The Arabella has set sail from the Island for the last time.

The 50-foot catamaran owned by Hugh Taylor of Aquinnah was sold last week to Daytona Beach Catamaran and will soon begin sailing from Ponce de Leon inlet in Florida.

For the past 15 years the Arabella has been a familiar summer presence here with day cruises to Cuttyhunk and sunset cruises from Menemsha.

“I sold her with some regret but I’ve been unhappy with the care and attention I’ve been able to give her for the past few years,” Mr. Taylor said this week.

Geology and Scenery

Longtime Chilmark summer resident Conrad Neumann will present a free program titled Geology and Scenery on Land and Sea at the Chilmark Public Library on Thursday, June 19, from 5 to 6 p.m.

Mr. Neumann, who lives in Chapel Hill, N.C. in the winter, taught geology and oceanography at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for many years.

For details, call 508-645-3360.

The Taste of the Vineyard benefit stroll is Thursday night; catch the Friday Gazette for a special history stroll with the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust.

If hurling a flat cap skyward is the final act of a student, many members of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School class of 2008 were especially quick to graduate this Sunday. Even in the shade of the Oak Bluffs Tabernacle, dozens of gowned students had taken their hats in hand early, to flap against the sweltering air on an unseasonably hot day. The moment that principal Margaret (Peg) Regan signaled the end of the ceremony, all 198 were in the air.

From under a soaring tent strewn with dyed silk banners, lyrics sailed out across the sun-cooked grounds of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School on Saturday, as one of its six graduates of 2008, Nora Joan Winsryg-Karasik, sang her commencement speech a cappella with a nod to Bob Dylan: “Well the trail is rough and bumpy, and the road is kinda steep, but the good road is a-waiting, and boys it ain’t far off.

“Trails of trouble, roads to battle, paths of victory we shall walk.”

The removal of plants and trees from conservation land owned by the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation for use in a large private landscaping job began some two years ago, according to documents detailing the extent of the damage done by the operation.

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.