Singin' Sam Mitchell has been referred to as a "High Level Caller with a Beat". Where did he get this title? He is six feet four inches tall -- that's "High Level." He spent 10 years as a Kansas City policeman -- that's the "Beat". Sam is an ex-Marine from Kansas City, Kansas and Betty is from Kansas City, MO. She was in the Cadet Nurse Corps. They met at the Skyliner Club for tall people in Missouri. Sam called her every night for one month for that first date. His persistence netted him a Tall Wedding and Honeymoon at the First National Convention for Tall People in California 40 years ago. Sam began his Square Dance career in 1957, went professional after a few months, calling full time. He is celebrating 30 years of calling this month. In 1973, Sam completed one million driving miles for Square Dancing, accident free. And, this same year, he and Betty moved to Holiday for a more relaxed lifestyle. Sam has called in every state but Alaska. He was on the Kirkwood Lodge staff in Missouri for 17 years, Washington D.C. Festival staff for 10 years, the Cherry Ridge Campground Fourth of July Weekend for 17 years, the Sunshine Festival permanent staff for 12 years, and the Golden Nut Frolics for 11 years. The Mitchells have escorted many fun Square Dance groups: eight to Hawaii, five cruises, and two European trips. Sam has conducted Caller Colleges and clinics all over the country. He recorded 42 singles and 5 L.P.s, the latest is "I'll Take Care of Your Cares." He is a member of Callerlab and the Florida Caller's Association. So, what's Sam singing about now? He sings regularly for five clubs around the state, and does many festivals and weekends. He relaxes with golf and fishing. She enjoys china painting and they both enjoy reading. Betty is currently writing a book, "I've Been Everywhere and Seen Nothing". It covers the motels, highways, and Square Dance halls they've seen, with funny anecdotes that happened along the way. "We look forward to many more years in the dancing picture," said Sam. "As long as the voice sounds like Eddy Arnold and not Johnny Cash." Sam has had two heart attacks and Betty is a nine year survivor of cancer. They raised a handicapped (blind) child and lost her this past year at 37 years of age. "She had Sam's love of music", said Betty, "lived a full life, and gave us three grandchildren. Our personal goal is to live each day to the fullest because it could be your last." The Mitchells have three children, eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, and a Schnauzer. "I have painted 12 china baby boy shoes and 12 china baby girl shoes," said Betty, "to hand down for future arrivals with their birth information written in gold on the bottom." "We would like to be remembered," said Sam, "as two dancers who have had it all -- the bitter and the sweet; who survived the changes over to Western Style and the introduction of levels." "Retirement in the future? Never," said Betty. "We will be active as long as Sam will keep on singing." (Re-printed from the Florida Square and Round Dance Bulletin ca. 1993) Betty K. Mitchell was born July 10, 1945, and passed away peacefully March 24, 2014 at Baptist Memorial Hospital, after a year long battle with cancer.