Burns Nite in Illinois

**Standard** · 16th February 09, 07:35 PM

Thought I'd post a few pictures of our local Burns Evening that took place this past weekend. Usually it is held much closer to the 25th of January, however, this year our speaker was out of town until just last week. The evening is held at our local bookstore and is therefore the only "dry" Burns Nite that we know of

We had a very enjoyable evening. John who recited from memory many of Burn's poems and songs including of course Tam O'Shanter is an expat from Scotland. We had a piper again this year from Monmouth College (the piper there always gets a full scholarship) and a lady who played Scottish tunes on her fiddle. We also had a young lady who demonstrated a couple of sword dances for us. There were about 30 people in attendance. A small gathering to be sure, but an enjoyable evening. The other kilted gentleman and I were "asked" to give the Toast to the Lasses. Tim wrote the toast and I gave it. Worked out very well. I'll have to go better prepared next year.

**McMurdo** · 16th February 09, 07:46 PM

Good pictures for next year you should learn a poem or two, I decided to memorize Tam O'Shanter and was able to have ready for our Burns Night, I also learned the Address to the Haggis. For next year I'm working on To a Mouse, though I will do the others if needed or asked.

**Standard** · 16th February 09, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

Good pictures for next year you should learn a poem or two, I decided to memorize Tam O'Shanter and was able to have ready for our Burns Night, I also learned the Address to the Haggis. For next year I'm working on To a Mouse, though I will do the others if needed or asked.

Good idea McMurdo, I'll definately have to do that. This is only the third year my wife and I have attended so I was taken by surprise when asked to give the toast!

**McFarkus** · 16th February 09, 08:21 PM

Glad you had a great time. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

**GMan** · 16th February 09, 08:58 PM

Very nice.

**cajunscot** · 17th February 09, 05:41 AM

How very appropriate that there was a display of books and other items related to Abraham Lincoln! Lincoln was quite the devotee of RB; we know he attended a Burns Supper in 1859, but declined an invitation to attend one in Washington DC during the Civil War. Lincoln hoped to visit Scotland someday and see Burns Country.

There is a new book that has been released that details the Lincoln-Burns connection:

http://www.siu.edu/~siupress/SzaszAb...bertburns.html

http://www.scotland.org/about/innova...oln-burns.html

I am reading it at the moment, and it is an excellent work so far. Dr. Szasz is also the author of Scots in the North American West 1790-1917, which I also recommend.

Regards,

Todd