HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2017-01-25, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday. January 25. 2017
One of the most famous poets celebrated in Seaforth
Shaun Gregory
Huron Expositor
"Ihe kilts were out and
most importantly so was
the haggis -as Seaforth
celebrated Robbie Burns
Day.
In the old times, haggis
perhaps broke a few health
guidelines while it amassed
from several unused parts of
a butchered cow -this
included the lungs, parts of
the brain and heart.
Dale Ann McKichan, a
devoted member of the First
Presbyterian Church said
instead of making the "nov-
elty" from scratch, they pur-
chased theirs premade.
The Scottish cathedral
bought the slab from
Metzger's Meat Products Inc.
in Hensall, McKichan
thought it was funny
because they come from a
German background, how-
ever she said the prepared
dinner was tasty and looked
comparable to the historical
times. "It was wrapped like a
sausage."
"Before they would mix it
with spices, oatmeal and
cook it in a sheep's stomach,"
she said an hour before the
event began last Saturday
about how haggis was made
in the olden days.
The new era of haggis is
made quite differently said,
Gerhard Metzger, owner of
Metzger's Meat Products Inc.
A small portion of lamb
liver and trimmings are
cooked and grounded, and
then it's mixed with toasted
oats and some ground beef
suet. Cooking broth is added
to the mix for moisture.
Spices are put in, explained
Metzger January 22 through
private Facebook messages.
"We use a large beef cas-
ing, but traditionally a
sheep's stomach would be
used for that," Metzger said
while adding that the fin-
ished piece sits out to cool
off and cold smoked ensues
after for an additional aroma
and the golden brown
appearance.
Minister Dwight Nelson
presented the haggis on a sil-
ver tray followed by a toast to
the meat.
Although January 25 com-
memorates Robert Burns,
Scotland's national poet,
some rejoice the weekend
before.
This year they changed
their activity curriculum, the
church had two teams com-
pete in a poem -writing con-
test where McKichan pro-
vided Scottish words that
were required to be contrib-
uted in each piece. As well, a
questionnaire about Scot-
land was on the agenda of
fun.
"It's a chance for people to
get out after Christmas, with-
out a lot of sunshine, people
can come out, get together
and have a visit," explained
McKichan, adding that she
expected 30-40 people to
attend the event.
Here is a poem from the
robertburns.org
Address to a Haggis
Translation
Fair and full is your
honest, jolly face, Great
chieftain of the sausage
race! Above them all you
take your place, Stomach,
tripe, or intestines: Well are
you worthy of a grace As
long as my arm.
The groaning trencher
there you fill, Your buttocks
like a distant hill, Your pin
would help to mend a mill
In time of need, While
through your pores the
dews distill Like amber
bead.
His knife see rustic
Labour wipe, And cut you
up with ready slight,
Trenching your gushing
entrails bright, Like any
ditch; And then, 0 what a
glorious sight, Warm
steaming, rich!
Then spoon for spoon, the
stretch and strive: Devil take
the hindmost, on they drive,
Till all their well swolle
bellies by-and-byAre b nt
like drums; Then old head of
the table, most like to burst,
'The grace!' hums.
Is there that over his
French ragout, Or olio that
would sicken a sow, Or
fricassee would make her
vomit IVith perfect disgust,
Looks down with sneering,
scornful view On such a
dinner?
Jason Kryk/Posbnedia
The First Presbyterian Church in Seaforth celebrated Robbie .
Burns Day January 21. The most popular part of the event was
the feast which involved the fan -favourite haggis meat.
Poor devil! see him over
his trash, As feeble as a
withered rush, His thin legs
a good whip -lash, His fist a
nut; Through bloody flood
or field to dash, 0 how
unfit.
But mark the Rustic,
haggis fed, The trembling
earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his ample fist a
blade, He'll make it whistle;
And legs, and arms, and
heads will cut offLike the
heads of thistles.
You powers, who make
mankind your care, And
dish them out their bill of
fare, Old Scotland wants no
watery stuff That splashes
in small wooden dishes; But
if you wish her grateful
prayer, Give her [Scotland]
a Haggis!
Several Huron County natives heading to Vimy Ridge for 100th anniversary
Shaun Gregory
Huron Expositor
The epic battle of Vimy
Ridge is considered to be our
country's most celebrated
military victories- a crew of
about 50 history enthusiasts
of all ages are flying overseas
to celebrate its 100th
anniversary.
The Expositor has learned
from former Seaforth Public
high schooler and now
South Huron District High
School history teacher, Tracy
McLennan that this has been
in the making since 2007
when she travelled to the
World War I site in France
for the then, 90th
anniversary.
A decade later, the excur-
sion welcomes the oldest
being 85 -years strong and
McLennan's daughter who
will earn the title as the
youngest at 11 years of age,
along with an RCMP officer
from London whose grand-
father endured the Vimy bat-
tle. As well, Maureen Cole,
the mayor of South Huron is
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joining the trip expected to
go from April 6-16.
While the journey is antic-
ipated to focus mostly on a
visit to the cemetery of thou-
sands upon thousand of
graves (several with no
names attached), McLen-
nan, who is one of the organ-
izers, said they will be wan-
dering to numerous other
countries to boot.
"They are having fun, but
focusing on traveling to
places that played a signifi-
cant role in liberating North-
west Europe in WWII and
some of the stuff we did in
WWI as well," explained
McLennan January 20.
From visiting the city of
Ghent in Belgium, to the
Dieppe Raid where 900
Canadian soldiers were
slayed, and riding a ferry to
England to view the War
Museum- McLennan is cer-
tain this will be a voyage the
travelers will not forget.
CBC is covering the
extravaganza that's believed
to include 30,000 Canadians
and McLennan is bringing
wreaths and flags to be left
behind "on behalf of Huron
County," with the chances
family and friends might
catch a glimpse on
television.
"Hopefully people will
Posbnedia file photo
Victorious Canadians celebrating after fighting on Vimy Ridge in
1917. About 50 people from Huron County are traveling there
by plane to honour the 100th anniversary.
recognize that this is to cele-
brate our small County," she
said. "We've been there all
along from the Rebellions of
1837, to the Afghanistan war,
young men and women from
this area always managed to
take up the call to arms."
Seeing as the cost of the
memorabilia they're leaving
behind has a price tag and
all of the participants are
paying their share - $4,000
for the trip, they are con-
ducting a fundraising event
to help cover these costs.
Titled, the Huron Remem-
bers Vimy Variety Show,
hosted by the Exeter United
Church, which will have
numerous activities as well
as live music. The theme of
the music will be reminis-
cent of the war times.
Doors open February 11 at'
12:30 p.m., tickets are $12 for
adults and $10 for students,
seniors, and veterans. The
show is expected to last
about two to two and a half
hours.
Tickets are available at F.E.
Madill 519-357-1800 or you
can call South I luron District
High School at
519-235-0880.