Is anybody on here going to host/attend a Burns Supper this year? I will be having a quiet one with only a few others, probably. I've got 2 haggises (haggi?!) ready to go, and a few pipe tunes to entertain the guests. Now I guess I should try and commit the Address to a Haggis to memory... So do you/your lodge/valley do anything in honor of "the immortal memory of Rabbie Burns"?
I went to one last night, it was a brilliant affair! a lodge from scotland came down and performed a scottish ritual demonstration followed by a short talk on burns then we had the full haggis, pipes and peotry (plus whiskey of course) at the festive board, there was 100 plus brethren present, at great evening.
That's awesome! How did the Scottish ritual compare? I'd love to have been a fly on the wall for that. Was the supper put on by the SR, KOSA, or a blue lodge?
Although it pains me to say the scottish ritual is far more rich and poetic (not to mention aggressive) than our own. we have suffered a little from "tinkering" in english freemasonry in the past(changes made to the ritual, certain things dropped etc). The lodge night was a blue lodge which is well known in our area for the large numbers of visitors it attracts and the great atmosphere they have.
Went to a Burns Dinner in Trail, B.C. last night. Great turn out and what a wonderful memorial to Rabbie Burns. 4 brothers in kilts including a fellow from Scotland who did the toast to the Haggis. Was my second Burns dinner and the best one. I hope that I am able to visit again next year.
I`m going to put it forward at my own... the lodge in question that I went to also had gentlemen visitors at the festive board afterwards, they are using these sorts of nights to introduce possible future candidates...
Problem here is Pa Grand Lodge forbids alcohol so it kind of messes up events like this. We can have a table lodge but it can only be juice served. It's ridiculous.
mmm one of those interesting differences which we can explore on other thread I suppose, I must admit I enjoy the festive board after meetings, it`s not about the drink although that is nice, it`s the fraternal company...
Here's an idea to pursue: the Wisconsin Code also forbids alcohol. But for special occasions (a table lodge, Burns Night, blablabla) the Grand Master will issue a dispensation allowing it for that special event. You might try requesting a dispensation from your Grand Master ... can't hurt and might, just might, get you permission.
Maybe that is possible, I just know that during our Board of Governors meeting when some lodge said they were going to a table lodge they had to have no alcohol. And I know from the experience in my lodge that we weren't allowed but I will look into it. I think it is dumb personally that we are a meeting place for men and we can't have alcohol. I don't even drink myself but I think there is no problem having a glass of wine with dinner or a beer or two after the meeting.
There's a group called (I'm not kidding) "The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves" that has been around for a very long time. They claim to have the oldest bank account in America. They meet once a year for a dinner and originally met in a school where alcohol is, of course, forbidden. They claim the water in the area comes in a variety of different colors Home
Here, in short, you have just stated the main reason that the Shrine was formed. A bunch of Masons who were tired of the stodginess of Blue Lodge invented a playground for Masons where a member could have a drink, wear a 'funny hat', and zip around in tiny cars.
