Pennswood Village Celebrates Robert Burns Night!

Pennswood Village residents gathered on Thursday, Jan. 22, to celebrate the life and works of Robert Burns with a fun and festive Robert Burns Night! Starting with a bagpiper and ending with a rousing chorus of “Auld Lang Syne,” the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance!

After being ushered to dinner by Joan Bennet, a local bagpiper, Pennswood Village resident Dan Seeger read the traditional Selkirk Grace:

Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thanket.

After grace, it was time for the presentation of the haggis (and ceremonial stabbing of the haggis!), accompanied by Burns’ “Address to the Haggis,” as read by George Fisk.

Presentation of the Haggis

After dinner, and a mouth-watering menu of wild caught salmon, smoked pork loin, and of course Scottish shortbread, the event kicked into high gear, as residents moved to Penn Hall for the rest of the evening. Once in Penn Hall, the audience was treated to selected readings from Robert Burns’ repertoire, including “Inconstancy in Love,” “The Banks O’Doon,” “Epigram on Rough Roads,” “A Man’s a Man For A’That,” I Love My Jean,” and “Flow Gently, Sweet Afton.”

Highlights form the program included the traditional “Toast to the Lassies” and the Reply, or “Toast to the Laddies.”

And no Robert Burns evening is complete without a rousing rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Residents turned out for the evening in grand highland costume, including kilts, tartans, tams, and plaids of all colors and varieties.

For more information about upcoming events at Pennswood Village, subscribe to our enewsletter, or contact us and schedule a time to visit!