Volume XVII
Second Quarter 2014
Number 2
Coach Bob Sumwalt: Gentleman and Friend
1924-2014
by Virginia Amsler
oach is gone. Useppa’s longtime Membership who believed in holding doors open for a lady,
Director and Croquet Coach Bob Sumwalt died looking you in the eye during a conversation, and
peacefully. Our 89-year-old friend is at rest. that a promise made was kept.
During the week Bob
Barbara and Bob
was either behind his desk
Sumwalt were two of
or dressed in whites on the
the Useppa Island Club’s
earliest members and
.croquet court. On Saturday
nights he and Barbara
property owners. Barbara
went to the Collier Inn.
fell in love with the island
They sat around the piano
at first sight. Bob, the
singing the old standards
more cautious of the pair,
with neighbors and friends.
had to be convinced. It
Bob drank Scotch, Barbara
was a wild, unmanicured
ice tea in a stem crystal
place with overgrown
martini glass. They dressed
landscape and forlorn,
in elegant formality on
century-old dilapidated
New Year’s Eve gliding
buildings then, but
across the dance floor.
Barbara saw what
Coach
Bob
Sumwalt
Joining them for dinner,
developer Gar Beckstead
promised. “Bob Sumwalt,” she said, “I have never there might be a long conversation about Barbara’s
asked you for anything before. You will buy Useppa passion, the island Museum. It was one Bob had heard
for me, or I will buy it myself.” They bought the first before, but you would never have known by the rapt
and attentive way he listened. And then there might
lot and built the first new home in the late 70s.
Eventually, when Bob retired from the Singer be an equally long repetitive one about croquet, with
Corporation, they moved here permanently and Bob Barbara listening as though for the first time.
When asked about the secret of their happy
became Useppa’s Membership Director in 1986.
Coach, Bob, The Bobster, Dad, Old Guy, Honey…. marriage, Bob responded with one word. “Kindness.
Bob Sumwalt answered to a lot of names on We’ve both been married before and we know how
Useppa and usually with a smile. He was a man important that is.”
of absolute integrity, an old-fashioned gentleman Continued on Page 11
C
Useppa Chronicle
Page 2
Under the Mangroves...
One day Captain Pat Hagel said, “I’ll meet you at the
iving alone on Useppa, I am especially appreciaMain
Dock. There’s something I want to show you.”
tive of neighbors and friends. Having an island
family makes visits of my “real” family all the And our adventure began.
Liam, Rory, their mom and dad, and even Grammie
more fun.
A little while ago, my son TR, his wife Chalida, six- were excited. Where would Captain Pat take us? We
year old Liam and three-year old Rory came for a visit. went up the Intracoastal Waterway toward Boca Grande.
But before we got
Rory is fascinated with
to Gasparilla, Captain
owls. She has pictures of
Pat took us to a secret
owls on her walls. She
fresh water cove. And
has owl toys, owls on
there swimming around,
her clothes. She even
swimming right up to
gave me, Grammie, owl
our boat were manatees.
pajamas. I write her owl
Liam and Rory splashed
stories, take owl pictures.
the water with their feet.
Last year we looked all
The manatees rolled over
over Useppa for the baby
and came right back up.
owl Olivia. No luck.
Liam reached his hand
Baby Olivia was always
in.
A manatee rubbed
someplace else.
Manatee hunting with Captain Pat
against it for a tickle.
This year we looked
The manatees, Gramfor Baby Hal, and up in
mie
and her family all
the tree, over the Abell’s
played until finally
deck, there he was,
Captain Pat said it was
and so were his mother
lunchtime. We waved
and father. Three Great
good-bye to our new
Horned Owls perched
water friends, went back
directly over her head
to Useppa, picked up
were a bit much for poor
Captain Pat’s wife Rona
Rory, especially since
Stage, and off we all
Mr. and Mrs. Owl were
went to Barnacle Phil’s.
bigger than she is, and
Thank you Captain
Hal just her size.
Pat, and thank you to all
Liam likes to fish.
my
Useppa
family.
Being
a
single
grandmother is a lot
Sometimes he goes with Captain Charles Shook. This
year he and his dad fished off the Collier dock with easier because of you. It’s also a lot more fun.
Joe and Caroline, Buddy Williamson’s son-in-law
The USEPPA CHRONICLE
and granddaughter. No keepers, but it was fishing, not
is published by the Useppa Island Club
catching. They had a good time anyway.
Editor: Virginia L. Amsler
Uncle Barney King took us to Cabbage Key for
Direct correspondence to
dinner. We went to the Museum birthday party,
The CHRONICLE
watched tortoises scurry back into their holes, played
P. O. Box 640, Bokeelia, FL 33922
Telephone: 239-283-4997 or
some tennis and went swimming in the island pool
E-Mail: [email protected]
after a patio lunch.
