Floyd Memorial Library Podcast

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 storytelli...

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...

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...

Today I’m joined by Mike and Isabel Osinski, founders of Widows Hole Oyster Farm in Greenport. Before launching one of the North Fork’s most recognized oyster operations, both Mike and Isabel spent years working on Wall Street, careers far removed from the working waterfront they would one day call home. Drawn to the North Fork’s beauty, community, and slower pace, they eventually settled in Green...

Today I’m joined by Peter and Deborah Carroll, the longtime owners of Lenz Winery in Peconic. Their story on the North Fork begins in the late 1980s, when the region’s wine industry was still young and full of possibility. In 1988 they purchased Lenz, taking a leap of faith at a time when only a handful of vineyards existed. Over the years, they built a team rooted in consistency and craft, from t...

Today I’m joined by Bob DeLuca, President of Group for the East End, and one of the most influential voices in conservation on Long Island’s East End. Bob’s connection to the natural world began early, shaped by the landscapes and waters he explored growing up, and by a family history that ties him closely to this region. Before stepping into his long leadership role at Group for the East End, Bob...

Today I’m joined by Walter Chute Jr., whose family roots in Greenport go back generations, including the legacy of the Wood & Chute Shipyard. In this conversation, Walter reflects on growing up in a village shaped by boats, shipyards, and a close-knit waterfront community. He shares memories of his childhood in Greenport, school days, neighborhood life, and the places that defined the village...

Today I’m joined by Tom Crowley, a longtime educator whose three decades at Greenport High School left a lasting mark on generations of students. We begin by talking about where he grew up and the experiences that shaped his early life, before following his path through school, college, and ultimately to the North Fork in the early 1970s. In our conversation, Tom reflects on his first impressions...

Today I’m joined by writer and collaborator Liz Welch, whose work spans family history, personal narrative, and the kinds of real-life stories that stay with readers long after the last page. From her own family memoir The Kids Are All Right to the bestselling I Will Always Write Back , Liz has spent her career exploring resilience, connection, and the ways our histories shape who we become. She’s...

Today I’m joined by Pat Mundus, a retired ships’ officer and one of the most respected mariners on the East End. Born and raised in Montauk, Pat grew up surrounded by working boats, wild weather, and the tight-knit community of people who make their living from the sea. Though her father, the famed shark fisherman Frank Mundus, looms large in local lore, and in the popular imagination, Pat charted...

Today I’m joined by Bob Syron, President and CEO of Peconic Landing, and a leader whose influence on the North Fork spans more than two decades. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare and elder services, Bob has guided Peconic Landing since 2003, helping transform it from a retirement community into a nationally recognized life plan community, one known for its cultural programming, civic...

Today I’m joined by Bill Bleyer, award-winning journalist, historian, and one of Long Island’s most respected voices on maritime and military history. From an early age, Bill was drawn to the sea and the stories, ships, and traditions that have shaped the region. Spending more than thirty years at Newsday , Bill honed the skills of observation, accuracy, and storytelling that now define his work a...

Today I’m joined by Jacob Cooper, a licensed therapist and author of Life After Breath and The Wisdom of Jacob’s Ladder . Jacob’s interest in the mind, healing, and human resilience began after a major childhood experience that shaped the direction of his life and career. His professional work brings together traditional psychotherapy with practices like mindfulness and Reiki, depending on what ea...

Today’s guest is journalist Chris Francescani, whose career has taken him through some of the country’s most respected newsrooms, ABC News, NBC, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal . Born and raised with an early interest in storytelling, Chris grew up in a community that helped shape his curiosity and sense of the wider world. He built his reputation as an investigative reporter, covering major...

For nearly 50 years, Joe Cortale has been a beloved presence in the lives of children and families across Long Island. Though he didn’t initially imagine a career in libraries, Joe’s early love of learning and natural connection with kids eventually led him into the field, first in the Rocky Point School District, where he spent many years shaping his understanding of how to reach children and sup...

Today’s guest is someone whose career has been woven into the fabric of Suffolk County for decades. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine brings with him not only a long record of public service, but a deep personal connection to the region, shaped by family roots, community history, and a commitment to stewardship that stretches across generations. Over the years, he has served in roles that placed...

Today I’m joined by Jim Morrison, filmmaker and Theatre Manager at the North Fork Arts Center. Jim spent his early years in different parts of Long Island before settling in Greenport as a teenager, experiences that shaped his outlook long before he eventually moved to New York City to study film and develop his skills. After more than two decades working in on-air operations at Showtime and Param...

Today I’m joined by Rosemary McKinley, a local author, educator, and historian whose connection to Long Island has shaped a wide-ranging body of work about the East End. Raised in Sea Cliff, Rosemary’s early interest in history carried into her years as a teacher before she eventually turned to writing full time. Her books include 101 Glimpses of the North Fork and Islands , which captures the reg...

Today I’m joined by Paul Henry, Founder and Executive Director of the East End Student Film Project, and President of Tax Reduction Services. Paul’s career has spanned a wide range of fields, from children’s television and media production to business, environmental advocacy, and arts education, all connected by a deep commitment to creativity, community, and learning. After discovering the North...

Today I’m joined by Richard Wines, author, historian, and preservationist, whose family roots in Jamesport stretch back to the 1600s. Growing up on the North Fork, Richard developed a deep appreciation for the land, the community, and the stories that have shaped this place across generations. Over the years, he’s dedicated himself to preserving that heritage, restoring historic buildings, researc...

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Alison C. Madden, Chief Medical Officer at Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital. A board-certified OB-GYN with extensive experience in both large medical centers and community hospitals, Dr. Madden brings a deep commitment to advancing patient care on the North Fork. In our conversation, she shares her path into medicine, what drew her to Stony Brook E...

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Jean Lucero, a social worker at the Greenport Union Free School District. Jean plays a vital role in supporting students and families, helping them navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom. In this conversation, we talk about his upbringing, what inspired him to pursue social work, and how his path ultimately led him to serving the Greenport c...

Today, we’re joined by Julia King, a singer-songwriter and performing artist whose music carries soul, sincerity, and a strong sense of place. Raised on a family chicken farm on the South Fork of Long Island, music was always close to her heart. During college, she spent formative time in Nashville, a city whose creative pulse and music culture left a lasting impression, even if her path hadn’t tu...

Today, we’re joined by Madison Fender, a talented freelance photographer whose work captures the people, places, and spirit of Long Island’s East End. Based on both the North and South Forks, Madison’s photography blends editorial and documentary styles, bringing warmth and authenticity to everything from weddings and portraits to creative brand work. In our conversation, Madison shares how she fi...

Today, we’re joined by Jeff Szabo, Chief Executive Officer of the Suffolk County Water Authority, one of the largest and most respected groundwater suppliers in the nation, serving nearly 1.2 million residents across Long Island. Under his leadership, SCWA has strengthened its commitment to innovation, water quality, and sustainability, ensuring that future generations have access to clean, reliab...