Floyd Memorial Library Podcast

Today’s guest is someone whose story truly reflects the spirit of hard work, creativity, and community that defines the North Fork.

Born in Pakistan and raised half a world away from the East End, Choudry Ali eventually made his way to the North Fork, and in 2007 took a leap of faith that would forever change a beloved local institution in Mattituck.

When he purchased Magic Fountain, a summertime staple dating back to the 1960s, he d...

Today I’m joined by Agathe Snow, an artist whose life has moved between worlds and mediums.

She spent part of her childhood in Corsica before moving to New York at eleven, an age when everything feels heightened and unsettled. That early shift between cultures, languages, and identities, would quietly shape the way she sees the world. Before she ever imagined becoming an artist, she was immersed in the energy of restaurants, helping...

Today I’m joined by Caroline Nadeau, Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Program Operations at The Butterfly Effect Project. A North Fork native, Caroline reflects on her roots here, the experiences that shaped her path, and what ultimately brought her back home. We talk about her work at BEP, the impact of programs that support and empower young people more broadly, and how the organization continues its mission even in the f...

Today I’m joined by Maria Rivero González, CEO of RGNY Wine, a winery whose story spans generations and geographies, from northern Mexico to the North Fork of Long Island.

Maria grew up in a family where wine was part of everyday life. Her family began making wine in Parras, Coahuila, widely considered the oldest wine-growing region in the Americas, and what started as her father’s passion would eventually become a business Maria he...

Today’s guest is Perry Bliss of The Old Field Vineyards in Southold, a place that’s been farmed by her family for more than a century and has played an important role in the story of North Fork wine.

Perry grew up on this land, returned to it, and helped guide The Old Field through generations of change, from vegetables to vines, from family tradition to modern winemaking, all while staying deeply connected to the people and the pla...

Today I’m joined by Bob McInnis, who many of you know as the North Fork’s go-to marketing mind behind some of our most recognizable local businesses and organizations. Bob is the founder of McInnis Digital, where his team helps clients grow through smart websites, search and AI optimization, social media, email marketing, automation, and both print and digital advertising, along with photography and drone services.

We talk about his...

Today’s guest is Patricia Hammes, a Greenport resident who has played a central role in shaping conversations about growth, planning, and community life in the village.

Patricia brings a background that predates her time on the North Fork, and that broader experience has informed her work locally, most notably through her service as Chair of the Greenport Planning Board, where she has dedicated a great deal of time and service to th...

Today, we’re joined once again by Michael Zweig to revisit a pivotal decade in the life of the North Fork, the ten-year struggle for its character and economic base, from 1985 to 1995.

Michael first visited the North Fork in the 1960s, returning more permanently in the 1980s, at a moment when the future of the region was very much an open question. Would the North Fork follow a path of planning, agriculture, and preservation, or be ...

Today I’m joined by Judy McCleery, photographer, writer, longtime community leader, and a lifelong North Forker whose story is deeply woven into the fabric of the East End.

Judy takes us back to her family’s arrival on the North Fork and her upbringing in Mattituck, sharing vivid memories of growing up here and how that sense of place shaped who she would become. From her years at Mattituck High School to early work in public servic...

Today I’m joined by Gerald O’Hara, author of Breaking the Mauser Rifle. What began with a week spent with his grandparents in Ireland in 1985 grew into a thirty-year journey to record and preserve a family history shaped by the Irish War of Independence and the divisions of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

Drawing on family memory, inherited stories, and recorded voices, Gerald traces not only his own family’s past, but a pivotal moment in I...

Today I’m joined by Shawn Petretti, Superintendent of the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District. Shawn’s journey in education has taken him through nearly every level of school life, from teacher and dean to principal and now superintendent, giving him a leadership perspective shaped by years in classrooms and close connection with students and families.

We begin by talking about where Shawn grew up and what first drew him ...

Today I’m joined by Faith Welch, a senior at Greenport High School, Student Council President, and youth historian whose work has earned national recognition, including the Princeton Prize in Race Relations.

Throughout high school, Faith has founded clubs, written articles, and conducted award-winning research exploring identity, local history, and what it means to grow up in Greenport. Her leadership and curiosity have made her a r...

Today I’m joined by Richard Gluckman, architect, designer, and one of the most influential figures in the world of exhibition and museum architecture. For more than four decades, Richard has shaped the way we experience art, creating spaces where the building itself quietly elevates the work it holds. From Dia to the Warhol Museum to landmark galleries across the globe, his projects reflect a deep respect for materials, light, and ...

Today I’m joined by Anthony Mauro, Superintendent of the Southold Union Free School District. Before stepping into this role, Anthony spent more than two decades in education—as a teacher, assistant principal, and district leader—experiences that shaped his leadership style and his belief in the power of strong school communities.

Raised with a deep appreciation for learning and service, Anthony discovered early on that education wa...

Today I’m joined by Reverend Charles Coverdale, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead and a central voice in faith, civic leadership, and community building on the East End for more than four decades. Reverend Coverdale is preparing to retire at the end of December, marking the close of an extraordinary chapter of service.

Prior to moving into my questions, Pastor Coverdale opened with a powerful, deeply personal introduct...

Today I’m joined by Amie Sponza, actor, producer, filmmaker, and longtime force in the North Fork arts community. Raised right here in Greenport, Amie grew up in a village whose rhythms, characters, and creative mentors helped spark her early love of storytelling. Among those early influences was Peggy Murray, whose presence and guidance played a meaningful role in shaping Amie’s early connection to theater and the arts.

That spark ...

Today I’m joined by Alexander Stille, an acclaimed author and journalist whose work has helped illuminate some of the most complex corners of Italian history, politics, and culture. From his examinations of Jewish life under fascism, to his investigations into the Sicilian Mafia, to his portraits of power, family, and memory, Alexander’s books bridge rigorous reporting with deeply human storytelling.

In our conversation, we explore ...

Today I’m joined by Dariia Protsiuk, graphic designer and founder of Darinka Signs, whose creative journey spans continents and remarkable life transitions. Born and raised in Ukraine, Dariia discovered her love for design early on. Her early work in Ukraine helped shape the thoughtful, intentional style she’s known for today.

After moving to the United States, she faced the challenges of starting over in a new country, navigating u...

Today, we sit down with Billy Hands, Grease Monkey Poet, keeper of stories in Orient.

He grew up in North Jersey, but his summers belonged to Orient, long before he moved here full-time in the early ’80s. Those early seasons shaped him. He learned from the men in his family: a father whose journey ran from the Major Leagues to the service bay, and a grandfather with a gift for words and an eye for people. And from his mother, he inh...