Croquet on Useppa Island: Play On!

Croquet took root, sprouted, evolved and exploded on Useppa Island over 30 years ago! In 1978, Bob Sumwalt, our “Father of Croquet” dedicated himself to teaching all that would come, to learn, play and love Croquet. And, we did!!

Our first Nine-Wicket Tournament was in 1978, followed by the introduction of Six-Wicket in 1984, when we built “the perfect” Six-Wicket court overlooking Pine Island Sound. Women jumped in and competition really ramped up!

In 1989, we had our first Six-Wicket Tournament and subsequently, co-hosted several Invitational Tournaments with Boca Grande Croquet Club. Over the next several years, Useppa spawned more than a dozen nationally-ranked players. Our court and the resident level of play, in concert with the sheer beauty of the Island and many activities, drew members and attracted new home owners.

The REAL fun, however, began in 2003 with the emergence of Golf Croquet. Passersby saw the fun – the tailgating, laughter, incredible shots and pure exhilaration…an unbelievable esprit de corps that was not only on the playing field, but permeated the entire Island. It was contagious!

And, since you can’t play Croquet every hour of every day, croquet players participated in other island activities, joining The Useppa Yacht Club (No Dues! No Rules!) with a fleet of 15 ft. Marshal Cat Boats that race every Saturday, through April. All of the spirited competition on the water is followed by cookouts on the beach, moonlight and destination sails. Players also enjoy the fishing, boating and beaches, especially during the holidays with family and friends, young and old.

Regardless of the activity, everyone falls in love with the communal feel that permeates Useppa Island – the melding of compatible souls. The joy is fueled by an innate sense of adventure and love of nature, being with friends and enjoying an environment and atmosphere that evokes fond memories of a simpler time. No matter where people hail from, the common sentiment is that Useppa is “their neighborhood.”

 

Membership continues to grow with tournaments scheduled often. You can count on Nine-Wicket Beach Croquet, where everyone plays each December 30th (a 30-year tradition), along with three-day tournaments for Six-Wicket, Golf Croquet and Nine-Wicket in the Spring and Fall. There are always pick-up games in the afternoons.

And practice games! And those re-match games that go on…forever.

REAL ISLAND LIVING: What's it Like to Live On a Real Island?

We get this question all the time and wanted to share a part of an article written by one of our own Useppa Island residents, Gretchen F. Coyle.  This article was originally publishing the July/August issue of Time of the Islands. 

What’s it like to live on a real island?  No!!  Not islands like Boca Grande and Sanibel where Robb and Stuckey and Home Depot trucks cruise down palm-lined roads, daily…
 

Real islands, with no bridges or causeways to them, attract an ingenious, independent sort of residents.  They are creative, making their own fun, and more than able to amuse themselves.  Artists and writers enjoy the tranquility; readers relax on a porch easy chair.  There is a Bridge Club, a Book Club, an Historical Society, our Croquet Club and Tennis.  Craft ideas are traded among island residents while others tinker in their well-equipped workshops.  Boats are a constant source of conversation and consternation, not to mention upkeep. And, someone is always up for a spontaneous sail.
 

 

Out islands in Lee and Charlotte counties – like Cabbage Key, Three Sisters, North Captiva, Cayo Costa, Little Gasparilla, Mondongo, Burgess, Palm Island and Useppa – are accessible only by boat, small planes, seaplane, or helicopter.  These are places where “schlepping” is commonplace.  In fact the only way to get anything to these islands is by boat.
 

It is said that everything brought to Useppa is “touched”, at least 14 times, from the stores’ shelves to our shelves.  Multiply the above by everything that goes into any island home and there you have what we on the island call “schlepping”.  And, Useppans don’t buy just one of anything.  If one box of Kleenex is needed, buy three.  The same goes for Mayo and other basic essentials.  Toilet paper and paper towels… how about a case at a time?  You see, you can’t run down to the corner convenience store every time you are out of something.  We keep an extra refrigerator and big freezer for our overflow, especially handy at holiday time when our home overflows with family.
 
Most island residents are meticulously organized with lists kept for everything from grocery store to Lowe’s.  Mainland excursions – dictated sometimes by necessity, others for cultural or social functions - are multi-faceted with a number of errands crowded into a short time.  Do we run out of things? Sure do.  Borrowing a teaspoon of cumin or two tablespoons of cream of tartar from a neighbor is a regular occurrence. It's all part of true island life and we wouldn't trade a thing for it!

Adieu! Adieu! We bid the Shooks residents Adieu!!

They are gone.....

For the last couple of months, we have been greeting new families and welcoming them to our Useppa Family.  This month, we are saying goodbye to a Useppa family that has been part of Useppa Island, almost since it's inception.... Charles and Rhonda Shook. 

                Things will not be the same!

They have graced our Island with their community spirit, gastronomical delights, angling expertise, green thumbs, seamanship, exceptional sense of humor, strategic croquet

 and just being wonderful neighbors, always there with a good word, a bowl of chicken gumbo, help with a boat or a hand in the kitchen.

Sooo...McColgans and the Trinos gave them a little farewell party...  a send-off we hope they'll remember!

Now....OFF THEY GO, back home to Mississippi

Though saddened by their departure, we give them a fond Adieu...wish them the very best, telling them,

"You damn well better come back!!

We love you!!"

Useppa Island Celebrates The Beginning of Summer with a Solstice Party!

Useppa Celebrates Longest Day of the Year with a Summer Solstice Party

On Saturday June 21, Useppa Island celebrated, the Summer Solstice, or longest day of the year and the first day of summer, with a cookout and party at the pool. The day featured live music from the jamming band, Stolen Fruit Duo. They rocked out and really jazzed up the day with a great set of 80's and 90's hits.

The Stolen Fruit Duo kept the Useppa Island Summer Solstice Party Rocking for hours!

The food was delicious as always and featured a menu of BBQ Ribs and Chicken with all plenty of the traditional summer sides… AND….last but not certainly not least, the MARGARITA BAR, offering both traditional and strawberry Margaritas, making the party extra special!

The party was a perfect place to catch up with neighbors and friends, new & old!

The pool was packed!

Hillary Fales did a great job of pulling everything together and providing a warm welcome to many first-time visitors and new Useppa members. We also had the chance to catch up with members who have been around for decades! A really great afternoon and a good time for all!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

July 4-5, 2014: Get Ready for a Fourth of July FIREWORKS during the 4^th of July weekend.  Another poolside party with the “gotta do” BBQ by the pool.  Be sure to wear your red, white and blue and wave your flags!  Let’s have a parade.  It’s the birthday of our country! And, what would a weekend be without a Kid’s Fishing tournament?!?!?

August 16, 2014: Make no plans for August 16^th! The Annual Pig Roast Block Party is not an event to miss and will feature more BBQ & LIVE music. Details to come soon!

Behind the Scenes with Gulfshore Life Magazine on Useppa Island

Gulfshore Life is on the newsstands....so we can now "show and tell" about the model.

Aksala, who moved from Russia to Miami to avoid the cold, came to Useppa to do Gulfshore Life's annual fashion shoot.  The wind was howling, the temp was 38 degrees and she wore...not much!

Between shots, the team did what they could to keep her warm

But you could, literally, see her shiver!!  This next shot was perhaps the coldest time of the day....winds whipping.

Looks like Spring, huh???