Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: 'They Feel Sad This Happened To Us': Spike In Donations After Hate Graffiti At Site Of Future LI Mosque

Also check out The Soul of Marvin Gaye on the Shirley Patch calendar

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Friday September 4th Patch AM
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Hey there, Shirley! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Shirley neighbors answer hate graffiti with a surge of support
  • William Floyd's Class of 2026 hits 95 percent graduation milestone
  • How a planned Shirley mosque became a symbol of resilience.

Also on today's calendar: The Soul of Marvin Gaye and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the chicken go to the gym? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 85 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Saturday: Some sun, then clouds, temps: high: 81, low: 61.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and nice, with a high of 74 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• 'They Feel Sad This Happened To Us': Spike In Donations After Hate Graffiti At Site Of Future LI Mosque (patch.com) — Residents in and around Shirley are rallying behind the Islaamic Center of Mastic and Shirley after hateful graffiti targeted its future mosque site on Tudor Road, spurring a spike in donations. The imam outlines how local and online crowdfunding, including support from Jewish and Christian neighbors, is driving a multi-year fundraising plan to complete the community-focused complex with prayer space, sports facilities, and a food pantry.
   

• William Floyd Reaches 'Significant Milestone' Of 95 Percent Graduation Rate: District Officials (patch.com) — Families in the William Floyd district, including many from the Shirley area, are seeing the payoff of years of investment as the four-year graduation rate reaches 95 percent for the Class of 2026. District leaders highlight especially strong gains for students with disabilities and point to expanded academic pathways, career and technical programs, arts, athletics, and student supports that aim to keep local graduates on track for future success.
   

• Being Muslim on Long Island, after 9/11 and now: Stories of hatred and healing (newsday.com) — Muslim residents across Long Island describe discrimination they faced after 9/11 and the gradual progress toward acceptance, including interfaith work and public service. For Shirley readers, the story highlights recent anti-Muslim graffiti at the future mosque site along William Floyd Parkway and the strong response from Suffolk police, underscoring both ongoing challenges and community support.
   

📸 Around Shirley

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Shirley

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Friday September 4
  • Gold Dust Woman →
    Tiki Joe's Smith Point, 1 William Floyd Pkwy, Shirley
    6:00 pm
    • Monday September 7
  • Labor Day (School Closed)
    William Floyd Learning Center Shirley, NY 11967
    • Wednesday September 9
  • Elementary School Title I Meetings
    William Floyd Learning Center Shirley, NY 11967
  • Meet the Teacher Night (Grades K-2)
    William Floyd Learning Center All Elementary Schools
    • Thursday September 10
  • William Floyd Elementary School Ice Cream Social
    William Floyd Elementary School
    6:00 pm
    • Friday September 11
  • Rosh Hashanah begins
    William Floyd Learning Center Shirley, NY 11967
  • Patriot Day
    William Floyd Learning Center Shirley, NY 11967
    • Saturday September 12
  • 5K Run/Walk for Literacy →
    Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Pkwy, Shirley
    8:00 am
    • Sunday September 13
  • Rosh Hashanah ends
    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

    Friday September 4
  • Come From Away →
    Gateway Playhouse, 215 S Country Rd, Bellport
    8:00 pm
    • Monday September 7
  • SCHOOLS CLOSED - Labor Day
    Center Moriches UFSD Center Moriches, NY 11934
  • SCHOOLS CLOSED LABOR DAY
    South Country Csd Patchogue, NY 11772
  • Labor Day Town Hall Closed →
    Brookhaven, NY Calendar Farmingville, NY 11738

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:

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

  • TJX posted a job opening for Store Cleaning Associate in Shirley. Apply here.
  • Family Dollar posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate I in Mastic. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Shirley here.

🗞 Nearby News

Mastic

  • How To Turn Your Pool into Profit – Or Find a Place to Swim (danspapers.com)

Yaphank

Center Moriches

  • Riverhead Raceway Salutes Local Heroes With Newsday Tribute To First Responders; 50% Off General Admission With ID Saturday (racedayct.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: He was working on his pecks (pecs). (Thank you W F C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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