After participating in St. Andrew's Society of Sarasota's annual Burns Supper over Zoom last year, Lakewood Ranch's Mike and Martha Gaffney were thrilled to be back in person celebrating Scotland's national poet Robert Burns.
"We love the atmosphere and camaraderie," Mike Gaffney said.
"There's wonderful food, Robert Burns poetry that's simply supreme, and dancing. What more could you want?" Martha Gaffney said.
Those who attended the annual Burns Supper at Palm Aire Country Club Jan. 22 were excited for haggis, live music, a bag piper, Celtic dancing and toasts to laddies and lassies. The Burns Supper celebrated Burns' 263rd birthday.
"It's great because we haven't seen each other in a couple years," said Mote Ranch's Dick Thompson.
Proceeds from the silent auction went toward the St. Andrew Scottish Society Scholarship Fund, which awarded nine $1,000 scholarships to Sarasota area high school graduates in 2021.
Phyl Smith toasts Robert Burns at the Burns Supper at Palm Aire Country Club.
May Crawley, the honorary president of St. Andrew's Society of Sarasota, claps along to a song.
Lakewood Ranch's Mike and Martha Gaffney are thrilled to be back in person at the Burns Supper.
Aileen Szatynski is visiting her sister, Bradenton's Evelyn Sklair, from New York for two months. They both were born in Scotland and were excited to attend the Burns Supper.
Sarasota's Bert Mitchell gives the "Toast to the Lassies."
Sarasota's Francesca Randazzo and her brother Gianluca Randazzo perform a Celtic dance.
Sarasota's Stella Randazzo and her siblings Francesa Randazzo, Gianluca Randazzo and Felicita Randazzo dazzle the crowd with a Celtic dance.
Lakewood Ranch's Mike Gaffney and Palm Aire's Capt. Carl Morris both served in the Navy and met in Virginia Beach. Morris invited Gaffney to the Burns Supper.
East County's David Shaddock gives a Toast to the Haggis.
Mary Ellen McMahon with the Caledonian Club of Florida West sings along to "Flower of Scotland."
Mote Ranch's Dick Thompson says the Selkirk Grace.
Port Charlotte's Melissa Craig and her husband, Dennis Craig, conduct a slow clap during the seating of friends of the bard.
Sarasota's Lewis Ferrier plays bagpipes during the marching in of officers and trustees.
Venice's Carole Cornell and Sarasota's Joseph Ambrose and his wife, Deidre Ambrose, look forward to the toast to the haggis.
Brendan Nolan entertains dozens of attendees during cocktail hour.
Sarasota's Marianne Ferrier, Lewis Ferrier and Paul Ferrier are ready to celebrate Robert Burns during the annual Burns Supper.
