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🐝 Supply Problem

🐝 Supply Problem

First Time Homebuyers, Kalmar Nyckel Returns, Sculpture Trail

Thomas Loncar
July 14, 2026

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Good Morning, North Fork! Nothing feels more productive than carrying all your groceries in one trip.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

First Time Homebuyers
Kalmar Nyckel Returns
Sculpture Trail

Ready, Set, Go!

The Lowdown

First Time Homebuyers 🏠

Southold Town is exploring a new first time homebuyer assistance program that would offer eligible buyers up to $135,000 toward a down payment on a home costing $750,000 or less.

The goal is simple, help local workers reach a 20% down payment, avoid private mortgage insurance, and lower their monthly housing costs.

There’s just one problem: homes under $750,000 are getting hard to find.

A recent review of listings found only six homes currently on the market in Southold Town below the proposed price cap, while the average home price has climbed to around $1.2 million.

Local real estate professionals say the concept works in theory, but competition from second home buyers and limited inventory could make it difficult for many first time buyers to actually use the program. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Kalmar Nyckel Returns ⛵️

The Kalmar Nyckel, a replica of the 17th century ship that carried Swedish settlers to North America, will dock at the East End Seaport Museum from July 20–26, bringing a full week of sailing excursions and free deck tours to the waterfront.

Passengers can climb aboard for a 2½ hour sail, where they’ll have the chance to help raise sails, haul lines, and even take a turn at the helm alongside the ship’s volunteer crew. No two trips are exactly alike, with routes determined by the wind and weather.

For those who prefer to keep both feet on land, the ship will open for free public deck tours on Saturday, July 25. Crew members will share stories about the vessel’s history, construction, and life at sea.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

Sculpture Trail 🎨

The new Bird Song Project: A Sculpture Trail at Inlet Pond County Park opens July 18, transforming the wooded paths of Greenport’s 55 acre preserve into an outdoor gallery featuring nine local artists inspired by birds, wildlife, and the natural world.

Rather than hanging on walls, these works live among the trees.

Visitors will encounter towering red bamboo sculptures, steel forest spirits tucked between branches, a vibrant flower blooming from an old tree stump, and a marble owl overlooking the pond and Long Island Sound.

One of the trail’s most inventive pieces turns a northern cardinal’s song into sculpture. Artist Sherry Davis used retired fire hose donated by local fire departments to recreate the bird’s soundwave across a fallen tree.

The exhibit is a collaboration between the North Fork Audubon Society and East End Arts and marks the first large scale sculpture installation ever held at Inlet Pond.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

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Happenings: Upcoming Events

🍸 Cosmos & Clamfest This patio cookout at The North Fork Table & Inn on Thursday, July 23 features freshly shucked, baked, and fried clams, a whole roast pig, and more seasonal favorites. Plus Cointreau joins the party with a lineup of refreshing Cosmopolitans. More Info

🎭 Shakespeare in the Park Mitchell Park becomes an open air theater as Northeast Stage brings Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well to Greenport July 24–26. Packed with wit, romance, mistaken identities, and the playwright's signature twists, the production offers a chance to enjoy live theater under the summer sky. More Info

🦞 Lobsterfest Veterans Beach sets the scene for a classic summer feast on Saturday, July 25, as the Greenport & Southold Rotary Club serves up a choice of lobster or steak dinners by the water. The Eagle River Band provides the soundtrack for the evening, making for a fun night ti catch up with friends, and enjoy one of the North Fork's favorite summertime traditions. More Info

🤠 Summer Country Barn Dance Dust off those dancing shoes and head to Hallockville Museum Farm on Saturday, July 25 for an evening of old fashioned country fun. Live music fills the barn while caller Chart Guthrie leads traditional dances. More Info

🛍️ Crafts Fair Treasure hunters and art lovers can spend the weekend browsing a mix of antiques, fine art, handmade crafts, and unique finds at the Southold Historical Museum on July 25 and 26. Plenty of opportunities to uncover a one of a kind piece while supporting talented artists, makers, and collectors. More Info

🎉 Garden Party An afternoon at The 1901 Grill at Goat Hill becomes an investment in local students on Sunday, July 26. The Shelter Island Educational Foundation's annual Garden Party supports grants that help students pursue enriching experiences and opportunities beyond the classroom. More Info

🏃 Run the Vineyards Lace up for a scenic run through 500 acres of vineyard at Pindar Vineyards on Sunday, July 26. This popular annual 5K winds through one of the North Fork Wine Trail’s most iconic properties before finishing with a laid back after party featuring live music and award winning wine. More Info

📸 Professional Headshots A fresh headshot can go a long way, whether it's for LinkedIn, or a business website. On Wednesday, July 29, photographer Madison Fender will be offering professional headshot sessions at The Office Southold. More Info

🎥 Let’s Make a Movie Ever wondered what it takes to make a film from start to finish? At the North Fork Arts Center from July 29–31, writer and producer Doug Petrie leads a three day crash course in micro budget filmmaking. More Info

^{_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just fun things you need to know. We’ll always let you know when something is sponsored}}

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Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships