Robbie Burns Rocks!

By Dan White, Chair of the Advocacy Committee, Digby Area Board of Trade.

​This year’s Robbie Burns event was a smash hit again and was the largest attendance to date. The event was at the Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa where the food and service were awesome. It is great that the Pines is now open all year.
 
When you can enjoy a fantastic event that donates the proceeds to charity, it is a double your pleasure, double your fun kind of event.
 
There was a silent auction that went superbly with all proceeds going to these charities.
We thank the many donors to the silent auction.
 
We thank our sponsors; WineKitz, who sell a great quality wine at a great price. The Celtic Vibes who you should consider hiring for your next event, as they are awesome, the Digby Area Board of Trade, which is your voice of business in the Digby area and J. Goucher Insurance Services who provide great value insurance to our members of the Board of Trade. Be sure to check out the other savings our members get by being part of a group insurance package. These are just some of the benefits enjoyed by our members of the Digby Area Board of Trade.
 
The proceeds are being donated to the General Hospital Auxiliary and the Fundy Hospice. David M. Cvet David delivered both a history and status of the Fundy Hospice initiative and closed off with a 3D visual presentation of what the future Atalanta Fundy Hospice may look like.
 
When you can attend a Scottish event, it is an education in Scottish Culture.
 
The evening began with Rob Redden dressed in his Scottish attire c/w his kilt and bag pipe piping in the guests.
 
Our Mayor Ben Cleveland was the Master of Ceremonies. Ben set the upbeat tone for fun event.
 
Jacqueline Dugas introduced the DGH Auxiliary.
 
Nancy Whalley was the first speaker and introduced the Community Navigator.
 
Gordon Balser introduced the guest speaker the Honorable Jill Balser, MLA. It was really great to hear about the passion she has for her job. Good things will happen with our young and enthusiastic MLA working for us.
 
Beth Earle thanked our guest speaker for her insightful speech.
 
Peter Lockerbie gave his reflections on Robbie Burns.
 
Toast to the King was performed by Cst. James Klyszejko and Cst. Julie Fox in their ceremonial Serge attire.
 
The toast to the Lassies was performed by Ken Buchholz and the Toast to the Laddies was done by Ruth Frizzle.
 
Dave Holborn gave the Selkirk Grace. Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, And sai the Lord be thankit. 
 
Rob Redden piped in the Haggis. a Scottish dish consisting of a sheep's or calf's offal mixed with suet, oatmeal, seasoning and boiled in a bag, traditionally one made from the animal's stomach. AND "an enormous haggis was then paraded through the hall, David Holborn addressed the Haggis! It was stabbed and cut.  It was then served and was good for all.”
 
We were served the feast which had the options of fish or beast, depending on choice. A Scottish feast would not be without mashed neeps (finely mashed turnips).
 
Thank you again, to all those who supported this worthy cause and helped to make the event the big success that it was."
 
A good time was had by all and ended with the singing of Auld Lang Syne, that song,  by the way, was written by Robbie Burns HIMSELF! The singing of Auld Lang Syne was led by the Celtic Vibes whose music and song were enjoyed by all.
 
If you missed it this year, then make sure you take part next year. It is an amazing event.