b"Safe CrossingGetting to know our local crossing guardsW inter brings a wonderlandBY DANIELLE ALFONZO WALSMAN Meet Robertof snowbanks, icy sidewalksandbreath-fogginglowtempera-tures.Fortunatelyforourcommunity,ourPost: Wyoming Avenue and West End Road, South Orangecrossing guards stand watch with rosy cheeksHometown: Millburnand reflective vests, warming hearts and help-ing protect our children. In this second install- Robert is known in the neighborhood of South Mountain Elementary ment of a three-part series, we introduce youfor his bright smile and loud booming voice. For 20 years, Robert crossed to three more of these high-visibility heroes. Information about becomingstudents and parents at West End Road and Wyoming Ave. He is currently a crossing guard is available on the websites of the Maplewood and Southon leave for a medical issue. Back in October, he was at his post and proudly Orange police departments.reported that one parent told him, I knew you were back because I heard you from down the street!Robertbecameacross-ing guard after more than 30 Meet Claudine yearswithUPSinNewark, Post: Ridgewood Road and Baker Street, Maplewood where he grew up in a large Hometown: Maplewood family and remembers walk-ingtoschool.Inaddition to the unlimited fist bumps, If you haven't met Claudine yet in Maplewood, then you haven't beenRobert said his favorite thing paying attention. She is not only a part-time crossing guard at Delia Boldenabout being a crossing guard Elementary but also president of the Maplewood Rotary Club, active in theis meeting people and making Lions Club and a banker for BCB Bank. She added crossing guard to herchildrensmileontheirway resume in 2021 when she heard that the community needed more crossingto school. Rain or shine, his guards. At the time, Claudine already had a busy schedule and was workingpresence at that corner was al-part time on a Covid response team but said, Ill do it. ways one of the sunniest parts She works at the corner of Ridgewood Road and Baker Street on Mon- of peoples day. They look for-days and Fridays before heading to her banking job. She says that she lovesward to his recuperation and itbecausesheisapeopleeventual return.person.Sheisknownfor herHappyFriday!and HappyMonday!greet- Meet Philings and donates a portionPost: Ridgewood Rd and Claremont Ave, MaplewoodofherearningstolocalHometown: Newarkcharities.Claudinespoke fondlyofbeingraisedFor the last eight years, Phil has been providing fist bumps and positivity to byafamilythatalwaysall who cross Ridgewood Road at Claremont Ave. Phil was born in Alabama workedhardtomeetherand raised in Newark, where he remembers walking to school with friends. everyneed.ShesaidthatHe became a crossing guard after retiring from a career in maintenance for NJ whenshelostherfatherTransit. Phil said he felt bored at home and the job got him out of the house, as a young girl, she recallsbut the best part is watching the children grow. Ive seen some go from first herolderbrothertakingcrossing on foot to now beeping hello as they drive by as teenagers, he says. over leadership of the fam- Phil enjoys spending time with his many grandchildren, the eldest of ily when he was only in hiswhom recently began at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reflecting on his 20s.Later,heheadedtotime as a crossing guard, Phil said it is about pumping kids up on their way medical school and passedto school, especially if it seems like they dont want to go. Having that con-the torch to Claudine, whonection, it is a beautiful thing, he says. The families who pass Phil each day realized that they were richwholeheartedly agree.inloveifnotinmoney.Danielle Alfonzo Walsman is a Maplewood resident who lives at a busy intersec-That is why Claudine asks,tion and counts her crossing guard as a treasured member of the family who kept What can I do to help? her boys safe from stroller days through senior year.feature story /35"