At the end of another great summer, I wanted to spread some kudos to those who work at what I think of as "my" local beach, South Shore.

Aside from its natural beauty, the staff there is superlative. Jim Farrell somehow manages to watch over and manage everything and everyone, while making sure he smiles and waves at every passer-by. Does he really know everyone? Probably! If we could only bottle his temperament and sell it, the budget would be much-helped.

Craig Schmidt, the Head of Lifeguards, has changed the tenor of the beach with his ever-friendly presence and wise supervision. The lifeguards are respectful, well-placed and well-trained, and can answer questions from why all the rocks (Mother Nature) to why can’t my dog run in the dunes in the summer (threatened piping plovers); they are attentive to senior citizens who may need a helping hand to get past the rocks down to the sand for a walk.

When I became obsessed this year about open-water swimming, Bruce (senior lifeguard) recommended equipment, and Craig gave me an excellent referral to a swimming coach. “I’m doing this!” I thought. One reason I could do it? I felt safe there, always.

One afternoon a few weeks ago, I told a young lifeguard I was going for a bit of a swim past the waves to practice what I was learning in my swimming lessons; I am struggling with my freestyle breathing. I could feel the lifeguards (a young man and woman) watching me as I swam. I was very self-critical, as one can be when learning ("I'll never get it!") When I came back to shore, they said “You did a great job! Your form was so good!! You just need to keep practicing!” I could have floated home through the air, I was so happy at their kind words.

I mentioned this to Craig, who let me know this was Bruce and Ellery Pacheco, a brother and sister lifeguard team. I just could not let the summer go by without a salute to these two amazing young people who treated me so kindly. I also offer a hearty thank you to the beach staff who once again, did it all.

Terri Bright

Little Compton