The crossing guard that’s the ‘ joyful soul of Throggs Neck’
Ethel (c) with Yvette and Giustino. Schneps Media/Alex Mitchell
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, A BTR PRIL 5-11, 2019 3
BY ALEX MITCHELL
It’s hard not to smile when
approaching the intersection of
Barkley and Logan avenues in
Throggs Neck on a school day.
No, it’s not because the traffi c
is unusually light, but rather
it’s the crossing guard, Ethel
Vann, who makes it her mission
to simply light up the entire
area.
Whether you’re driving or
on foot, you will be guaranteed
a “Hello! Bless you! Have
a wonderful day!” along with a
thoughtful wave as Ethel gently
ushers you safely across the
street adjacent to St. Benedict’s
School.
“Since God gave me another
day I like to make someone
else’s day,” the devout Pentecostal
Christian crossing
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guard said.
It’s that cheery, guided optimism
from Ethel that lights up
the estimated 100 pedestrians,
children and parents that encounter
her daily.
Throggs Neck chiropractor
Dave Kaseman parks his car
near Ethel’s intersection each
morning before heading into
his offi ce on East Tremont Avenue
and gets that dose of sunshine
everyday, even on rainy
and snowy days.
“Seeing her smile just resets
my day,” he said. “People
go out of their way to stop and
wave back at her,” the health
care practioner continued.
One resident was so moved
by the crossing guard’s cheerful
demeanor that she surprised
Ethel with a bouquet of
fl owers for bringing a smile to
so many people throughout her
day.
“You don’t know what people
are going through and it’s
important to make them feel
loved, and they make me feel
very loved too,” she said.
Ethel lives on East 233rd
Street and White Plains Road
and normally would have been
assigned to an intersection in
the 47th Precinct.
Fortunately for Throggs
Neck, that precinct didn’t have
room for another crossing
guard.
“I’m so glad I am where I
am, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere
else and I love Throggs
Neck and its people,” she said.
Prior to her days in uniform,
Ethel was employed at a
St. Christopher’s group home
in Westchester, working with
children of course.
Ethel doesn’t have any children
of her own, though.
“They’re all my babies, the
kids, the adults. Anyone I see
and cross,” she happily mentioned.
As a matter of fact, Ethel
even accompanies the mail
carrier across the street, according
to one parent Yvette
Caldarelli.
Just as school is letting out
in the afternoon, Ethel is often
joined by Yvette and her eightyear
old son Giustino.
“We come out here to keep
her company,” Caldarelli said.
She explained that Ethel has
inadvertently introduced her
to almost the entire Throggs
Neck community, since everybody
stops to say hello to their
favorite crossing guard.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen
her upset,” Caldarelli said.
That’s almost true, because
there is one exception: if you
are crossing Ethel’s intersection
don’t jaywalk, as you might
be given a talking to about ‘why
she needs her babies crossing
safely.’
“We all have problems
but God gives us a solution,”
Ethel said. “We have to love
each other and sometimes that
starts with a smile and wave,”
the ‘joyful soul of Throggs
Neck’ concluded.
/striders