Together With

Good Morning, North Fork! Happy almost 2026! If you’re currently debating resolutions you’re in good company. We’re taking a few days off to ring in the New Year. We’ll see you Monday, back to our regular 5 days a week schedule with all the North Fork news, events, and can’t-miss bits.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

• First Day Hike

• Top 10 Stories

• Thank You

Ready, Set, Go!

Sponsored By Main Roots Salon

Good Hair Days Start Here 💇‍♀️

Need a trim, a tone, or just a good ol’ fashioned blowout? Head to Main Roots Salon in Southold, where great hair and good vibes go hand in hand.

This cozy, modern spot is owned by local hairstylist Kerry Conrardy, who opened the salon with one goal: make great hair feel easy and fun.

Specialties include:
– Blowouts that actually last
– Sunkissed highlights and bold color
– Curly cuts, braids, and kid-friendly trims
– A vibe that’s relaxed, not rushed

Whether you’re going full glam or just need a touch-up before your wine tasting weekend, they’ve got you. And the best part? The vibe’s as fresh as your post-cut mirror selfie.

Instagram | Facebook

The Lowdown

First Day Hike 🥾

Bundle up, grab a thermos, and start 2026 outside.

New York State’s beloved First Day Hike tradition is back for its 15th year, inviting locals to kick off the new year with fresh air, coastal views, and a little post-holiday movement.

Here’s where to go and how to start the year on the right foot:

Orient Beach State Park (10 AM)

Meet at the conservation station and head out for up to four miles along the waterfront. Park staff will point out winter waterfowl, animal tracks, and a few fun facts about the land along the way.

Hallock State Park Preserve (10 AM)

Enjoy Long Island Sound views, a lookout for cold-stunned sea turtles on this 1.5-mile guided walk with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. Optional beach cleanup to help keep marine debris out of the water. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Top 10 Stories of 2025 📖

Before we close the book on 2025, let’s revisit what really caught your eyes. Here are the Top 10 most clicked stories of 2025.

🍸 Twisted Sister Sharon Harbin and Kristy VanBrunt are the brains and heart behind Rocco’s Twisted Sisters, a delightfully quirky bar that opened in November and already feels like it’s been part of the neighborhood forever.

🚜 Big Moves in Cutchogue A division of the Soloviev Group filed plans for a 372-acre conservation subdivision stretching from Route 48 to the Long Island Sound.

🍷 Basso Returns to Greenport Beloved wine bar Basso is officially back in Greenport, and with more space than ever.

🍝 18 Bay Returns Chefs Adam Kopels and Elizabeth Ronzetti, the culinary dream team and James Beard finalists, reopened their beloved restaurant.

🏗️ 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.

👩‍🍳 Cooking Up Magic Greenport has a new culinary star, and her name is Sarah Mastracco. A chef who’s cooked everywhere from medieval Tuscany to Manhattan’s Michelin-star temples.

🗣️ Red Tape, No Progress Residents and business owners showed up to Greenport’s Village Board Meeting fired up over what they see as a perfect storm of red tape, vacant storefronts, safety hazards, and zoning laws.

🏘️ Apartments Brewing The owners of Handy Pantry Stores Inc. have proposed a 10-unit building behind the Main Road shop. Meanwhile in Cutchogue, another apartment project is bubbling up near Harvest Pointe on North Street.

💬 Southold YMCA Southold might be getting its very own YMCA, but first, organizers want to know if the community’s actually into it. ($)

🎶 Southold Santa The North Fork got a brand new holiday soundtrack, The Hunkerdowns released a new festive tune titled Southold Santa inspired by none other than Southold Santa himself.

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Trivia Time 🧠

Your brain deserves more than scrolling and skimming. Each week we’ll hit you with one question designed to make you pause, scratch your head, and maybe argue with whoever’s sitting next to you. Think of it as a quick mental pit stop: a chance to flex your random knowledge, test your memory, or finally use that obscure fact you learned in 7th grade.

Just click one of the multiple-choice answers to see if you got it right!

Find more info on the answer at the very end of the newsletter

Last Week’s Results

Last week we asked: What are Frosty the Snowman’s first words when he comes to life?

