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🐝 Books, Burgers, and Big Walks

🐝 Books, Burgers, and Big Walks

Chef Derby, 66 Mile Walk, Burger Nights

Thomas Loncar
September 19, 2025

Together With

Good Morning, North Fork! Cue the sea shanties and pretend you know port from starboard, it’s Maritime Festival weekend.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

Chef Derby
66 Mile Walk
Burger Nights

Ready, Set, Go!

The Lowdown

Chef Derby’s Just Getting Started 🍽

Bellport-born chef Francis Derby has traded Manhattan hustle for Greenport sunsets and he’s now running the show at The Halyard. Since May, Derby’s been steering the restaurant’s menu, on-site catering, piano bar, and even the mobile kitchen feeding beach-goers and pool-loungers.

This isn’t his first rodeo, Derby’s cooked everywhere from NYC hotspots to Huntington’s Prime and even ran his own catering biz. Now he’s dishing up seasonal eats like skate sandwiches, tomato-peach salads, and apple desserts with ingredients straight from North Fork farms and waters.

Summer was a blur, but now Derby’s ready to grow his crew, plan more killer events, and keep connecting with local producers.

Get the full story 👉 Northforker

Southold’s Kids Get a Literacy Boost 📚

Post-pandemic reading scores are down, but Southold’s not sitting still. Community service worker Sonia Spar is teaming up with the Allied Foundation to roll out a bilingual early literacy + healthy habits campaign for local pre-K and kindergarteners.

Two hundred kids will get care packages packed with books, Spanish-English or Ukrainian-English word games, an Etch A Sketch, toothbrushes, and a daily habits checklist. The goal? Build early reading skills, vocabulary, and independence, no screens required.

The project’s already funded by Baby2Baby, Henry Schein, and the Junior League of Long Island, but they still need $3,500 to finish the job. Local businesses and community champions can chip in by emailing [email protected]. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

66 Miles for a Cause 🇺🇸

Suffolk County Legislator and Marine Lt. Colonel, Chad Lennon is lacing up for a 66-mile walk from Orient Fire Department to Armed Forces Plaza in Hauppauge this weekend, all to raise awareness about veteran suicide.

He’ll carry both the American flag and the Suicide Awareness & Remembrance flag, joined by three fellow Marines and Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Vanessa Lockel. The group sets off Saturday at 9 AM, breaks every three hours, hits the halfway point at J&R’s Steakhouse in Calverton around 9 PM, and finishes Sunday at 11 AM with a flag-raising ceremony.

Anyone, veteran or not, is welcome to join at any point along the route. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Photo of the Week

📸 submitted by John Sinning

Tag @NorthForkBuzz or email us at [email protected] to get your photos in The Buzz!

Foodie Friday 🍽

Yesterday was National Cheeseburger Day, and honestly, do we even need an excuse to talk about burgers? We didn’t think so. In honor of the holiday, we rounded up some of the juiciest, cheesiest, most mouthwatering burger night specials across the North Fork, because a good burger deserves its moment in the spotlight (and maybe a side of crispy fries). Cheeseburger Day may be over, but these specials prove every day is a good day for a burger.

Burger Lovers Unite 🍔

A Lure

Wednesday nights at A Lure aren’t just another night on the calendar, their Burger & Beer Night. For $22, you get the A Lure Burger topped with smoked mozzarella and bacon-onion marmalade, a side of house-cut fries, and your choice of a draft beer or glass of house wine. It’s the midweek pick-me-up you didn’t know you needed, but definitely deserve.

North Fork Table

If you needed a reason to make Thursday night plans, North Fork Table & Inn just gave you one. In honor of National Bourbon Month, they’re serving up the ultimate pairing: a smooth Angel’s Envy signature cocktail alongside their crave-worthy Acabonac Burger, topped with house-smoked bacon, and served with golden hand-cut fries.

All of this for just $30, which means you can treat yourself without any splurge guilt. Think of it as your pre-Friday celebration: good bourbon, great burger, and that perfect excuse to get out of the house and make a night of it.

Ellen’s on Front

Fridays are for burgers, beers, and good vibes, and Ellen’s on Front has all three covered. Their Friday Night Burger & Beer Night is the perfect excuse to clock out and head to Greenport.

For $18, grab a draft beer and sink your teeth into the Ellen’s Burger, piled with Vermont sharp cheddar, onion mostrada, housemade pickles, lettuce, and tomato on a soft brioche bun. Add a side of crispy fries (or greens if you’re pretending to be good) and consider the weekend officially started.

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

Live Music Breakdown

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading the North Fork Buzz today. Like what you read? Send it to someone who loves a good burger.

Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships