Floyd Memorial Library Podcast

Today on the podcast, we sit down with Tony Spiridakis, screenwriter, director, and the founder and executive director of the North Fork Art Center. Tony’s story is one of vision, persistence, and a deep belief in the power of art to shape and uplift a community. We talk about what first brought him out to the North Fork, how that led to the founding of the Manhattan Film Institute, and how a long...

Today on the podcast, we sit down with Carmen Campos, educator, puppeteer, and lifelong advocate for language learning. Carmen shares her story of growing up on Long Island, how she first found her calling as a teacher, and the journey that led her through decades of classroom experience and leadership roles in language education. Carmen continues to inspire learners of all ages through her work i...

Today’s episode features a conversation with John M. Kennedy Jr., a longtime public official in Suffolk County who has served both as a County Legislator and now as the Suffolk County Comptroller. Over the years, he has worked on initiatives ranging from supporting veterans to preserving open space and ensuring responsible financial management. In this discussion, we’ll explore his path into publi...

Today on the podcast, we sit down with Nicole Salgado, Secondary ENL Teacher and Multicultural Club Advisor at Greenport High School. Nicole shares her personal journey growing up bilingual in the U.S., how those early experiences shaped her path as an educator, and what it’s like supporting multilingual learners here on the North Fork. We talk about language, culture, the joys and challenges of t...

In this episode, we sit down with Karen Bloom Gevirtz, PhD author of The Apothecary’s Wife, to explore the forgotten legacy of women in medicine. Drawing from her deep expertise in 17th- and 18th-century British literature and history, Gevirtz reveals how healing was once the domain of women, grounded in community knowledge and care, before being overtaken by professional—and profit-driven—medicin...

In this episode, we sit down with Sueng Lee, a Korean American artist and professor at LIU, for an inspiring conversation. Sueng shares his incredible journey, beginning with his childhood in South Korea, where he faced many challenges alongside his family, including his eventual move to the United States with his mother and five brothers. He opens up about his time in school, his early passion fo...

On this episode, we sit down with Jess Paul—photographer, writer, and musician—to explore the journey that led her to the North Fork. From growing up in North Carolina to spending summers here as a child, Jess shares how her early love for literature, art, and music shaped her creative path. We talk about her time in college, the unexpected turns in her studies, and how photography became a defini...

Today, we sit down with Rich Olsen-Harbich, the Director of Winemaking at Bedell Cellars. We’ll explore his journey—from his early interest in winemaking to his time in college, his experiences working on the South Fork, and his eventual move to the North Fork, where he’s been shaping the region’s wine identity. Join us as we discuss his passion for the craft, the evolution of Long Island’s wine s...

Today, we sit down with Sam Strickland Jr., a young and dedicated Greenport native who has already made a big impact on his community. We talk about his journey growing up in Greenport, his love for sports, and his commitment to public service through the Greenport Fire Department. Sam shares what inspired him to run for the Greenport School Board and his vision for the district’s future. We also...

Today, we sit down with Joe McKay, a man whose journey has taken him from the streets of Astoria to the heart of the North Fork. He shares stories of his upbringing, his college years, and a career that spanned from the Army to labor relations—roles that shaped his perspective on work, service, and community. He reflects on life in New York City and the pivotal decision to settle on the East End,...

Today, we sit down with Bill Lieblein, Greenport High School class of ’57, to talk about his family’s roots on the East End and his journey through life in the village. From his school days and time spent at the local library to his years in college and service in the Navy, Bill shares what ultimately brought him back home to join the family business, Port of Egypt Marine. We explore the evolution...

Today, we sit down with Jacqueline Dinan, author ofThe Unsettling Legacy of Wayland Jefferson andIn Search of Barnabas Horton. Our conversation delves into her journey into genealogy—how she first became fascinated by it and what ultimately led her to focus on Barnabas Horton and his legacy in Southold. We also explore her latest book on Wayland Jefferson, Southold’s first official town historian....

Today, we sit down with Nancy and Keith Kouris, the husband-and-wife team behind the Blue Duck Bakery Café. They share their journey from growing up on Long Island to building a business together, each bringing their own passion and expertise to the bakery. We’ll hear about their early days—how they met, their time in school, and how a simple bread delivery route with Bellacicco’s set them on the...

Today, we’re honored to welcome Rev. Valerie Freseman of the Unitarian Universalists of Southold. Together, we’ll explore her remarkable journey—from her Manhattan roots and early academic interests to her impactful work in the nonprofit and fundraising world. We’ll hear how these experiences ultimately led her to divinity school and a calling to Unitarian Universalist ministry. Rev. Freseman shar...

Today, we’re joined by Anne Smith, a member of the Southold Town Board, whose life and career bring a fascinating perspective to our conversation. Anne shares stories of her ancestry and her formative years in upstate New York, reflecting on the experiences that shaped her. We explore her college years and her journey to Long Island, as well as her early passion for education that led her to impac...

Welcome to Episode 100 of the Floyd Memorial Library Podcast! Today, we celebrate not just a milestone but a journey—one year of conversations, stories, and connections. Before we dive into today’s episode, I want to take a moment to thank our incredible guests who’ve shared their time and insights, and you, our dedicated listeners, for your unwavering support. Your engagement has turned this podc...

Today, we’re joined by Paul Connor, Chief Administrative Officer at Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital. Paul shares the story of his upbringing, his educational journey, and what brought him to the East End of Long Island. We explore his path to the North Fork, where he became CEO of Eastern Long Island Hospital in 1999. Paul delves into the history of the hospital, the transformative change...

Welcome to today’s episode! We sit down with Yan Albaladejo, an amateur historian and political organizer with deep roots in the North Fork. Yan shares the story of his journey from Puerto Rico to Greenport as a child, and how his love for history and learning blossomed here, especially at the local library. He talks about his path to higher education, studying public policy, and the various inter...

Welcome to today's episode! We’re thrilled to sit down with Anne-Marie Chubet and James Chubet, two incredibly talented musicians who share their unique musical journey. From their early passion for music to meeting at Boston Conservatory, they’ve built a remarkable career together. In this conversation, we’ll hear about their deep connection to the North Fork, their experiences as performers, and...

Today, we welcome John Sullivan, a Greenport native who takes us on a journey through time. Growing up in the 1940s and 50s, John shares vivid stories of his childhood, his family’s history, and the ways Greenport shaped him during those formative years. From schoolyard memories to reflections on the town’s transformation, John paints a rich picture of life in a bygone era. He also opens up about...

Today, we’re joined by Heather Lanza, Director of Southold Town’s Planning Department, who brings a lifetime of experience in land preservation and urban planning to our conversation. Growing up in Massachusetts and pursuing her studies in college, Heather found her passion for planning and conservation. Her journey took her to Long Island, where she started with the Nature Conservancy in East Ham...

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Anker, former Suffolk County Legislator and current candidate for New York State Senate in District 1. Sarah shares her family history and traces her journey from her early years in Florida to building her life and career on Long Island in the Mount Sinai area. We discuss her path into public service, her achievements representing District 6, and the experie...

In this episode, we sit down with New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo, who represents District 1. Senator Palumbo shares stories of his ancestry, his childhood in Patchogue, and his journey through college to a career in law. We explore his experience as a Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney, followed by his decision to establish his own practice on the North Fork. He reflects on his ten...

In this episode, we sit down with winemaker and artist, Kip Bedell. Kip takes us back to his roots, sharing stories of his ancestry and growing up in West Hempstead, New York. From his time in college to being drafted into the Army in 1968. He recounts his time stationed at Fort Bragg as an accident investigator, his return to the family business in West Hempstead, and the decision to purchase lan...

Today, we sit down with Harry Bubb Jr., a lifelong Greenport native, as he shares stories of his family and personal memories of a village in transition. Harry begins by introducing us to his life, reflecting on his deep-rooted ancestry, growing up with his family’s business, and his school years. Through his vivid storytelling, he offers insight into what Greenport was like during his childhood,...