The state Attorney General issued a severe reprimand to the town of Oak Bluffs Tuesday for a long list of violations of state public bidding laws between 2009 and 2011. Citing “a pattern of disregard and certain evidence of intentional avoidance of public construction bidding laws,” the attorney general upheld a protest that had been filed by a former town selectman, but stopped short of issuing any fines or penalties to the financially-troubled town.

The town of Edgartown’s decision to bar a sightseeing tour van charter business from its downtown streets is sound, the state Department of Public Utilities has ruled.

“The decision by the Edgartown selectmen that [tour van] service should be limited to two-way streets is reasonable,” the DPU wrote in a decision released this week. The ruling upholds the town in its dispute with businessman Ron Minkin, who wants to operate a summer sightseeing tour van business in all the Island towns using five 14-passenger vans.

Mary Harrington, tied for valedictorian of the class of 2011, the daughter of Pamela Logan of Vineyard Haven. She will attend Wellesley College in Wellesley in the fall.

Sarah Johnson, tied for valedictorian of the class of 2011, is the daughter of Debra Swanson and Richard Johnson of Oak Bluffs. She will attend Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., in the fall.

Among them sat an aspiring novelist, an award-winning poet, a future math teacher, budding music-producer, businesswoman and food aficionado. The class of 2011 at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School graduated Sunday afternoon to the cheers of friends, family and teachers. With tears streaming down their cheeks and smiles on their faces, they accepted their diplomas and took in the atmosphere around them.

Featherstone Kicks Off Poetry Season

Be prepared to get word drunk on Thursday at 7 p.m. when poets Dawn Lundy Martin and Ronaldo V. Wilson read at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs. The event is the kickoff to the summer poetry series at Featherstone which later in the summer will feature champion wordsmiths Billy Collins, Robert Pinsky, Tina Chang and Naomi Shihab Nye.

Farmers’ Market Begins

The outskirts of the Grange Hall in West Tisbury will once again be the place to be beginning this Saturday, June 11. That’s when the farmers’ market gets under way.

The market is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays through October 8. It’s a one-stop shopping event assured to fill your belly and grocery bag. Just-picked local produce, bread, jams, flowers, prepared foods and, of course, the egg roll lady.

Lighthouse Challenge

Here’s a challenge that in reality is more of a delight. It’s the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce fourth annual lighthouse challenge taking place Saturday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The task is elementary but breathtaking. Visit all five lighthouses on the Island in one day. The list includes the lighthouse in Edgartown, East Chop, West Chop Lighthouses, Gay Head (Aquinnah) and Cape Pogue on Chappaquiddick, reachable only by an over-sand, four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Compost Tea Time

Polly Hill and pizza, it just rolls off the tongue. But where does compost fit into that pairing? In a series of upcoming events, of course.

On Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the arboretum is hosting a compost tea workshop with Christopher Roddick, the head arborist at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and a certified master composter. Mr. Roddick will plant the seeds of how to make a perfect batch of compost tea. He will also discuss the relationship between plants and soil and how to improve plant and soil health.

Shucking Tournament

On your mark, get ready, shuck!

That’s right, all you armchair shuckers, time to get out of the seedbed and put your oyster knife where your mouth is. Nancy’s restaurant is holding its 2011 shucking contest this Saturday, June 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. Enter for glory or just come by to watch the shells fly. Best thing about a shucking contest is that you get to eat the winnings too. Sweetneck Oyster Farm is donating the oysters.

Pony Up

Meet the ponies at Netherfield Farm on Sunday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be dressage and jumping demonstrations, free pony rides, hot dogs on the grill and farm tours.

Netherfield Farm is located in Chilmark, 137 Old Kings Highway, off Meeting House Road.

For more details, call 508-645-2724 or visit netherfieldfarms.com.