🌱 Patch AM: Planning to camp at Smith Point? Check this storm update first.

Cheers Shirley! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Planning to camp at Smith Point? Check this storm update first.
• How will Shirley's library change after residents spoke up?
• Why Shirley's Island Empanada is serving its final empanadas today

Also on today's calendar: Country Fair at Hallockville.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and humid, with a high of 72 and low of 64 degrees.
• Friday: Humid with clouds and sun, temps: high: 78, low: 57.
• Saturday: Some sun; nice, less humid, with a high of 70 and low of 47 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Suffolk Parks Officials Continuing To Assess Nor'Easter Damage; Cleanup To Last 1 More Day: Exec (patch.com) — Smith Point County Park in Shirley is still being assessed for nor'easter damage, and tent camping at the beach remains closed while officials inspect erosion and broken stairways. Suffolk County says all county roads are passable, expects just one more day of debris cleanup, and urges residents to report downed trees via 311 and confirm campsite status before planning trips.
   

• Community survey shows strong support for Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library (trihamletnews.com) — Shirley residents just gave their community library a strong vote of confidence, with 437 survey responses praising it as a trusted, welcoming hub and calling for more programs and services. The Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, whose main building is in Shirley, will use this feedback to shape its next five-year strategic plan, including expanded offerings, better communication, and facility improvements.
   

• Island Empanada closes Rocky Point and Shirley stores as costs climb (greaterlongisland.com) — Island Empanada's Shirley location is closing permanently after business on Wednesday, ending years as a local favorite run by the Torres family. The owner cites rising costs and more cautious customers, leaving four remaining locations elsewhere on Long Island and marking another visible sign of economic pressure on Shirley's small-business community.
   

📸 Around Shirley

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Shirley

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday October 3
• Country Fair at Hallockville →
  Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave, Riverhead
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday October 2
• Sukkot ends
  William Floyd Learning Center Shirley, NY 11967
Monday October 12
• Columbus Day (Observed) School Closed
  William Floyd Learning Center Shirley, NY 11967

📣 Shirley Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday October 1
• Costume Drive →
  Mastic Beach Branch, 369 Neighborhood Rd., Mastic Beach
  9:00 am
• Registration for IN-PERSON October children's programs opens →
  South Country Library, 22 Station Rd, Bellport
  9:30 am
• Start Your Day the Right Way Walking Club →
  Terrell County Park, 43 Montauk Highway, Center Moriches
  9:30 am
• Social Work Intern Gurmukh →
  Mastic Beach Branch, 369 Neighborhood Rd., Mastic Beach
  11:00 am
• The Breadwinner →
  South Country Library, 22 Station Rd, Bellport
  2:00 pm
• Monster Scavenger Hunt [Children] →
  South Country Library, 22 Station Rd, Bellport
  9:30 pm
Friday October 2
• Think Pink for the Cure →
  Lasorda Legacy Park, Yaphank
• Sukkot ends
  William Floyd Learning Center Shirley, NY 11967
• Community Mental Health Promotion and Support →
  South Country Library, 22 Station Rd, Bellport
  10:00 am
• Bridge Club →
  South Country Library, 22 Station Rd, Bellport
  1:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Shirley PatchAM possible:

• Cztty Lcc — (631) 977-2479
• ABC Medicare Plans Broker — (631) 337-3625
• Perspective Eye Care Long Island — (631) 736-6161

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Community Survey Shows Strong Support for Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library —Mark J. Grossman Read on Patch

• What would 2 guys charge me to put up an interlocking 6x8 shed in my backyard?
  And also put together a 3w x 5h metal shelf for inside the shed. You need a drill. It's going on flat ground where the old one was. I have the ladder. (Nextdoor South Shirley)

• Allied Universal Security Services posted a job opening for Security Officer Medical Clinic in Shirley. Apply here.
• Pizza Hut, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member (Cook) in Shirley. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Shirley here.

🗞 Nearby News

Mastic

• Multiple Cats Rescued From Early-Morning 4-Alarm Fire In Mastic: Fire Department (patch.com)
• William Floyd's Daring Demand For Independence (newyorkalmanack.com)

Yaphank

• Ex-NYS court officer Brian Burke talks about Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann's chilling admissions (newsday.com)

Brookhaven

• Supervisor's TV Show Highlights 2026 Polar Plunge (lilifepolitics.com)
• Fatal park shooting was targeted and caught on video, Suffolk Police say (greaterlongisland.com)
• Officials Seek Road, Rail Improvements in Mastic-Shirley Area (lilifepolitics.com)

Ok Shirley! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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