Answer: Happy Birthday

55% of you got it right, The other 45%? Don’t worry, he’ll be back again someday.

Happenings: Weekend Preview

Friday

🎭 Variety Show The 21st Annual Variety Show hits the North Fork Community Theatre stage Friday-Sunday, serving up a joyful mix of acts and whatever delightful surprises the community brings with it, there’s are no limits on creativity. More Info

Saturday

🎭 Auditions If you’ve been waiting for your moment to step into a bold, history-making production, this is it. The North Fork Community Theatre is calling all performers: auditions are coming up for the prizewinning musical 1776 on Saturday, and Sunday. 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. 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}}

Local Spotlight

Friday Nights 🍷

From 5–7 PM every Friday through March, the tasting room at Suhru & Lieb Vineyards transforms into the kind of place you want to be, live music from talented local musicians, comforting food specials, and good wine. Perfect for easing out of the workweek or kicking off a weekend with friends.

^{_{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}}

Thank You

We want to send a big Thank You to all of you for being part of The Buzz this year.
Whether you clicked, shared, or quietly read along with your morning coffee, you helped turn this little newsletter into a real community. The Buzz is only possible because of you, the readers who care about this place, the people in it, and everything happening around us.

Also a huge thank you to our sponsors, the local businesses and community partners. Your support is what keeps this thing buzzing, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Thinking about sponsoring The Buzz in 2026? Or have a friend with a business we should know about? Drop us a note at [email protected] we’d love to connect and keep the local love going.

Live Music + Fun Breakdown

Tuesday

First & South | TBA | 5-8 PM
Front Street Station | Music Bingo | 7 PM

Wednesday

Hold Fast (Little Creek Oysters) | Greg McMullen | 5-8 PM
Shelter Island Slice | Trivia with Think Inc. | 6-8 PM
Little Fish | Brian Cummings | 6-9 PM
The Watershed | Fred the Human iPod | 7 PM
Southold Social | DJ Henry Eau | 9 PM-1 AM
The Boathouse at Silver Sands | DJ | 9 PM | tickets
Little Fish | DJ Yanet | 10 PM
The Halyard | DJ | 10 PM-1 AM

Friday

Raphael Winery | Jason Dorsa | 1-4 PM
Corey Creek | Gene Casey | 4-8 PM
Suhru & Lieb | Danny Palladino | 5-7 PM
Main & Mill | Emy McB | 5-7 PM
Tucker’s Taproom | TBA | 5-8 PM
Ram’s Head | Trivia with Think Inc. | 6 PM
Touch of Venice | TBA | 6-9 PM
Sannino | Game Night - Wine Wars | 6-9 PM
Lucharitos | Karaoke with Henry Eau | 9 PM

Saturday

Raphael Winery | Como Brothers | 1-4 PM
Corey Creek | Nick Kerzner | 1-5 PM
Bedell Cellars | Matt Taylor | 1-5 PM
Pindar Vineyards | Jerry McKeveny | 1-5 PM
Jason’s Vineyard | Deanna Hudson | 1-5 PM
Terra Vite Vineyard | Christiaan Padavan | 1:30-4:30 PM
Clovis Point Vineyard | Haig Mathosian | 1-5:30 PM
Jamesport Farm Brewery | Fred the Human iPod | 2-5 PM
Greenport Harbor Brewing (Pec) | Tasty Waves | 4-7 PM
Hotel Moraine | Rachelle Rossi | 5-7 PM
Tucker’s Taproom | TBA | 5-8 PM
Taps & Corks | Mugger Magees | 5-9 PM

Sunday

Tucker’s Taproom | TBA | 1-4 PM
Raphael Wine | Matt Taylor | 1-4 PM
Bedell Cellars | Dinny Keg | 1-5 PM
Corey Creek | Erin Chase | 1-5 PM
Pindar Vineyards | TBA | 1-5 PM
Jason’s Vineyard | Haig Mathosian | 1-5 PM
Greenport Harbor Brewing (Pec) | NY Frets | 3-6 PM
Shelter Island Slice | Music Bingo with Think Inc. | 6 PM

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading the North Fork Buzz today. Like what you read? Send it to a friend!

Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships

New Year’s Rockin’ Eve