May 27, what a day! First to visit a part of the Vineyard I hadn’t birded in, and next to be called to verify that there was an American white pelican sitting on a dock in Chilmark Pond! Pete Gilmore of Hopps Farm Road in West Tisbury, has birded with Seven Gates resident David Tobias off-Island.

There’s a new beer in town. Bad Martha Beer, created by seasonal resident Jonathan Blum, will debut in select bars, restaurants and liquor stores this week. The company has launched with two ales, the seasonal Vineyard Summer Ale, made with Saaz hops, Pilsner malt and Bartlett pear aromatics, and the flagship Martha’s Vineyard Ale, made with English malt and English and American hops. Both are brewed with Martha’s Vineyard grape leaves, and will be available in six-packs and kegs.

I know most folks were pretty sour about the cold, rainy Memorial Day weekend. I wasn’t one of them. I was pretty content in full rain gear happily weeding in the vegetable garden. There is something about a gray day to bring out the beauty in a garden.

At the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard, they’re multiplying like rabbits. There are three bunnies who were strays (!) awaiting new owners. One is a dwarf black bunny who would be a cuddly pet for a child. He has been named Clarence by a volunteer. Another is ever-so-chic in his black and white coat. The third is a dead ringer for the Easter Bunny. All are males so there is no danger of that aforementioned multiplication. Come over and cuddle these guys.

Corey Perrotta of Vineyard Haven was named to the spring 2013 dean's list at Coastal Carolina University. Corey is a junior majoring in resort tourism management.

Postseason play begins this week with three Vineyard high school teams earning spots in the state tournament.

Three track athletes also will participate in the all-state meet this weekend.

The boys’ tennis team has earned a number two seed in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletics Association south section division three tournament. The team has a bye in the first round and will begin play in the quarterfinals, hosting the winner of the Bishop Connolly/Seekonk match at home on Monday. Play begins at 3 p.m.

Devon Webster of Vineyard Haven has been admitted to Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.

Lisa and Ezra Sherman of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Scout Jeffrey, born on May 29 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Scout weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces at birth. He joins big sister, Maisie.

A public hearing on a major expansion plan for the Stop & Shop store on the Vineyard Haven waterfront has been postponed, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission said this week.

The hearing, the first formal public review of the expansion plan, was set for June 6.

MVC development of regional impact (DRI) coordinator Paul Foley said this week that he was notified by the attorney for Stop & Shop that changes were being made to the plans, but that the applicant would not be ready in time for June 6.

Welcome Maria
Ilka Sabeva and Gustavo Batista of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Maria Isabella, born on May 23 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Maria weighed 6 pounds, 9.4 ounces at birth. She joins big brother Lucca.