The Coral Gables Times

Thursday, June 1, 1961, page 7 (of 20)

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She's Got the Summer Off 'N ma's Bridge Watch Goes Way of All School Children

By JOE MORRIS Correspondent Next week when school is out, Mrs. Nina Crittenden will lose her job — at least for three months. She's the policewoman who, during the school term, stands on the bridge at Maynada and South Alhambra Circle for an hour ro so each morning and afternoon directing traffic, watching for the children's safety and waving friendly greetings to passers-by — both known and unknown. One morning last week I stopped and talked to Nina. Sitting in my car, near the bridge, she told me about "her children" . . . the little ones and the big ones that cross her bridge on their way to and from the schools in the area. "They all call me Nana instead of Nina," she said in her soft Georgia voice. She laughed. "Nana means grandmother, you know, and I am a real grandmother. I have five grandchildren of my own. "But," she reflected, "these kids are just like my own. I've had many parents stop and thank me for something I did for their child, some little thing a grandmother does without even thinking about ..." "What's the funniest thing that ever happened on your beat, Nana?" She thought about this, "I think I got my biggest laugh when someone threw my "go slow" sign in the canal. "A neighbor saw him do it and told me who it was. He was a big boy for his age and pretty strong. I just mentioned to him one afternoon that whoever threw my sign over the bridge instead of walking and pushing them. "It's safer to ride," she said. "The cars keep moving behind a rider whereas a pusher walks slower and it's dangerous when he tries to mount again. His wheel may turn out into a car's path." "Ever missed any days on the job?" "In two years I've only missed two days. That was due to a death in the family. "I almost missed another time. I sat down backwards and broke two of my ribs but I came to work anyway. They would have had to pay some else extra if I hadn't." She looked at her watch. It was nearly nine. The school signs had to be removed from the middle of the street. She got out of the car and closed the door. "I'll miss my children this summer," she said. "I'll miss their laughter, their jokes and especially the little troubles they confide to me." Nina looked nice in her blue and white uniform as she walked away. Her silver badge, No. 72, sparkled in the sunlight. She turned and, still smiling, waved goodbye. As I watched her go I thought to myself: "The kids don't know it now. But in the years to come there will be many a time they'll wish they could walk across that bridge again and tell their troubles to Nana!". NINA CRITTENDEN in the canal must have been strong like him. "He gulped so hard his guilt showed. But that's all I ever said to him." "What else?" Nina wiped her face with a Kleenex. The heat of the day was mounting. "I can't think of anything right now. My job isn't very interesting to tell about." She laughed again. "Once in a while I stop a fist fight between the boys. And about the only complaint I get is from folks asking why I let the children ride their bicycles

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