Week in Review: At Summer's End

East End Arts is On the Move, Farms of the Future

Author

Beth Young
August 31, 2025

Welcome to the East End Beacon’s Week in Review!

At Summer’s End

East End Arts is On the Move

Left to Right: East End Arts Student & Member Services Director Parker Perenti; Executive Director Wendy Weiss; Director of Arts Ken Jackson and Director of Music Chris Jones

As the face of downtown Riverhead is expected to dramatically change with the imminent construction of the Town Square, the East End Arts community Art & Music School is in the process of moving from its East Main Street campus to a temporary location at 206 Griffing Avenue, where it will stay while the construction is underway.

Farms of the Future

The potato and cauliflower fields we remember from our youth on the North Fork are, for the most part, long gone, and while you may be forgiven after taking a quick drive down the main thoroughfares on the fork for thinking these farms have all been replaced by vineyards, there is much more afoot here than wine.

From the wonders of Mattituck Mushrooms to wild pollinator-supporting jam from Blossom Meadow Farm to riots of colorful flowers at the North Fork Flower Farm to the organic beef at McCall Wines, nurseries specializing in native plants, and a growing chorus of young farmers steeped in biodynamic practices learned at KK's The Farm, it's little secret that the North Fork is a paradise for foodies and gardeners.

What may be more of a secret is the philosophy behind the variety of methods practiced by farmers here, and the communities and knowledge networks which, like the threads of fungal mycelium that pervade the soil, provide the crucial communication necessary for a farming community to thrive.

Mattituck Mushrooms' yellow oyster mushrooms are among the crops changing the face of farming on the North Fork.

On The North Fork

Unchoking Great Pond From Invasive Reeds

About 45 volunteers descended on Great Pond, near Kenney’s Beach in Southold on Aug. 23 to remove invasive phragmite reeds, which have choked out native species at the edge of the pond for decades.

Keep Independent News On The East End

The Beacon is able to provide all of our content online free of charge thanks to support from our readers. Be a vital part of keeping our community informed

Editorial

Showing Up For Our Home

The spirit of volunteerism is in the blood of lifelong East Enders, who were raised in a place defined more by the need to help our neighbors cope with the ebb and flow of our rural economy than by ostentatious displays of wealth. 

That’s why it rankles us so deeply to see this place overrun by people who think it’s their world and we are just living in it. At one point we would have given visitors our shirts, knowing full well they’d never return the favor. But that spirit has burned us to a point where it’s difficult to muster the ability to continue to give.

Peconic Dish

A No-Cook Delight

In Hampton Bays, Riverhead and throughout the country on Thursday afternoon, July 17, residents gathered to rally in remembrance of Civil Rights legend John Lewis on the fifth anniversary of his death, remembering his guidance to “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

Labor Day and Beyond…

Sunday, Aug. 31

Brecknock Fireworks

Peconic Landing and the Brecknock Hall Foundation host the annual End of Summer Music and Fireworks Celebration, open to the greater community, on Sunday, August 31.

Friday, Sept. 5

Love Lane First Friday

From May through October, shop, eat, drink & enjoy Mattituck from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, with shops open late, food, local craft beverages and artisanal items to peruse and enjoy.

Saturday, Sept. 6

Strongpoint Theinert Ranch Ferry Cruise

Join Strongpoint Theinert Ranch for the annual Ferry Cruise to honor and remember the service and sacrifice of Shelter Island 1LT Joseph “Joey” Theinert aboard the South Ferry vessel dedicated in his honor. 

Our September Issue Hits Newsstands

Our September issue is now on newsstands throughout the East End.

Keep Independent News on the East End

The Beacon is able to provide all of our content online free of charge thanks to support from our readers. Be a vital part of keeping our community informed!

Words…

"I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine" — Neil Armstrong

See you next Sunday,

Beth