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In today’s North Fork Buzz:

• Enrollment Down

• New Chef at Anker

• New Boutique on Love Lane

Ready, Set, Go!

Sponsored By Party Animal North Fork

Where North Fork Parties Begin 🎉

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The Lowdown

Enrollment Down 📉

Mattituck-Cutchogue school officials say the district is still performing well academically, but long term challenges are getting harder to ignore.

Superintendent Shawn Petretti told residents that while consolidation with a neighboring district is still on the table, no nearby districts are interested. That leaves the district navigating declining enrollment and rising costs largely on its own.

Student enrollment has dropped from about 1,500 in 2012 to roughly 960 today, driven by high housing costs and shifting demographics. At the same time, the district receives minimal state aid, putting more pressure on local taxpayers.

A formal merger study would cost around $100,000, and even if a partner emerged, the process could take three to four years. Meanwhile, the district is already adapting, combining about 75% of varsity sports teams with other schools and exploring ways to generate revenue, like leasing unused buildings.

Inside the classrooms, though, the picture is stronger. Officials pointed to solid academic performance, growing participation in advanced courses, and expanding programs, including career training and dual enrollment.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

New Chef at Anker 🧑‍🍳

Anker is reopening for the season on May 1 with a new chef at the helm.

East End veteran Albert Hand is stepping into the kitchen and leaning fully into his “have fun with it” philosophy, building a menu that pulls from Caribbean, Asian, and European influences.

Seafood is still the backbone, but it’s getting a remix. Swordfish with yuca and mango-papaya tapenade, or halibut with crispy rice, eggplant, yuzu, macadamia and lychee foam.

Brunch is getting the same treatment. Eggs Benedict lands on a fried green tomato instead of an English muffin, topped with lobster claw and pork loin.

Not into seafood? You’re still covered. The menu dips into land options like duck burgers, ribeye, pork belly and bison.

Get the full story 👉 Northforker

New Boutique on Love Lane 🛍️

Bella Grace Boutique just opened its doors, adding another stop for spring and summer style right in the heart of Love Lane.

The shop is the creation of co-owners Jodi Kral and Stephanie D’Gracia, best friends, neighbors, and now storefront owners.

What began as handmade jewelry sold at craft fairs grew into a steady presence inside a Bellport home décor shop, eventually expanding into clothing, accessories, and giftable pieces. When a vacancy popped up on Love Lane, they didn’t hesitate.

Get the full story 👉 Northforker

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Happenings: Weekend Preview

Friday

🛍️ Mother’s Day Market Forget the last minute card aisle scramble, this is how you shop for Mom. Head over to the Peconic Landing Community Center, for a curated lineup of local artisans is bringing handcrafted gifts with way more personality than anything in a big box store. More Info

🎉 First Fridays The first First Friday of the season brings Love Lane back to life, with Bubba Jam setting the tone for the night. Shops stay open late, the street fills in, it’s the first real sign that summer evenings are here. More Info

🎶 North Fork Chorale Concert Voices from the North Fork Chorale take over the weekend with a Friday through Sunday run that centers on tight harmonies and a thoughtfully built program. More Info

🛍️ Barbara Fisher Home Pop Up A curated mix of elevated home pieces lands at Suhru & Lieb Vineyards for a one day pop up with Barbara Fisher Home. The collection pulls together artisan-made accents and timeless design finds, just in time for Mother’s Day. More Info

Saturday

🤼 Lucha Rumble 6 Things are about to get loud, fast, and slightly chaotic. At the Greenport American Legion, Championship Entertainment Productions and Lucharitos are bringing masked mayhem, high flying moves, and full on crowd energy to the ring. More Info

🇺🇸 Veterans Resource Fair Less small talk, more real support, that’s the tone at the Southold American Legion. Long Island Cares Veterans Project is gathering 25+ organizations offering services for veterans and active military, plus a Farm Truck rolling in with free fresh produce. More Info

