Our Town: Manhasset and the American dream

The Island Now

Manhasset is like a famous celebrity that you’ve heard about but have never actually seen in person.  
Ask anyone who does not live there and they’ll tell you  Manhasset is represented by that short strip along Plandome Road from the railroad to Urology Associates.  
Along that little patch of Main Street you’ll find the usual deli’s, bakeries, pizza parlors and coffee shops.  
Is this really the symbol and the soul of Manhasset? Somehow I doubt it. 
So I did what all journalists do. I looked up Manhasset on Wikipedia. 
There I was told that Manhasset was founded in 1680, settled by the Dutch and that the name means ‘the island neighborhood.’  
Its proximity to Manhattan made it a perfect place for commuters who wanted to work in the city but live in the country.  
I was also told that a host of famous people have resided there including Billy Crudup (actor), Boomer Esiason (athlete), Mike Francesa (radio host)  Leonard Marsh (Co-founder of Snapple), Jim McCann (CEO of 1-800 flowers), and Bill O’Reilly (television personality.)  
And we all know that Manhasset was the home of fictional character Daisy Buchanan in the American masterpiece “The Great Gatsby.” More about Daisy later.
After reading all I could on Wikipedia I still was clueless as to the true essence or heart of Manhasset. 
So I plotted a trip to find out more. I would go up Searington Road, make a left at Americana Mall, go down to Munsey Park, take a peak, go back to Northern Boulevard, get to Plandome Road and head north to Stonytown Road.  
And that’s just what I did. 
I promised myself I would stop at a coffee shop along Plandome Road to do some secret scouting as to the populace and how they impressed.
As I passed Americana Mall I just took a glance, being quite familiar with the stores there. 
At this point Americana is so high end and luxury bound  and  international that it can’t really be considered a part of Manhasset. 
I think its address ought to be Americana Shopping Mall USA.  So thus far I have seen and learned nothing of Manhasset.
I keep driving and see a sign for Munsey Park and make a right.  
This little enclave is made up of gorgeous  colonials along tree lined roads where you see vintage street lamps and where every home is gracefully manicured. 
Here you get a real feel of privacy, wealth, safety and beauty.  I had found Manhasset with one simple right hand turn. 
I left Munsey Park, made a right onto Northern Boulevard. and glanced over at the French restaurant La Coquille, a place I had never eaten and made a note to return there someday.     
My acquaintance with Manhasset was growing by the minute. 
I drove past The old Quaker Meeting House and made the right onto  Plandome Road.  
Up the street I drove and pulled over  to get my coffee and to reconnoiter the place.  I strolled along Plandome Raod and glanced at the people in the cars. 
Lots of high-end luxury  SUV’s and Volvo’s with beautiful women behind the wheel wearing those nice looking aviator sunglasses.  
I pass by Gino’s pizzeria and see what looks to be a group of fashion models chatting up a storm and heading in to have some pizza. 
I think to myself they all looked familiar and I suddenly realize that these ladies are what I had imagined Daisy Buchanan looked like in “The Great Gatsby,” all young and tan and happy with a glow of  with hope and confidence.  
It is no wonder that Jay Gatsby fell in love so deeply.  
Ah well, if only I owned an estate in West Egg I might a chance.
So I slumped back to my car and drove north along Plandome Road into what I would call serious wealth.  
I took my time and  drove through some of the side streets and  saw home after home ever larger in size, some with the water views,  some with dads in front yards  with kids playing football.  A couple walking a dog.
I pass through and got to a place called Plandome Manor which was quieter and more wealthy still.  Enough. 
My trip is complete. 
In 1922 Fitzgerald wrote that the American dream was nothing but a green lantern on a faraway dock. Not anymore. 
The dream is now incarnate and it is called Manhasset.  
This town is the quintessential American dream.  
Kind of like Carmel by the Sea but more high end.   
I drove home and thought to myself how lucky we are to live in America where towns like this actually exist.  
I also understood how so much of the world is jealous and envious of us and why it is better for hamlets like this guard their privacy and remain quiet and under the radar.  
Manhasset really is this quiet American dream  where kids get the attention they deserve and live in a world of safe keeping.   
God bless Manhasset.

By Dr. Tom Ferraro

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