Together With

Good Morning, North Fork! If Monday feels extra Monday-ish, you can thank the time change.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

• Peconic Bay Ferry

• One Big Gift to St. Jude

• Host Families Needed

Ready, Set, Go!

Sponsored By Sophie’s Rest

Where good food and good times never rest 🍕🍻

Craving a local gem with history and flavor? Look no further than Sophie's Rest in Southold. Nestled at 730 Main Bayview Road, Sophie's is renowned for its thin cracker crust pizzas that locals can't get enough of. But that's not all, Tuesday night prime rib is a tradition you won't want to miss. With a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff, it's the perfect spot to unwind, and savor delicious food. Whether you're a longtime resident or just passing through, Sophie's offers a taste of local charm and culinary delight. Stop by or call 631-765-5700.

Website

The Lowdown

Peconic Bay Ferry 🚢

Traffic between the North and South Forks can turn a short trip into an all day affair. Now Suffolk County is looking at the water for relief.

Officials have approved a $218,750 study exploring whether a passenger ferry system could connect several East End communities, including Greenport, Orient, Riverhead, Sag Harbor, Montauk and North Sea. The study, approved by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council on Feb. 26, is expected to begin later this year and run through March 2028.

The idea: give commuters and visitors another way to move between the forks without sitting in traffic, especially during the summer, when even routine trips can stretch into hours. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

One Big Gift to St. Jude 🏠

For North Fork real estate broker Melissa Principi, business and community are often the same thing.

That approach recently paid off in a big way in Cutchogue’s Fairway Farms. When Principi was asked to handle the sale of an estate home whose proceeds were destined for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she saw an opportunity to do more than simply list the property.

Instead of rushing it to market, she rallied a small army of local talent, including her builder father, interior designer mother, staging experts and a photographer, to refresh the home and help buyers fully imagine its potential.

After a single summer open house, the property sold for $1.3 million, well above the $999,000 price Principi initially estimated it could fetch without improvements. The home’s contents and vehicles brought in another roughly $100,000, all benefiting St. Jude.

The project reflects Principi’s larger philosophy. A third generation realtor with family roots across the East End’s construction and design world, she credits her success to something simple: being deeply involved in the community she serves.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

Grand Marshal Reunion🍀

To celebrate the Cutchogue’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade’s 20th anniversary, organizers are welcoming back 14 former grand marshals to lead this year’s procession. The idea, dreamed up by a chamber member, quickly won over longtime parade organizer Joe Corso.

Among the returning grand marshals is former Southold and Greenport schools superintendent David Gamberg, who led the parade in 2022. The lineup also includes past honorees Elaine McDuffy, Tom Roslak, Phyllis Noncarrow, Paula Thorpe, Carol Scott, Joan Tyrer, Evie and Alan Glover, Paul Connor, Jim Fogarty Sr., and Paul Drum, along with Joe and Helen Corso, who served as grand marshals last year.

The family of the late Ettore Pennachia, owner of Touch of Venice and 2015 grand marshal, will also march in tribute. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

^{_{Stories with a ($) require a third party subscription}}

Happenings: This Week

Tuesday

🥾 Park Hike Get outside for a midweek reset, with a guided Southaven County Park hike hosted by the Cutchogue New Suffolk Library. More Info

📜 Estate Planning 101 Four documents, one smart move. Estate Planning 101 at the Cutchogue New Suffolk Library breaks down the essentials: a Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, and Living Will, in plain English, not legal jargon. Attorney and educator Erik J. McKenna, Esq. walks through what each document does and why it matters. More Info

Wednesday

🤝 W.E.B. Meet Up The North Fork’s community of ambitious, idea sharing women gathers again this time at Lumber + Salt, keeping the energy of International Women’s Day in motion. Founders, creatives, and side-hustlers alike come together to trade insights, spark collaborations, and grow their local network in a relaxed, supportive setting. More Info

🧘 Restorative Night A deeply restorative evening unfolds at Sound View, where Yin Yoga, Reiki energy work, and sound healing come together in one calming session. Slow, meditative postures invite the body to soften while individual Reiki balancing adds a gentle energetic reset. The evening closes with an immersive sound bath, sending you out into the night a little lighter and a lot more grounded. More Info

Thursday

🎭 Opening Night The room where it happened gets a stage of its own as the prizewinning musical 1776 marches into opening night at the North Fork Community Theater. Headstrong politicians, sharp-tongued debates, and soaring melodies, with just enough dramatic license to keep history lively. More Info

🧘‍♀️ Meditation A quiet pause in the middle of the week arrives at the Southold Library with a guided meditation session designed to help you slow down and reset. More Info

^{_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just fun things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something is sponsored}}

Local Spotlight

Host Families Needed ⚾️

Summer baseball on the North Fork comes with plenty of home runs, walk-off wins, and packed evenings at the ballpark but behind the scenes, it also runs on something just as important: host families.

The North Fork Ospreys are currently looking for families to host collegiate players for the 2026 season, giving these student athletes a welcoming place to call home during their time on the East End.

Host families provide a player with a room, a bed, access to laundry, and meals, essentially a comfortable home base during the busy summer season. Transportation isn’t required, and the players themselves are all NCAA athletes in good standing, participating through the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League while balancing training, games, and often part-time jobs in the community.

The season is a full one, with players competing five to six days a week across the North and South Forks, training daily, and becoming a familiar part of the local summer rhythm. For host families, it’s a chance to be part of the Ospreys organization in a meaningful way, and often leads to friendships and memories that last long after the final inning of the season.

Families interested in opening their home or learning more about the program can reach out to General Manager Olivia Daddona at 631-276-7901 or [email protected].

^{_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just fun things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something is sponsored}}

Extra Honey

Move Better - Feel Better - Live Longer

Dr. Marilyn A. LoPresti, Ph.D. of North Fork Bodies in Motion introduces a new Aging Well with Vitality & Joy Coaching program. Rooted in research based wellness practices, her personalized sessions blend tai chi, qigong, and gentle movement, plus stress-reduction strategies and mindful breathing techniques to support lifelong health. Each coaching experience is tailored to individual needs, creating a personal action plan for living well and aging well. Choose in-person or virtual sessions to bring balance, resilience, and renewed energy into daily life.*

Inquire via email for coaching and gift certificates at [email protected]

^{_{*Indicates sponsored advertising content}}

Live Music + Fun Breakdown

Monday

The Watershed | Erin Chase | 6-9 PM
Ram’s Head | Bingo | 6 PM

Tuesday

Front Street Station | Music Bingo | 7 PM

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign Up

Want your business in the North Fork Buzz? Lets Chat

Did we miss something? Let me know at [email protected] 

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the North Fork Buzz today. Like what you read? Send it to a friend!

Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships