As a member of the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, I was dismayed and disappointed by the letter to the editor from the Rev. Cathlin Baker and Rev. Rob Hensley regarding the issue of boycotting the red kettles of the Salvation Army.

Some of you may be aware of a longstanding concern that The Salvation Army practices employment discrimination against gays and lesbians and that campaigns have been launched to boycott the holiday red kettles in response. Recently this debate has surfaced in Island social media networks and we are writing to share our understanding of the national and local dynamics at work around this issue.

There is no better feeling than “community” and nowhere is it more alive and real than at the Oak Bluffs tree lighting. This small event comes together because so many people make it happen.

On behalf of both the Tisbury and the Edgartown School eighth grade classes I would like to thank Vineyard Vines of Edgartown for hosting their Shop for a Cause events. On two separate days Vineyard Vines offered shoppers a discount, while giving a portion of their sales to each eighth grade class, respectively. Vineyard Vines offered food, fun and holiday cheer to shoppers while helping Island youth realize their dreams of a trip to Washington, D.C. in the spring.

The following letter was sent to the Chilmark board of health for its Dec. 5 meeting on the Zoia development project: I am sorry I cannot attend the board of health meeting today but I underwent knee replacement surgery last week and am confined to home and still in significant pain. In addition to the two letter requests before you for consideration, sent by our attorney, Diane Tillotson, please accept this personal request.

To the person who vandalized the information station at the Caroline Tuthill Preserve: What kind of person are you? The conservation groups work hard to raise money to preserve our Island’s beauty. Don’t you appreciate that?