Together With

Good Morning, North Fork! We’re here to help you answer the age old question: “So what should we do this weekend?”

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

• 18 Bay’s New Chapter

• Greenport’s Holiday Stroll

• Inside Southold Fish Market

Ready, Set, Go!

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The Lowdown

18 Bay’s New Chapter 🍽️

18 Bay Restaurant has officially landed at the historic Dimon Estate on Manor Road in Jamesport, putting down roots after more than two decades, multiple incarnations, and a whole lot of loyal fans. For chefs Adam Kopels and Elizabeth Ronzetti, it’s the fourth chapter of 18 Bay.

If you’ve ever eaten at 18 Bay, you know the deal: no fixed menu, no shortcuts, and no overthinking. The food is deeply seasonal, wildly fresh, and guided by what’s swimming, growing, flowering, or seeding right now.

18 Bay is really about simplicity and restraint, knowing exactly what the vegetable is on your plate and letting it shine.

The restored 1707 farmhouse (rebuilt in 1860 and lovingly brought back to life after a 2005 fire) nearly triples their Shelter Island capacity, with 60 seats downstairs and 20 upstairs. The property also includes a vegetable garden, apple orchard, peach trees, and room to grow.

Get the full story 👉 Northforker

A Party Shake Up 🗣️

Southold Democratic Party Chair Kathryn Casey-Quigley has officially thrown her hat into the ring, launching a grassroots challenge to longtime Suffolk County Democratic Chairman Rich Schaffer, who’s held the role since 2000 (yes, that long).

Casey-Quigley is widely credited with helping flip Southold after decades of Republican control, rebuilding the town’s Democratic operation from the ground up starting in 2018. Now, she’s setting her sights countywide, arguing that the Suffolk Democratic Party has grown stagnant, under organized, and disconnected from voters.

Get the full story 👉 East End Beacon

Greenport’s Holiday Stroll 🎄

The second annual Greenport Holiday Stroll & Harbor Front Night Market is back on Friday, December 19 from 5–8 PM. Hosted by Harbor Front Inn and the North Fork Art Collective, the stroll takes over Front and Main Streets, plus a few festive detours.

Start at Harbor Front Inn, and grab an event booklet complete with a map and a Holiday Bingo Card featuring 30 stops across the village. More than 45 local businesses are in on the fun, offering seasonal cocktails, pop-up vendors, twinkling window displays, and photo ops along the way. Fill your bingo card and you’ll be entered to win a local goodie bag and a one night stay at Harbor Front Inn.

The Night Market is back, too. Harbor Front Inn, The Menhaden, and Little Creek’s Hold Fast Studio will host a curated lineup of local makers and artists selling handcrafted gifts and holiday treasures.

Front Street will be closed and fully decked out, complete with fire pits, decorated fire trucks, a holiday tractor, a festive boat, and plenty of spots to warm up. Santa will be posted at the Old Schoolhouse for photos, kids can enjoy crafts and storytime, and history lovers can pop into the Village Blacksmith, Stirling Historical Society, and Ireland House.

Get the full story 👉 James Lane Post

Voices of the East End 🎙️

Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker stopped by the WLNG Radio studios to honor broadcasting legends Bill Evans and Gary Sapiane, following their induction into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

Bill Evans is a name most locals know by heart. A nationally recognized meteorologist, author, and broadcaster, Evans has spent more than three decades keeping listeners informed and entertained, earning 20 Emmy Awards along the way. These days, East Enders know him best as WLNG’s owner, program director, chief meteorologist, and Morning Show co-host, delivering forecasts with equal parts accuracy, warmth, and wit.

Then there’s Gary Sapiane, basically WLNG royalty. A Westhampton Beach native, Sapiane has been on the station’s airwaves for over 50 years, starting his broadcasting journey as a high school student before joining WLNG in 1970. His authenticity and enthusiasm made him an instant favorite, and after the passing of mentor Paul Sidney, Sapiane stepped into leadership roles as station manager and president of Main Street Broadcasting.

Get the full story 👉 Patch

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Happenings: Weekend Preview

Friday

🎄 Greenport Holiday Stroll Slip on your coziest layers, Greenport is lighting up for the 2nd Annual Holiday Stroll. More than 45 local businesses across Front & Main are staying open late with treats, tunes, art, surprises, and enough holiday cheer to power the ferry. More Info

🎄 Ugly Sweater Party It’s time to dig out the sweater that should never see daylight, CJs American Grill is throwing an Ugly Sweater Party. Show up in your most over the top, questionably festive knit and enjoy a complimentary Jell-O shot as a reward for your bravery. More Info

🎶 Opera Night Sip wine, settle in, and enjoy powerful live vocals at Borghese Vineyard’s Opera Night Concert. More Info

🌌 Stargazing Look up, way up. Stargazing Nights at Silver Sands are bringing a little celestial wonder to the shoreline. Guided by the experts from Custer Observatory, explore stars, planets, and far off galaxies through high powered telescopes. To keep things extra cozy, complimentary hot cocoa, hot cider, and blankets will be available. More Info

🐟 Pop Up One night only Grace & Grit is teaming up with North Fork Seafood for a pop up that’s basically “choose your own seafood adventure.” Jermaine is bringing the freshest catch straight from our local waters, you pick what you want from the display, then choose how it goes down:

-Take it home and cook it yourself
-Send it to Chef Adam to cook for takeout
-Stay awhile grab a drink in the dining room and have Chef Adam prepare your pick right there More Info

Saturday

🥂🐟 Fizz & Feast Clear your calendar, it’s all about bubbles and bites at Sparkling Pointe’s Fizz & Feast of the Seven Fishes. Sip your way through seven sparkling wines, each paired with a locally sourced seafood small bite. More Info

❄️ Snow Globe Scavenger Hunt Ready to sleuth your way through the season? Greenport’s 6th Annual Snow Globe Scavenger Hunt pops off, and it’s the most festive game of hide and seek in town. Track down snow globes, match each one to its location, and drop your completed form at Blue Duck Bakery or Harbor Pet to snag a raffle ticket. More Info

🏠 Gingerbread House A sweet way to get into the holiday spirit, a Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop. Head over to Bedell Cellars and decorate you own gingerbread house using an assortment of chocolates, candies, pretzels, and other festive goodies. More Info

🎨 Art Pop Up Head over to Panoramica for an Art Pop Up: DAISY DREAMS by Ian Hunter. Stop in to explore Ian Hunter’s dreamy, feel-good work while Cork Maul sets the mood with live music. Add in matcha and mocktail flights, and you’ve got yourself the perfect excuse to linger a little longer. More Info

🎄 Ugly Sweater Dust off the loudest, itchiest, most festive sweater you own and head over to Eastern Front Brewing Co. for an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. The uglier the sweater, the better the night. More Info

👔 Dress Fancy Time to swap the ugly sweater for something a little more polished. The Shelter Island Legion is hosting a Dress Fancy Christmas Party. Get dressed up, celebrate the season, and support a bright cause. All proceeds go toward the 2026 Shelter Island Fireworks. More Info

🎄 Christmas Party Swing by Lucharitos for a holiday party where margaritas are sure to be flowing, tacos on deck, and plenty of cheer in the air. More Info

Sunday

🎅🏻 Santa Look-Alike Contest Got a belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly? A beard with serious North Pole potential? Jamesport Farm Brewery is hosting a Santa Look-Alike Contest. Suit up in your best red velvet, practice your “ho ho ho,” and prepare for a showdown of epic holiday proportions. More Info

🥞 Brunch with Santa Santa’s trading the sleigh for a brunch seat at The Watershed Kitchen & Inn. Expect a cozy holiday spread, plenty of Christmas cheer, and a front-row seat for the kids to whisper their wish lists to the big guy himself. More Info

🚒 Santa Run Santa’s trading the sleigh for a fire truck. The Cutchogue Fire Department’s Annual Santa Run rolls through town bringing Santa, his merry crew, and a flashing-light caravan of fire trucks through the streets of Cutchogue and New Suffolk. More Info

🧀 Fondue & Wine Settle in for warm, melty cheese fondue, perfectly paired with a glass of wine at Pindar Vineyards it’s peak cold-weather comfort. More Info

✨ Christmas Market & Winter Solstice Swing by KK’s Farm for a Christmas Market, filled with local finds, and festive gifts. Then, as the sun dips and the stars come out, stay for a Winter Solstice celebration, a moment to slow down, gather together, and welcome the return of the light. Market Info | Solstice Info

🎶 Food, Wine & Music Head over to Borghese Vineyard for Spanish & Italian Songs with Curated Bites, a new experience where live operatic vocals meet thoughtfully paired small plates and Borghese wines. 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}}

Local Spotlight

Inside Southold Fish Market 🐟

This week on Out East with Doug Geed, NewsdayTV’s resident East End wanderer stops by a true North Fork staple: Southold Fish Market. Get an inside look at how one of the North Fork’s most beloved seafood spots keeps things fresh, local, and community rooted.

Doug chats with the team to get a sense of what makes the market tick. Whether it’s whole fish on ice or fish sandwich ready to go, it’s all about the simple magic of seafood done right.

^{_{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 | Jay Shepard | 4-8 PM
Suhru & Lieb | Cassandra House | 5-7 PM
Main & Mill | Jeff LeBlanc | 5-7 PM
Tucker’s Taproom | Rocky River Boys | 5-8 PM
Greenport Harbor Brewing (Gpt) | Karaoke | 5-8 PM
Eastern Front Brewing | Kristian Mahstedt | 6 PM
Ram’s Head | Trivia with Think Inc. | 6 PM
Touch of Venice | Rick Anzalone | 6-9 PM
Southold Social | K + R Music | 6-9 PM
The Clam Bar at Alize Brewing | Mike Duca | 7-10 PM
Andy’s | Rick Rempe | 7-10 PM

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Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships