 |
|
Bagpiper Andrew Hutton pipes in the haggis at the 2018 Burns
Supper in Andover. Andrew is now teaching at the National Piping Center in
Glasgow, Scotland. Piper Chet Norton of Whitesville will hold the honor of
piping the haggis on January 18, 2020 to be held at the Andover Presbyterian
Church social hall in Andover.
|
Scottish Supper to Honor Poet Robert Burns
[ANDOVER] Bagpipes and haggis will rule the night in Andover
January 18 as Scottish culture will be celebrated at the eleventh annual “Burns
Supper”.
Organizer Steve Walker says, “Just in case you didn’t have
enough at the 2019 holiday celebrations, there is one more traditional party
squeezed in between New Year ’s Eve and Ground Hog’s Day.”
To Scots, Robert Burns is “The Bard” and is remembered and
celebrated by Scots and their descendants worldwide. His birthday, January 25,
is observed as a holiday for over 200 years. Although he was a celebrity in
literary circles and high society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, in late
18th century, his poetry was often in the vernacular Scots dialect and was the
product of the rural, rustic farm folk of Burns’ life as an Ayrshire plowman.
This annual celebration of Scottish music, poetry, food and
fun is held at the social hall of the Andover Presbyterian Church.
Pat Kane, the Balladeer of the Southern Tier, will entertain
with celtic fiddle and song accompanied by Kathy Snediker on keyboards. Kane
played for the first several Burns Suppers in Andover.
Bagpipes are also a highlight of a traditional Burns Supper. A highlight of the “Burns Supper” is the
marching of the haggis into the dining room, this year lead by a bagpiper Chet
Norton of Whitesville. The haggis, a Scottish dish made of ground sheep parts,
oatmeal and onions, is then ceremoniously addressed, or praised by the
recitation of Robert Burns’ poem “Ode to a Haggis”.
Haggis is just the appetizer of a meal of cock-a-leekie
soup, beef, vegetables, shortbread and dessert that will be prepared by Chelsea
Wallace.
Among the traditional features of a Burns dinner is “The
Immortal Memory”, which is a tribute to Robert Burns touching on his life and
times, loves and poetry. Terry Morgan, professor emeritus at Alfred State
College and an enthusiastic Burns scholar, will make this presentation.
Seating is limited to sixty participants. The cost is $25
per person. Reservations may be made at Walker Metalsmiths at One Main Street,
Andover. Call 607-478-8567 for more information.
