are
here during the summer.
Floridians choose Useppa
to spend their vacations.
Our local members pack their boats with sunscreen,
cool drinks and their closest friends for a day trip to
enjoy all that the Island is about.
Back by popular demand the 3rd Annual Block Party
Pig Roast weekend July 29-31, with many special deals
throughout. On Saturday the 30th a favorite band of
mine the High Five Friday, a local group that brings the
party with them will be playing in the Collier. You can’t
help but move your feet! On Saturday Renee Hose will
play guitar poolside.
During August every
Saturday there will be music
by Shawn Hustle Russel by
the pool to relax your soul.
Drinks just taste better with
music….
Labor Day weekend
plans are shaping up.
On Saturday the 3rd from
10:30-11:30 the Izaak Walton
Kids Fishing Tournament
will be held with Blue Ribbons and Prizes. The Insider
band will play poolside from 11:30 to 4:00 p.m.
On Sunday the 4th, jamming by the Pool with
Innerwave music. The sax guy is Backkkkk…..
Don’t miss out. There’s so much more to come. See
what’s happening on Facebook and on Useppa.com
Page 13
B
by Bob Stevens and Rona Stage
y far the most notable Cuban fisherman to have a house on the north end of the Island. From there he
lived and worked on Useppa Island was José had fine view of shipping entering and leaving Charlotte
María Caldéz, whose fishery was among the most Harbor through Boca Grande Pass.
In 1831 the customs collector from Key West,
prominent and long-lived along the Florida Gulf coast.
William A
Caldez was
Whitehead, came
thought to have
to Useppa and
visited Useppa
noted his breakfast
Island before
with Caldez: fish,
the American
potatoes, onions,
Revolution in
bread and coffee.
1774. Spanish
‘To the old man—
sources from the
who was about
1820’s uniformly
70 years of age
record Useppa’s
and a resident of
name as Cayo Tio
47 years upon the
Cespas, suggesting
Island—I was well
it was named after
known and every
Caldez’s uncle
arrangement that
with the nickname
their circumstances
of Cespas. Caldez
would admit of,
eventually lived
was made to add
on Useppa Island
Jose Caldez by John Seerey-Lester
to the goodness of
for more than 40
years. Imagine living year around on our beloved island our entertainment.” Whitehead came to see if the Cuban
before water faucets, indoor plumbing, hot showers, fishery was infringing on American settlers, and found
refrigeration (for that matter, ice), and electrical power. that it was not.
In 1833, Dr Henry B Crews from Key West replaced
Hard to even think about, much less to have experienced.
When the locals had fished out their nearby waters, Willis, and he lived on Useppa with his wife. A licensing
Caldez came to Charlotte Harbor from Havana, Cuba law required the Spanish fishermen to pay a $500 yearly
looking for new fishing grounds as the superintendent fee. Crews thought of Caldez as “wily, deceitful, and
for the House of Bardias, a Spaniard also living in Cuba, unworthy of trust: The fishery nearest to which I had
In about 1784 Caldez began to regularly use Useppa settled myself was and is under the charge of a Spaniard
as a seasonal fishing ground, catching fish and turtles named Jose Caldes, who has long resided there in a state
which he dried and/or salted and took back to Havana. of Savage Barbarism with no associate but the Seminole
Working with the Cubans who came with Caldez were Indians and the lowest class of refugee Spaniards who
from crime have most generally been compelled to
local Indians, believed to be Creeks.
Jose Caldez made his working life on Useppa abandon the haunt of civilized life.”
Caldez of Tio Sespas sold the island to Joseph
Island. He had a wife and large family in Cuba who he
Ximenez,
the shipper from Key West in 1833 for $373,
routinely visited and on Useppa he lived with an Indian
woman. He sent his catch to Havana aboard schooners the first recorded deed of Useppa. The original deed is
run by Jose Ximenez of Key West and Ximenez came located in Key West, Florida, and a copy of the deed is on
back from Havana with commodities useful to the fish the walls of the Barbara Sumwalt Museum on Useppa.
With the Second Seminole War and its dangers for
ranchos on Pine Island Sound.
After the Spanish sold Florida to the Untied States, Caldez’s Indian employees upon him, at the age of 75,
in 1821, for $5 million, George C Willis was assigned Jose Caldez left Useppa for the last time and evacuated
to Useppa (Josefa Island) as a customs official. He built to Cuba in 1835.
Useppa Chronicle
Page 14
Useppa Employees
Service Department Members
Lauren Beedle
Comptroller Sarah McMillen
Captain Dane Gutto
Useppa Chronicle
Continued from page 1
which was very nice, but it was just a room. After one
American Express number.
night, I arranged for us to be moved to the house we saw
Still, the intent was not to buy a house. It was simply in the catalog White Sands. It was great.
to find a place in Florida for quick getaways during the
Then I learned that a house called “Egret” was
wintry months.
both for rent and for sale.
So we f lew down a
The next night we rented
couple weekends later.
there. Spectacular. It had
An important thing was
extraordinary views and a
the ease of getting there.
great vibe. Also, the next
Fif teen mi nutes f rom
door neighbors were two
our New York home to
of the nicest people we’d
LaGuardia. Two and a half
ever met Sherry and Bill
hours on the plane. A taxi
Welch. In fact, Sherry
ride to the ferry. Twenty
immediately took us under
minutes on the ferry. So
her wing. Invitations to
far, so good.
cocktail parties quickly
At the risk of a tiresome
followed. In 48 hours, we
metaphor, when we actually Goin’ Fishin’ “Wily” Rogan White, Tim Fitzsimmons felt like we had made more
and new home owner Michael Young
saw the island it was love at
friends on Useppa Island
first sight. In fact, it was love before we even set foot than we had after 35 years in Manhattan.
on the island. As we approached the island, the ferry
Well, four days on the island were enough. On the next
rounded the point and Mike and I both looked at the to last day, I told Mike I loved it here. He said he did too.
island in astonishment. We looked at each other. “This And he said, “Let’s buy this house.” Bingo!
place is magical.” “I’ve never seen anything like it.” “Are
Of course, that meant that we had to deal with wily
you sure we took the flight to Florida?”
real estate negotiator Rogan White. But somehow Rogan
It was time for fast scheming by me. Because this trip didn’t take us entirely to the cleaners. We bought Egret.
was on such short notice, we hadn’t had a lot of options And now we are part of Useppa Island!
of where to rent. We had rented a room at Gasparilla,
And that’s our story.
Employee of the 2nd
Quarter 2016
Joshua Mainwaring
Captain Travis Murphy
Collier Inn Staff
Page 15
I was born and raised in western Pennsylvania, and
growing up I lived with my mother and four younger
siblings. I first decided to be a chef at the young age
of 13. Even then it was the only job I wanted. In those
days cooking consisted of preparing small family
meals, and the occasional home-ec class. Following
High School, I began to really immerse myself in the
industry, and by the time I was 21 I had earned my first
chef position. During my service to the industry I have
had the pleasure to meet a few celebrities, and practice
my craft in some interesting locations… Useppa Island
being the most interesting by far.
When I came to Useppa I was looking for
adventure to add some spice to life. I never would have
guessed that I would find a quaint little community with
such charming, wonderful people. It is a great honor,
and an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to work
and live with such a talented staff all of whom take great
pride in serving our happy quests and members. This
island has quickly transformed into a place that I call
home, and I look forward to continuing my adventure
here, and creating memories with people that I consider
to be a second family. Cheers to you Useppa.
Josh is 30 years old and from Greensburg, PA
Useppa Chronicle
Page 16
New Members
New MembersAndrew & Amie Breslin
David & Christin Collins
Maureen Daly
Rawls & Daphne Butler
Richard & Ada Winning
Gregg & Kim Haug
Lee & Jill Scheele
Kary Weihe
Kristi McAnulty
James Marlatt
Gary & Gail Danis
Craig & Renee Johnson
Duane & Jennifer Lopez
Philip Lokey
Nick & Kristine Kelly
Stephen Anderson
Richard & Lorraine McGinn
Joe & Mellisa White
James Whatmore
Geraldo Olivo
David Ciccarello
Skip Leonard
Useppa Island Club
P.O. Box 640
Bokeelia, FL 33922
(239) 283-1061
Pete & Kristi Tuffo
Rafael & Maria DeLaCruz
J. Marshall Hughes
Dr. Frank & JoAnne Noyes
Brad & Sandy McCourtney
Michael Cheffer
Joel & Susan Bentley
STANDARD MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BOKEELIA, FL
PERMIT NO. 3