© Dawn Kish

WAITRESS EXTRAORDINAIRE

Lyndon B. Johnson was president when Joyce Johnson walked into the Taylor Freeze to apply for a job. Forty-five years and eight U.S. presidents later, "I'm still here," she says with a laugh. Although she's cut back on her hours considerably — this hardworking waitress puts in around nine hours a week — she has no plans to retire anytime soon. Being a waitress isn't an "odd job," but waitressing in the same place for almost five decades is rare. "I like working here," she says matter-of-factly. "I like getting out of the house for a few hours." Times have certainly changed since Johnson started working at the Taylor Freeze, but she's OK with that, and continues to come in at 7 a.m. to man the restaurant's grill and meet and greet customers. "I like meeting people," she says. "You meet people from all over the United States."

— Kathy Ritchie

Taylor Freeze is located at 225 W. Center Street in Pima. For more information, call 928-485-2661.

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