Events

Event

Subject:: Elmont Online Black History Month Celebration
When:: Feb 6, 2010 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Where:: Elmont Public Library - Elmont
Category:: Civic

Description

The 7th Annual Elmont Online - Highlighting Success Black History Month Celebration. The annual event is cosponsored by the 21st Assembly District. Assemblyman Alfano presents the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Awards to commuity residents (one adult and one high school student) in recognition of their contribution to the Elmont community.

1:00 PM Community Round Table Discussion: "The Obama Presidency and Economic Opportunity and Empowerment". An all-star panel moderated by Elmont On-Line creator Aubrey Phillips talks about issues of the day with: Assemblyman Tom Alfano, former white house credentialed reporter and newspaper publisher Carla Cohen, CUNY Queens College student and Elmont graduate Carl Anthony LaMarre, Elmont educator and professor Nkenge Gilliam and Valley Stream Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Sherby Clarke.

3:15PM A Collaboration of Song and Spoken Word: Elmont On-Line and Highlighting Success will present the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Award to breast cancer advocate and entrepreneur Elsy Mecklembourg Guibert. Assemblyman Tom Alfano presents Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Awards to Ivana Roman and Divinity Babb, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Adult Awards to entrepreneur Tiria Onwucheckwa and Elmont educator Nkenge Gilliam.

Special Performances by: The Sewanhaka District Chorus, Men of Destiny, The Post Concert Dance Company (PCDC), Elmont Memorial High School students, Gotham Avenue School teacher Terry Lewis, and the Elmont School District Jazz Ensemble.

Venue

Venue:: Elmont Public Library - Website
Street:: 700 Hempstead Turnpike
ZIP:: 11003
City:: Elmont
State:: NY
Country:

Description

The Elmont Public Library, formed in 1935 in a storefront at 593 Hempstead Turnpike by a group of concerned volunteers, has been a vital institution in the community for 75 years. A proposal to change the name to the Elmont Memorial Library gained publicity in 1944 when then-General Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote in a letter to the Elmont Memorial Library Association, “I think your proposal to establish a memorial library is a very good idea and I know that it will not only be much appreciated but also will fill an important need for the returning servicemen.” In June 1950, for the Elmont Public Library and its Stewart Manor branch received its charter; the Alden Terrace branch received its charter in October 1955. A new building, located at 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, was dedicated on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 1956.

Fifty years later, a new Elmont Memorial Library, on the site of the former Alva T. Stanforth Junior High School at 700 Hempstead Turnpike, opened in September 2006. Comprising 60,000 square feet on 3.8 acres, the library’s spacious quarters include three meeting rooms, a children’s story hour room, children’s craft room, a classroom, a quiet study room, two group study rooms, an adult computer area, a gallery and mezzanine. In addition, the Elmont Memorial Library houses a state-of-the-art 6,400 square foot, 430 seat theater, which hosts the Broadhollow Theater at Elmont (www.broadhollow.org) and other performances. Numerous tables with traditional lamps fill the central space of the building, where patrons can be seen daily, evenings and on weekends, reading, studying, researching, computing, and generally enjoying the peaceful environs. A magnificent feature of the central space is the photography that circles the area below the ceiling. Known as the Foster Meadows Elmont History Wall (Foster Meadows being the original name of this area), enlargements of photos – dating back to the first Elmont schoolhouse in 1865 and including such highlights as a 1920s trolley stop on Hempstead Turnpike, the first firehouse of 1927, first library building of 1936, and the Alva T. Stanforth School in the 1950s – surround patrons with glorious images from the past.

The Elmont Memorial Library is proud of its place in the community. It is a hub for programs spanning the interests of all ages and perspectives, among them feature films; dance; arts and crafts; international music; health programs such Reiki healing, nutrition, and arthritis exercise; art and photo exhibitions; guest speakers and performers; community outreach; book discussions; support groups; bridge; poetry workshops; and a plethora of children’s and young adult programs, just to name a few. At the entrance to the building, placed high on the walls bordering either side of the doors, visitors are welcomed with these inscriptions: "This building will forever be a tribute to those brave individuals who selflessly gave their lives to protect our freedom" and "This library is a living memorial, dedicated to the men and women who served in our Armed Forces."