A few weeks ago, young princesses across Tewksbury were heartbroken to hear that the Father-Daughter Dance, sponsored for each of the last nine years by the Parks and Recreation Department, had been cancelled.

Enter Marc Ginsburg, owner of the Tewksbury Country Club, to take on the role of "knight in shining armor" to save the day.

Ginsburg and his staff have stepped up to organize and staff the event, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 13 at the country club.

"We've always worked close with the Recreation Department and donated the use of the hall for the dance in the past," said TCC General Manager Bob Leo. "The Father-Daughter Dance is a great tradition in Tewksbury. The kids get all dressed up, they have a really good time and we didn't want to see it end."

News that the event had been rescheduled was well received by parents.

"This is really great of Tewksbury Country Club to step up and make sure that this dance happens," said parent Jennifer Malizia. "It is nice to see that business owners like Mr. Ginsberg have their priorities straight."

The dance will be structured in much the same way it has been in years past. The event will be divided into three mini-dances based on age group as follows.

4-6-year-olds 1 to 2:30 p.m.

7-9-year-olds 3 to 4:30 p.m.

10-12-year-olds 5-6:30 p.m.

Tickets are available in the Tew-Mac Tavern at the Tewksbury Country Club. The Tavern is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 7 days a week. Ask for the manager on duty.

Tickets to the event are $30 per couple and $10 for each additional child. Payment is by check only and checks must be made out to the Town of Tewksbury.

"All of the money is going directly to the town," said Leo, adding that the TCC was not looking to run the dance on a permanent basis. "I'm sure that next year the towns will have straightened things out (with the Recreation Department) and will take over running it again."

Leo stressed that tickets are limited and are being sold on a first come, first served basis.

"People are going to want to get their tickets early because they will go quickly," he said.

The status of the dance was in question after the Recreation Department was closed in December and Director Roy Patterson was played on paid leave amid an investigation into department finances.

Later, Town Manager Richard Montuori said he could not guarantee that the dance and other Recreation Department activities would go on while there was an ongoing investigation. But he did say he would try as best he could to make sure the dance took place.