Together With

Good Morning, North Fork! Consider this your sign to do something festive this weekend or at least scroll festively.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

• The Enclaves

• Remembering Barbara Koch

• Cyber Comeback

Ready, Set, Go!

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The Lowdown

The Enclaves 🏗️

Southold’s most controversial construction saga just added a new chapter. After losing $25 million in funding earlier this year, The Enclaves Hotel has found a new financial hero: Pathward, National Association, a USDA backed lender specializing in rural business loans.

The new funding triggered a full NEPA environmental review, which meant construction had to slam the brakes.

Why? Thirteen Native American tribes need to review the site for possible archeological artifacts. Timeline: 3–4 months.

Developers say they’ve already sunk $6M into the project, plus hefty USDA loan fees, and are now asking the Planning Board for another six month extension on their site plan approval. The previous extension required foundations and steel to be up by mid-January, conditions they can’t meet if the feds tell them to stop digging.

Get the full story 👉 East End Beacon

Remembering Barbara Koch ❤️

If you’ve ever wandered the Maritime Festival and spotted a woman in a pink Dream Green vest zipping along the docks selling raffle tickets with the enthusiasm of someone running for mayor, chances are you met Barbara Koch. And if you bought a ticket from her? That was just one tiny drop in the ocean of 8,000+ volunteer hours she poured into Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital auxiliary.

Barbara passed away Nov. 29 at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy as big as her smile.

Barbara wasn’t just a volunteer, she was the volunteer. In addition to her work with ELIH Auxiliary, she volunteered with the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, the Southold American Legion Post 803 Auxiliary, and Southold School Board. An avid golfer, she also served on the board of the Island’s End Golf Course.

At her core, she was a devoted wife, mother, sister…and the proud grandmother who never missed an opportunity to dot her grandkids with love and homemade treats.

Barbara Koch didn’t just volunteer, she rooted herself into the rhythm of the North Fork. She gave, she loved, she showed up. And she will be dearly missed.($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Southold’s Great Cyber Comeback 💻

Good news, Southold: after more than two weeks of laptop chaos, basement printers, and departments dusting off fax machines like it’s 1997, the town is almost completely back online following its ransomware attack.

Supervisor Al Krupski says systems like email, payroll, tax collection, permitting, and internal operations are now “pretty much 100 percent restored.” So far, investigators haven’t found any evidence that hackers stole town records.

One not so fun detail: Southold doesn’t have cyber insurance, which means the cost of the attack could hit taxpayers.

Investigators have opened the digital ransom note, but no word yet on who's behind the attack or what they wanted. One thing the town is sure of: they aren’t paying.

Southold plans to release a full public report once the dust settles, complete with training so staff and maybe other towns can avoid future cyber fiascos. A full cyber audit and infrastructure overhaul are also underway.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

Rich Olsen-Harbich Retires 🍷

Rich Olsen-Harbich, the winemaking wizard behind Bedell Cellars and one of the architects of modern Long Island wine, is hanging up his hat after the 2025 vintage.

He’s spent 44 years studying our soil: gravel, glacial till, sand, silt, the man could tell you a whole story from a handful of dirt. It’s why people started calling him a soil whisperer long ago.

Rich didn’t just make great wine; he changed the system. He helped create the Sustainable Winegrowing program now used statewide, pushed Long Island’s AVAs into existence, and produced more than 50 wines that critics rated 90+ points.

He also used his influence to reshape who gets to lead in winemaking. In an industry long dominated by men, Rich made a point to champion women, including his successor and protégé, Marin Brennan, who calls his mentorship one of the defining influences of her career.

Get the full story 👉 Northforker

Greenport’s Smallest Rescue Mission 🐁

Last weekend a couple visiting family spotted something off at the corner of South & First Streets: two people hauling a garbage can over to a storm drain. After the pair walked away, the couple peeked inside, and found 27 baby mice dumped into the drain.

They immediately called for help, and The League animal shelter’s director, Gabrielle Stroup, sent her team flying. Fire and police departments showed up too, and Southold Town Police Officer John Crosser literally climbed into the drain to hand the tiny rescuers up to shelter staff Dylan and Tammy.

All 27 mice are now safe at the Southold animal shelter, warm, fed, and ready for a better start than the one they got this weekend.

Meanwhile, police are searching for whoever dumped the mice. If you saw anything, Southold PD wants to hear from you.

