Remembering 9/11, Road Work & Big Village Plans

Good Morning,

Local communities are gathering to honor the lives lost on 9/11, while the Village of Patchogue moves forward with big plans and a full calendar of fall events. Main Street lane closures may affect your drive, and we take a step back in time with a look at the historic Swan River Schoolhouse. There’s a lot to know, and we’re glad to bring it to your inbox.

-Brian Grant, managing editor, writer

Local Pulse

🚧 Main Street’s eastbound lane between Maple Ave and Rider Ave will be closed on weekdays for two weeks starting September 8 due to sewer construction. Detours are posted to guide drivers around the work zone. [Patchogue Village]

🏫 In the latest Talking History feature, the Brookhaven Town Clerk explores the story of the Swan River Schoolhouse, a historic one-room school that once served the local community. The series highlights the town’s rich past through preserved landmarks. [Town of Brookhaven]

Local Pulse

Communities Honor September 11th with Local Memorial Ceremonies

As the nation prepares to reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001, communities across Long Island are coming together for a day of remembrance. The Town of Brookhaven will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 11:45 a.m. at the 9/11 Memorial behind Town Hall in Farmingville. The ceremony is open to the public and serves as a moment for residents to gather in unity and honor those who lost their lives.

Earlier in the day, the Village of Patchogue will hold its memorial service at 11 a.m. at 9/11 Memorial Park, located at the intersection of Maiden Lane and Cedar Avenue.

Later in the evening, Bellport Village will host its observance at 7 p.m. at Bellport Marina in Osborne Park. The ceremony is a collaborative effort by the Bellport Fire Department, South Country Ambulance, and the Incorporated Village of Bellport.

For more coverage, visit: Fire Island News Coverage

Village of Patchogue Board of Trustees – Meeting Recap (September 8, 2025)

The Village of Patchogue Board of Trustees met on September 8th to review finances, celebrate recent accomplishments, and set plans for the months ahead. Trustees approved two sets of bills: $480,672 for the period of August 22–25, which included electricity, sludge removal, and tax refunds, and $1.56 million for the period of September 3–8, highlighted by $692,000 for the Gerard Street Extension project, $182,000 for a new traffic light at Oak and Maple, and $110,000 in sewer engineering fees. Cash balances were also reported, keeping village finances in clear view.

The board appointed members to the new Climate Smart Task Force, chaired by Jonathan Keyes with Trustee Steve Puco as liaison. This group will guide the village toward earning Bronze certification in New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program, which will make future grant applications more competitive. Planned initiatives include EV Drive promotions with local dealerships, continued shoreline restoration, and community education on environmental practices.

David Kennedy, updated the board on BID projects, noting a $10,000 surplus that may go toward landscaping, irrigation, and even public restrooms downtown. The Farmers Market continues to thrive and is expected to finish its season strong with late-summer produce. The village secured a $300,000 grant to replace playground equipment at Shorefront Park and is launching a composting pilot program with 100 families. Solar panels and EV chargers at the train station are expected to be operational by November, while the oyster seeding program is already exceeding expectations with new experimental shoreline plantings underway. Discussions are also moving forward on improvements to the Terry Street parking lot and beautification efforts along South Ocean Avenue.

The calendar for September and October is filled with cultural and community events, including a cardiovascular health talk at the Patchogue-Medford Library on September 10, a tribute to Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy at the Historical Society Museum on September 11, Arts on Terry on September 14, a ribbon-cutting for ECC Eatery on September 19, the Paul Felice Car Show and Hispanic Heritage Celebration on September 20, and the Chamber’s annual beach barbecue at Watch Hill on September 21. Trustees also approved the Fall Festival on October 18, with a rain date of October 25, noting that Main Street will be closed for the occasion. The board praised the recent St. Liberata Festival as one of the most successful in village history, highlighting the cultural pride and family atmosphere it brought to the community.

Infrastructure and grant approvals also took center stage. Trustees authorized the purchase of two new DPW trucks, including a $200,000 aerial lift vehicle, and approved an application for a $24.25 million Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant to support the wastewater treatment facility expansion, a project that remains about $14 million short of its projected cost. Staff travel was also approved for an environmental conference to bring new insights back to the village.

