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 service, we trace a path that reflects both curiosity and commitment to community.

Over the course of her career, Judy has worn many hats, recycling coordinator for the Town of Southampton, legislative aide in the early 1990s, bank employee in Greenport, a radio professional, and later a reporter and photographer, each chapter offering a different window into life on the North Fork and the people who make it run.

We also talk about her involvement in local politics, the East End Women’s Network, and her ongoing dedication to civic life, culminating in her current role as president of the North Fork Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the conversation, Judy reflects on why this place matters so deeply to her, and what she hopes the future holds for the North Fork and its community.

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 Ireland’s story, one shaped by two grandfathers who stood on opposite sides of history.

In our conversation, we talk about turning oral memory into written history, blending family stories with archival research, the meaning behind the book’s title, and what it meant to bring the book home to Charlestown and share it with readers on both sides of the Atlantic.

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 to education, then trace his path through the district and the experiences that continue to guide how he leads today. We also discuss what attracted him to Mattituck-Cutchogue, his early impressions of the district, and how its deep ties to local history, agriculture, and community influence the schools.

Along the way, Shawn shares stories that reflect the spirit of the district, including meaningful community partnerships and new initiatives. We wrap up by looking ahead, at the priorities, challenges, and moments that give him hope for the future of Mattituck-Cutchogue schools and the students they serve.