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FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT GUIDE
www.liherald.com
Look what’s
Happened
JaNuary Brianna Casey/Herald
Teenagers made dumplings at the Elmont Memorial Library on Jan. 23, 2020, to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Maureen Lennon/Herald
Atira Hall and Selene Ferdinand drew messages of hope at Elmont Road Park on July 17 during Elmont Strong’s “Chalk the Walk” event.
LIVING IN
Elmont
E aprIL Christina Daly/Herald
Rebecca Sheehan, chief of staff for State Sen. Anna Kaplan, was one of nearly 100 volunteers who handed out food to families in need during the coronavirus pandemic in April.
May Melissa Koenig/Herald
IIncoming Sewanhaka High School seniors Kayla and Julia Brodman decorated their car to say goodbye to former principal Chris Salinas on June 30.
lmont was first settled in the mid-1600s by Dutch settlers. The community remained primarily a loose collection of farms until the late 19th century. In 1898, the community’s borders were finally settled on. The Belmont Racetrack, a centerpiece of the hamlet, opened in 1905, and it has attracted visitors from near and far ever since. Its most prestigious race is the Belmont Stakes, an internationally acclaimed horse-racing competition. Like so many Long Island communities, Elmont underwent a housing boom in the post-World War II era. The Elmont School District includes six elementary schools: Dutch Broadway, Clara H. Carlson, Gotham Avenue, Covert Avenue, Alden Terrace and Stewart Manor. Nearly 2,000 students attend Elmont Memorial High School and Sewanhaka High School, part of the Sewanhaka Central High School District. Elmont also has a volunteer fire department and is served by the Nassau County Police Department’s 5th Precinct. Paul Sapienza leads the Elmont Chamber of Commerce. There are a number of civic associations, such as the Parkhurst Civic Association, that are dedicated to helping residents express their views. Elmont has about 33,200 residents living in about 10,300 housing units. One of the most prominent features of the community is the Elmont Memorial Library. A beautiful building and venue for a variety of events and entertainment series, the library boasts an auditorium and large space for meetings. Thousands visit the library every month for a truly interactive media experience. Notable natives of Elmont include WNBA President Donna Orender, author Nelson DeMille, comedian Andy Kaufman (buried at Beth David Cemetery), magician Christopher Sarantakos of “Criss Angel: Mind Freak,” and trainer Cara Castronuova, who has appeared on “The Biggest Loser” television show.
