For Toronto area members who have ancestors buried in the Presbyterian Kirkyards in Scarborough, Ontario -- St. Andrew's, Knox, Melville and others. A large number of Scots came to Scarborough, in the early 19th century. Some of these pioneers come back to life on Jan. 25 2005 at... An 1834 Celebration of Robbie Burns In the early days of Burns Clubs, a "Burns Supper" was typically a couple of dozen people who recited the poems of Robbie Burns (sometimes in song), gave numerous toasts and discussed issues that had been important to Burns. The lives and times of common folk in Burns' era were usually discussed at length. An "1834 Celebration of Robbie Burns" at the Village Tea Room in Scarborough will more or less follow that original format in "audience participation" mode. The two dozen "1834" characters at the Village Tea Room (men and women) were real Lowland Scots who had immigrated to Scarborough. Tea Room guests on Jan. 25 will each have a small part to read -- either a toast or a very short speech (ie comments on / extensions of the toast). The script has been written. It will be good fun and quite unique. Of course, between the toasts we'll play some of the Burns songs and poems too -- as done at the suppers 170 years ago. Haggis, "bannocks", shortbread and dessert will be served. Please call 416-267-3855 or 416-447-4895 to Reserve Tickets. Hope some of you can make it. ------------------------------------------------- An 1834 Celebration of Robbie Burns Participate in a Burns Club gathering the real "auld-fashioned" way! Tues. January 25 2005 (Two Sittings: 3 pm and 7 pm) Hosted by ButnBen Bakery and The Village Tea Room 2967 Kingston Rd, Scarborough (West End of Cliffcrest Plaza) Call 416-267-3855 to Reserve Tickets Immortal Memory of Burns: By a Scarborough pioneer who actually met Burns Toast to King William: By Henry Cowan, Farmer Toast to the Army and Navy: By John Torrance, Land Surveyor Toast to the Upper Canada Government: By James Gibson, Captain of Militia Toast to the Young Members: By Agnes Hamilton Rae, Farmer Toast to our Deceased Fathers and Mothers: By William Purdie, Farmer Toast to the Poets of Scotland: By Archibald Glendinning, Storekeeper Everyone reads a part! Who will you be today? The widow Mary Weir? Opinionated school-girl Catherine Bowes? Stonemason David Thomson or his wife Mary, the Mother of Scarborough? ... Or one of Scarborough's other early Scots? ________________________ James McCowan Memorial Social History Society c/o 19 Monarchwood Crescent, Don Mills, Ont., M3A 1H3 416-447-4895 www.mccowan.org bea@beamccowan.com A Non-Profit, Non-Charitable Organization Dedicated to Placing the Scottish Experience Within the Wider Context of the Community Contributor to the "Lowland Clearances" BBC-Radio Scotland Series Scarboro Heights Record An On-Line Learning Resource for Community Studies 416-447-4895 www.scarboroughrecord.com bea@beamccowan.com Dedicated to Promoting Community Events, Arts and Multicultural Activities Non-Profit Groups, Local History and Local Heroes Bea and Bruce McCowan, P.Eng. 416-447-4895 www.scarboroughrecord.com