What’s a day in the life of Long Island look like?

June 21, 2017

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In honor of the first day of summer, Newsday chronicled what a day in the life of Long Island looked like. We traveled across Nassau and Suffolk, from Elmont to Montauk, capturing the scenes of the day and speaking with Long Islanders. Scroll down to see updates spanning the entire day from our journalists, influential Instagram users and people all over LI. For more photos, click here. For a video of the day’s events, click here.

8:15 a.m.

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3 days left…#dayinthelifeli

A post shared by Matt Davies (@matt_davies_draws) on Jun 21, 2017 at 5:13am PDT

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Jeff, who only wanted to be identified by his first name, has sold coffee and sandwiches outside the commuter parking lot of the Ronkonkoma LIRR station for several years, after spending his career working on Wall Street. He said the best part of his job is seeing his regular customers, many of whom have become his friends. He even met his fiancé by selling her coffee while she was on the way to catch the train. "You find out someone's whole life story in 10-12 seconds," he said. #DayInTheLifeLI

A post shared by Michael Cusanelli (@michaelcusanelli) on Jun 21, 2017 at 4:51am PDT

#dayinthelifeli #schoolready #myprettycynthia

A post shared by Monica Monaco Martin (@prinzesa721) on Jun 21, 2017 at 4:56am PDT

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On my way to work #DayInTheLifeLI

A post shared by Matt Ballard (@450nm_mjb) on Jun 21, 2017 at 5:05am PDT

8 a.m.

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They come in the morning, gather on this corner of North Hempstead, looking for work painting, construction, anything. Sometimes they find something. Sometimes they don't. #dayinthelifeli

A post shared by Saba Ali (@sabaali07) on Jun 21, 2017 at 4:42am PDT

Pretty soon, Astoria Financial won't be part of a #dayinthelifeLI. See, even the guy covering banks can get into this. So should you. pic.twitter.com/JZgqKzhiUm
— David Reich-Hale (@drhli) June 21, 2017

Huge, larger than life size @Tonka_trucks of @USACEHQ working on the jetties in @LongBeach11561 #DayInTheLifeLI pic.twitter.com/AhHmWYPzRI
— Amanda Fiscina (@adfiscina) June 21, 2017

7:40 a.m.

Danny Torres of East Norwich tees off on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale on Wednesday morning, June 21, 2017. (Credit: Barry Sloan)

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Good morning, #LongIsland! We'll be documenting a day in the life of #LI all day — from the mundane to the extraordinary. Follow along on Newsday.com and even join in by using #DayInTheLifeLI across social media. We want to know what you're up to today! It may even get featured on our social media handles, on our website or in the paper! Here, Ted Bucci, owner and manager of Harbor Light Oyster Company pulls up cages of oysters in #Greenport to check on harvesting and sorting along with his son Billy, 19.

A post shared by Newsday (@newsday) on Jun 21, 2017 at 4:22am PDT

#DayInTheLifeLI Calm before the storm…

A post shared by Maribeth Fisher Kramer (@mb.kramer) on Jun 21, 2017 at 4:26am PDT

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Coffee's on! Good morning on #DayinthelifeLI! Long Islanders from all over start their day with coffee and a bagel, and today so will I!

A post shared by Elissa Salamy (@elissasalamy) on Jun 21, 2017 at 4:49am PDT

7:13 a.m.

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Mateo Coronel, 39, has been working at the 7-Eleven on Old Country Road in Hicksville for the last decade. "After 10 years, you become part of the community," he said when asked about the best part of his job. His patrons always say hi when they see him around Hicksville outside of work. And when he is working, special visits aren't uncommon. Coronel mentioned a customer recently whose wife asked where he was going. "I'm not going to 7-Eleven, I'm going to see Mateo," Coronel recited with a smile. #DayintheLifeLI

A post shared by Josh Stewart (@joshnascarwwe) on Jun 21, 2017 at 3:58am PDT

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Free the kids! #dayinthelifeli @newsday

A post shared by Valerie Kellogg (@vkellogg) on Jun 21, 2017 at 4:04am PDT

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Helping Long Islanders get ready for their day! …………….. …………. ……… …… …. .. . #dayinthelifeli #longisland #news12 #news12li #lisummer

A post shared by Elizabeth Hashagen (@elizabethnews12) on Jun 21, 2017 at 4:06am PDT

7 a.m.

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Just about time for many Long Islanders to take the #lirr into NYC for another day of work. #DayInTheLifeLI

A post shared by Michael Cusanelli (@michaelcusanelli) on Jun 21, 2017 at 3:53am PDT

Hecksher Park morning in Huntington #dayinthelifeLI pic.twitter.com/uHkq98bTd7
— Joie Tyrrell (@JoieTyrrell) June 21, 2017

6:30 a.m.

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An unwritten rule of living on Long Island is that you have to start your day at 7-Eleven #DayInTheLifeLI

A post shared by Michael Cusanelli (@michaelcusanelli) on Jun 21, 2017 at 3:21am PDT

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If you take the Ronkonkoma branch of the LIRR, it's important to bring a fresh bagel with you on your way into Manhattan #DayInTheLifeLI

A post shared by Michael Cusanelli (@michaelcusanelli) on Jun 21, 2017 at 3:48am PDT

5:45 a.m.

Long Beach at sunrise on the longest day of the year #summersolstice #dayinthelifeli

A post shared by Erica Brosnan (@ericaxbrooke) on Jun 21, 2017 at 2:40am PDT

Ed Fayans, 63, of Oceanside, drives eight minutes to Long Beach at sunrise to look at the ocean, sometimes going surfing or swimming depending on the weather. #dayinthelifeli

A post shared by Erica Brosnan (@ericaxbrooke) on Jun 21, 2017 at 2:39am PDT

5:38 a.m.

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Riverhead fisherman Phil Karlin at the Mattituck Inlet dock #dayinthelifeli

A post shared by Mark Harrington (@mhlongisland) on Jun 21, 2017 at 2:37am PDT

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Riverhead fisherman Phil Karlin with the morning's catch #longisland @newsday #dayinthelifeli

A post shared by Mark Harrington (@mhlongisland) on Jun 21, 2017 at 3:45am PDT

5:22 a.m.

A beautiful sunrise reaches Long Island over Montauk Lighthouse.

Photo credit: Gordon M. Grant

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Happy first day of SUMMER! I have been trying to start my day spending some time outside instead of the usual rush to get ready and leave for work….this mornings sunrise did not disappoint! #DayIntheLifeLI #newsday • • • • • #longbeachnynotcalifornia #iloveny #skylovers #exploreliny #longisland #sunrise #sunriselovers #islandstrong #moodygrams #sunrise_and_sunsets #news12li #abc7ny #justgoshoot #agameoftones #illgrammers #sky_sultans #newyork #sky #skyporn #skypainters #sky_captures #nbc4ny #ig_color #summer #summersolstice #raedunn #newyorkexplored #li148

A post shared by Meagan Miraldi (@shotsbymeagan) on Jun 21, 2017 at 4:12am PDT

5:15 a.m.

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Starting off my day with breakfast at the California Diner in Patchogue just as the sun comes up over Long Island #dayinthelifeli

A post shared by Michael Cusanelli (@michaelcusanelli) on Jun 21, 2017 at 2:00am PDT

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Paul Kokkosis, 59, of Commack, has been the manager of the California Diner in Patchogue for 20 years. His family has been in the restaurant business since the '60s. Paul said he works an average of 75-80 hours each week but loves what he does because his customers have become like family over the last two decades. "I know almost all my customers by first name," he said. Paul says while Long Island is a little bit expensive, he loves living here because it is so convenient. #dayinthelifeli

A post shared by Michael Cusanelli (@michaelcusanelli) on Jun 21, 2017 at 2:38am PDT

5 a.m.

Newsday and News 12 prep for the day

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Empty roads for my drive to work. While #LI sleeps I get ready to say #goodmorning #news12 #dayinthelifeli @news12li @newsday Show us what the start to your day looks like

A post shared by Elizabeth Hashagen (@elizabethnews12) on Jun 21, 2017 at 12:45am PDT

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And now this. 4am & my #wakeup #makeup! @maccosmetics #dayinthelifeli #ineedcoffee #caffeine !

A post shared by Carol Silva (@carolsilvanews) on Jun 21, 2017 at 1:16am PDT

1 a.m.

Today’s edition of Newsday is readied for delivery

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Presses are up and running! #DayInTheLifeLI

A post shared by Michael T Donohue (@newsdaytransportation) on Jun 20, 2017 at 10:38pm PDT

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Certain dealers request their papers be wrapped. More than happy to oblige! #DayInTheLifeLI

A post shared by Michael T Donohue (@newsdaytransportation) on Jun 20, 2017 at 10:47pm PDT

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