Get the full story 👉 Patch

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Happenings: Weekend Preview

Friday

🚶‍♀️Holiday Stroll Southold is turning on the holiday magic for its Holiday Stroll. Shops will stay open with specials, treats, and yes, there are raffle prizes up for grabs. More Info

🍽 Farewell Dinner Join Bedell Cellars for a Farewell Winemaker Dinner. The evening honors Rich Olsen Harbich’s career with a locally crafted menu by Lauren Lombardi and Bedell wine pairings pulled from Rich’s own collection. More Info

🎭 Holiday Spirits Step into a spirited night of holiday magic with a one-man storytelling adaptation of A Christmas Carol at Sparkling Pointe. Enjoy timeless tales brought to life alongside holiday canapés, charcuterie, and flowing champagne, as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come sweep through the evening. More Info

Saturday

🌊 Holiday by the Bay Holiday magic is heading to the waterfront at The Shoals’ Holiday by the Bay. Browse a curated selection of luxe gifts while sipping mimosas, enjoying live holiday jazz, and taking advantage of complimentary gift wrapping. More Info

🏠 Victorian House Tour Step straight into the past at the Greenport Victorian Holiday House Tour, a festive walk through some of the village’s most charming 19th century homes. More Info

🛍 Holiday Makers Market Head over to the Holiday Makers Market at Sound View. Curated by the North Fork Art Collective, the annual market features local artisans, bespoke gifts, live music, and a chance for photos with Santa. More Info

🎶 Home for the Holidays Enjoy serious seasonal cheer with North Fork Community Theatre’s Home for the Holidays Concert and Open House. Stop in for a free open house packed with family activities, then stay to enjoy a festive holiday concert. More Info

🎅🏻 Party with Santa Head over to Veterans Beach, the Mattituck Parks District is throwing a Party with Santa. Kids can dive into crafts, games, and plenty of festive fun, with hot chocolate and snacks to keep everyone cozy. More Info

🍪 Cookie Decorating Party Turn up the cozy holiday cheer at Southold General with a Holiday Cookie Decorating Party led by Chef Eliot Ramirez. Freshly baked cookies, steaming hot cocoa, and enough festive cheer to power a small village. For $25, you’ll get a box of holiday-shaped sugar cookies plus all the icing colors, sprinkles, and sparkly little bits you need to create edible masterpieces. More Info

🚁 Santa Landing All eyes to the sky for Santa’s epic helicopter arrival at the Annual Christmas in Cutchogue Celebration. Enjoy a kids’ magic show, refreshments, and big holiday cheer at the Cutchogue Fire House. More Info

🔢 “Bingo, Blanche!” Golden Girls Holiday Bingo is taking over Front Street Station for a night of laughs, prizes, and pure retro fun. More Info

🎭 A Christmas Carol Step inside the North Fork Arts Center this weekend, where the lanterns glow, the parlor flickers, and A Christmas Carol comes roaring back to life, powered by one seriously spellbinding storyteller. More Info

🍽 Dinner Navideño Head over to RGNY for Dinner Navideño, a festive holiday meal that benefits OLA of Eastern Long Island and their work uplifting Latino communities across the region. More Info

🥮 Tiny Treats Sparkling Pointe is serving up seasonal joy with Holiday Tartelettes alongside The Cookie Shop. Sip a festive sparkling wine flight while indulging in five perfectly paired mini dessert tartelettes. More Info

🎶 Classical Music The Lysander Piano Trio takes the stage at Jamesport Meeting House with their program “Dreams & Apparitions.” Featuring works by Beethoven, Rebecca Clarke, and Schumann. More Info

Sunday

🕯 Candle Making Mix, pour, and customize your own seasonal candle while sipping something delicious at Jamesport Farm Brewery’s Holiday Candle Making alongside Willow + Harlow. More Info

🥂Brunch con Santa Enjoy Scielo mimosas while little ones meet Santa, enjoy sweet treats, and pose for photos at RGNY’s Brunch con Santa. More Info

🌿 Succulent Workshop Enjoy creative Zen at the Driftwood Succulent Arrangement workshop by Imaginariums by Elissa at Bedell Cellars. Turn sculptural driftwood, lush succulents, preserved moss, and seasonal botanicals into your very own piece of living art. More Info

🎄 Wreathmaking Deck the halls at RGNY with Wreathmaking with Hometown Flower Co. Using fresh seasonal greens and gorgeous local blooms, you’ll create a holiday wreath worthy of your front door’s big moment. More Info

🌊 Sea Glass Workshop Shoreline charm is coming straight to Pindar Vineyards with a Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop from RoRo’s Sea Glass Jewelry. Wire-wrap real Long Island sea glass, none of that fake tumbled stuff into custom wine charms using four gorgeous pieces, charm rings, and a stash of fun add ons. More Info

🕯 Candle Making Head over to Sannino Vineyard for Candle Making with Fire & Wixx. Sip a glass of wine while you mix up to three dreamy fragrances, then deck out your hand-poured candle with crystals, dried flowers, and specialty toppings. Finish it off with a name and custom label. 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 | Kelli Baker | 4-8 PM
Suhru & Lieb | Jeff LeBlanc | 5-7 PM
Main & Mill | Paris Ray | 5-7 PM
Tucker’s Taproom | Paulie Plays | 5-8 PM
Eastern Front Brewing | Dead Jive | 6 PM
Ram’s Head | Trivia with Think Inc. | 6 PM
Touch of Venice | Marty Attridge | 6-9 PM
Little Fish | Julia King | 6-9 PM

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Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships