North Fork News

Desire Joins Peconic Landing

Peconic Landing, in Greenport, has named Dr. Nathanael Desire as its new medical director.

Desire, who specializes in both internal medicine and geriatrics as well as pediatrics, will oversee individual patient care in addition to the organization’s overall medical program. He will also be a key leader in providing innovative and person-centered care options for all Peconic Landing members.

Desire was previously the founding physician of NAD Medical Services, which specialized in primary care and geriatric medical consultation in Shelter Island.

“I’m excited to join the Peconic Landing family and to help make a positive impact in the lives of those whom we serve,” Dr. Desire said.

Peconic Landing was also named one of the best nursing homes by U.S. News & World Report for the eighth year in a row.

The Bluffs, Peconic Landing’s new resort-style short-term rehabilitation neighborhood, was also recognized as a high performing short-stay designation.

“It’s an incredible honor to receive ‘High Performance’ recognition from U.S. News & World Report,” said Robert Syron, the president & CEO.

Peconic Landing was only one of five of the 619 nursing homes in the New York area evaluated by the magazine to be honored with a “High Performance” designation.

Long Island Regional Seed Consortium

The fifth annual Long Island Regional Seed Consortium will be held at Suffolk County Community College’s Eastern Campus in Riverhead on March 10 from 10 AM to 3 PM.

The event, which is billed as the “Woodstock” of seed savers, gardeners, and local farmers, is free. Master gardeners will answer questions about how to properly save seeds, starting plants from seeds, and other gardening inquiries.

Eli Rogosa, author of “Restoring Heritage Grains,” will exhibit her collection of ancient wheats and be available to sign books. Scott Chaskey, a poet, farmer, and educator on the East End, will be exhibiting seeds and be available for book signing as well.

Attendees are encouraged to bring one or more seed packets, which can be full or partial, for the general seed swap tables.

There will also be a farmers market throughout the day, as well as a panel discussion on why and how to save seeds, in the Shinnecock Building from 11 AM to 12 PM. The seed swap will be held in the Peconic Building from 12 to 2 PM.

Mattituck-Laurel Library

The Mattituck-Laurel Library will hold a Polar Bear Day for kids ages three to five at 2 PM and kids in kindergarten through first grade at 4 PM on Wednesday, February 27. Kids will be able to fill their own plush polar bear to take home while listening to polar bear stories. The event is free, but registration is required.

The library will also host a self-defense course for teens on Thursday, February 28, at 4 PM. Alex Vamos will teach the basics of self-defense. Comfortable clothing, including socks and sneakers, in encouraged. The event is free, but registration is required.

Custer Observatory

The Custer Observatory in Southold will host an informative presentation on “Understanding Eyepieces, Enhancing the View” on March 9 at 7 PM.

The talk will go over eyepieces, how they work, what the specifications mean, and how one would choose the right ones depending on their budget. The observatory will also open the ASLI dome, which will allow participants to look at the sky through the 14” Meade LX200 computerized telescope. Stargazing will follow, if weather permits.

The suggested donation is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Reservations are not necessary, but can be made in advance at www.CusterObservatory.org.

Suffolk County Historical Society

The Suffolk County Historical Society Museum in Riverhead will host “Book & Bottle: Frank Turano on Margaret Fuller: America’s First Feminist” on March 7 at 6 PM.

Turano will give a presentation on Fuller, a journalist and women’s rights advocate. Fuller’s “Woman in the Nineteenth Century” is considered the first major feminist work published in the United States. Turano will discuss Fuller’s life, work, and connection to Suffolk County’s history.

The event, which is free for members and $5 for non-members, will include wine and cheese and admission to current exhibitions. Call 631-727-2881, ext. 100, to make a reservation.

Compiled by Genevieve M. Kotz