I was the dancing master for a well-known Civil War era band for many years. We did a Remembrance Day ball in Gettysburg for several years. The organizer hired another dancing mistress to lead the ball. I served as the floor manager and backup leader. I helped the band arran ge the music to fit the other leader’s needs. One year the dancing mistress was late. Our conductor and I scrambled to put Plan B together. Just as we finished, our stray dancing mistress showed up. Oh well… 

During my career, I had several last minute calls to fill in at dances. I always had a couple of programs ready to go. These usually also travelled with me when I just planned to dance. You never know...

John B. Freeman, SFTPOCTJ