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🐝 Wetland Restoration Project

🐝 Wetland Restoration Project

Wetland Makeover, Firefighting Legend Remembered, Petal & Peep

Thomas Loncar
June 05, 2026

Together With Tim O’Keefe

Good Morning, North Fork! The best thing about Friday is that nobody has to explain why they’re in a better mood.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

Wetland Makeover
Firefighting Legend Remembered
Petal & Peep

Ready, Set, Go!

The Lowdown

Wetland Makeover 🌿

After years of planning, permits and paperwork, excavation crews are finally at work on a major wetland restoration project in Aquebogue that could become a blueprint for similar efforts across the North Fork.

The project sits just south of Main Road near Church Lane and is designed to stop road runoff, farm sediment, lawn chemicals and excess nitrogen before they make their way into Meetinghouse Creek and ultimately Peconic Bay.

The first phase focuses on restoring roughly 1.5 acres of wetlands while creating a natural filtration system. New sediment basins will capture polluted runoff before it reaches the creek, while future bioswales lined with native plants will help filter fertilizers, road chemicals and other contaminants.

Once construction is complete, the site will be replanted with more than 17,000 native marsh plants and wildflowers, along with 160 native trees and shrubs.

Get the full story 👉 North Fork Sun

Firefighting Legend Remembered 🚒

For more than five decades, if something was happening at the Mattituck Fire Department, chances are Jim “Lipsy” Lessard was there.

The longtime firefighter, former chief and mentor passed away June 2 at age 76 after 53 years of service to the department and community he loved.

Lessard wore just about every hat imaginable during his time with the department, serving in leadership roles with both Engine Company No. 1 and the rescue squad before eventually becoming chief. Along the way, he trained generations of firefighters, earned Fireman of the Year honors twice and was recognized multiple times as EMS Provider of the Year.

On Thursday, his turnout gear was displayed on Engine 1 outside DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home, symbolizing that he had answered his final alarm. ($)

Get the full story 👉 Suffolk Times

Photo of the Week

📸 submitted by Will Clark

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

Local Spotlight

Petal & Peep 🌼🐣

Love Lane just got even sweeter.

A new family-owned children’s boutique, Petal & Peep, is officially open, bringing a thoughtfully curated mix of organic cotton clothing, plush stuffed animals, nursery accessories, natural bath essentials, and sweet little gifts for babies, children, and growing families.

The shop is owned by ToniAnn Sinning, who may be a first-time store owner, but is certainly no stranger to retail on the North Fork. With more than 40 years of retail experience, ToniAnn has spent decades helping customers find the perfect gift and developing an eye for beautifully curated products.

Inspired by her own grandchildren and a lifelong love of gift giving, ToniAnn created Petal & Peep as a welcoming space filled with thoughtful, high-quality items that families would love to give, receive, and treasure.

It’s the kind of spot made for anyone looking for a gift that feels a little more personal, whether you’re welcoming a new baby, celebrating a birthday, or simply treating a little one to something special.

So next time you’re wandering Love Lane, stop in, say hello, and check out this charming new addition to the neighborhood.

^{_{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}}

Foodie Friday 🍽

Road Trip Stop 🥖

We were heading back from Riverhead recently when we decided to make a quick detour to check out the new market Bread and Butter & Bottle on Sound Avenue

The plan was simple: pop in, take a look around, grab a few snacks.

The market manages to feel both brand new and like it's been part of the neighborhood forever. The space is bright and welcoming, and before we get to the food, we have to mention the people.

Everyone we met was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The kind of people who genuinely seem excited that you're there and happy to tell you about what they're building. You can tell there's a lot of pride behind this place, and that feeling comes through the moment you walk in.

Once we finally stopped browsing and started ordering, here's what we went with.

The Iron Pier Hero 🥪

We decided to start with the Iron Pier Hero, mostly because if you're walking into a new market for the first time, an Italian hero feels like a pretty good measuring stick.

This one came loaded with prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, mortadella, roasted peppers, arugula, fresh mozzarella, and a balsamic vinaigrette, all packed into a semolina hero roll.

The first thing we noticed was that they didn't skimp on the meats. Every bite had a little bit of everything going on. It all worked together without any one ingredient taking over the whole sandwich.

The arugula added a nice fresh bite, while the balsamic vinaigrette gave it a little tang. A good Italian hero lives or dies by the roll, and this semolina hero did its job.

It was just a really solid Italian sandwich. The kind you happily eat sitting in your car before driving home, telling yourself you'll save half for later and then somehow finishing the whole thing.

The Potato Salad 🥔

Now, potato salad might not be the item that gets all the attention when you're staring down a menu full of sandwiches, pastries, and other temptations, but don't sleep on this one.

It had a nice creamy texture without being overloaded with mayonnaise, which is a balance that's harder to pull off than it sounds. The potatoes still had some substance to them, with a few larger chunks throughout that gave it a homemade feel.

What we liked most was that it felt balanced. Rich enough to be satisfying, but not so heavy that it became the only thing you tasted.

Blueberry Pop Tart 🫐

And then there was the homemade blueberry pop tart.

Now, calling this a "pop tart" almost feels unfair because most of us hear that term and immediately think of the foil wrapped breakfast pastries we grew up pulling out of a box.

This was operating in a completely different league.

The pastry itself was buttery, and flaky and inside was a generous layer of blueberry filling that tasted like actual blueberries.

After finishing it, we found ourselves wondering why homemade pop tarts aren't a thing more places make.

Next time you’re in the area and need a coffee, a sandwich, or just something to snack on, Bread and Butter & Bottle is worth pulling over for. They’re open 7 days a week at 5087 Sound Avenue, Riverhead.

Where is your go to spot for a sandwich or a snack?
Email us at [email protected] and give us a shout.

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

🍽 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!

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading the North Fork Buzz today. Like what you read? Send it to someone who like a good Italian sandwich.

Tom Loncar- Publisher
Nicole Loncar- Editor + Partnerships