Page 3
It Takes an Island, Working Together...
by Virginia Amsler
A Single Grandmother with an Island Family
L
Useppa Chronicle
by Jay Taylor, President of the Useppa Island Property Association
Y
ou know, sometimes it’s good to stop, look back
and see what’s been going on around us in this
busy, busy world. As the 2014 season came
quickly to a close, I realized we had all been hard at it
on Useppa for months. We had a bunch of good things
going on, and, when you stop to add them up, it brings
Honc Marine Construction has been here for several
weeks, starting in the village and moving around the
island, they have been repairing and upgrading the docks
that we all use and depend on. When finished, the cost
will be over $60,000.
I’m sure that I left out some things but this gives you
Team Butterfly: Butterfly Society Members and the Useppa Service Department working together.
a smile to your face.
Refinished tennis courts, that have been well kept
since the work on them last summer, and a croquet court
now grown in and the best it has ever been (according
to those that know). We have a new Joseffa! The new
boat is larger, faster, quieter and much more dependable.
We had work done on the Pink Path last summer while
all were gone and more to come this summer as well.
Phase Two of the Utility Upgrade is also completed.
We have a new barge! (Is this a nautical year or
what?) The new barge is larger and better than the old
one, and we can transport anything we need on the
island. We no longer have to contract with an outside
barge company to bring stuff out. Propane for everyone!
We had our first sales in Rachel’s Nursery. What a
job she has done in developing a wonderful resource
on island for all kinds of plants that we can buy for our
homes. Work also continues in the Butterfly Garden in
a partnership between the Service Department and the
Butterfly Society. What may be news to those who left
early (all things are relative), Sean Miller is back in
Landscaping taking over the position as Manager. We
are so glad to have him back, to have someone who
both knows the island and all of us.
an idea of how busy Island Management has been this
past year. I feel that sometimes we don’t really notice
everything they do to make this an even better place to
be. Thanks to the Club for investing in our community.
The social calendar was full this year as well. We started
the season with the annual welcome back reception, and
next up, we had an informal gathering of croquet players
on the lawn with lunch served. It was more fun than a
tournament and certainly less stressful. We marched right
into the Thanksgiving holiday, Christmas and New Year
trifecta. All were great times and loads of new memories.
The beach croquet tournament was especially fun. No
jackets needed, a glorious day, and lots of players! Next
thing we knew, it was Easter and the crowds were back,
the service on the beach at sunrise great (if a little damp)
and good times were had by all.
This year was the twentieth edition of the Useppa
Catboat Rendezvous. Great sailing, great weather and
wonderful company. The island fed us beautifully, and
by all accounts, it was a roaring success. Sometimes we
struggle with the winter weather, but this year’s event
was blessed with warm weather, good winds and good
competition. The conditions were mixed and the courses
Continued on Page 10
Useppa Chronicle
Page 4
Bigger Kids, Bigger Fish
by Donald Beckstead
here aren’t many things to do as a kid growing up our kids’ money on… Bigger kids, bigger problems.
on little Useppa Island, but one thing that my
Fishing the waters around Useppa in the summer is
childhood buddies and I would inevitably turn what I dreampt about when I lived in Portland, Oregan.
to was the lure and adventure of fishing.
It was a reason to come home. A guy can go fishing year
We’d usually meet up in the morning, and over apple round in Southwest Florida, but no other season offers so
juice and cheerios we’d conspire as to what the daily plan much variety of species or calm weather to locate them.
of attack was: which dock should
Whether it be inshore or offshore,
we fish at and more importantly,
the warm waters and calm breezes
which exact spot down to the
make it an easy decision to drop
square inch on that dock would
everything and go fishing.
we focus on? Are we going to
Schools of bait can be seen
cast net pinfish for a possible
on top of the water next to rolling
snook or dig up fiddler crabs to
schools of tarpon, big snook can
target sheepshead and drum? In
be seen cruising the beaches, and
fact, what was the best fish to
good people from all over can be
catch or bait to use???
seen catching their first Tarpon
After much serious discussion
or simply enjoying the thrill of
we’d spend the rest of the day
the hunt.
catching our fair share of fish
This island reporter was
(or just bait) and sunburn, but
assigned the arduous task of
ALWAYS having a great time. In
going Tarpon fishing with
fact, fishing was the one thing we
Captain Travis Murphy and
could always agree on to spend
Useppa resident Doug Hitchcox
the day doing. We didn’t set the
in an effort to “gather research”
bar too high, catching didn’t
for this article.
matter, we were there for the fun.
