Profile in Callers and Cuers

November 2, 1927 - November 15, 2011 George Harry Work, 84, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at his Redding home. In the late 1950's George and Marie attended beginner's square dance classes at a school in Whittier, California. Bob Ruff was the instructor and he recorded for "Sets in Order". After several months of classes they went to his club "Ruffs & Ruffles". That evening Bob told us he was getting new equipment and would lend George his old set if George wanted to learn to call. That's when George's world turned around!! Before he knew it he was calling for 6 clubs that were spread over many cities - Riverside, Palm Springs, Pomona etc. The clubs were Wrong Way Thars; Blue Stars; Cypress Twirlers; Tumbleweed Squares; Bob-ba-lous and Bachelor & Bachelorettes. George also started teaching 12-15 year olds to dance at the Department of Recreation in Whittier. They were anxious to learn and were great students. Turned out to be a lot of fun for George and Marie too! The "Cypress Twirlers" voted to go dark the first Saturday of the month which was the night George called for them, so they all went to Sunny Hills to dance to a very popular caller. When that caller didn't show up, Ed Smith asked if anyone knew if a caller was there. George was then escorted to Ed on the stage with no time to plan a program. He had never called to live music! Marie said she could see the mic shaking in George's hand. After a shaky start, all went well. Weeks later George was at Sunny Hills buying records and spoke with Ed Smith. He said he had an old 78 that he would like to update to a 45 and asked George to write a new dance to it. After he danced it, Ed asked George to record it. That recording became the new version of "Eight More Miles to Louisville"! After 13 years in the square dance movement, Marie and George decided to pursue a new career. But square dancing will never forget George Work. He passed on Nov. 15, 2011 to be with his beloved Marie.