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🐝 Eminent Domain

🐝 Eminent Domain

Greenport’s Empty Storefront Problem, Daily Plunge Crew, Repair Café

Thomas Loncar
April 29, 2026

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Good Morning, North Fork! You’re closer to the weekend than you were yesterday. That counts.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

Greenport’s Empty Storefront Problem
Daily Plunge Crew
Repair Café

Ready, Set, Go!

The Lowdown

Greenport’s Empty Storefront Problem 💡

Greenport is staring down a growing vacancy problem, and one former mayor thinks it might be time to get aggressive.

At an April 23 Village Board meeting, former mayor Dave Kapell floated the idea of the village using eminent domain to take control of long empty commercial properties and redevelop them.

Current mayor Kevin Stuessi didn’t shut it down, but flagged the obvious issue: cost. Taking properties through eminent domain would likely be expensive for taxpayers, though he said the idea is worth discussing further. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Daily Plunge Crew 🌊

While most people on the North Fork are still checking the forecast before even thinking about the water, a small group of local women are already in, every single day.

They call themselves the “Swans,” and they’ve built a year round ritual of plunging into the Peconic Bay and Long Island Sound, no matter the weather.

This isn’t a quick in and out polar plunge. When the water creeps into the 40s, they’ll stay in for up to 20 minutes, chatting, laughing, and, enjoying it.

For them, it’s less about toughness and more about rhythm. The daily dip has become a social hour, mental reset, and something close to a spiritual practice.

The group started organically a few years ago with a simple text thread, and now draws a rotating crew of 3 to 10 women depending on the day. No sign ups, no schedule, just word of mouth and a shared tolerance for cold water.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

Repair Café 🛠️

Instead of tossing that broken toaster or worn out sweater, Southold is giving residents a second option this weekend: fix it.

The town’s Environmental Expo and Repair Café is set for Saturday at the Recreation Center on Peconic Lane.

At the Repair Café, you can bring in everything from small appliances and bikes to clothing and toys. Volunteers will try to repair them on the spot.

It’s also a chance to connect with the people behind the North Fork’s environmental efforts. Groups like the Group for the East End and Peconic Baykeeper will be there, along with others focused on conservation, restoration, and sustainability. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Not Just Plants 🌱

Cifarelli’s Nursery isn’t your typical rows of mulch setup. It’s a five acre mix of greenhouses, outdoor paths, and a working design space where plants and handcrafted steel pieces share the spotlight.

The husband and wife team behind it, Lisa and David Cifarelli, didn’t exactly follow a straight path to get here. What started as David building planters and fire pits in the backyard turned into a full blown outdoor design operation, and eventually the purchase of the former Doroski’s Nursery property in 2021.

Now, the space blends two worlds. Inside the greenhouses: tropical plants, citrus trees, orchids, and hard to find houseplants sourced from across the country. Outside: custom built fire pits, chimineas, sculptures, and furniture made from corten steel.

Get the full story 👉 Northforker

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Animal of The Week

Meet Morticia 🐾

Meet Morticia, she’s two years old, dressed head to toe in classic black with just a hint of white at the chest, like she knew exactly what she was doing when she picked the outfit. And much like her namesake, she has that quietly magnetic presence, the kind of cat who doesn’t need to demand attention to get it.

Morticia is an easy one to love. She bonds quickly, settles in without much fuss, and has a calm, confident energy that makes a home feel a little more grounded. She’s the type to keep you company without being clingy, happy to curl up nearby, follow you from room to room, or just share a slow, peaceful morning. The kind of cat who turns a regular Sunday into something you actually look forward to.

Black cats tend to get overlooked, but Morticia makes a pretty strong case for why that should change. If you’re looking for a steady, low key companion with just the right amount of charm, she’s right here, ready to quietly become your favorite part of the day.

Questions? Call North Fork Animal Welfare League at 631-765-1811

If you are interested in volunteering and helping animals like Morticia, contact Sherri at [email protected]

Trivia Time 🧠

Your brain deserves more than scrolling and skimming. Each week we’ll hit you with one question designed to make you pause, scratch your head, and maybe argue with whoever’s sitting next to you. Think of it as a quick mental pit stop: a chance to flex your random knowledge, test your memory, or finally use that obscure fact you learned in 7th grade.

Just click one of the multiple-choice answers to see if you got it right!

Find more info on the answer at the very end of the newsletter

What historical event does Cinco de Mayo commemorate?

Last Week’s Results

Last week we asked: A painting by which famous artist, valued at around $1 million, was recently acquired for just $117

Answer: Pablo Picasso

39% of you got it right. For the 61% that missed it, honestly, $117 sounded like IKEA art pricing.

Live Music + Fun Breakdown

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THANKS!

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Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships

Cinco de Mayo