🌱 Environmental Expo & Repair Café Before you toss it, fix it, and maybe learn something while you’re at it. The Recreation Center on Peconic Lane, this spring forward event from the Southold Town Conservation Advisory Council and North Fork Environmental Council brings together local orgs, hands on repair help, and practical ways to care for the place we all brag about living in. More Info

🌊 Beach Clean Up The 4th annual clean up at Kenney’s & McCabe’s Beach brings together Little Fish, the KMBCA, and the community for a few hours of clearing the shoreline. Show up, pitch in, and help get the beach back in shape ahead of the season. Coffee, light bites, and drinks come after. More Info

🏃 Run for the Petals 5K Greenport gets things moving with a spring 5K that kicks off the month long cherry blossom festival in Greenport. The Run for the Petals 5K winds through town just as the season starts to show up, with a mix of runners, walkers, and people just there for the atmosphere. More Info

🚤 Boating Safety An 8 hour course at the Cutchogue New Suffolk Library covers the essentials for safer time on the water while meeting New York’s Brianna’s Law requirement. Led by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, it walks through real-world boating scenarios, rules of the water, and what tends to go wrong out there. More Info

🚗 Defensive Driving A few hours at Floyd Memorial Library covers real world driving habits that matter most when you’re on the road day to day. More Info

🌿 I Love My Parks Day Friends of Orient Beach State Park host a hands on day focused on planting beach grass and native plants, with a side of learning about how it all helps protect the shoreline. More Info

🐎 Kentucky Derby Party Three minutes of racing, a full afternoon of buildup at Eastern Front Brewing Co. Show up ready with yours hats, fascinators, seersucker, and linen. More Info

Sunday

🕵️ Culper Spy Ring History gets a little more interesting when it involves secret messages, and Revolutionary War intrigue. Former Newsday reporter Bill Bleyer brings the real story to Hallockville Museum Farm, with the added flex of being the author of George Washington’s Long Island Spy Ring: A History and Tour Guide. More Info

🎶 Yale Whiffenpoofs Return Some groups have vibes, these guys have over a century of harmonies. The Whiffenpoofs founded in 1909 bring their signature a cappella sound to CAST, featuring a handpicked crew of just 14 Yale seniors. More Info

🌼 Dandelion Festival Turns out the “weed” in your yard is throwing a full on party. KK’s Farm hosts this delightful dandelion celebration, with a dandelion costume contest, live music, dancing, flower crown making, and more. More Info

🍷 Mid-Mod Mixer Somewhere between Mad Men and your best brunch self, things get a little more stylish. This mid-century themed brunch party lands at Panoramica, where dressing the part is half the fun and wine pairings from Saltbird Cellars and Lenz Winery handle the rest, as part of the Long Island Wine Country Blanc & Franc Brunch Series. More Info

🕯️ Candle Making An easygoing workshop at Sannino Vineyard pairs a glass of wine with a hands on candle making session led by Fire & Wixx. Blend up to three fragrances to create a custom scent, then pour your own candle to take home. 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}}

Live Music + Fun Breakdown

Thursday

The 1901 Grill at Goat Hill | Trivia with Think Inc. | 6 PM
Greenport Harbor Brewing (Pec) | Trivia | 6-8 PM
Bridge Lane | Trivia | 6:30-8 PM
Taps & Corks | Karaoke | 7-10 PM
Southold American Legion | Bingo | 7 PM

Friday

Corey Creek | Kelli Baker | 4-8 PM
Billy’s By the Bay | Tetra | 4:30-7:30 PM
Main & Mill | Catie Egan | 5-7 PM
Little Fish | Frank Palmeri | 6-9 PM
First Fridays on Love Lane | Bubba Jam | 6-9 PM
Touch of Venice | Rick Anzalone | 6-9 PM
*One Woman Winery | Brandi Disterheft | 6-9 PM
Southold Social | K + R Music | 6-9 PM
Jamesport Farm Brewery | Trivia | 6:30-8:30 PM
Lucharitos | Karaoke with DJ Henry Eau | 9 PM

*reservations required

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Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships