Remember old acquaintances with Pleasanton-Blairgowrie-Fergus sister cities Remember old acquaintances with Pleasanton-Blairgowrie-Fergus sister cities (January 20, 2006)

Annual 'Burns Supper' draws crowds from near and far
by Jerri Long

"'Tis said there are two kinds of people in the world: Scots and wannabes," proclaimed Alan Purves, past president of the Pleasanton-Blairgowrie-Fergus Sister City Organization (PBFSCO).

No matter which group you belong to, you are likely to have a fun time if you attend the 12th annual "Burns Supper" on Saturday, Jan. 28. Sponsored by PBFSCO, this formal event commemorates the life and times of Robert Burns, the National Poet of Scotland. While he wrote thousands of poems and songs in his relatively short lifetime (1759-1796), Burns is best remembered in the United States on New Year's Eve when many people join in one of his most famous songs--"Auld Lang Syne."

Despite being born into poverty on Jan. 25, 1759, Burns became well educated, and by age 18 had acquired a good knowledge of English literature, plus grounding in Latin, Greek, French and trigonometry. Throughout his lifetime, Burns collected and preserved for posterity many Scottish ballads, stories, memories and traditions of his country, as well as creating numerous original compositions. Since his death in 1796, people of Scottish descent the world over have gathered annually to honor his memory in word, song and, of course, feasting.

"I believe we host the most elegant Burns Supper in the Bay Area," said PBFSCO President Lola Laign, noting that among their honored guests this year will be the British Counsel General and the Mayor of Wellington Center, the municipality in Ontario, Canada where Fergus is located. Laign said that traditionally, only men were invited to Burns Suppers. However, PBFSCO quickly decided to change that.

Fred Rutledge, master of ceremonies for this year's Burns Supper and a past president of PBFSCO, said, "It's one of those events you come away feeling good about. The camaraderie is incredible." According to Rutledge, many of the guests wear kilts, including about 75 percent of the men present. But don't worry if you don't have a kilt--PBFSCO member Susan Spiegel can tailor one for you.

"There's a collective excitement and joy as the piper leads the guests into the dining room," said Rutledge, one of a dozen planners who have dedicated 11 months to planning this year's Burns Supper. "We're one of the biggest and best [Burns Suppers]." Indeed some of the estimated 235 guests will travel from distant cities such as Los Angeles or Reno to join in the PBFSCO festivities.

Part of the ceremonial procession involves the bringing in of the haggis, which then is slit open with a dagger. The dictionary definition of this Scottish delicacy is, "a traditional pudding made of the heart, liver, etc. of a sheep or calf, minced with suet and oatmeal, seasoned, and boiled in the stomach of the animal." Rutledge admitted this is an acquired taste, and not all guests partake of haggis, adding, "When you look at what's in the average hot dog, I'd rather eat haggis!"

After saying grace, the flags are presented, formal welcome given and guests are entertained by bagpipers, fiddlers and Scottish dancers. Then follows the traditional toasts, as written by Burns: toasts to men, women, absent friends, kindred clubs and soldiers--a toast that Rutledge, who serves in the Army Reserves, said is as appropriate today as when Burns wrote it during his own service in the militia during the Napoleonic Wars.

The feast and toasts are followed by opportunity drawings and then the guests either dance or continue the party in the main lobby or in their hotel rooms.

By February, planning will begin for the 2007 Burns Supper.
How the sister city alliance got started

In May of 1994, nearly two dozen Pleasanton residents visited Blairgowrie, Scotland. During their stay, during an evening in a pub the group began to discuss the possibility of becoming an official sister city to Blairgowrie. The actual "twinning" ceremony (as it is called), took place in 1996. When they learned that Blairgowrie had already "twinned" with another North American community--Fergus, Canada--the local group members decided to also "twin" with Fergus, which is located about an hour outside of Toronto in Ontario. That became official in 2000. What all three cities have in common is that each hosts Scottish Games.

Currently PBFSCO has 87 members, but more are always welcome, and being of Scottish descent is not a prerequisite. Many visits have been exchanged between residents of Pleasanton, Blairgowrie and Fergus since they became sister cities, including a visit from the famous Balloon Platoon of Pleasanton and annual student exchanges. A vintage fire truck also made the trip, after being bubble-wrapped and put on a train to a freighter port in Texas. That fire truck is still proudly used for parades in Blairgowrie, and even for the occasional wedding. In return, Laird Laurence Blair-Oliphant had a claymore made for Pleasanton in 1997. This two-handed broadsword, between five to six feet in length, now hangs in the Mayor's office in City Hall.

The Burns Supper is one of the organization's main fundraisers for student exchanges and events during the year.

Asked what is the best part about belonging to PBFSCO, President Laign unhesitatingly replied, "Friends we've made and kept in touch with--that's what it's all about."
Attend the Burns Supper

When: Saturday, Jan. 28. No-host bar and registration starts at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m.

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 11950 Dublin Canyon Road, Pleasanton

Cost: Advance reservation $60 per member; $65 per non-member. The Crowne Plaza Hotel offers a $79 room rate for those who would like to spend the night rather than driving home after the feast.
Get involved

Contact Jean Purves at 462-8490 or visit the organization's Web site www.pbfsco.org to learn more about PBFSCO membership and upcoming events.

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