We never did boat a Tarpon
Fast forward a bit to present Donald Beckstead presents Doug Hitchcox an that day, but with 3 hooked, 10
time, when my fishing buddies Izaak Walton Pin for catching his first 175 lb bites, numerous acrobatic jumps
are around, we can usually be
by the mighty fish, the thrill of
tarpon with Captain Travis Murphy
found at the Collier Bar, the
seeing 30 tarpon swim under our
apple juice now a little stronger, rambling on about boat, all coupled with the awesome beauty of summer
which distant mangrove shoreline we will fish that day storms surrounding us, we all had an extra twinkle in
based on the tide (now that we’re grown up and have our eyes knowing deep down that we just had one of
boats), how we can catch not just a snook but THE the great days.
BIGGEST SNOOK EVER (pride and a touch of ego
One day, I look forward to sharing some of those
is the bane of any good fisherman), or simply talking days with my kids Emerson and Harper, and maybe
and dreaming about boats/fishing gear that we currently teach them where the big fish live!
don’t own that we’re seriously thinking about spending
Useppa Chronicle
Useppa Utility Co.
by Chris DeSpain
T
Employee of the First Quarter Tom Seward
No matter the problem, big or small, Tom Seward
handles it with quiet proficiency and a smile. He is a kind
and gentle man. On Sundays he takes care of the comings
and going at the Bocilla Marina. On Thursdays he does the
town run. When Clive brings his musical Reggae style to
Useppa Tom is right there making sure everything goes just
right. Congratulations and Thank You, Tom.
Page 5
Chris DeSpain, George Bunting & Bobby Davis
U
seppa Utility Company is committed to providing
residents with a safe and reliable supply of highquality drinking water.
The source of Useppa Utilities potable water supply
is groundwater from the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer.
Local Geologists have estimated that this aquifer has a
sufficient supply of water to support the future growth
of Useppa Island. Source water currently being used
by the RO plant has been estimated to be more than
10,000 years old, based on underground flow rates in
inches per year.
Useppa has 2 wells at a depth of approximately 320
feet that tap this water supply. Our wells are located
in the field just south of phase II-10 and the middle of
the Collier Preserve on the old airstrip.
The depth of the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer and the
confining layers of earth above it, help to protect it
from man-made contaminants. The major treatment
requirement for our source water is reduction of
total dissolved solids. The reverse osmosis treatment
process does this very effectively.
Useppa’s drinking water meets or surpasses all federal
and state drinking water standards. We at the Useppa
Utility Company Reverse Osmosis Plant work to provide
high quality water to every tap. We ask that all customers
help us protect and conserve our water resources, which
are the heart of our community, our way of life and our
children’s future. Thank you for allowing us to continue
providing your family with clean, quality water.
Summer on Useppa
June 21 Solstice Pool Party
Live Poolside Music by Stolen Fruit Duo and a Margarita Bar 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
BBQ Ribs & Chicken. Rate specials for Members and Guests
in Accommodations and at the Marina.
July 4th Weekend
Clive‛s Reggae music and more live at poolside on July 4th.
A BBQ cookout and a fun-filled weekend to follow. Happy Birthday America!
And
July 5th Children‛s Fishing Tournament
There are still some accommodations available so call our Reception at 239-283-1061
to make your reservation!
SAVE THE DATE
The Useppa Island Club‛s Annual Pig Roast Block Party is scheduled for August 16th
with music from Ellie and Blues Fury!!
For more information about everything happening on Useppa
www.useppa.com
Or
Call 239-283-1061
www.UseppaMembers.com
Useppa Chronicle
Page 6
Useppa Chronicle
Page 7
Island Style
Bill and Jack Newbold
The Ink-Edwards celebrate Mothers’ Day
Brinson family croquet tournament
New homeowners Lisa Ficarra & George Wilson
Ginny and Jay Taylor
Wizards Craig Ligibel & Carter Bacon
Kathy, Christopher, Bruce and Marissa Dreher
Gayle and Walt Corbin
Rodney Jacobson
Museum President Bob Stevens
Caroline takes the plunge!
Mark Futch & Randy Baird
Useppa Chronicle
Page 8
Useppa Chronicle
Page 9
From The Front Porch . . .
KIDS’
STUFF
Summer on Useppa
Fishing at Useppa...
A Therapeutic Adventure
by Garfield, Barron and G3
By Tom Liber
S
Garfield, age 6: I love bonnethead sharks and small
woe-be-gone snakes. I like climbing the Banyan tree.
What I most love about Useppa is the turtles that are
in the holes.
