SERVICE WITH SMILES Waitress to mark 60th year of serving

The waitress once found a briefcase on her table with $30,000 in money orders.
By SARAH POULTON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
NILES -- Vivian Beach has served the famous and her regular customers for nearly six decades, and she's seen everything a waitress can see -- including a naked woman who claimed she was married to Elvis Presley.
Beach is getting ready to celebrate her 60th anniversary serving customers, and she's loved every minute of it.
Beach, 72, of Niles, who is known as Patti, has been a server since she was a 13-year-old living in Minnesota. Beach has worked at only three restaurants during her career. Her first job was at The Grill, a small restaurant in Minnesota, where she worked after school and on weekends, Beach said.
She moved to Niles in 1966 after her husband's job transferred him and worked as a server at Town and Country on U.S. Route 422.
Beach is now a server at the Travel Center of America on state Route 46 in Austintown. She was the first server hired when the Travel Center opened in 1974 and is the only original staff member still employed.
What she likes best
Beach's favorite part of her job is meeting new customers and staying in contact with regular customers.
"I love my work," Beach said. "I love people. I'm here for my customers, and I miss them when they're not here."
Beach recently took a leave of absence from her job because she had surgery on her wrist. Beach is now back to work, part time, but the few months she was gone felt like they took forever, Beach said.
"It's like home to me," Beach said. "I don't know what I would do if I wasn't here."
Beach's manager, Tom Clarke of New Castle, Pa., said that she is a dedicated employee and a joy to have around.
Clarke said that as a server, Beach is thorough, dedicated and respected. When Beach closes a section of the restaurant, everything is done and she doesn't miss a thing, Clarke said.
"I know when I put Patti on the floor, I have nothing to worry about when it comes to taking care of the customers," Clarke said. "She thinks she's lost a step, but I don't think she has."
Beach is a dedicated employee who has never called off work, Clarke said, adding that everyone who works at the restaurant respects the veteran waitress.
Over the past 32 years in the Travel Center job, Beach has acquired quite a clientele who have grown to love her. One couple surprised her on her birthday with a hand-knit scarf and a card with a $100 bill inside.
Praise from customers
Paul Lawson, 61, McDonald, has been a customer for five years. Beach always overlooks people's rude behavior and does her job professionally, Lawson said.
"Patti is a terrific waitress, very professional," Lawson said. "When I go in there, hers is the only station I'll go to. I'd rather give her the tip because she's a great person and a hard worker."
Lawson gives Beach a lot of credit because at her age, compared to the young people today, she is very professional. No matter how many people are in the restaurant, she gives proper service, Lawson said.
Beach's feelings for Lawson are mutual. When he comes to the restaurant, the two of them talk about news and politics.
"Paul used to draw me political cartoons on the place mat's back when they were made from paper," Beach said. "I still have them all in a cardboard box."
Beach said she loves her job not only for her customers, but also because a person working with the public will eventually encounter strange situations.
"Once a young lady in her 20s came running out of the bathroom stark naked," Beach said. "The woman said that she was married to Elvis Presley, and that she doesn't wear clothes at home and she's not going to wear clothes here."
Celebrities
Beach has waited on celebrities over the years such as actor Ernest Borgnine and country singer Jerry Reed as well as several country western and rock bands.
Borgnine visited the Travel Center and was upset that no one noticed that they were in the presence of an actor.
"I walked up to him and said, 'Look, Ernest, you can't fool anyone. I know you're Ernest Borgnine,'" Beach said.
When Jerry Reed was in the restaurant, Beach walked over to him and asked if he was Jerry Reed. Reed responded by whispering, "Yes, but don't tell anyone because I don't sign anything."
Once, Beach was waiting on a man from France who had left his briefcase on the table at the restaurant after finishing his meal. Beach opened the briefcase and found unsigned money orders amounting to $30,000. Beach promptly told her manager, who contacted the man. Beach was awarded $20 for her honesty.
Even a veteran waitress will have her share of embarrassing moments. Once, Beach was walking to a table with plates of spaghetti lined up her arms. Next thing she knew, she was up in the air and had landed feet up.
A man sitting at a nearby table said, "Lady, if you'll hold that pose, I'll marry you tomorrow," Beach said.
"That man still comes in from time to time," Beach said. "That was the most embarrassing day of my life."
Family fun
When Beach is not working, she spends her free time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They have cookouts and go to fairs during the summer and meet every Sunday for a weekly family dinner, Beach said.
Working for almost 60 years in the service industry can be hard, but not for Beach. When someone comes in after a rough day, she looks at the situation as a challenge and tries her best to make him or her feel better.
"A lot of customers come in with a chip on their shoulder," Beach said. "If you're good to them, they'll get over it."
She openly admits hating change and never wants to retire.
"We're a team; we're all family," Beach said. "I love my work and I love people. When I die, they'll have to show my body on the buffet."
spoulton@vindy.com