Calling all Island thespians: it’s audition weekend and time to strut your inner scarecrow, mad monkey or one of Shakespeare’s finest.

The Island Theatre Workshop will be putting on a late summer production of The Wizard of Oz and they are currently on the prowl for principal actors. Auditions began on Thursday and continue on Saturday, May 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 12 Music street in West Tisbury. For more information, call 508-627-2456 or 508-737-8550.

The fourth annual Martha’s Vineyard Blessing of the Bikes is Saturday, May 18, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Federated Church, 45 South Summer street in Edgartown. Rev. Dr. Jerry Fritz, pastor and cyclist, will be officiating. The blessing is for cyclists of every age and faith.

Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School student newspaper, the High School View, has earned first place in the Scholastic Journalism Awards in the All-New England region for two consecutive years.

The community is invited to a meeting and to participate in discussion regarding affordable housing in Vineyard Haven. The meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 13, at the Vineyard Housing Office at 346 State Road behind the Tisbury Farm Market in Vineyard Haven. Property at 6 Water street, between Stop & Shop and AA Island Auto Rental, was recently donated to the Island Housing Trust, and they are requesting comment from neighbors and the community regarding the use of the property.

Making it to its first birthday is quite an accomplishment for a painted turtle.

The Friends of Sengekontacket is teaming with Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary again this summer to offer a program for children ages four and up. The program, Saturdays on Sengie, begins on Saturday, July 6, and will run on successive Saturdays through August 17.

It was early May and the migrating birds, Felix Neck Bird-a-thon and our garden were calling us home to the Vineyard. We thought we were headed home from Big Bend, Texas, however the bird buggy (and we) had a different idea. How could we not bird the famous Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge or South Padre Island while we were in West Texas?

Here it is Mother’s Day, and I must say it’s been emotionally challenging today. This is my first one without a mother. Grief has some interesting twists and turns. However, everything seems right in the world for the moment. We had a lovely rain last evening and full-on beautiful sun and sky for the Sunday festivities. Son Reuben and grandson Christian gave me several hours of brawn. There is always something heavy to move around at my place. I’ve finally accepted the limitations of this aging body and no longer try to do it myself.

The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard is grateful to all those pets who brought their people to the Pink and Green Weekend in Edgartown last Saturday. The fashion star was a chihuahua togged out in those colors topped by a stunning hat. The Black Dog mascot showed up, a perfect example of the Labrador breed, to give out balloons to passers-by. The shelter’s fund for a new roof was increased by several donations. Some cookbooks and placemats were sold. The rain held off as well. A successful event in all respects.

Turnout was light at the Aquinnah polls on Wednesday for the annual town election. Of the 369 registered voters, a total of 65 voters, or 17 per cent, participated. The ballot featured a Proposition 2 ½ override request, but no contested races.