Barron, age 5: I love going swimming at the pool and
eating French fries at the Collier Inn. I caught a 20” fish!
I hope I catch another one next time.
G3, age 4: I love the turtles and I love the Butterfly
Garden. And I like there’s no cars on the island.
I didn’t know that there were raccoons on this island.
A ginormous raccoon came over and tried to get
meat from our trash can.
Maggie, Pet of the Quarter, and her friend Max
tephanie and I are proud and blessed to now call way as most of you know, it’s Captain Rhonda in that
Useppa our full time, year round home. Fishing fishing team) Doug Hitchcox, my new good friend and
brought me here years ago, and fishing, the serene Island resident (who has finally reluctantly succumbed
beauty of the Island, and the wonderful, welcoming to using the “circle hook”), and many more. Watching
them fish is as much fun for me as fishing myself. It also
people who live and visit Useppa keep us here.
results in more fish being caught.
As many of you know, my
Fishing the backwaters is
office is in Newport Beach,
exciting in multiple ways. The
California, an impressive area in
beauty and seclusion of hundreds
its own right. But for me, nothing
of islands covered and bordered
compares to the delightful
by mangroves. The stillness and
quietude of Useppa. Each time
the unadulterated silence. The
I come “home,” and step on the
excitement of “the hunt,” the
dock, the pressure and anxiety
unique aspect of searching out the
of the working world drains
fish and targeting it by sight. It’s
through my fingertips. This area
an exhilarating experience. It’s me
of Southwest Florida is known
against the fish. The fish normally
throughout the country as the
wins. A snook doesn’t grow to 40
fishing Mecca for the “Silver
inches without developing a crafty
King.” If you have not seen
knowledge for outdoing the angler.
the documentary produced and
Finally the magnificent cornucopia
aired on The History Channel
Redfi
sh
approximately
15
lbs
caught
by
Tom
of species here - redfish, snook, sea
covering the birth of Sport
Liber
fi
shing
with
Captain
Travis
Murphy
trout, pompano, snapper, cravelle
Fishing and the role Useppa
played, I recommend it.. Ask Tim Fitzsimmons or Travis jack, an occasional ray, or shark, and the bane of our sport,
Murphy for a copy of the broadcast. I’m sure they have a saltwater catfish - just to mention a few.
It’s all here at our Useppa doorstep. We have a special
dozens. They became overnight stars in the production.
quiet
little piece of the world. If you haven’t “looked for
Not so well known is the “backwater” version of
fishing in this area. My “therapy” is to join the local tailing red fish,” if you haven’t looked for a snook in a
pros- Tim, Travis, Donald, Dr. And Mrs. Shook (by the “hole” near the mangroves, try it. You’ll like it.
Sean Miller: Useppa’s New Landscape Manager
About 8 years ago I was invited to work out on
Useppa and obviously I took the job. I worked out on
the island for about 2.5 years and loved every minute
of it. It gave me the chance to meet a lot of great people
and create many good memories. Then I was gone for
about five years working in Naples and on Ft Myers
Beach. A couple of weeks ago, I was in contact with
Tim Fitzsimmons and was given the chance to come
back to Useppa. Obviously I accepted again. I hope to
meet many new and old friends while out here.
www.UseppaMembers.com
Useppa Chronicle
Page 10
Continued from Page 3
spot on, and the fire was quickly dealt with. Boca Grande
challenging leading to exciting racing, huge lead and Pine Island responded as well and were here about
changes, and a very mixed leaderboard. Best of all a a half hour after the 911 went out. Very reassuring.
Anyhow, back to the fundraiser. Our island
Useppa boat won!
20th Edition of the Useppa Catboat Rendezvous
We had a full schedule at the museum. Programs
were educational, interesting and fun. The museum
really is an important part of the island and our
community. Is that our cultural activity for the season?
If it is, then it’s the easiest way I ever found to get a
culture dose. Cowboys to Conservationists, it was a
great year. Happy Twentieth Birthday to the Barbara
Sumwalt Museum.
We had our semi-annual Firehouse fundraiser this
spring. Oh, did I mention we were lucky enough to
get Frank, Laura and Brady Stokes as new neighbors,
friends and protectors? Frank and Laura now run the
Fire Department and are looking out for everyone.
They even had a fire to put out this spring. Thank
goodness that the response from the Firehouse, Island
Management, Service Dept. and Dock Master’s was
community outdid itself. We raised over one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars that night. If nothing else I
think that Frank and Laura fully understood the support
they have on the island by the end of the night. Well
done! Don’t forget that we had Book Club, vegetable
gardening and artists gathering as well. A lot going on.
