An Outstanding Evening at SFU Pipe Band Burns Dinner
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AT THE SFU ROBBIE BURNS DINNER are (L-R) - Don Remenda, Andrea McLatchy, Leslie Techy (head organizer for the event), Heather Jolley, and Dorothy McLean (ticket co-ordinator). |
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DAVID LUNNY (Master of Ceremonies at the SFU Robbie Burns dinner) with his wife Maureen Baird, and Michelle Gibson and Stu McNish |
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Attending the SFU Burns dinner are (L-R) Melanie Falck, Barry Lynch, Daphne Donaldson (Victoria), and Louise Longridge (Maple Ridge). Standing is the Mayor of Coquitlam, Maxine Wilson. |
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PIPING IN THE HAGGIS is piper Alastair Lee, carrier is Kyle Wallis followed by MC David Lunny. |
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BRENDA AND FRANK DUDFIELD (Surrey) enjoying the SFU Burns dinner. Frank is a volunteer with The Celtic Connection who distributes the paper in the Surrey area. |
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - On January 25 the SFU Pipe Band held its annual Robbie Burns Dinner and silent auction in support of the Robert Malcom Memorial Pipe Bands.
The event was held at the Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam where there was a great air of expectation in the packed ballroom as guests mingled prior to the evening's proceedings.
The men were handsome in their kilts and the women resplendant in their long tartan skirts, jackets, shawls and lace blouses adorned with Celtic jewellery.
David Lunny was the charming emcee for the evening. He welcomed everyone and introduced the head table which included: Rob MacNeil, President SFU Pipe Band Organization; David Lunny and Maureen Baird; Stu McNish and Michelle Gibson.
Lunny kept the audience in stitches with his jokes. After the traditional haggis was piped in to the head table, there was a little skit by two volunteers - Don Scott and 11-year old Dixon Scott - which was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.
Then there was the Address to the Haggis by David Lunny. It always amazes me how the person giving the Address can remember all the words before dramatically plunging the knife into the haggis.
The Junior Heather Jolley Dancers were a joy to watch as they performed an intricate sword dance.
Robbie Burns probably never had any idea that his writings would garner such celebrations around the world. January is a great time for gatherings and the Scots had the right idea when they chose the darkest part of the year for feastings and celebrations.
As many readers know, the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band are four-time world piping champions, which is an amazing feat in itself. In August they will return to the world championships in Scotland in an attempt to break their own record and bring home the title for the fifth time.
As with any SFU Pipe Band event, the Lee families are much in evidence as Terry Lee is the Pipe Major of the Band and his brother Jack Lee is the Pipe Sergeant.
Both Terry and Jack have sons in the Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band. Jack's daughter Fiona also won the 2007 World Junior Highland Dance Championships in Scotland.
All in all, it was a beautiful evening that showcased the best in Scottish culture. As with most events, it is always the volunteers behind the scenes who make it all happen. A lot of credit goes to Leslie Techy and her volunteers for providing an outstanding evening.
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