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🐝 F-18 Fighter Jet at MacArthur Airport

🐝 F-18 Fighter Jet at MacArthur Airport

Rite of Spring Turns 10, Spotlight on Sonia Spar, Lieutenant Greg Sheryll

Thomas Loncar
April 09, 2025

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Good Morning, North Fork! It's Hump Day! If this week were a hill, you'd be waving from the top.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

Rite of Spring Turns 10
Spotlight on Sonia Spar
Lieutenant Greg Sheryll

Ready, Set, Go!

The Lowdown

Rites of Spring Hits 10 Seasons 🎻

Back in 2016, Paolo Bartolani had a wild idea: bring world-class music to the North Fork and make it actually exciting. Fast forward to 2025, and the Rites of Spring Music Festival is turning 10 with more rhythm, more vineyards, and more stargazing than ever.

This season’s theme is “Rhythms of the Terroir” — think music meets soil meets soul. It’s about the land, the people who love it, and the sounds that bring it all to life.

Here’s your concert cheat sheet:
🎼 April 13: Beethoven marathon at Jamesport Meeting House
🎻 April 27: Ulysses Quartet + Bartolani on keys at Castello di Borghese
🎣 June 8: Fisherman songs + Southold history at Poquatuck Hall
🎶 June 16: North Fork tribute + world premiere at The Suffolk
🎺 July 26: Real East End Brass turns Custer Observatory into NOLA
🪕 July 31: Jayme Stone’s FolkLife on the Cutchogue Green
🎹 Aug. 9, 15, 17: Three epic piano nights at McCall Vineyards
💃 Sept. 13: Energia Latina lights up North Fork Arts Center

It’s more than a music fest — it’s a celebration of everything that makes the East End sing. Full schedule and tickets at ritesmusic.org

A True North Fork Gem 🥇

On April 5, the spotlight was on Sonia Spar—though she’d probably try to redirect it, when she was named 2025 Outstanding Community Advocate by OLA (that’s Organización Latino Americana).

Sonia’s the kind of person who sees a gap and builds a bridge. For 20 years, she’s been a steady, compassionate force in Southold and beyond, advocating for the North Fork’s Spanish-speaking community and anyone who needs a helping hand. From mental health access to emergency prep to youth support, if there’s a way to make life better for someone—Sonia’s on it.

These days, she’s Southold Town’s Spanish-speaking community service worker, making everything from public signage to emergency info more accessible. But her work started long before the title—back when she was just a mom, a neighbor, and someone who couldn’t ignore a need.

When she accepted the award, Sonia called it a collective win:
“This is the work of everyone in the community.”

The world’s a better place when people like Sonia lead with heart, humility, and a whole lot of hustle. ($)

From Mattituck to Mach Speed ✈️

Lieutenant Greg Sheryll just pulled off a full-circle moment in the most epic way possible. On March 7, the Mattituck High grad landed an F-18 fighter jet at MacArthur Airport after flying it coast to coast from California. Casual.

Awaiting him on the ground? A crowd of family, friends, and cadets from the Southold NJROTC program—the same one that sparked his aviation journey. Sheryll credits NJROTC with teaching him leadership, military fundamentals, and lighting the afterburners on his career.

His resume? Wildly impressive. Early college grad, U.S. Navy flight school, and most recently, recipient of an Air Medal for shooting down a Houthi drone during deployment in the Red Sea. No big deal.

Now stationed in California, Sheryll’s next deployment is on the horizon. But back home, he’s already a legend—his name proudly displayed on Mattituck High’s Wall of Honor. ($)

Wheels in Motion 🛹

Skaters, BMXers, scooter riders, get ready to roll.

After five years of community hustle, the Greenport Skate Park is officially getting a serious upgrade. It all started in 2019 with a bummed-out 11-year-old (shoutout to Dane Jensen) and a whole lot of graffiti. That’s when local shop owner Rena Wilhelm said, “Let’s fix this,” and never looked back.

Fast forward to today: Greenport Skate Park Inc. is a full-blown nonprofit with $100K raised and a million-dollar vision. Enter Dominick Marcoccia, the legend behind The Range DIY park in Rocky Point — who just signed on to help build it, alongside the crew at Marco Masonry. Mayor Kevin Stuessi’s also backing the project, and if all goes well, shovels hit the ground this fall.

