Longtime Hamburg crossing guard retires

HAMBURG — The gray mist slowly covered the sky, Wednesday, Nov. 30, as treasured Hamburg Crossing Guard Dot Kays faithfully completed 63 years and three months of protecting children.
The alert 85-year-old Kays waived cars safely through the Hamburg School intersection on the corner of Linwood and Wallkill avenues one last time, while greeting everyone.
Kays confided, “It's going to be hard. It's hard today — choking back the tears — I'm going to miss it.”
Throughout her life, Kays was born, grew-up, and raised her own family in Hamburg.
"Everyone knows and loves her," Hamburg School Nurse Mary Brady said.
The mutual love flowed continuously throughout her morning shift, as cars stopped in the middle of the intersection to say, “I love you,” and hug Kays good-bye.
A group of children crossed the street saying, “Thank you, Mrs. Kays!”
One of many mothers said, “You did a wonderful job. Thank you. God bless you! Enjoy!”
Still others said, “Thank you so much for everything you've done;” “Happy retirement!” “Thank you for all your service;” “Thank you for crossing my children for 15 years!” and “I'm going to miss you!”
More cars roared by; school buses unloaded children; and Kays dabbed tears away from her eyes with a white tissue.
“Slow it down,” she said, as a black Coopers “Mini” whipped into a parking lot spot.
Frequently, she took time to give a child, mother, father, teacher, or nurse a hug, while tears, gifts, and sweet smiles were exchanged.
She still remembers that first day in 1952, when she started at the corner of Bud & Walt's Garage in Hamburg. At that time, she said, there were not as many children, because Hamburg was so tiny. She continued,
“I've seen generations, upon generations. Watch the car, Hun,” she said.
Kays last assignment was every morning from 7:30–8:15 a.m. and in the afternoon from 3-3:45 p.m. She said she's been to all the posts.
Kays added, she was very sad, but “There comes a time we have to do what we have to do.” She further explained, she was leaving because of her health and to help her family, just short of the 65 years she had hoped to complete.
One would never suspect any health issues, as she confidently motioned one lane of traffic to stop and waved another lane through the intersection.
Some of the gifts she received were: flowers, candy, and gift cards, which two of Kays' daughters held for her, Pam and Valerie.
Pam said, Kays even received a homemade apple pie from one of the teachers.
With the last buzz of the school bell, Kays waived the cars through one last time, as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Suddenly, a big smile lit her face as retired former Hamburg Police Chief Jan Wright and former Hamburg Sergeant Erik Aronson unexpectedly walked up the street to congratulate her.
Aronson said she was always great to work with, cared a lot about the people in town, and was the captain of the crossing guards, who took care of everything. He added, he had to give her his well wishes.
“It's so good to see you guys," Kays said. "This made my day.”