Elmont residents: where are they now?

What do old Elmont residents miss about the community? Four ex-residents told the Herald what they did while they lived in Elmont, what they miss most and what they'd do if they came back.

Thomas DiBenedetto 
On Saturday mornings from 1974 to 1976 or so, the Elmont Memorial Library would bring what was called “The Little Red Wagon” to the Clara H. Carlson schoolyard and one of the librarians would come and read books to us. I was 8 years old or so, and lived two blocks away, on Atherton Avenue, and would ride my bike there and listen to the stories. I miss that. I lived in Elmont since the day I was born (May 19, 1966), until 1994.

I went to Sewanhaka High School for 9th grade and Elmont Memorial High School for grades 10 to 12. I graduated from Elmont Memorial in 1984. “Out the door in ‘84” was our motto. We would swim and play at Averill Park in the late 1970s/early 1980s.

The last time I was in Elmont was about a year ago, for the closing of my mom’s house — the home she bought a week before I was born, and lived in until she passed away in October of 2009.

I am married now, and I own a company called Okey Dokey Karaoke, Inc. If I went back to Elmont today, I would go to Teddy’s Pizza on Meacham Avenue because it is still the only place I know that puts semolina on the crust. Mmm.

Marcia Kushner
I loved growing up in Elmont. Growing up in Elmont in my day reflects the Norman Rockwell aspect of childhood. Everyone knew each other, neighbors were also family and everyone helped each other. I really miss those days. We lived on Nassau Street. The homeowners on Nassau Street were much like an extended family. The children played together and parents always kept an eye out, not only for their children, but for all the kids. I remember so vividly placing chairs for several of my mom’s friends who would come over and sit outside just to talk.

In the summer, we spent time swimming and skating with friends. We would take trips to the Valley Stream State Park and enjoy ourselves, hiking and grilling. My grandmother lived in Long Beach, so my mom would pack up the car with our friends and take us there for the day. It was wonderful.