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A true story of a
Haggis and it’s Journey from Florida to New York :
On January 13th
2004, Koffi Annan, Secretary General of the U.N. gave the “Inaugural
Robert Burns Memorial Lecture”.
At the end of his speech Secy/Gen. Annan
stated “Finally, while I know this is not a traditional Burns Supper, I
do hope that you will let this hungry Secretary General try some haggis
at some point in the near future”.
Upon receiving a copy of the speech
RBANA President Jim Cunningham and his wife Jean, RBANA Secty/Treas.
put out an urgent call by e-mail to RBANA members to answer the call and
provide Koffi with a “wee taste o’ haggis”.
Two associate members in Florida, Barbra
Bartz and Frank Campbell took upthe challenge and decided to get Koffi
his Haggis.
“Gie Me A Haggis”
These words uttered by Koffi Annan in
his speech at the UN in January 2004 caused the RBANA President and
Secretary to send out the call to Burnsians to grant Koffi his wish that
he be allowed to partake of this delicacy.
After an exhaustive search of the hills
around Waterloo, Ontario ( where the Haggis was known to roam prior to
the birth of Robert Burns) one was found but unfortunately USDA does
not permit the transportation of dead or live haggis from Canada to New
York.
Acting on the direct orders of the RBANA
President, two RBANA Associate Members in Florida, Barbra Bartz and
Frank Campbell took up the challenge. Together they alerted Jim Martin,
President of the St Andrews Society of Sarasota who contacted Sheila
Jackson, owner of the “Scots Corner” in Sarasota. For many years, Sheila
has been supplying Haggis to the St. Andrews Society for their Burns
Suppers. They all agreed that they should catch a Florida Haggis and
send it to Koffi.
Nb: Like many of us haggis have
immigrated from their native Highlands of Scotland to Florida, I’m
guessing that they also wanted a warmer climate
The task was not easy
to complete as the Florida Haggis are as devious at alluding the hunter
as their Scottish ancestors.Undaunted our intrepid, Florida Burnsians
began their hunt.,
Haggis------ you want
it
Haggis ----- you’ll
get it
And when finally you
get it
You probably won’t
want it
Whether you like it
or not like it
Believe me “It’s
comin’ dear Koffi”
Yes, “it’s comin’ yet
for a’ that!”
(By Frank
Campbell)
After an exhaustive
search the Haggis
Hunters, Frank and
Barbra, assisted by fellow Burnsian and RBANA member Robert Fraser, were
most fortunate to bag a fine specimen near the Scots Corner in Sarasota.
With the
collaboration of Jim Martin and Sheila Jackson, our hunters arranged to
grant Kofi’s wish and on being
informed that a Haggis had been procured and was ready to be shipped to
New York, the RBANA President suggested that it would be prudent to
inform the UN that a haggis was on it’s way. After all we did not want
this great delicacy mistaken for a bombby some “Sassenach” security
agent. The intrepid Floridians told Jim that they were not worried as
they would just put his name on it!!
Finally the Haggis,
packed in dry ice, was ready for shipment.
It was not long after that they heard
from the Secretary to Koffi Annan that the;
“Haggis Had Landed”.
 What
is it? They said as they opened the box
Although in New York, it could have been lox.
A UN security guard felt his heart give a throb
Who could have sent this? - such a brown looking blob.
Tam Samson fae Skye gave a look and said
och Aye
It’s a beasty a’ know coz I’ve seen it afore
I’m sure it’s fae Rabbie - and by the by
It’ been undressed, redressed and addressed before.
St Andrews, you say, sent this as a gift
Tae Koffi - wi Luv- should gie him a lift
As we certainly would not leave him stranded
Oh! No - take a look- “The Haggis Has Landed”
(By Frank Campbell)
Bon Apetit - Koffi
In February a letter was received from
the Office of the Secretary General, thanking everyone for the gift of
the Haggis Enclosed was an autographed photograph.
We have not heard How Koffi enjoyed his
Haggis. |
