From Fashion to Flowers, with Tea

Bigger tent, more tables, supersized teapot? Well, the first two at least as Featherstone Center for the Arts ushers in their second annual Tea Party and Fashion Show on Saturday, May 7 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Michael A. Dirr is the man to whom we refer concerning all things trees and shrubs.

This past week was one of those wonderful periods when every day brings new bird species. March, which devoured April this year, finally ended, and with the milder weather came a welcome influx of songbirds.

I want to be stalked.

It might sound like a strange request, but after I tell you about the gifts that I received last week, you will better understand this desire.

There was a time when the tooth fairy was a favorite sprite that magically provided welcome presents. Last week, I was surprised by not only one, but two fairies — asparagus fairies — that came bearing stringy, dirt-covered offerings.

The first bluefish of the season was caught by an Oak Bluffs angler at Wasque on Tuesday.

George Moran, 66, was fishing for striped bass with another Oak Bluffs angler, Vincent Frye, in the afternoon, overcast with a hollering wind.

Mr. Moran said they were hoping to get striped bass — and he did get one.

But shortly after 2 p.m., Mr. Moran said: “I made a cast, and suddenly I got a hit. It didn’t feel like a bass.”

Bluefish are not commonly caught in these waters until about Memorial Day.

Tisbury selectmen read the riot act on Tuesday night to the company building the town’s new $7.4 million emergency services building on, citing a long list of faults which have delayed the project.

The building was due to be finished before the summer. Now it is unlikely to be operational until well into fall. The general contractor for the project, Seaver Constructions, removed the project manager of the site several weeks ago and is still in the process of installing a permanent replacement.

Play Ball!

Martha’s Vineyard Little League will celebrate opening day on Saturday, April 30, with a parade and ceremony in Oak Bluffs. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and proceed up Circuit avenue toward Veira Park where the 24 teams of the league will be announced. The day’s opening match-up will feature the Pirates and the Cubs at noon. Eleven other games will be played all over the Island through the course of the day. Come out and support our national pastime.

Sheepapalooza is a weekendlong celebration of sheep and shepherds at the Farm Institute in Katama.

Events kick off today, Friday, April 29, evening with a free presentation on the care and handling of sheep with Stan Potratz of Premier 1 Supplies, and a light supper is included.

In the sixth and final inning of the varsity softball team’s 16-1 Tuesday rout of Falmouth, one visiting Clipper stands at the plate trying to break down sophomore Vineyard pitcher Hailee McCarthy. The possibility seems unlikely — Hailee has allowed just four hits and two walks in this game, and has gone two for four in her own plate appearances — but the opposition fouls off the ball again and again, pushing the count to 3-2.

The Vineyard Playhouse will hold open auditions for its summer main stage season on Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the playhouse on Church street in downtown Vineyard Haven.