Floyd Memorial Library Podcast

Welcome to today's episode. We sit down with Dan Goodwin, the Southold Town Highway Superintendent. Dan's story takes us back to his roots, growing up right here on the North Fork. We'll trace his journey from a young boy fascinated by engineering, through his college years, and into his career as a mechanical engineer and emergency response professional. Dan's tale is one of coming home. He'll sh...

Today, we welcome Matthew Daddona, a ghostwriter and author whose journey from his ancestral roots to the North Fork and beyond is as rich as his storytelling. Matthew shares intimate details of his upbringing and how his early years on the North Fork shaped his outlook on life and love for writing. We explore pivotal moments in his career, from college to a serendipitous internship at Penguin Pub...

Today, we engaged in a splendid conversation with Emily Demarchelier, the distinguished proprietor of Demarchelier Bistro in Greenport. Emily illuminates her illustrious family history, beginning with her parents' decision to immigrate to the United States during her childhood and establish a French restaurant in New York City in the late 1970s. The original Demarchelier, an undeniable triumph, se...

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Rabbi Gadi Capela of Congregation Tifereth Israel in Greenport. He has roots in Yemen and grew up in Israel, where he experienced a diverse cultural environment. He shares his experiences from his school days and his time in the military, which greatly influenced his perspective on life. Rabbi Capela's career led him to New York City, where he worke...

Today, we sat down with Rena Wilhelm, a vibrant figure in Greenport's community tapestry. From Westchester to Greenport, Rena's journey is a testament to resilience and creativity. She shares stories of her ancestry, childhood, schooling and her career in interior design, including her time with Ethan Allen. Rena's commitment to the community shines through her leadership as President...

Today, we’re diving deep into a conversation with Mark Haubner, the President of the North Fork Environmental Council. We’ll wander through the corridors of his ancestry and childhood, uncovering the roots that shaped his journey. From there, we’ll trace the path that led him to the NFEC, exploring the organization's mission and the projects they're tackling—from waste and recycling to wat...

In today’s episode, we talked with Louisa Evans, a member of the Southold Town Board. Louisa tells us about her rich ancestral heritage and her formative years on Long Island. We shall explore her academic pursuits at the illustrious Phillips Exeter Academy and her subsequent collegiate experiences. Moreover, Louisa will recount her relocation to the Fishers Island and her decision to settle there...

In this episode, we had a wonderful conversation with David Menjivar, a pastor and entrepreneur based on the North Fork. David shared his ancestry and childhood experiences growing up in El Salvador, as well as his educational journey. He recounted his move to San Salvador and reflected on the profound impact of the Salvadorian Civil War on his country and region in the post-war period. David also...

We sat down with Piotr to explore his rich and compelling family history. From the harrowing experiences of World War II to the era of communist Poland, we'll journey through the significant moments that shaped his life and his family's legacy. Piotr will share with us the challenges of growing up in communist Poland, witnessing the fall of the Soviet Union, and the dawn of a new government during...

In this episode, we sat down with Jeremy Garretson to delve into his life story. We explore his ancestry and childhood experiences growing up in New York City. Jeremy shares memories from his school days and reveals how he discovered his passion for photography. We also talk about his unique career as a licensed sea captain and what drew him to the North Fork. Jeremy recounts his college years and...

In this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mary Latham, the inspiring force behind the "More Good" project. Mary’s journey began as a heartfelt response to the overwhelming negativity in the world, sparked by the tragic events of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and deeply influenced by the passing of her beloved mother. Following her mother's advice to focus on...

We talk to Louisa Hargrave about her ancestry and her time in college, as well as how she decided to move to the North Fork of Long Island, where she and her husband started the first vineyard on Long Island. We also discuss some of the initial challenges they faced and how the area developed over time. Additionally, we explore her thoughts on the area today and her hopes for the future of the Nor...

We speak with Beth Young, the Editor and Publisher of the East End Beacon, about her ancestry and her childhood on the North Fork. We delve into her journey into journalism, including her experiences working for the Sag Harbor Express and the East Hampton Press, and her time at Columbia University, where she earned her master's degree in journalism. Beth also shares her story of returning to the N...

We speak with David Abatelli, the former Greenport Village administrator, about his ancestry and childhood in Queens. He shares stories of his time in the Navy and his journey to the East End of Long Island, initially settling in Hampton Bays before moving to Greenport, where he became actively involved in the community. David discusses the challenges the village faced and the improvements made du...

We spoke with Chef John Ross about his ancestry and childhood in Canada and the suburbs of Detroit. Our conversation delved into how he developed an interest in cooking, his journey through various jobs, and his eventual move to the East Coast. From there, he made his way to the South Fork before settling on the North Fork, where he opened his own restaurant in Southold. We also discussed the futu...

We sit down with Carrie Mullins to discuss her ancestry and childhood in Greenwich Village. Our conversation explores her early passion for history and writing, as well as her tenure as the former National Editor at the James Beard Award–winning website Serious Eats. We delve into the inspiration behind her new book, "The Book of Mothers: How Literature Can Help Us Reinvent Modern Motherhood,...

We had the pleasure of speaking with Thomas Halaczinsky, a documentary filmmaker, photographer, and author, about his fascinating journey. He shared insights into his ancestry and childhood in Germany and how his early passion for art and writing began. We also discussed his decision to move to New York City, his immersion in the vibrant art scene. Thomas elaborated on his recent work involving Pl...

We talk to Hector deCordova about his ancestry and his childhood growing up in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan. He shares how he developed an interest in the arts, which led him to attend Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Hector also reflects on living on his own in New York City at an early age. Our conversation covers his time in the Navy and his stud...

We talked to David Nyce, one of the former mayors of Greenport, about his ancestry and childhood. He shared how he decided to move out west to Los Angeles and the reasons behind his decision to return to New York City. He then explained how he eventually chose to settle in Greenport, get involved in the community, and run for mayor. Finally, we discussed his thoughts on the area today.

We talk to George Giannaris, chef and owner of Hellenic Restaurant. We discuss his ancestry, his childhood growing up in Queens, and how his family eventually moved to the North Fork. We also cover how the restaurant got started, how it has evolved over the years, some new features of the restaurant, and what he thinks of the North Fork today.

Terese Svoboda is a literary powerhouse whose prolific body of work spans poetry, fiction, memoir, biography, and translation. Today, we'll talk to her about her upbringing in Nebraska, her journey to college in New York, and how she developed an early interest in literature. We'll delve into her writing process, her move to Greenport, and her recent works, including the novel "Roxy and Coco" and...

We talk to Steve Wick, a veteran journalist on the North Fork who has worked for Newsday and now the Suffolk Times. He is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. We discuss his childhood growing up in New Jersey, his early interest in history and journalism, and how he made his way to the North Fork. Additionally, we talk about some of the books he has written, including "Heaven and Earth: T...

We speak with Harry Lewis about his ancestry, particularly his mother's lineage, which has deep roots in Greenport. We also discuss his experiences growing up, as well as his pioneering and advocacy work for disabled individuals in the area. Additionally, we explore his thoughts on the North Fork and the future of the region.

We talk to Bob Kuhne, the president of the Old Town Arts and Craft Guild, a Nonprofit Organization in Cutchogue. He also talks about his time growing up in East Meadow and how he decided to move to the North Fork and his interest in the arts. He talks about his process for his painting and how he got involved with the Arts Guild, as well as what he thinks about the North Fork today.

We discuss his upbringing in Colombia, exploring his family's decision to immigrate to the U.S. and settle in Greenport. Additionally, we delve into his journey in graphic design and the inspiration behind his venture, Encanto Crepes and Café, in Greenport.