Seasonal workers for Island hotel and restaurant businesses could be arriving by ferry from New Bedford through an organized program within the next few weeks.

And a second proposed program, which would tap federal grant money, could be flying workers from New Bedford to the Island next summer, said Nancy Gardella, executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.

They are both artists, both Indiana natives who met in New York city although today Norma and Norman Bridwell are more closely associated with Edgartown and their home on High street with the red shutters where they have lived since 1969.

They have two grown children. Oh, and don’t forget Clifford. He’s the big red dog that Norman Bridwell created 45 years ago in what would become his award-winning children’s book series. The Bridwells celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, June 13. They call it their lucky day.

After winning their first two games of the state tournament in thrilling fashion — including a come-from-behind barnburner against Bourne last week — the girls’ lacrosse team on Thursday lost 13-7 at home to a juggernaut Duxbury team in the Division II south section semifinals.

As an Island known for our close connections, we know, too, about differences. How do we respond to differences and create opportunity out of conflict? And how do we foster understanding?

That’s the focus of an interactive workshop to be held on Island on Saturday, June 14. This day-long workshop presents a new way to view conflict: as a chance for connection.

There also will be a free overview of nonviolent communication on Friday, June 13, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Howes House in West Tisbury.

The Permanent Endowment Fund for Martha’s Vineyard has hired Ralinda Lurie as its first executive director.

“With the growth we have been experiencing in recent years, it was time to formalize our operations and development efforts,” said Debbie Hale, chairman of the board, in a statement.

Zeb — Schooner Life, a film documentary about the Vineyard’s legendary schooner Captain Zeb Tilton, premieres Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m. at the Capawock Theater in Vineyard Haven. The event will benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. Future screenings on the Island are planned as well.

Strawberry Festival

The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury has scheduled the 20th annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 21, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The strawberries — 550 pounds of them — have been ordered to accommodate the crowd expected at this popular Island event. All proceeds benefit the preservation of the historic West Tisbury church. More information is available by calling 508-693-2842.

At the Edgartown town hall the third-floor ceiling may be falling down. Staff have decamped to the ground and second floors as a precaution against falling plaster and any dust that will be produced by inevitable repair work.

“If the lights are off you can see a load of hairline cracks up there,” pointed out Karen M. Fuller, assistant to town administrator Pamela M. Dolby, yesterday.

At a recent meeting of the Oriental-Martha’s Vineyard Lodge of Masons, three Island men were welcomed into the fraternityas master masons.

Leo P. Convery Sr., a past master from Edgartown, received a 50-year service medal. The medal was presented to him by his son, Leo P. Convery Jr.

Spokesmen for the Vineyard Golf Club last week formally withdrew their plans to build nine luxury homes for club members.

The withdrawal cleared the way for the Martha’s Vineyard Commission to approve a scaled-down version of the project, calling only for the construction of an employee dormitory and a stand-alone bathroom on the course.

At the start of Thursday’s regular commission meeting, chairman Douglas Sederholm read a letter from project engineer Dick Barbini stating the Edgartown golf club was withdrawing its plan for member housing.