Thank A Crossing Guard Today

Someone has to stand in front of all those cars to stop them, allowing kids to cross safely to school, and the City of Sarasota recognized crossing guards for their work this week.

The City Commission recognized Sarasota schools' crossing guards at its Monday session, in observance of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, which was held Feb. 3.

Of note, is Barbara Stallings, 76, who recently reached 40 years of service.

"She has known me since I was 8 or 9 years old," Police Chief Mikel Hollaway said. "She was a very concerned and involved parent. I went to school with her son who turned out to be a NASA engineer.

"She's the only person in this room that can bring me to my knees with a glance."

Stallings has been the longest serving crossing guard in Sarasota since at least 2002, according to a Sarasota Herald-Tribune story published that year.

The paper has profiled her a few times over the years about Stallings' love for the job:

"It gets you out everyday, puts your adrenaline to work," she told the paper in 1997.

In 2002, the city threw her a surprise party, the Herald-Tribune reported and even then she kidded about retiring:

"Do I look like I should retire?" she asked, her wire-rimmed spectacles glinting under a pile of curly white hair.

If you see Stallings or one of the many other Sarasota crossing guards today, say "thank you."