North Fork group holds wine and cheese event

In an effort to highlight environmental and quality-of-life concerns among residents along Sound Avenue, the North Fork Environmental Council is holding a wine and cheese event Friday evening at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead.

Historian Richard A. Wines will give presentations on the history of life along the bucolic farmland-dotted road, once considered the wealthiest farming community in the state. Sound Avenue remains the most significant farming area in the state, said Wines, who grew up there.

But some of that way of life is being threatened by planned commercial developments, said Bill Toedter, president of the environmental council, as it has been in the past. Over the past few decades, nuclear power plants, desalinization and desulfurization factories as well as a four-lane highway have been proposed for the land along the rural road, Wines said.

State Sen. Kenneth P. LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) will speak at Friday’s event, and other politicians will be on hand.

The cost of the two-hour event is $25 for members of the environmental council, $30 for non-members. There is also a $5 surcharge at the door, which includes a glass of wine and cheese and crackers.