‘Burns night’ a memorable experience

More than 70 people turned out for the Robbie Burns supper at La Place Rendez-Vous on Saturday night, quashing any worries organizers had about attracting guests to an evening of haggis and poetry.
“It was absolutely fantastic,” chairman Dr. Bruce Lidkea enthused Monday. “The turnout was far ahead of what we expected.
“I must admit I was a bit concerned when people kept telling me to check the foundation of the building I was building [but] I’m really happy I went through with [the supper] because I’ve heard nothing but positives from it,” he added.
The evening also featured entertainment after supper, including harp and fiddle music, a dance troupe, vocals, bagpipes, and a barbershop chorus.
Marilyn Murray and Carole MacKintosh, who helped make local history by being among the first women ever to attend the function, had good things to say, too.
“I thought it was very entertaining and a lot of fun,” said Murray, who expressed amazement at the variety of talented musicians who were featured at the event.
“My husband [Ian] was excited about going and I was glad to be able to go along with him,” she added.
“The organizers deserve a huge vote of thanks,” echoed MacKintosh, who had the honour of reciting the “Selkirk Grace” prior to the meal. Her husband, Dr. Angus MacKintosh, addressed the haggis.
“And that was good haggis!” she beamed.
On a personal note, I’m sure my great-grandfather Caldwell, who came to Canada from Glasgow, Scotland, was smiling down upon me from the heavens Saturday night.
Yes, by the Scottish in my blood, I tried the haggis–and even ventured to pour a little of the haggis “gravy” (whiskey) over the steaming mixture traditionally made of sheep organs, oatmeal, and savoury spices.
Given the dish is named after a mythical Highland beast with two long legs and two short legs to enable it to run around hillsides, one would tend to presume it would taste as awful as it looks.
But honestly, I really liked it–enough to have two servings!
And I must say, I liked the music of the Fort Frances Highlanders the best. It must be those ancestral genes that stand up and take notice when “Amazing Grace” comes out of those pipes.