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Good Morning, North Fork! Welcome to North Fork Buzz, curated so you don’t have to scroll endlessly.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

• A Busy Southold Meeting

• Greenport BID’s New Priority List

• Calls for Accountability and Clarity

Ready, Set, Go!

P.S. Happy Birthday to Jeffery Standish! 🎂

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The Lowdown

A Busy Southold Meeting 🗂️

Southold Town Board heard from state housing officials this week about New York’s Pro Housing Communities program, a voluntary certification that gives municipalities priority access to certain state grants. Board members pressed officials on how a small, environmentally constrained town like Southold would be evaluated and whether certification could create future obligations.

The conversation then shifted to the water, with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Back to the Bays program sharing an update on shellfish restoration efforts across town waterways. The initiative reported tens of thousands of oysters, clams, and scallops planted over the past year, with an eye toward improving water quality and sustaining local shellfishing traditions.

On wireless regulations, planning officials recommended that the town first formally adopt its updated Wireless Master Plan, including completing a full environmental review, before moving forward with changes to the wireless code.

The meeting wrapped with a push to pursue state grant funding for a long discussed bathroom at Cochran Park.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

Greenport BID’s New Priority List 📝

The Greenport Business Improvement District is sharpening its focus, and vacant storefronts are at the top of the list.

After surveying its members last summer, the BID narrowed its priorities down to five key initiatives it plans to tackle first:

-Empty retail spaces
-Holiday and event lighting
-Security
-Street cleaning and garbage removal
-The village ice skating rink

BID president Richard Vandenburgh said a detailed presentation outlining next steps, timelines, and budget allocations is expected to be shared with the village board of trustees as early as February.

Recent business closures have left noticeable gaps along Main Street. BID leaders say solving the vacancy issue will take a coordinated effort, encouraging business owners to invest, working with landlords to offer flexible terms, and ensuring the village remains welcoming and supportive.

The remaining initiatives focus on improving the day to day experience in the village, particularly during the slower months. Plans include expanded year round street lighting for holidays and community events, hiring a BID specific street cleaning contractor, installing upgraded trash cans, and adding monitored security measures in areas like Mitchell Park and the Adams Street parking lot.

The BID is also aligning its efforts with the village’s long term goal of opening a new ice skating rink, which already has a $1.2 million state grant in place and a target opening year of 2026. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Calls for Accountability and Clarity 🗣️

Southold Town Hall was standing room only Tuesday night as residents came out in force, urging the Town Board to take a clear, public stand against ICE activity and what many described as growing fear in the community.

Speaker after speaker asked the board to issue a stronger statement condemning federal immigration enforcement tactics. A petition signed by roughly 800 residents was presented, calling on the town, as police commissioners, to prioritize public safety and speak out against masked, unidentified federal agents operating locally.

Residents shared firsthand accounts of past ICE raids in Greenport, concerns about children witnessing arrests, and fears that community members no longer feel safe interacting with law enforcement.

Greenport Mayor Kevin Stuessi urged the board to provide clear direction, noting the imbalance between federal presence and local police staffing.

Town Supervisor Al Krupski read a statement reaffirming the Southold Town Police Department’s commitment to treating all residents with dignity and ensuring people feel safe accessing services like 911, schools, and health care. The statement referenced prior communication with federal officials expressing public safety concerns, but many in the room said it fell short of what they were asking for.

Get the full story 👉 East End Beacon

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Happenings: Weekend Preview

Friday

🎶 Finish the Lyrics A night of music knowledge is on deck with Finish the Lyrics Trivia at Clovis Point Vineyard. Expect familiar songs, plenty of “I know this one” moments, and a room full of people quietly singing under their breath. More Info

🧀🍷 Fondue + Wine Melted cheese is taking center stage with Cheese Fondue at Sannino Vineyard, hosted in partnership with the Village Cheese Shop. Enjoy fondue with all the fixings for dipping, paired with a flight of three wines. More Info