I’m sure I left out things but this should give us all
an idea of what goes into a season here on Useppa. I
think that when the season winds down, we tend to
look at the challenges we face as a community rather
than all that the residents and management have done
to make it a successful season. We might focus on the
shortcomings we see not the real efforts made to improve
our community. The fact is that we all pulled together
to make this another wonderful, productive year. Let’s
do all again next year!
Joseffa II
Cooperation among friends secured RAV 4 lease at Fire
Department Fundraiser for a Wounded Warrior.
Useppa Chronicle
Continued from Page 1
Bob was the father of Useppa Croquet teaching most
of us on the island how to play. The first Nine Wicket
Tournament was in 1978 and among the players were
the Becksteads, John Coyle, and
the Sumwalts. In 1989 the first
Six Wicket Tournament was
held and again the Sumwalts and
Becksteads played along with
Billy Mills and others. White
hats, white clothes, dignified
reserve on the lawn.
In 2003 Coach became “The
Bobster,” red hats were worn,
and Golf Croquet was added at
the urging of the O’Connells, the
Burns and Cody Davis. Depending
on your point of view, the solemn
grace of six wicket and the
good-hearted sportsmanship of
nine wicket were either enhanced by or tarnished by
this raucous addition.
Now all three versions of the sport are played on
the G. Robert Sumwalt Lawn with equal pleasure, the
raucousness toned down a bit, the laughter audible,
and good sportsmanship in all.
Page 11
Coach was meticulous in his tournament pairings.
It was never about winning, but for the better player to
make the day fun for a less experienced partner. It says
something about Bob that on Useppa he never won a
singles trophy, but he won doubles,
partnered with young players just
beginning, or older people new to
the game.
Bob was a man we could trust
with our hearts, the vulnerable
sides of ourselves. He never let a
friend down. He cared for Barbara
as her Alzheimer’s made staying
on Useppa impossible. He never
complained, and as a child reared
by strong women in the Depression,
he never gave up. He looked at each
day as an opportunity.
When Dan O’Connell and I
visited him in the hospital that last
week, we started singing what the choir sang at the
funeral for Dan’s mother. “Amen, Amen, Amen,” and
Bob in his hospital bed sang with us. His voice was
weak but not his spirit.
Amen to a life well lived.
Hats off to you Coach.
Sally Joanne Speicher Bergsten
T
1933 – 2014
here was a time on Useppa when four island couples
connected in a circle of friendship. For years the
Bergstens, the Smiths, the Levensons, and the Bacons
were a familiar group at the Collier Inn dressed in the old
Saturday night tradition of formality.
They shared their holidays together.
They shared their families.
Back in the late 80’s, Sally and
Peter Bergsten bought a place in
the Village, and then in the 90’s
built a home on Calusa Ridge
overlooking Pine Island Sound.
Sally Bergsten known for her
gardening could also hunt and
fish with any man. From old-fashioned mid-western
Scandinavian stock, she could do almost anything….
always with her makeup on and lipstick just so.
Museum events had a bit more flare because of
Sally’s involvement. There was always a contingent
of immaculately groomed and well-dressed Bergstens
at Easter sunrise services on the Collier Inn hilltop.
Bergsten grandchildren competed in relays, games,
and kayak races with the Sipprelles and other spring
visitors in the Museum’s Calusa
Days. Izaak Walton Kids Fishing
Tournaments might have Sally
lending a hand to children reeling
in their first fish.
Sally and Peter left Useppa a few
years ago when life on the mainland
was easier than schlepping back
and forth, and the island lost a bit
of its elegance with their departure.
Sally died after a long and courageous battle.
Peter and Sally Bergsten were true partners in life
during a marriage that lasted fifty-eight years. Now
we on Useppa lucky enough to have known them,
send Peter our love and our sympathy.
Useppa Chronicle
Page 12
New Members
Greg & Carol Iovine
Randy & Lisa VanVeldhuizen
Edmund Kielty
& Regina Dolan
Judy Graham
Dale & Chris Ludwig
John Strickland
William Hutmacher
Tom & Kathy Hauske
Brian A. Earl
Mark & Nicole Stevens
Scott & Diana Willis
Brad Phelps
Casey Carlson
John & Dawn Hillman
Michael & Rosa Cupello
Chad Cadwell
Mark & Pennie Kelly
L.K. Valente, MD
George Wilson
Cathy Russo
John & Fiona Tinney
William Perry & Sharon Huston
John Coale & Greta Van Susteren
Useppa Island Club
P.O. Box 640
Bokeelia, FL 33922
(239) 283-1061
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U.S. POSTAGE
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