Estero Historical Society: A visit to Useppa Island

On the cool morning of Jan. 26, two dozen somewhat groggy society members and friends set off on a field trip to Useppa Island. I'd say that what resulted was a nearly perfect outing. Useppa has to be one of the most picturesque spots in Florida — or anywhere, for that matter.

Our crossing from Pineland Marina was fun, complete with playful dolphins and posing birds. Our captain took it slow for the water was a bit low. From first glimpse, we knew the island was a special place.

We walked to the small but excellent museum founded by Barbara Sumwalt and donned our earphones for an explanation for each exhibit which range from Paleo Indians to modern times. The museum is an inspiring example of what can result when one person says "We can and should do this," and that conviction infects others.

Of special interest to me was the tiny scale model of the Civil War battle of the Confederates versus the crew of the Rosalie. Fans of Robert Macomber's books will remember this battle from his historical novel, "At the Edge of Honor."

No wonder he suggested we come here back before Hurricane Charley did so much damage to Useppa. I'm glad I didn't have pre-Charley memories because I could enjoy the beauty of what still is, instead of feeling sad about what has been lost.

Useppa is a historic place, but it is much more — a private, well-to-do island with mostly white frame houses, and houses a lovely hotel, the Collier Inn, high above the beach. Useppa is very high. We didn't eat there, but we took a peek and liked what we saw.

Some of us followed the pink path past the charming cottages and passed under the amazing arch of trunk-size banyan roots and saw our intrepid past president, Mimi Straub, board secretary Ruth Mason and Augie Fischer whizzing by on the beach in a joyriding golf cart driven by Ronna Stage, business director for the Useppa Historical Society . It was a gorgeous day to boot.

Sad to leave, but tired from so much stimulation, we returned to Pineland and had a late lunch on the porch of the Tarpon Lodge. We drowsed in the warmth while gazing out at Pine Island Sound and watching guests practice fly fishing techniques on the lawn.

Special thanks to new member Carolyn Fischer for all she did to make this most satisfying of field trips so enjoyable and unfold so smoothly and to Mimi Straub for prodding us to make this trip.

Dates to remember: 2 p.m., Feb. 15 hear Heritage Tourism Consultant Alan Pape talk about the "Seven Basic Wants of a Visitor to a Historic Place" with slides at South County Regional Library.

March 9 is our annual fundraiser, where we get kind of fancy with our "Tea in the Tropics" theme at noon at Pelican Sound Clubhouse. Our guest and program presenter is Laurie Nienhaus of Fort Myers Beach. She is the director of the Ladies Tea Guild, a national organization with local chapters dedicated to the history and art of "taking tea" and she is the editor of "The Gilded Lily," a quarterly periodical about the cultural history of 19th and early 20th century life.

Laurie Nienhaus is a tea enthusiast and has delicious knowledge of tea parties. Also a seamstress, the attractive Ms. Nienhaus is a lover of Victorian and Edwardian costume. We promise you will be charmed by her.

For ticket information or to make donations to the silent auction, call Jean Pryal at 498-5296 or Mary Ann Weenen at 495-9761. We're going to take some time out from the headaches and heartaches of trying to preserve history in the face of explosive growth and have a little fun with history!