Want to help? Mark your calendars:

June 21 – National Go Skateboarding Day fundraiser
July 13 – Sound & Skate Festival

Because if you build it, they will kickflip.

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Dog of the week

Meet Harley 🐾

Harley is a brindle beauty with soulful eyes and a heart full of love. This young sweetheart is the perfect blend of cuddly pup energy and calm, house-trained manners. She’s affectionate, well-behaved, and just the right amount of protective (she’ll let you know when the Amazon guy arrives).

Harley is great on a leash, loves car rides, and sleeps soundly through the night. She’s not reactive to other dogs, navigates stairs like a pro, and will politely tell you when it’s time for a bathroom break. Bonus: she’s a total cuddlebug who thinks she's a lapdog.

If you're looking for a loyal companion who’s as sweet as she is stunning, Harley might just be your forever girl. Whoever adopts her is hitting the doggy jackpot.

Local Nonprofits

From lending medical gear to delivering meals, organizing youth programs to advocating for neighbors, local nonprofits are the heartbeat of the North Fork.

They’re made up of passionate volunteers, tiny teams with big dreams. Whether they've been around for 100 years or just got their start last summer, these organizations are proving that kindness, creativity, and community go a long way.

Here's a look at some of the hometown heroes making life a little brighter for all of us.

Southold Sunshine Society ☀️

For 100+ years, the Southold Sunshine Society has been sprinkling joy from Laurel to Orient. Think of them as your friendly neighborhood superheroes—if superheroes delivered fruit plates and lent out wheelchairs.

This all-volunteer dream team provides gently used medical equipment (we’re talkin’ crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs) to anyone who needs it—totally free. But they don’t stop there. They also drop off plants, send birthday and get-well cards, and generally radiate good vibes all across the North Fork.

Old-school kindness with a 100-year track record? We’re here for it. Contact the Sunshine Society at [email protected]

Group for the East End 🌳

For more than 50 years, this powerhouse nonprofit has been fighting the good fight—protecting our open spaces, keeping our waters clean, and getting the next generation hyped about the environment (without needing TikTok to do it).

Their crew of scientists, advocates, and educators are out there doing the dirty work—literally. From restoring habitats to running school programs and pushing for smarter conservation laws, they’re making sure our little corner of the world stays green, clean, and thriving.

Want in? Donate, volunteer, or just learn more at their website.

Custer Institute & Observatory 🔭

If you’ve ever dreamed of reaching for the stars (literally), The Custer Institute & Observatory is your launchpad. For over 40 years, this North Fork gem has been igniting curiosity about the cosmos, offering stargazing events, hands-on educational programs, and even telescope rentals for those who want to get a closer look at the night sky.

This nonprofit isn’t just about gazing up—it’s about bringing the universe down to earth. From star parties to astrophysics lessons, the Custer Institute is on a mission to make science exciting for all ages. With a team of passionate astronomers and volunteers, they’re turning the East End into a hotspot for stargazing.

Ready to shoot for the stars? Support, volunteer, or visit their website.

North Fork Parish Outreach 🤝

The North Fork Parish Outreach (NFPO) is here to make sure no one in our community goes without! From Laurel to Orient, they’re a lifeline offering food, clothing, emergency assistance, and more. Need a helping hand? They’ve got you covered.

Their Thrift Shop in Southold (56025 Route 25) is stocked with affordable treasures, all thanks to their amazing team of volunteers. They’re open Monday to Friday, with donations accepted Tuesday through Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Whether you need support or want to help out, get in touch with Director Maria Fedele at 631.477.6469 or visit their website.

Slow Food East End 🥗

Slow Food East End is on a mission to make food good, clean, and fair—for everyone. They’re connecting communities to local farmers, celebrating food traditions, and teaching the next generation where their meals really come from (hint: not a drive-thru).

With programs like School Gardens, Flour Power, and Snail of Approval (yes, that’s a real thing and it’s awesome), they’re growing more than just produce—they’re cultivating a culture of sustainability and respect for our food system.

Want to get your hands dirty or just learn more? Head to their website.

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Tom Loncar- Publisher