Lead Outs, No Breaks, and Pinebrook Inn

Lead Outs were unique to the big dances of the fraternities and sororities. At about ten o'clock an announcement would be made that it was time for the Lead Out. This is where the officers and seniors of the sorority would line up and be "presented". You would walk out on stage with your office announced and stand in the center of the stage. You would walk down a ramp to a platform where you and your date would be introduced "Miss Carol Horne, President, escorted by ?????" You would then put your arm through his and walk the rest of the way down the ramp. Everyone would be gathered around and would applaud.

The No Breaks would occur after the Lead Out. Each officer would name their favorite slow song of the time. Starting with the junior officers leading up to the President. She would always, of course, be last. The announcer would say "Miss Carol Horne dancing her no break, Only You, with Mr. ???. The couple would move to the center of the dance floor under a spot light and they would dance their special selection. It is much like a bride at her reception. ( A little side note here. It took special training to know how to put your hoop right on top of his shoes so that your gown would not be over your head in the back causing much embarrassment.) After a few bars of the song, then everyone would come onto the dance floor and enjoy the music. But, the rule was, no one would break in on that couple.

Now you might think that at about midnight the big event would be over. But no, there is more to come. Your date would take you home and patiently wait while you changed clothes into a short semi-formal and then off to Pinebrook Inn for the breakfast.

Prior to the breakfast you would have pre-selected your meal. This would usually be steak, chicken, or shrimp. The breakfast would be just for the members and not for everyone that had attended the dance. The breakfast would usually last until around four in the morning.

I don't know how my poor Daddy stood it. He would wait up until I was safely home in his chair by the front door. As you can tell, Macon was quite an unusual place to grow up. It was very social. There would be at least three big dances requiring ball gowns and two of those would require a semi-formal for the breakfast. If you broke up with a guy or if you were helping out a friend that just wasn't dating anyone at the moment, you could go to as many as five big dances plus the Military Ball.

Oh, did I mention that one of the favorite local bands (and we did hire bands) was Johnny Jenkins and the Pinetoppers featuring Otis Redding? Yes, I was right at the stage standing about three feet from Otis Redding at the beginning of his career. Another local favorite, but a little after my time was The Allman Brothers. One of the lead singers, Dickey Betts is my cousin. They toured all the local places and did a few dances when they were trying to make it.

There is not a girl on the face of the planet that did not enjoy dressing up like a princess for the evening and yes, I did have a tiara. These are very fond memories, indeed!