by Laurel | January 25th, 2012
25 January 1930
Commemorating the 171st anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotch poet, the Holyoke Caledonian Burns Club held its annual celebration with a banquet at Caldonian Hall tonight. More than 50 were present and Thomas Thomson acted as toastmaster. Col. Walter Scott of New York sent the following message: “Jan. 25, 1759, marks the birth of a royal psalmist. The lowly things of life become exalted and human emotions sublime when touched by the genius of Robert Burns. His birth and life was a divine gift to the world.”
The program opened with bagpipe selections by Miss Jane Thomson. Toasts were given by Past Laird William Black, Thomas MacBean of Easthampton, James Nichol of Easthampton, William Hill, Donald Cameron and William Robertson, Vocal solos were rendered by William Stewart, Alex Cathro, Edward Clark, Alex MacDonald and Andrew Dougherty. The Committee was as follows: Thomas Thomson, Andrew Dougherty, William Black, Allan Malcolm, Daniel McDonald, William Gibbons, John Burnett, William Fleming, William Robinson, John Mitchell and Robert Ritchie.
From The Springfield Republican, image Wikipedia, Creative Commons.