Crossing Guard

My friend George is writing his life story, and he gave me the first installment to read.  He grew up in Lehighton, PA, in the 40s and 50s. 

Many aspects of life have improved since then.  We have less air and water pollution (although that is changing under the present administration), we have better dental care, cancer is often cured, the TV screens are bigger.  If you are an African American or a woman, your life will be relatively better today than it was in 1950.

Nonetheless, in some respects our lives are worse.  George wrote about the Borough of Lehighton blocking off streets so kids could go sledding.  He mentioned he was a crossing guard when he was in school.  At that time crossing guards were students who were given the responsibility to see that their fellow students crossed the street safely.

When he was 12 he wanted to make some money.  He delivered a Philadelphia newspaper, which arrived by train, to over 75 people in Lehighton.  Think of that.  75 Lehighton families were reading a Philadelphia newspaper.  When he wanted to earn more, he set pins in a Lehighton bowling alley.  Then he snagged a job stocking shelves and delivering groceries from a corner grocery store.

Now the sledding wouldn’t be allowed.  Liability problems.  Traffic problems.  The newspaper he delivered went under years ago.  People get their “news” from Facebook.  The pins are set automatically, and not many people bowl anyway.  Kids would never be allowed to act as crossing guards.  The corner grocery stores are long gone

I have no idea how kids can make money today.  Maybe selling meth.