A true multi-city destination, a 50-year round trip
Leaving with much regret after a week filled with two 50-year Pavilion Central High School reunions, wonderful daily visits with Mom and her new young friend Heather; rediscovering the little white clapboard house where for years I took my first piano lessons on a beautifully resonant upright (at the rate of 50 cents – one half-dollar piece – the same rate Mrs. Kemp received from my Aunt Betty 30 years before); revisiting the Greek-inspired Public Library where I vividly remember as a young boy borrowing my first book (‘The Life of Thomas A. Edison’); two visits to my fave dive in Rochester called ‘James Brown’s Place’ (James’ mother was Creole and taught him to make the best sausages) and where the blueberry pancakes are a must-have; discovering a pleasant AirB&B in the center of one of the most charming towns in Western New York; and reuniting as always with Bill and Linda, my brother Ron, and my cousin Jacqueline. I also reunited with Lynne Belluscio at the Historical Society, and found out there was a golden age opera singer who came from here way before me (more on that soon). Lynne also made sure I met an aspiring young singer last night who is hoping to go the Eastman School of Music!
Much of our family history originates right here in LeRoy. The Zillmans, my maternal grandfather’s parents, settled here, and grandpa Edward Reinhart (and his family of seven) lived and worked here all his life too. Dad worked here for 35 years at the Union Steel Chest. When I left the area 50 years ago, I didn’t realize my ticket was a true multi-city destination, a 50-year round trip, open-ended to boot. On the plane I played a game of recalling cities I’ve been to since 1969. It was by free-association recall, which gives amazing results. Can’t remember everything, but it has been interesting up ‘til now. But no one would believe me anyway…
