Pollock is Worker of the Year
“You just have to like people, and you have to be patient … and you have to laugh at things when they're not funny.”
Those are just a few of the qualities that make a good bartender, says Jane Pollock, a 22-year employee of the Union Club Bar in Missoula. She would know – she was named the Montana Tavern Association's Worker of the Year during the MTA's convention banquet Sept. 15 on the campus of MSU-Northern in Havre.
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Jane Pollock with her plaque.
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The award, sponsored by the Montana Tavern Times and chosen by the MTA's Public Relations Committee, is officially known as the "Gary A. Langley Memorial Worker of the Year Award" in honor of the Tavern Times Editor Emeritus who passed away in 2004. The honoree is presented with a special plaque adorned with bartender's jigger and stir spoon and $100.
Pollock could not attend the convention because, well, she was working. When the Times called during her shift to tell her that she had won, she was surprised and a bit emotional.
“I'm kind of crying,” she said.
“Oh my God,” she added. “That is so awesome. That's wonderful.”
Maggie Collington, manager of the Union Club, nominated Pollock. In her nomination letter, Collington called Pollock “one of the best bartenders I have ever met.”
“She always has a smile, and customers love her,” Collington said. “She is funny and perky with a mop of Farrah Fawcet-style blonde hair. She means so much to all of us.”
In an interview a few days later, Pollock said the Union Club is a great place to work.
Pollock began bartending in 1971, but says the last 22 years with the Union Club have been the best.
“To be honest with you,” she said, “we have a wonderful crowd here. I wouldn't be here so long if I didn't like. We have a lot of loyal customers who are just great.”
Pollock must make a good impression herself, even with the younger folks.
“One year I got 30 invitations to the University of Montana graduation,” she said with a laugh.
Pollock has built strong relationships with many groups, from the local Writers Guild to the art department at the University. “They've been so good to me. It's one of those personal things that keep you going.”
Though her career behind the bar has been distinguished, Pollock said retirement is on the horizon.
“I'm getting to that age,” she said, adding that she's beginning to lose her hearing (“must be all those bands over the years”).
Her son, who is in the Air Force, has been after her to move to Boise, where he lives. She said sometime next year she will probably take him up on it.
But for now, she's happy being MTA's Worker of the Year.
“That was a nice honor. I'm so tickled.”