Saturday

✍️ Disney Magic Spend the day with legendary animator Andreas Deja at the Rams Head Inn for a hands on animation workshop that pulls back the curtain on the art behind some of Disney’s most iconic characters. The experience wraps with a fireside chat and dinner, offering a rare chance to hear stories, insights, and creative wisdom straight from a master of the craft. More Info

🎻 A Musical Voyage Classical music takes a turn through 20th century Europe with Phantastic Journey: Music for Strings and Winds. Six acclaimed NFAC Chamber Musicians come together at the North Fork Arts Center to perform masterworks by Benjamin Britten, Ernst von Dohnányi, and Sergei Prokofiev. More Info

❤️ Valentine’s Cards Put a little extra love on paper with the Valentine’s Day Art & Wine Workshop, led by watercolorist Melissa Hyatt at Chronicle Wines. This hands on class offers personalized instruction as you create your own watercolor Valentine’s cards, while enjoying a glass of wine. More Info

🧠 Trivia Is Coming Trivia is officially on the menu as Bedell Cellars teams up with Think Inc. Trivia for its first ever Trivia Nights. Good questions, better wine, and just enough competition to keep things interesting. More Info

🍷🍩 Wine & Doughnuts Some pairings just make sense once you try them. Wine & Doughnut Pairing at Pindar Vineyards brings together three wines and three of NoFoDoCo’s handcrafted doughnuts for a tasting that’s fun and absolutely worth the curiosity. More Info

💕 Integrative Breast Cancer Care A thoughtful, supportive day designed for patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers, the second annual Integrative Approaches to Breast Cancer Care seminar by the North Fork Breast Health Coalition brings together leading medical experts and integrative health practitioners. More Info

Sunday

🥣 Soupy Sundays Head to Chronicle Wines for a cozy lineup featuring hearty winter soups from Grace & Grit, fresh loaves from 1610 Sourdough, and your favorite Chronicle wines by the glass. This week’s soup: Lobster Bisque. More Info

❄️ Embrace The Cold Rescheduled from last week, join the brave souls that will be heading straight into Peconic Bay for a midwinter splash that’s all about giving back. The 4th Annual North Fork Polar Bear Plunge at Veterans Beach, with proceeds benefiting CAST and CCE Back to the Bays. More Info

🌶 Chili Cook Off A lineup of North Fork restaurants and local First Responders will go head to head at Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.’s (Peconic location), North Fork Chili Cook Off. Come sample an impressive spread of chili, grab a beer, and cast your vote for who takes top honors. Bonus: the brewery is releasing a special beer just for the occasion. More Info

🍫 A Creative Class You Can Eat This is not your average painting class. Paint Your Own Chocolate Bar at the Cutchogue New Suffolk Library turns creativity into dessert. Guided by Chef Chocolatier Ursula XVII of 17 Disset Chocolate, mix your own edible paint colors and “paint” directly onto chocolate for a personalized and very delicious final product. More Info

🎨 Get Arty Tap into your creative side at Get Arty: Paint and Sip Party at Hallockville Museum Farm. This two hour paint party is led by certified art instructor Ginger Baer, who will guide guests step by step. 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

Eastern Front Brewing | Sonic Gumbo | 5-8 PM
Greenport Harbor Brewing (Pec) | Trivia | 6-8 PM
Taps & Corks | Karaoke | 7-10 PM
Southold American Legion | Bingo | 7 PM

Friday

Corey Creek | Nick Kerzner | 4-8 PM
Suhru & Lieb | Julia King | 5-7 PM
Main & Mill | Jeff LeBlanc | 5-7 PM
Touch of Venice | Alex Alexander | 6-9 PM
One Woman Winery | Tim Siciliano Trio | 6-9 PM
Southold Social | K + R Music | 6-9 PM
Clovis Point | Finish The Lyrics Trivia | 6:30-8 PM
The Clam Bar at Alize Brewing | Frank Palmeri | 7-10 PM
The Watershed | TBA | 7-10 PM
Tuckers Taproom | Open Mic Night | 7 PM
Lucharitos | Karaoke with DJ Henry Eau | 9 PM

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Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships