Week in Review: Here and Now

Wind Farms React, Remembering Bloom, Housing Work Continues

Author

Beth Young
December 28, 2025

On the Forks

Long Island Wind Farms React to Federal Suspension

Two of the five offshore wind farms whose leases were paused by the Trump administration on Monday are designed to power Long Island’s electric grid, and wind farm companies here have begun to respond to the news.

With Eleanor Lingo Gone, A Community Remembers Bloom

Lifelong Southold resident Eleanor Lingo was a powerful voice for social justice on the North Fork, and one of her most well-known acts was a yearly Christmas ritual of laying a wreath on the Southold grave that merely reads: “Bloom. Negro Woman. Died 1810.”

Eleanor Lingo isn’t here to place a wreath on Bloom’s grave this year — she died at the age of 99 in June, just before the second annual Juneteenth celebration in Greenport, which she had played a major part in organizing.

But her friends weren’t about to let Bloom go through a year without recognition

Across the East End

Town Governments Ring In New Year with Inaugurations, Meeting Changes

Riverhead and Southold Towns are both planning inauguration ceremonies early in 2026 for newly elected town officials, and Southold Town is also planning changes to its Town Board meeting times.

Attainable Housing: The Work Continues

Southampton Community Housing Fund Ends Year on a High Note

The Southampton Town Board has unanimously agreed to provide $630,000 in Community Housing Fund funding to pay off the mortgage on a local home belonging to Luv Michael, a nonprofit organization dedicated to housing individuals on the spectrum and providing professional and educational opportunities. 

Want to Make An Accessory Apartment? Greenport & Southold Eyeing Changes to Make it Happen

As the need for attainable housing on the North Fork continues to grow, Greenport Village will be drafting code changes in the new year to allow accessory dwelling units in existing accessory buildings without the need for review by the village’s land use boards.

East End

Into the Woods for the New Year

The depth of winter is the perfect time to set off on trails throughout the East End, where the sheltering woodlands protect you from the winter winds near the shore, and the cold keeps ticks (mostly) in hibernation.

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Artist’s Toolbox

East End Arts’ “In Motion” Accepting Submissions Through Jan. 3

East End Arts in Riverhead opens its first exhibition of 2026 on Jan. 24 by celebrating the creativity, collaboration, and spirit of its members in the Elizabeth Richard Memorial Members’ Show.

NFCT To Hold Auditions for ‘1776’

The North Fork Community Theatre is holding auditions in early January for its March 2026 production of “1776,” the musical depiction of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, Jan. 1

Southold FD New Year’s Day Breakfast

The Southold Fire Department will have eggs, pancakes, home fries, bacon, ham, sausage, toast and bagels, coffee and orange juice on hand at the firehouse from 8 a.m. to Noon.

Jan. 2-4

NFCT Variety Show

Join the North Fork Community Theatre for its 21st Annual Variety Show, which raises funds for local high school scholarships, on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Jan. 2, 3 & 4.

Friday, Jan. 2

Friday Morning Birders

Welcome the new year with a refreshing winter walk with North Fork Audubon at Hallock State Park.

The group is hoping to spot sea ducks — long-tailed ducks, buffleheads and surf scoters offshore, along with woodland residents.

All words in and on The Beacon are always generated by human beings. Guaranteed.

Words

“Every moment is a fresh beginning”

— T.S. Eliot

See you next Sunday,

Beth