Together With

Good Morning, North Fork! Save your group chat the chaos, everything you need is right here.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

• Big House Law Gets a Trim

• CPF Conversation

• Clean Out Your Closet

Ready, Set, Go!

Sponsored By Party Animal North Fork

Where North Fork Parties Begin 🎉

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The Lowdown

Big House Law Gets a Trim 🏠

This week, the Town Board unanimously approved a small but meaningful tweak to the 2022 “big house law” snipping out a rule that had homeowners, architects, and zoning officials alike scratching their heads.

The change removes a requirement that home size variances not exceed the average size of nearby houses, a standard that was nearly impossible to enforce without asking neighbors to open their doors and floor plans (awkward).

Many agree this is just the tip of the zoning iceberg. Attorneys and residents pointed out that the current formula still penalizes everyday features like cathedral ceilings and attached garages, pushing people into costly variance requests for relatively minor renovations. There’s also concern that outdated construction cost assumptions may be contributing to a rise in demolition permits.

Get the full story 👉 East End Beacon

CPF Conversation 🗣️

At this week’s Town Board work session, Town staff outlined the need to update the Community Preservation Fund (CPF) plan to comply with new state rules, including a mandate that 10% of CPF revenue benefit a disadvantaged community, in Southold’s case, Greenport Village.

That requirement is pushing long simmering conversations about how CPF money should be spent, especially as Greenport continues to advocate for funding water quality and infrastructure projects within village boundaries.

Rather than tackling everything at once, town officials proposed a “rolling update” approach, starting with traditional open space and farmland preservation before even considering more complex expansions like working waterfronts, historic preservation, or water quality projects.

All of this is happening while the Southold Town Board faces a packed, multi-year infrastructure schedule.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

A Sweet New Chapter for a Classic Corner 🥞

After 37 years of filling a Main Street corner with beautiful leather goods, longtime Greenport shop owner Patty Carlos officially closed Di Angela Leather Goods & Accessories on Dec. 24, marking the start of a well-earned retirement. But before turning out the lights, Carlos made sure her storefront’s “good energy” would live on, and she kept it all in the family.

Come spring 2026, the iconic space will welcome Simply Beautiful Boutique and Encanto Crêpes & Café, owned by Carlos’ sister in law Mireya Torres and nephew Gustavo Acero Jr. Renovations will divide the building, with fashion on one side and crêpes anchoring the corner.

Get the full story 👉 Northforker

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Happenings: Weekend Preview

Friday

🎭 Tiny Stamp, Huge Drama Opening night of Mauritius is hitting the stage at the North Fork Community Theatre. When two half sisters inherit a stamp collection from their grandfather, a family disagreement quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. Enter shady stamp dealers, hidden motives, and a legendary Two-Penny Blue that turns sentiment into a high stakes game of greed and deception. More Info

🧀 Mac Is Back Get ready to twirl, scoop, and indulge, Grace & Grit’s Mac & Cheese Bar is making its delicious return this Friday and Saturday. Ooey, gooey four cheese mac & cheese, served hot and ready to be customized with a variety of crave worthy toppings and mix-ins. Gluten-free noodles will be available, so no one has to miss out. More Info

💖 Breast Cancer Screenings The Mobile Mammography Van will be in Southold at the First Presbyterian Church, offering convenient breast cancer screenings close to home. Early detection saves lives, to reserve a spot, call (631) 638-4135. More Info

Saturday

🎶 All Star Night Looking for a fun night out that supports local talent? Linden Farm All Stars is taking over the Greenport American Legion for an evening packed with great performances. More Info

✨ New Year, Clear Vision Kick off 2026 with intention at the Vision Board Session at The Shoals. This feel good hour is all about dreaming a little bigger, getting inspired, and designing a vision for the year ahead. More Info

🎶 A Century in Song Music and memories take center stage for an evening that traces the past hundred years through song and story. Colin Palmer brings All Things Must Pass to the Jamesport Meeting House, blending familiar melodies with reflections that feel timeless. More Info

🔥 Fireside Chat An evening by the fire with Jacqueline Christy brings together dinner, a screening of Magic Hour, and a thoughtful Q&A designed for meaningful dialogue and creative inspiration. Hosted at the Ram's Head Inn, this cozy gathering is made for warm conversation, creative inspiration, with good food, good questions, and no rush to head home. More Info

📰 Old New York Stories Renowned journalist, author, and film reviewer Jeffrey Lyons takes audiences back to the Golden Age of New York City nightlife with The Lyons Den: Lecture Series Part I at the Peconic Landing Auditorium. Drawing from the famous New York Post column written by his father, legendary insider Leonard Lyons, the evening revisits a time when the glitterati dined on Champagne and cigarettes, secrets were currency, and a single mention in the morning paper meant everything. More Info

🫕 Bubbles + Melted Cheese Head over to Sparkling Pointe Vineyard for Cheese Fondue by Alpina. Enjoy a full lineup of dunk worthy favorites, all paired alongside a flight of four Sparkling Pointe wines. More Info

Sunday

🥣 Soupy Sundays Head to Chronicle Wines for a cozy lineup featuring hearty winter soups from Grace & Grit, fresh loaves from 1610 Sourdough, and your favorite Chronicle wines by the glass. This week’s soup: Potato Leek. More Info

🐾 Pet CPR Training Emergencies don’t come with a warning, Pet CPR & First Aid Training with Paws and Claws 911 is coming to Harbor Pet. This hands on session is all about building the confidence and skills that could truly save a life. More Info

📜 Road to Revolution Long before muskets fired and independence was declared, Southold had a front row seat to history. Join Southold Town Historian Amy Folk for Southold Before the Revolutionary War, an engaging look at how events unfolded both locally and nationally from 1765 through August 1776. Sponsored by the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council & Museums and hosted at the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Library. More Info

🎨 Art Lab The Cottage at Hotel Moraine is once again buzzing with creativity as Art Lab returns for another hands-on, imagination fueled session. Open to children of all ages, this monthly art experience invites young makers to explore, build, and create using recycled and upcycled materials, turning everyday objects into colorful, one of a kind works of art. More Info

🍫 Chocolate & Wine Calling all sweet tooth wine lovers: Chocolate Fondue by Alpina is taking over the Sparkling Pointe Tasting House. Warm, velvety chocolate served alongside pretzels, bananas, and strawberries, all perfectly paired with a very special red wine tasting flight. More Info

🥂 Brunch & Bubbly If your ideal brunch includes bubbles, a beautiful setting, and dishes made to be shared, Brunch & Bubbly at Rose Hill Vineyards is calling your name. Hosted in the barrel cellar, this family style brunch features classic favorites, all built around the best seasonal produce from Lombardi’s Love Lane. 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

Clean Out Your Closet 👟

If you’ve been meaning to tackle that shoe pile, here’s your sign. The Southold Schools Athletic Association is collecting gently worn, used, and new shoes now through January 31, turning closet clean outs into meaningful support for Southold student athletics.

Drop off locations are available throughout town, and every pair counts. Just a heads up: ice skates, roller blades, and roller skates can’t be accepted.

^{_{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 | The Como Brothers | 4-8 PM
Suhru & Lieb | Cassandra House | 5-7 PM
Main & Mill | Catie Egan | 5-7 PM
Touch of Venice | TBA | 6-9 PM
One Woman Winery | Dennis Raffelock | 6-9 PM
Southold Social | K + R Music | 6-9 PM
The Clam Bar at Alize Brewing | Erich Glaubitz | 7-10 PM
Lucharitos | Karaoke with DJ Henry Eau | 9 PM

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Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships