LIVING IN SEA CLIFF

WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME
BY LISA DOLL BRUNO
STAFF WRITER

Perched on a bluff overlooking Hempstead Harbor, Sea Cliff is Nassau County's second oldest village. Its compact size, picturesque landscape and historic homes contribute to the village's charm and cohesive community spirit, many residents say.
"All the shop owners know your kids," said Terry Sciubba, a long-time resident and ownerbroker of Sherlock Homes Realty Corp. "We do a lot of fund-raisers" for local causes, she added.
Several groups help bolster the sense of community, said Dan Maddock, the village administrator. "If you want to get involved in something that interests you, its easy to do," he said. The Senior Action Committee, for instance, serves Sea Cliff's older population. Volunteers might help with food shopping, take a senior to the doctor or provide light handyman work.
The village recently named a street after Henry Hollman, a life-long resident now in his 80s. Hollman, the town historian, has steadily been involved within the community.
While many professionals live in Sea Cliff, the village has traditionally attracted creative types - artists, writers and musicians, Sciubba said. "I call it SoHo in Sea Cliff."
The community's old-fashioned commercial district on Sea Cliff Avenue, dotted with street lamps, hanging baskets and American flags, features a blend of shops, pubs, eateries and services, such as a barber shop and hardware store. Village Hall, Sea Cliff Museum and the adult library (the children's library is across the street) are housed here in a former Methodist church.
The village installed its first traffic light last year and recently received a $1 million grant from the state Department of Transportation to revitalize the waterfront. Plans include new walks, railings and possibly a boardwalk.
About 60 percent of the houses - many of them Victorians, including Queen Annes - were built before 1938 on tight lots along narrow, winding roads. There's also a smattering of Colonials, ranches, split-levels and capes. Prices range from $425,000 to $3 million, according to Sciubba. Homes that are priced right usually sell quickly, she said.
Sea C)iff was once named Carpenterville after Joseph Carpenter, who in 1668 purchased the area from the Matinecock Indians. In 1871, the Metropolitan Camp Ground Association of the Methodist Church bought 240 acres from the Carpenter family. It converted most of the community into a camp-meeting site, building a 5,000-seat church, boardwalk and steamboat pier and hundreds of tent sites. Visiting families stayed for a week or two in tents, but the tents were gradually replaced with buildings for year-round stays.
In 1883, the village incorporated under the name Sea Cliff. By the 1890s, Sea Cliff became a resort area, attracting visitors via steamer from the city. The 300-room Sea Cliff Hotel became one of the largest resorts on the Atlantic coast.
Today, many visitors are attracted to the annual Sea Cliff Mini-Mart, a street fair featuring arts, crafts and music, held the first Sunday in October. Around Halloween, elementary students parade along Sea Cliff Avenue in costume.
Most holidays bring out community celebrations. Summer activities include plays at the park and an outdoor movie night hosted by a resident.
Students attend the North Shore school district.
It is about 26 miles to Sea Cliff from midtown Manhattan.

Article Source:
www.newsday.com FRIDAY, OCTBER 15, 2004 REAL ESTATE SECTION