The 2016 Robert Burns Dinner flier
Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, is the only poet or musician that has a worldwide celebration. The Valley of Lincoln celebrated the Ploughman Poet and Freemason with the annual Robert Burns Dinner on Saturday January 23, 2016 with a great dinner, Celtic music, a silent auction, and of course, fresh haggis!
Robert Burns’ poems and songs were noted for preserving the Gaelic language and the passion he had for the everyday beauty and life of the common folk. The Scottish Rite’s own chef Julie Harper prepared a traditional Scottish meal, and 75 guests bid on silent auction items, including autographed movie posters, Christmas decorations, an autographed baseball by Lincoln native and KC Royals member Alex Gordon, home made, cinnamon rolls, a wine tasting, and Masonic items, which raised about $1,000 for RiteCare. The Knights of St. Andrew, led by Knight Commander Greg Prososki, 32° and bagpiper Dr. Stuart Westburg, escorted freshly made haggis in as David Caudy, 32° recited Burns’ immortal “Ode to a Haggis.” The Scottish Rite's own chef Julie Harper prepared a fanastic dinner of mustard encrusted pork, neeps and tatties, traditional Scottish naps, followed by whiskey cakes. Our entertainment was Celtic music performed by Julia Baker Anderson and Anita Elliott, featuring the poetry of Robert Burns. Andy Seachord, 32°, presented an excellent Toast to the Lassies, with the Reply to the Laddies given by Brooke Welsh.
Charles Sederstrom, Jr., 33°, SGIG in Nebraska presented a 50 year pin to and certificate to Jack Campbell, 32°. The evening concluded with everyone singing Auld Lange Syne. The Robert Burns is a great event each year, and this year’s raised the bar for future Burns Dinners!