Saturday evening, January 25 people gathered at the Memorial Hall in Carlyle to celebrate the life and poems of Robbie Burns, Scotland’s most favoured person. Don Morgan was the night’s Master of Ceremonies.
The celebration is organized by the Abba Masonic Lodge and was first held in Alameda approximately 10 years ago. The celebration moved to Carlyle when the event out-grew the allowed capacity that the venue in Alameda could accommodate.
The celebration was well attended with a group of 16 coming from Moosomin and many other communities in the area including. Carnduff, Carlyle, Gainsborough and Oxbow to name a few.
The star of the show is definitely the Haggis, which is made of sheep’s pluck, barley and seasoned with spices and salt and is traditionally stuffed in a sheep intestine. As well, it is served with coleslaw, turnips, mashed potatoes and gravy and roast beef and a Scottish pudding.
The Haggis was ceremonially introduced, paraded around the room by Troy LeBlanc, accompanied by bagpiper Regan Miller. It is then set on a table and the chosen speaker, Regan Miller addressed the Haggis, drew a knife and sliced it from end to end.
The dinner was served buffet style and everyone was treated to this traditional Scottish dish.
A duo, comprised of Morgan and Donna Turk, was the entertainment for the evening, with Morgan on guitar and Donna on fiddle.
The toast to Robbie Burns was given by Robert Anderson and Rolland Bouchard gave the “Toast to the Lassies”, which was rebutted by Jenn Sedor.
Troy LeBlanc read a couple poems by Robbie Burns and Regan Miller played a medley of tunes on the bagpipes.
Morgan and Donna Turk then returned to the stage to continue the night’s entertainment.
