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🐝 Coffee, Community & A Tiny Lighthouse

🐝 Coffee, Community & A Tiny Lighthouse

New CAST Executive Director, New Farmer’s Market + Coffee, Fresh Cut Flowers

Thomas Loncar
May 07, 2025

Together With

Good Morning, North Fork! If Wednesday had a dating profile, it’d say “emotionally stable but slightly chaotic.”

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

New CAST Executive Director
New Farmer’s Market + Coffee
Fresh Cut Flowers

Ready, Set, Go!

The Lowdown

Meet The New Boss At CAST 🎉

Erica Steindl just officially took the reins as Executive Director of CAST in Southold. A North Fork native, longtime educator, and fluent Spanish speaker, Erica’s no stranger to the organization, she’s been with CAST since 2020 and stepped in as interim ED last fall.

She’s helped lead game-changing programs like ParentChild+, the North Fork Culinary Program, and CAST’s arts and culture efforts. Now, she’s stepping into the top job full time, bringing heart, experience, and big community energy.

She’s succeeding Cathy Demeroto, who’s not going far—she’ll continue the good work as CAST’s new Chief Advancement Officer. CAST has been a lifeline for locals since 1965, and with Erica at the helm, that legacy’s in excellent hands.

Farmers’ Market + Fresh Roast 🍅☕️

East Marion’s Hellenic Snack Bar is about to smell even better on Saturday mornings. Why? George Giannaris—chef, author, gelato wizard, and all-around local legend, is launching the East End Farmers’ Market at Hellenic starting June 7 through October 18.

Picture this: farm-fresh produce, handmade crafts, and coffee so fresh it basically still thinks it's a bean. George’s new venture, Little Bean Roast Co., will serve up specialty-grade coffee roasted right on-site.

Inspired by a trip to a Paris market while visiting his son at culinary school, George decided the North Fork deserved that same magic. Add in nearly 50 years of Hellenic family tradition, and you've got yourself a Saturday stop you won’t want to skip.

Pro tip: get there early. The market runs 9 a.m. to noon, and that coffee won’t sip itself.

Tiny Lighthouse, Huge History 🗼

Lighthouses and legacy got the spotlight at Orient Beach State Park on April 26, when a newly restored model of the historic Horton Point Lighthouse was unveiled. Built by park maintenance pro Tom Hughes during the off-season, this miniature marvel features a working beacon and bronze gargoyle replicas—because even tiny lighthouses deserve flair.

Hughes based the model on old photos and an in-person lighthouse tour, and the result is now proudly posted at the park entrance. The dedication drew park staff, the Southold Historical Museum, and descendants of Cliff Benfield—the guy who brought the real lighthouse back to life in the ’80s.

Originally commissioned by George Washington (yes, that George Washington) and completed in 1857, Horton Point guided mariners through the notoriously tricky Dead Man’s Cove. Now, its pint-sized twin is guiding visitors straight into a slice of local history.

Bees & Blooms 🐝

Bee-lieve it or not, the North Fork's farm-fresh fruits and veggies wouldn’t be nearly as perfect without a little help from the hive.

Local legends Chris Kelly of Promise Land Apiaries and Ken Robinson of North Fork Honey are buzzing around the East End, partnering with farmers to place hives just before bloom. Why? Because zucchini blossoms and watermelon vines need more than good vibes, they need serious pollination to thrive.

While native pollinators have been declining, honeybees are stepping up. Some hives stay year-round, others pack up post-bloom and chase nectar like it’s a Grateful Dead tour. Either way, these bees are boosting crop yields and keeping our produce pretty.

So next time you bite into a juicy local peach, thank a beekeeper—and maybe a few thousand of their closest friends. ($)

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Dog of The Week

Meet Nikki 🐾

Meet Nikki — a sweet, medium-sized pup with soulful eyes and a heart full of love. She’s affectionate, playful, and a big fan of squeaky toys (which she may lovingly bury). Though shy at first, Nikki warms up quickly and adores cuddles and companionship.

She’s house-trained, sleeps through the night, and does well indoors. Walks in new places make her a little nervous, so patience and a harness are key. Nikki is currently at our Southold location and would love to meet you!

Interested? Call the Southold location at 631-765-1811 ext. 1 to learn more about this four-legged gem.

Fresh Cut Finds

We mentioned a few of these floral hot spots on Monday since they were paired with brunch, but let’s be real—Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and some things are worth repeating (especially when they smell this good). Whether Mom loves a classic bouquet, a potted beauty, or something a little wild and whimsical, here are our favorite spots on the North Fork to grab flowers that’ll make her feel extra loved.

💐 Flower Workshop Join The French Picnic on Friday, May 9 for a hands-on flower arrangement workshop led by Laurel Floral Design. You’ll create your own stunning Mother’s Day bouquet while sipping French wine and grazing from a charcuterie station. All supplies included, just bring your creativity. More Info

🌹 Coffee & Blooms On Saturday, May 10 from 9am–2pm, Laurel Floral Design is popping up at Panoramica with fresh, hand-tied flower bouquets just in time for Mother’s Day. Swing by to grab a stunning arrangement and a coffee.

🌼 Bouquets & Baked Goods This Saturday, May 10, North Fork Flower Farm is popping up at Main Road Biscuit Co. with fresh Mother’s Day bouquets that are as local and lovely as it gets. Guests of the restaurant can pair their flowers with from-scratch baked goods and make Mom’s day a little sweeter. More Info

🌺 Bubbles & Bouquets Join Blooms by Design at Sparkling Pointe Vineyard on Sunday, May 11 for a floral arranging experience surrounded by vines and fizz. Create your own stunning spring bouquet while enjoying a three-course brunch perfectly paired with a tasting flight of three sparkling wines. More Info

🌷 Flowers & Flavors Celebrate Mother’s Day at Bedell Cellars with a beautiful bouquet from Backyard Blooms and a fresh, locally sourced brunch box by Southold General. More Info

🌻 A Floral Feast The Halyard is teaming up with North Fork Flower Farm for a dreamy afternoon of blooms and lunch. Browse hand-tied bouquets featuring the farm’s freshest spring flowers. While you enjoy a coastal lunch with Sound views, Brunch Specials also available. More Info

🪻The Sweetest Stop Nerdling Acres is the kind of place that makes you want to pull over on a whim. This self-serve flower stand is brimming with fresh, seasonal blooms grown right on their family farm. It’s the kind of place that feels like a hidden gem—charming, colorful, and full of local love. Just grab a bouquet and make Mom’s day.
More Info

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Tom Loncar- Publisher