Editors, Vineyard Gazette;

Our family is wrapping up 38 years of summer vacations on the Island. For the past few years I have written about all the trash and nasty things left on the various beaches which we pick up and dispose of. Additionally, Healey/Post Office Square was in focus last year for being a filthy mess.

I am pleased to report this year that State Beach, South Beach and, for the most part, Menemsha beach were standing tall, as was the square.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Menemsha lifeguard Georgia who, in addition to her guard duties, took it upon herself to patrol the beach collecting litter. She is the only lifeguard I observed performing that service.

I can also report that the number of rude and inconsiderate people (throwing stones in the water while people are swimming, using foul language, smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol, blasting music all day long) has pretty much subsided.

The only issue I had, as did my wife, children and grandchildren, was with a group of women who were loudly playing a song titled Kill All the White Man. They were laughing and hooting it up. I don’t know if the song was some sort of social commentary, a satirical piece or whatever, but I didn’t think it appropriate. My teenaged grandchildren were horrified.

I decided not to confront the women, however, it did bother us.

Anyway, that about sums it up this year. Hopefully next year will continue to improve.

Michael Reynolds

Grand Blanc, Mich.