RSS 2.0 FeedSeptember 30, 2010, Merrick Life
Many ‘aspire’ to live in the Merricks
Merrick residents rebut the Vanity Fair online article that no one aspires to live in a town like ours.
Vanity Fair (www.vanityfair.com) magazine posted online an article about Lindsay Lohan’s hometown of Merrick. The story seems to many a fictionalized acount of our community, where “no one aspires to live.” This quote in particular did not sit well with many proud Merokians; it angered some while many wondered whether the writer did actually visit our town
Growing up, circa 1984 – the year writer Jessica Pilot chose to use statistics from – I was fascinated with Merrick. I lived in East Meadow and on many a weekend my friends and I would travel all the way south, passing all the nice shops on Merrick Avenue to the Haagen Daz ice cream parlor on Merrick Road. These were good times.
As an adult, I find many in my circle of friends are lifelong Merokians, many of whom bought their parents’ or grandparents’ homes. I am proud to be a Merokian and my kids enjoy the traditions that many of the local organizations host for the community.
The Chamber of Commerce’s annual Halloween parade, the Brotherhood Council’s Thanksgiving concert, and the Kiwanis pancake breakfast are just a few of the upcoming events that my kids look forward to. These are events that have helped shape their childhood, and when they become adults I hope they become active citizens in whatever community they choose to live in.
At Merrick Life, the community newspaper since 1938, we take offense to writer Jessica Pilot’s indication that our local businesses are “uninviting.” We think they are anything but and many of our readers agree. The following are a few words rebutting the Vanity Fair article, which ends with a quote from an unnamed “neighbor” of Lindsay’s grandmother who says, “We [Merokians] are very forgiving here.” For Vanity Fair’s sake, I hope so.– E.D.
Reaction
The Vanity Fair article depicts a tale of two towns – two completely different towns. One is the Merrick depicted in a story by a reporter looking to find dirt and paint a town of decadence and then the real story of Merrick – the town where 23,000 people aspire to live. [According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 22,764 people lived in Merrick and 11,844 in North Merrick.]
One is unrecognizable from the other.
Jessica Pilot had contacted me, asking me what I know about the Lohan family and I realized I know nothing. So I asked around, and I found that most people know nothing about Lindsay or her family. But all I do know is that in my 27 years of living in Merrick, I have never met one person that grew up here or moved here that didn’t say that Merrick is a great place to raise a family.
Lindsay grew up in Merrick as a bright and talented young girl. As what happens with many child stars, when they leave the normalcy of childhood and become stars, they often lose their way. But to blame her hometown for behavior that is all too often common to child stars is shameful. We know we have something very special here in Merrick. Jessica Pilot came to Merrick with blinders on. She was looking to tell a story even if she had to make up a town that does not exist.
– Claudia Borecky, President, North Merrick Civic Association
Vanity Fair’s article stating that ‘no one aspires to live in Merrick’ is offensive, insulting and ignorant. Merrick has a rich history and for decades, more and more people have been moving here because they want to take advantage of the great schools, wonderful community programs, and everything else our town has to offer. Merrick is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family,"
– Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. (R-Merrick).
I know why they need to write stories about Lindsay Lohan. Sadly, people think it’s news. Not living in her house, I can’t say what the story is, nor is it my business to do so. Having dealt with countless celebrities, I can tell you that they almost all say the same thing. Fame is difficult under the best of circumstances. If it comes to you younger, it’s all the more confusing. And of course, there are all sorts of other situations: divorce, addictive behaviors, sometimes family dramas, and location, that all enter into the mix of what a person becomes.
Having had children in the Merrick school system, I can tell you that their elementary school experience was idyllic. Parades and plays, close relationships with the teachers and other parents – I would never have chosen to be anywhere else. It’s a safe area with a proximity to an organic farm, a trail and pond where I can walk my dog, genuinely nice working-class people. Of course, there have been nightmares for neighbors, good stores, bad stores, good kids, kids in trouble – that’s everywhere. I’ve always been proud to tell people that I live in Merrick – that as a single parent, I was able to buy a house here.
From the lovely people at the North Merrick Library that I frequent regularly, to the best Chinese and Japanese restaurants, which are nearby. And of course, the train is close enough to take a ride into the city for work or pleasure. Merrick didn’t make Lindsay Lohan a train wreck. To state that shows ignorance. I’m hoping that she finds herself, I’m praying for her and her family that she does. Many sad things have happened in Merrick, many bad things happen everywhere. Life isn’t about sailing through – we all have our challenges. Perhaps if we all just concentrated on ourselves and our own families while showing respect for those around us, there would be less of the drama. And worry about your own backyard – some of us love ours.
– Debra MarkowitzDirector, Nassau County Film Office
I hope there are no Michael Kors ads in the issue of Vanity Fair, because he grew up in Merrick too!
– Pat M. (a North Merrick mom)
How can this writer cite statistics from 1984 as being relevant information? It’s like me saying Austin Drugs is still the place to go for toys and medicine.
– Maryanne D.
Merrick is the home of Ben & Jerrys, Michael Kors, Debbie Gibson [as well as choosing to run my own business LOL Trends here]. Too bad she (Lindsay) does not consider Merrick home sweet home.
– Rebecca Sable Braunstein
After working in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District for the past eight years and graduating more than 2,000 students from Calhoun High School, it has become abundantly clear that this part of Long Island would have been a great place for my wife and me to raise our sons. This is a truly child-centered community.
– David Seinfeld, Principal, Calhoun High School
The next time you decide to visit Merrick, please take a moment to look a bit closer at the neighborhood. You’ll see our children, smiling as they ride their bikes with their friends around the town, because they can, safely. You’ll see school with high academic scores and graduation rates and awesome athletic programs. You’ll see neighbors who actually know each other’s names and care about each other’s well being. You’ll see a perfectly located town, nestled in central Long Island, only minutes away from beaches, marinas, and the Coliseum. It’s a train ride to New York City. So the next time you decide to come to Merrick for a Hollywood story do us a favor -don’t.”
– Cari Alterman Horn
I aspired to live in Merrick! I looked all over Long Island for a family neighborhood before I moved my kids across the country for work. I chose Merrick because it offered everything we needed – good schools, convenient shopping, close to the city, beaches five minutes away and people all know each other and help each other out. Five years later I still live here and we love it! I have lived all over the country and Merrick truly is the best small town with big town benefits than anywhere else I have lived.
– Jenn Young Hibbs
Shame on Vanity Fair! How dare Jessica Pilot of Vanity Fair depict negatively on the entire Merrick community on the basis of one resident. Maybe she should have Googled the list of successful graduates from our schools. Maybe she should have been here at our Fall Festival to see the warmth and spirit of our residents as well as business owners – business owners who also choose to live, work and raise their children here. When they return here after graduating from college, many choose to stay here and raise their families. The philanthropic efforts of our businessowners are endless. They give generously to so many causes, every PTA, soccer and baseball league, sisterhoods, Hadassah, cancer organizations for men and woman, United Cerebral Palsy, multiple sclerosis, etc. I could go on and on. This is what Merrick is all about! People helping people, no matter the cause. I am part of the fashion industry and ashamed that a fashion magazine such as Vanity Fair, which appeals to young women, would depict such negativity about the Merrick community. We deserve an apology! – Julie Marchesella Ms. Marchesella is owner of Queen of Hearts
Past president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, and vice-president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce.
I feel honored to call Merrick my hometown and have lived here most of my life. Lindsay Lohan and her family have no reflection on what the community of Merrick is like. They are just one piece of the great mosaic that makes up this town.
– Patricia McKay
