Mon, Nov 23 2009
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Childhood days at Pierpont Elementary A ROBERT LEBZELTER column for March 1, 2009 We spent many a Friday night at Jim and Ruth Carr's home, right across from the school. Jim was the custodian at the school and was a good friend of dad’s. It was our first experience with milk that came directly from a cow and not detoured by a factory and store. It was also so cool to be able to cross Route 7 to visit the playground. Both dad and Jim had keys to the school and we could go over and play basketball whenever we wanted in the gym. We had the place to ourselves. We would walk the halls. My aunt and mom’s best friend both graduated from Pierpont, back when it was a high school, and their photos were still in the hallways. Jim and Ruth recently died, within a few months of each other. They lived long lives, despite having to put up with the Lebzelter boys on a regular basis. I spent a few weekends with the Carrs. While there I shot a gun for the first and only time, except for the ones that had caps. A favorite childhood memory was attending my school's fall festival, with the lady who had the pockets full of prizes, the fishing pond, the sloppy joes and chocolate milk and old comic books for sale. But I was twice as lucky because we would go off to Pierpont's festival as well. The principal at my school struck terror in our hearts and we avoided him at all costs. When he was angry, his stringy hair would fall across his face. He reminded me of Adolph Hitler. One of the most traumatic instances of my childhood was when my mother hosted some sort of PTA function at our house. I came home to find my principal talking baby talk to brother Gary. (Gary, by the way, turned 50 this past week.) Anyway, at Pierpont's festival, all of the kids made an effort to go over and say hi to my dad. “Hello Mr. Lebzelter,” they would say coyly. Dad would respond as if each and every one was his favorite student. Pierpont was one place my dad was actually cool. After several years, Dad was transferred to North Kingsville. Maybe because I was older, we just didn't have the same relationship with the community. Even a few decades ago, there were cost-cutting decisions. Dad eventually became principal at both schools. After a few years of heavy traveling between the buildings, he called it a career and retired. Now Pierpont Elementary School will be closed. 
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