CENTURY 21 Rustic Realty - Shirley Office Phone:  (631)281-5000 Fax:  (631)281-1830 Email:  shirley@century21rustic.com 990 Montauk Hwy. SHIRLEY NY 11967

Located in the middle of Suffolk County's south shore, the Moriches Bay area possesses a gateway to Fire Island National Seashore, via the Smith Point Bridge, and approximately six miles of beautiful bayfront properties. It's no wonder that recreation was the prime interest in this former summer and retirement community. However, as Long Island and Suffolk County have continued to grow, so has this once secluded recreational paradise.

With an overall population of approximately 40,000 these communities actively support eight religious centers and some thirty-two civic organizations whose leaders meet periodically to cooperate for the betterment of the entire community. Residents have supported the school budget votes consistently and the Mastic-Moriches-Shirley Community Library is noted as the most modern on Long Island. The area's location near major highways, the Brookhaven Collabro Airport and Long Island Railroad service has contributed to both residential and commercial growth.

Brookhaven Collabro Airport is also the home of Dowling College's National Aviation and Transportation Center, part of a new national program to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in aviation and intermodal transportation operation and management.

The communities have a rich historical past with many remnants and reminders still available. For thousands of years, the Algonquians roamed the area and Mastic today is the site of one of the only two Native American reservations on Long Island, the Poospatuck Reservation. Nearby the reservation is the estate of William Floyd, the only Long Islander to sign the Declaration of Independence. The Estate is open to visitors during the warm weather months. Another famous landmark is the Manor of St. George, homestead of the powerful colonial Smith family and site of a Colonial victory in the Revolutionary War.

Recreational opportunities remain a vital part of community life. Fishing and boating, of course, are of prime interest. Boat rentals and