Millie McColm, friend and mentor

Millie McColm was a employee of the Monte Carlo Pool in the resort Town of Asbury Park, New Jersey. The Monte Carlo Pool was one of the world's largest public pools. It had an underground passage that led to the beach. You could go to the pool and then to the beach.

The pool was owned and operated by three partners, Smith, Rediker Brothers, and Musto. This made it easy for the members of the community to secure summer jobs. I just turned 14 and got my working papers and started working at the Monte Carlo Pool. Thats when I met Millie McColm, an employee and cashier of the Pool. She suggested tha I started out cleaning the lockers and floors.

A job vacancy opened up in the family locker section of the pool, Millie asked I would work the lst floor family lockers. I said yes. She told me to work hard, be dedicated, and honest. Keep confidential the business of the Pool. I started to make tips for assisting customers with their lunch boxes, lunch boxes, coolers, blankets, etc. I told Millie about this and her reply was be professional and keep your financial business private. I worked at the Monte Carlo Pool for about 6 years. She felt that I needed to sharpen my social graces.

So She would take me to up scale restaurants for fine dining. One of the restaurants was the Cypress Inn, a great supper club in nearby Ocean Township, New Jersey. It was quite a landmark. I continued to stay in contact with Millie for several years thereafter. I would visit with her at her home in Buena Vista in Allenhurst, New Jersey. I loved and miss her very much. She was my friend. She was a wonderful mentor.