Robbie Burns Supper

Carolyn McCulloch | Jan 30, 2013

Robbie Burns would have been proud of the Birthday Celebration held in his honour in Northbrook on January 26. Gordon Sparks, enthusiast of all things Scottish, and Ian Brumell arranged the high spirited, sold-out  evening of fine dining,  poetry readings, music and Scottish Country dancing. It was sponsored by the Cloyne & District Historical Society. The Lions Hall was transformed into a romantic venue where Piper Mark Rowe of Denbigh piped in a delicious haggis that was addressed  "cut up wi' ready slight " and served with a wee dram.  

Contributing to the program were the Men's Chorus  (Gordon McCulloch, Ernest MacChinski and Gordon Sparks) Ian Brumell, Joe Grant, Eileen Flieler, Graydon MacCrimmon, Dallas and Randy Arney, Margaret Axford, Sandra Sparks, Ken Hook, and Carolyn McCulloch.

The exuberant occasion was a "first" for this area, and hopefully will become an annual event. It was a fundraiser for the extension of the Cloyne Pioneer Museum and Archives. The expanded building  will provide more display and storage space, as well as a wheelchair accessible washroom, space for preparing artifacts for display and an area for classroom presentations and research. The construction, under the leadership of Ian Brumell, is on track in every way. The addition will open in the summer of 2013.