Finally, planning and zoning updates included applications for patios, fences, and property divisions, while approvals were granted for a full slate of upcoming events: the Old-timer softball game and summer concert on September 13, menorah lighting on December 21, the annual Christmas Parade on November 29, a walk-through zoo on November 8, the senior luncheon on October 10, and the kids’ pumpkin patch and scavenger hunt on October 11, along with fall dance programs, craft classes, and block parties. See You Tube for the full meeting.

Community Highlights

• Celebrate the Hagerman Fire Department’s 95th Anniversary Parade on September 27 at 4:00 p.m., starting at South Country Road and Dunton Avenue and heading north. [Hagerman Fire Department]

• Join the Climate Smart Task Force Meeting on Sept. 15 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at 14 Baker Street to learn about New York State’s interagency initiative for sustainable communities and climate resilience. [Village of Patchogue]

• Learn how to navigate the New York State Civil Service Merit System at Civil Service 101, a free session covering job applications, internships, and more on Sept. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the Patchogue-Medford Library. [Patchogue-Medford Library]

• Grammy Award-winning artist Macy Gray is bringing her On How Life Is 25th Anniversary Tour to the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Nov. 7. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online, by phone, or in person. [Patchogue Theatre]

• Health in Harmony is offering free nutrition classes at Patchogue-Medford Library on September 12 and 19, featuring expert guidance, food demos, and tips for healthier eating on a budget. [Harmony Cafe LI]

• Gateway's Haunted Playhouse is hosting a spooky and stylish Halloween fundraiser on October 10, complete with costume contests, cocktails, raffles, and VIP access to the haunted house—all in support of local arts. [The Gateway]

• The Patchogue-Medford Library is hosting Small Business Saturdays With SCORE, a free workshop on starting a business on a small budget, offering practical tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. [Patchogue-Medford Library]

• The Last Class is a documentary portrait of political economist Robert Reich, exploring his legacy and the global changes that shaped his career. Screening from September 5–11 at the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center. [Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center]

• The 42nd Annual Old-Timer's Day Game hits Shorefront Park on Saturday, September 13 from 2–4 PM, celebrating community spirit with a nostalgic baseball matchup in Patchogue. [Patchogue]

• The Orchestra, featuring former members of ELO and ELO Part II, brings their symphonic rock sound to life at Patchogue Theatre on Wednesday, September 10 at 8:00 PM. [Patchogue Theatre]

• Live For Live Music is giving away a pair of tickets to see Jeff Tweedy live at the Patchogue Theatre on October 24. enter for your chance to win!

• Bellport Village has opened registration for its Annual Scarecrow Contest 2025 . Pick up materials starting Monday, Sept. 8 and return your completed scarecrow by Sept. 29 for a festive fall display. [Village Hall]

• 🎶 The Music of Genesis by Seconds Out is coming to 89 North Music Venue on Sept. 13, with Long Island's own Seconds Out performing classics from both the Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins eras. [Patchogue Patch]

• Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Experience is coming to the Patchogue Theatre for an electrifying tribute show on Saturday, October 25 at 8:00pm. [BroadwayWorld]

• EagleMania: The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute is coming to the Patchogue Theatre for a one-night performance on Friday, November 14. [BroadwayWorld]

• The Patchogue Arts Council and Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce present LED: Light Evoking Dreams, October 23–28, transforming Patchogue into a surreal dreamscape with projections, performances, interactive art, and a new Let’s Get Weird Film Festival. Don’t miss this glowing celebration—mark your calendars and plan your visit! [Patchogue Arts Council]

Community Highlights

Local Sports

⚽ Bayport-Blue Point edged out Kings Park 2-1 in their Suffolk III opener, with Connor Leahy contributing a goal and an assist. Kailey Bruckner also scored, while Aila Cahill added an assist to help secure the win. [Newsday]

Become a Patchogue Live Local Sponsor

Are you a brand new or established business looking to become known in our Patchogue Live Local community? We are looking for locally-owned business that would like to become a Patchogue Live Local sponsor! Sponsorships can include:

• Brandwide Sponsorship

• Mini-Feature Ad

• Calendar Takeover

• Video Spotlight

• Please email us at [email protected]for more information.