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🐝 Soft Spot for the Old Lockup

🐝 Soft Spot for the Old Lockup

The Numbers Behind the Housing Program, Fight Against PFAS, Old Jail Gets a Little TLC

Thomas Loncar
August 07, 2026

Together With Tim O’Keefe

Good Morning, North Fork! The weekend is only two days long, which feels like a scheduling error nobody has bothered to fix.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

The Numbers Behind the Housing Program
Fight Against PFAS
Old Jail Gets a Little TLC

Ready, Set, Go!

The Lowdown

The Numbers Behind the Housing Program 🏠

A $1.9 million price tag tied to Southold's proposed first time homebuyer program sparked plenty of chatter this week, but town officials say it's being misunderstood.

The figure appears in the program guidelines because it's the maximum purchase price allowed under New York law, but Community Development Project Coordinator Andrea Sullivan says the program's income limits make a purchase anywhere near that amount unrealistic. Even under ideal lending conditions, she said the highest-income applicants would likely qualify for homes around $950,000.

The proposed program would require buyers to put 2% down, with the town providing an 18% interest free loan that's repaid when the home is sold or refinanced. That structure helps buyers avoid private mortgage insurance, potentially saving more than $1,200 a month in housing costs.

Get the full story 👉 East End Beacon

Fight Against PFAS 🚰

Suffolk County is stepping up its response to PFAS contamination, with free private well testing countywide and a renewed push to bring public water to a Mattituck neighborhood where contamination levels have raised serious concerns.

Private well owners and renters can now apply for free PFAS testing through a state funded pilot program. Suffolk received $1.5 million for the effort, which could also help qualifying residents pay for treatment systems or connections to public water.

In Mattituck, officials are trying to go a step further. The Suffolk County Water Authority wants to install 3,850 feet of new water main near Reeve Avenue, potentially connecting 60 homes to public water.

The numbers explain the urgency: Of 39 private wells tested in 2024, 31 contained PFOA and/or PFOS, with 22 exceeding New York's drinking water standard.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

Old Jail Gets a Little TLC 🧱

For generations of Greenport kids, there was one surefire way to know someone had gotten themselves into a little trouble: the light outside the village jail was on.

Built in 1917 for just under $4,000, the tiny 400 square foot brick jail on Carpenter Street operated until 1995, when the Greenport Police Department was disbanded.

More than 30 years later, the old jail is getting some attention again. Local builder Glenn Heidtmann was brought in to address safety issues, including loose bricks and a deteriorating stoop.

The work wasn't meant to be a full restoration, but apparently Greenport still has a soft spot for its old lockup. A video Heidtmann posted showing the work has racked up more than 32,000 Facebook views.

Get the full story 👉 Northforker

New Head Coach 🏈

After a year without varsity football, the Greenport/Southold/Mattituck Porters are getting ready to take the field again, and there will be a new coach calling the shots.

Brian “Bo” Olshefsky has been named head coach, replacing Tim McArdle. The 27 year old Greenport Elementary third grade teacher is already a familiar face around the program, spending the past two seasons as offensive coordinator while coaching quarterbacks and defensive backs.

Last season, the Porters simply didn't have enough players to field a varsity team. Their JV squad went 4-3, though, and Olshefsky expects returning players and some new faces to give the varsity team the numbers it needs this fall. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Photo of the Week

📸 submitted by Mary Hamilton

Tag @NorthForkBuzz or email us at [email protected] to get your photos in The Buzz!

Foodie Friday 🍽

🍝 Third Culture Club

There are few better ways to spend a summer Friday evening than making the drive out to Orient, and that's exactly what we did. With perfect weather and golden hour setting in, the two mile drive from the entrance of Orient Beach State Park to the picnic area feels like part of the experience. With views of Gardiners Bay to the left, Hallock's Bay to the right, and wildlife everywhere you look, it's a reminder of how lucky we are to have a place like this right here on the North Fork.

At the end of that scenic drive sits Third Culture Club, a seasonal snack bar and boutique market serving up creative dishes that blend Korean flavors with classic comfort food. The setting is as memorable as the menu, with picnic tables and umbrellas just steps from the water. If you're visiting with kids, it's an especially great spot. The playground kept our toddler happily entertained while we waited for our food, and after dinner we took a stroll along the beach, which made for the perfect ending to the evening.

The Lobster Salad Roll with Gochujang Sesame Butter was a standout. Sweet, fresh lobster paired beautifully with the rich, slightly spicy gochujang sesame butter, creating a lobster roll that's anything but ordinary.

The Scallion Pancake Dillas were another favorite. Imagine the crisp, flaky texture of a scallion pancake wrapped around a cheesy, savory filling. They're perfect for sharing, although you may not want to.

You can never go wrong with a good dip, and the French Onion Dip delivered. Rich, creamy, and packed with caramelized onion flavor, it disappeared quickly.

For something a little different, the Long Island Gimburrito was as fun as it was delicious. A mash up of Korean gimbap and a burrito, it was packed with fresh ingredients and made for a hearty, satisfying bite.

And then there was the KTown Beef Cake Sando. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and layered with bold Korean inspired flavors, this sandwich was comfort food with a twist.

Third Culture Club isn't trying to fit into one category, and that's exactly what makes it so exciting. Every dish feels thoughtful, creative, and packed with flavor while still highlighting local ingredients and East End charm. Between the scenic setting, the inventive menu, and the laid back atmosphere, this is one of those places that perfectly captures what makes the North Fork so special.

And if you need one more reason to make the trip, the Friends of Orient Beach State Park Summer Concert Series is happening on select evenings throughout August. Pair a concert with dinner from Third Culture Club, and you've got one of the best summer nights the North Fork has to offer.

Have you been to Third Culture Club yet? If so, what was your favorite dish? Let us know. We're already planning our next visit.

🍽 Foodie Friday Wants Your Recommendations

Had an incredible meal on the North Fork recently? Don't gatekeep it.

Maybe it was a standout lobster roll, an unforgettable dessert, a hidden gem, or a dish you're still thinking about days later. Whatever it was, we want to hear about it. Send us a quick blurb about your experience, what you ordered, and why it's worth trying. Your recommendation could be featured in an upcoming Foodie Friday edition of North Fork Buzz.

Share the good stuff and help fellow food lovers in the Buzz fam discover their next great meal!

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

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading the North Fork Buzz today. Like what you read? Send it to someone that loves to dine with a water view.

Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships