🐝 Hands On Cooking Classes

Shellfish Shutdown, Cooking Classes Take Over, Weather Watchers

Together With


Good Morning, North Fork! It’s Monday, if your motivation hasn’t arrived yet, it’s probably on its way.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

  • Shellfish Shutdown

  • Cooking Classes Take Over

  • Weather Watchers

Ready, Set, Go!

Coastal Cuisine Done Right 🐟

Little Fish Is Back 🍹

There are a few telltale signs that the North Fork season has officially arrived: longer days, a little more traffic, and Little Fish opening its doors at Kenney’s Beach.

After a packed opening weekend filled with familiar faces and first timers alike, the vibe is exactly what you’d hope for: laid back & lively.

Somewhere between the first round of margaritas and that unmistakable crunch of a tuna tartare taquito, it was clear: this isn’t just a reopening, it’s a reunion. There’s a real appreciation in the air this time of year, the kind that comes from seeing the same smiles return, hearing the buzz pick up again, and settling back into a rhythm that only exists out here.

Grab a few friends, split a Caesar, order another round, and watch the sun dip while live music rolls in.

Little Fish is open Friday through Monday from 5–9 PM with live music.
- Friday: Jon Divello 6-9 PM
- Saturday: Frank Palmeri 6-9 PM

Reservations are live at littlefishnofo.com or by calling (631) 765-8756, and if opening weekend was any indication, you’ll want to lock that in.

The Lowdown

Shellfish Shutdown 🦪

Three Southold waterways, Jockey Creek, Town Creek and Goose Creek, are currently closed to shellfishing due to elevated levels of marine biotoxins, a seasonal issue tied to spring algal blooms.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation first shut down shellfishing in Jockey Creek on April 1 as a precaution, citing high plankton density. By April 6, the closure expanded to include the full Jockey Creek and Town Creek system, along with Goose Creek.

Officials are warning residents that this goes beyond harvesting, even hanging shellfish off private docks is off limits due to contamination risks. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Cooking Classes Take Over 🧑‍🍳

Flavor Fork is still stocked with pickled peppers, sauces and pantry gems, but these days, the real action is happening behind the counter.

Owner Sarah Mastracco is leaning into something she’s had in mind for years: hands on cooking classes that turn her Greenport shop into a 10 person culinary playground.

The classes, which kicked off with a pasta night in December, now span everything from French and Mediterranean to Greek, Indian, ramen, paella and tapas. Each session runs about two hours and blends demos, knife skills and hands on cooking, ending with a full meal the group makes together.

Get the full story 👉 Northforker

Weather Watchers 🌧

A nationwide volunteer network called CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network) is quietly powering one of the largest precipitation datasets in the country, with thousands of people stepping outside each morning to measure rainfall using a simple 4-inch gauge.

But locally? There are just two regular observers, one in Mattituck and one in South Jamesport, leaving a big blind spot in a region where weather patterns can shift block by block.

Meteorologist Henry Reges was on the North Fork trying to change that, making the case that hyperlocal rainfall data isn’t just interesting, it’s useful. Think farming decisions, flood tracking, shellfish management, even understanding how much water is actually recharging the aquifer.

The premise is simple: volunteers spend about $40 on a standardized rain gauge, check it each morning, and log the numbers. That data feeds directly into systems used by the National Weather Service, researchers and municipalities.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

Art Lab Returns 🎨

Creative chaos (the good kind) is returning to the lawn at Hotel Moraine.

Art Lab a collaboration between Artfully Long Island and Petite North Fork, is back for the 2026 season after a strong debut year of monthly, come as you are art sessions built around recycled and upcycled materials.

The first session kicks off Sunday, April 26, with additional dates running through October.

Founder Nicole Roccaro is bringing in new projects this year, including collage picture frames, plastic “make & melt” art and beginner friendly sewing, plus an expanded Maker Station for anyone who just wants to experiment.

There’s also a new deal in the mix: buy three sessions, get one free, a nod to the families who turned this into a monthly ritual last season.

Get the full story 👉 Petite North Fork

Stories with a ($) require a third party subscription

Happenings: This Week

Monday

🧘 Meditation Start your week with less stress and more zen. Carl Timpone & Megan Frey are leading guided meditations at the Cutchogue New Suffolk Library. It’s not just about relaxation, it’s about rewiring your mindset so you can handle life’s curveballs with calm and compassion. More Info

🍷 Membership Drive A little networking goes down easier with a glass in hand, the Mattituck Chamber of Commerce’s annual membership drive and win & cheese social does just that at Tulio’s Wine Bar. The evening brings together local business owners and community members over wine, cheese, and casual conversation. More Info

Tuesday

🤝 W.E.B. Meet Up The North Fork’s community of ambitious, idea sharing women gathers again, this time at Front Street Station, keeping the momentum of connection and collaboration going strong. Founders, creatives, and side hustlers come together to swap insights, spark new ideas, and expand their circles. More Info

🧺 Beginner Basket Weaving There’s something satisfying about making something with your hands, the Cutchogue New Suffolk Library delivers. Learn the fundamentals of basket weaving, turning simple materials into a finished piece to take home. More Info

Wednesday

🕰️ Traveling Through Time A trip around the world, circa 1970s, comes to life at the Cutchogue New Suffolk Library through the lens of Richard Brewster. His stories and photographs trace journeys through Japan, Russia, and Europe, offering a glimpse into a very different era. More Info

Thursday

💡 Women Who Kept the Lights The stories behind America’s lighthouses get a rare, firsthand touch at the Southold Historical Museum. Sally Snowman, the last official lighthouse keeper in the U.S. joins historian Jeremy D’Entremont for an illustrated talk that shines a light on the women who quite literally kept things running along the coast. More Info

🌿 Topiary Workshop A little wine, a little dirt under your nails, and something beautiful to show for it. This hands on workshop at Bedell Cellars with Imaginariums by Elissa walks through creating a sculptural moss and twine topiary, followed by designing a succulent garden with carefully selected plants and preserved florals. More Info

🎨 Create + Sip Art meets ecology at Vine Street Cafe, where an evening of watercolor painting is paired with a closer look at the local landscape. CCE Marine educators share insights on salt marshes and restoration efforts before participants put brush to paper. More Info

✍️ Nameless Writers Salon #14 Spring Awakening sets the tone for this latest Nameless Writers Salon, a reading shaped around renewal, evolution, and the beautifully awkward process of becoming. Held at Sound View, the evening promises the kind of introspective, literary atmosphere that feels especially right this time of year, with writers exploring growth in all its tender and uncertain forms. 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

Monday

The Watershed | TBA | 6-9 PM
Clam Bar at Alize Brewing | Tom McGuire | 6-9 PM
Ram’s Head | Bingo | 6 PM


Tuesday

Eastern Front Brewing | Trivia with Emily | 6 PM
First & South | Gene Casey & Helen Hooke | 6-9 PM

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THANKS!

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Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships