A big thank you to all those Bowen Islanders who made Friday's Robbie Burns dinner at the Legion a big success. It was sea of plaid and smiles as we all paid tribute to Scotland's national poet.
Robbie Burns holds great meaning to me. I grew up with a "fresh off the boat" Scottish mother who would often quote or recite lines of his poetry. She continued a tradition from her childhood where, on New Years Eve you brought a gift to the party of a song or poem. When I was a wee laddie, as she called me, I remember her giant New Years Eve dinners with up to 20 people. At midnight I would hear a rousing scotch fueled rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
For me Friday night was a great night to remember the great Robbie Burns and my late mother, or Mum as we called her.
Thank you to Yvonne McSkimming and her kitchen helpers, Tess Taylor, Helen Wallwork, and Sarah Haxby. And to Shirley and David Wrinch, the servers for the evening. The haggis was great, as were the fixings.
I would also like to thank piper Joe McDonald who brought the house down with his skilled playing and his witty banter. He did a great "Address to the Haggis" with help from the kilted Sarah Haxby.
Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o' fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer
Gie her a haggis! ----- Robbert Burns "Address to a Haggis"
