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A taste of the auld country at Burns Night dinner

Moose Jaw's annual Burns Night celebration allowed locals to celebrate Scottish culture and the life of poet Robert Burns

Moose Jaw's annual Burns Night celebration allows locals to enjoy a taste of Scotland.

The Timothy Eaton Activity Centre and Cafe hosted the Scottish celebration of the life of poet Robert Burns on Saturday, Jan. 26. The night featured traditional toasts, two sets by local Celtic band Desperate for Haggis and a performance by the Moose Jaw Scottish Country Dancers.

Of course, the focal point of the night itself was the traditional roast beef and haggis dinner. Lisa McCormick prepared the haggis, a mix of oatmeal, onion, spices and sheep's "pluck" (heart, liver and lungs) then traditionally cooked in a casing, while the T.E. Centre provided the roast beef with the traditional side of "neeps and tatties" -- mashed turnips and mashed potatoes. 

Andrew Gallagher provided a spirited "Address to the Haggis" a recitation of the Burns poem that culminated with Gallagher stabbing the haggis with a dagger to break the casing and send the aroma of the dish into the air.

After the dinner, came the traditional toasts. Don Mitchell offered a toast to the immortal memory of Burns, Rev. Jim Tenford offered the "toast to the lassies" and Marie Gibbs offered the "reply from the lassies" and noted that Burns "raised women to the highest pinnacle when they considered non-entities."

Seeing that it was a night to honour poetry, it seemed only fitting that emcee Wayne Mitchell offered a new poem he had just written "Ode To A Moose" that offered a humourous perspective from the city's new media sensation.

The tradition of Burns Night began on the fifth anniversary of the poet's death in 1801 on Jan. 25, the birthday of the 18th century poet. Now the celebration typically takes place on the nearest Saturday.

The first Burns Night supper in Moose Jaw was held in 1908.

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