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🐝 Waterfront Conservation

🐝 Waterfront Conservation

Bruce & Son, Greenport Opinions, Saving the Docks

Thomas Loncar
August 05, 2025

Together With

Good Morning, North Fork! Consider this newsletter a tiny push up the Tuesday hill.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

Bruce & Son
Greenport Opinions
Saving The Docks

Ready, Set, Go!

The Lowdown

The Bruce & Son Story 🍳

Scott Bollman isn’t just the chef behind Bruce & Son in Greenport, he’s the North Fork personified. Born and raised in Southold, Scott grew up fishing, farming, and helping out at his dad’s shop, Bruce’s Cheese Emporium.

After a stint in NYC kitchens and culinary school, Scott came back home in 2012 to partner with his dad and reinvent the family biz. A month-long trip to Australia with his wife Kassata sparked a bold new vision: Turn Bruce & Son into a daytime-only, plant-forward café.

Scott’s love for the land and sea runs deep, he even launched North Fork Sea Salt after becoming obsessed with harvesting salt by hand. (Yes, he’s that local.)

Post-pandemic, Scott and Kassata trimmed restaurant hours, added some balance to their lives, and Kassata started Have You Eaten Yet? a podcast where she chats with chefs and creatives from around the globe.

Get the full story 👉 Northforker

CAST is Turning 60 🎉

On Friday, August 8 CAST (aka the Center for Advocacy, Support & Transformation) is throwing a big anniversary bash at their HQ in Southold. 60 years of serving the North Fork and Shelter Island? That’s worth celebrating.

There’ll be live music by the Hoodoo Loungers, tasty bites, drinks, and a whole lotta gratitude. Suggested donation: $19.65, in honor of the year CAST was founded (yes, CAST was showing up when phones had cords and nobody texted “on my way”).

In 2025, they’re on track to serve over 1,500 households and dish out 480,000+ healthy meals, plus help with housing, healthcare, education, workforce training, and more.

Get the full story 👉 East End Beacon

Greenport Got Opinions 🗣️

The Village of Greenport Planning Board asked the community how they really feel about things like housing, parking, and development, and 177 people answered the call. The results? A snapshot of what locals care about most (spoiler: affordable housing is top of the list).

Here’s the vibe check:
🏠 Affordable Housing- took the crown as the most important issue. No surprise there.
🏚️ Vacant Properties- people want a registry to keep tabs on abandoned or unused buildings.
🏢 Mixed-Use Zoning- 84% of folks are cool with second-floor apartments over shops; 57% are okay with third floors, as long as they don’t mess with the town’s charm.
🏡 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)- yes to backyard cottages and in-law suites, but with rules.
📋 Administrative Approvals- most are down for a faster, streamlined process to approve new builds.
🚗 Parking- residential sticker program? 72% of residents say yes. Metered parking on Main and Front Streets? Mixed feelings. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Saving the Docks 🚤

Suffolk County is taking a page from its farmland playbook, and this time, it’s all about the water.

A new bill heads to a public hearing today, if passed, it would let the county buy conservation easements on “working waterfront” properties. Translation: instead of letting old-school docks and boatyards turn into luxury condos, they’d stay working waterfronts.

This means long-term protection for industries like fishing, aquaculture, boat repair, and recreational boating, the saltier side of Suffolk’s economy.

Fun fact: Suffolk County has nearly 3,000 maritime businesses employing over 38,000 people, and East End ports Greenport, Hampton Bays, and Montauk are the largest commercial ports in New York.

The new law would create a 17-member Working Waterfront Committee (very official, right?) to decide if a property qualifies. If it does, the county could buy the development rights, keeping it a working waterfront, in perpetuity.

Get the full story 👉 East End Beacon

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Happenings: Upcoming Events

🧘‍♀️ Farmbody Get grounded, breathe deep, and connect. Farmbody is a one-of-a-kind wellness evening hosted at Oregon Road Organics in partnership with Gab N Flow Pilates. On Wednesday, August 20th enjoy a rejuvenating open-air Pilates class followed by a pop-up by Detour Boutiques, where style meets self-empowerment. More Info

🖋️ Modern Calligraphy Workshop Round 2 with Christie Jones for a hands-on Modern Calligraphy Workshop at Arni Paperie on Thursday, August 21. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking to refine their lettering skills, this cozy evening includes expert instruction, all materials provided, and of course, wine and light bites to keep the creativity flowing. More Info

🎉 20 Years Strong The New Suffolk Waterfront Fund’s Summer Soirée is back on Thursday, August 21 and this year, it’s extra special. Celebrate two decades of keeping the waterfront wild and wonderful with fresh Peconic Bay oysters, Minnow’s bites, local bubbles, and a sunset view that never misses. Oh, and the live auction? Let’s just say, bring your paddle. More Info

🎥 Movie Night The Landcraft Garden Foundation is turning its dreamy landscape into an open-air cinema, screening Edward Scissorhands on Friday August 22. Bring a chair, your go-to snacks, whatever you’re sipping these days and settle in under the stars. More Info

🍗 Chicken BBQ The Cutchogue Fire Department’s 68th Annual Chicken BBQ is back on Saturday, August 23 and yes, it’s still at Peconic Bay Vineyard while the new firehouse gets built. It’s everything you love: juicy chicken and local pride. Find your favorite firefighter or call (631) 734-6907 for tickets. More Info

🍉 Watermelon Festival Head to Harbes Family Farm for their annual Watermelon Festival on Saturday, August 23 & Sunday, August 24. There’ll be juicy slices, farm fun, and watermelon-eating contests that are equal parts competitive and hilarious. Live music from 1–5 PM both days keeps the vibes going strong. More Info

🏖️ Beach Ball 2025 Grab your shades and your grooviest beachwear, Sound View is throwing it back for a retro beach bash on Saturday, August 23. This year’s Beach Ball is happening on the sand, with tiki torches, surf-era vibes, and all the vintage glam of a 1950s–70s beach party. Expect tropical cocktails, a suckling pig roast, floating caviar, and live summer grooves from the Foster Europe Band. More Info

🛹 Community Market Skate meets street art at the Best Frnds Community Market on Saturday, August 23. Roll through for a day of local art vendors, photography, live painting, and an open skate session right at the heart of Greenport Skatepark. More Info

🇧🇷 Brazilian Night Get ready for a dockside trip to São Paulo. The Shoals & Maizeat are bringing the heat with Brazilian Night on Saturday, August 23. Get ready for spit-roasted meats carved right before your eyes, a colorful spread of traditional dishes, and caipirinhas that taste like they came straight from the streets of São Paulo. Don’t miss the samba beats, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, and barefoot dancing on the grass. More Info

🏃 Race from Sound to Bay The Jamesport Fire Department’s annual Sound to Bay 5K & 10K is back on Sunday, August 24, and it’s the most scenic sprint of the summer. Start on the beach, breeze through South Jamesport, and cross the finish line with a view. More Info

🚗 Start Your Engines The 11th Annual Southold American Legion Car Show rolls into town on Sunday, August 25. From antiques to hot rods to motorcycles, this is your chance to show off your prized wheels or just admire the chrome. Expect live music, local vendors, tasty eats from a food truck, and raffle prizes throughout the day. 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

Tuesday

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Tom Loncar- Publisher