SCOTTISH BURNS SUPPER

The famous Waterford Crystal ball takes 60 seconds to drop 141 feet.  Located in New York City’s Time Square, the ball begins its anticipated journey at 11:59pm ET and finishes at midnight, thus signaling the commencement of a new year.   After the confetti flies and horns blow, one and all attempt to steal a kiss from those within an arms reach.   Voices then erupt into song as the famous lyrics of “Old Lang Syne” are bellowed out.   “Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne?”   Trivia Question:  Who wrote the iconic words to this famous melody?

If you guessed Robert Burns congratulations.  He is highly regarded by many as the National Poet of Scotland. He was born on January 25, 1759 and died in 1796 at the young age of 37.  In 1788, when Burns was only 29, he penned the poem which was then set to the tune of the pentatonic Scottish folk melody “Auld Lang Syne” (Roud #6294)

Robert Burns, National Poet of Scotland (1759-1796)

Last night Mike and I attended the 2018 Inaugural Scottish Burns Supper at the Yuma Civic Center.  Before we even entered the building we could hear the sound of a bagpipe. We immediately knew we were in the right place.  Once inside we were cheerfully greeted, checked in and escorted to our reserved table #12.  There were 19 tastefully appointed tables, each with a place setting for 8.   The décor featured black tablecloths and gold charger plates, accented with a red table runner and red cloth napkins.  Each setting also hosted a shot glass of GlenDronach Highland Single Malt Whisky, to be used later for toasting.  A special finishing touch on each table, including the head table, was a vase of red roses, representing one of Robert Burns most favorite poems "A Red, Red Rose". 

Table setting for 8

The evening began promptly at 5:00pm with the Piping in the Guests.  This was a procession headed by Pipes & Drums from the Yuma United Firefighters Pipes & Drums Ensemble.

Yuma United Firefighters Pipes & Drums Ensemble Photo by Public Domain

Following the Pipes & Drums were the Chairman and head table guests.  The procession made its way through the crowd and to their seats.

This was followed by a short Welcome given by Carrie Ring, the Marketing Specialist with the City of Yuma Park & Recreation Department. 

Next came the Piping in the Haggis.  Guests rose to welcome the dinner’s star attraction, delivered on a silver platter by a procession that included the chef, the piper and the honored person selected to Address the Haggis. A whisky-bearer also was included in the procession.  He led the Toast to the Haggis instructing the audience members to raise their glass containing the ‘water of life’ Scotch Whiskey and shout “The Haggis”

The Address to the Haggis was robustly recited with knife poised, ready to cut the casting along it’s length. 

Address to the Haggis

The Selkirk Grace was next during which guests were invited to sample imported Haggis.  I found it to taste somewhat similar to a liver pate’.  Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish containing sheep's offal (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally simmered in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours.

Tasting of the imported Haggis

It was finally time for dinner.  The appetizer was Scottish Quail Egg. I loved the presentation.  A simple white plate with a single medium hard boiled egg wrapped in mild sausage, seasoned bread crumbs and deep fried to a golden brown.  This was perched atop a bed of raspberry flavored sauce. Small egg shells scattered around the plate enhanced the presentation.

Scottish Quail Egg

Next came our soup.  This was a potato type soup and it was presented in a bread bowl. 

Soup served in a bread bowl

"New School Haggis” was featured as our main course. Traditional Haggis recipes have morphed over the centuries, utilizing new ingredients that are more readily available, appetizing and appealing. The evenings selected recipe called for ground lamb shoulder mixed with ground beef, onions, garlic, nutmeg, coriander, beef stock, salt and pepper, formed into medallions and baked.  The New School Haggis was served atop Neeps & Tatties.  Neeps are turnips and Tatties are potatoes.  They are cooked and mashed separately, then combined.  It could have easily passed as meatloaf with mashed potatoes.  I quite enjoyed it.  The accompanying blueberry sauce finished off the presentation.  

New School Haggis with Neeps & Tatties

The Pipes & Drums then performed a medley of songs as dessert was being served.  Scottish Oatmeal Cake was listed but most would identify it as a rather large oatmeal cookie, complete with raisins.  

Scottish Oatmeal Cake

The remainder of the evening included the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, a Toast to the Lassies, a responsive Reply to the Lassies, and Excerpt Readings of Burns Poetry. 

The sold out crowd of lads and lassies seemed to totally enjoy the evening which was full of Scottish customs, dress and culinary delights.  The finale was a guest sing along, accompanied by Pipes & Drums.  What a more fitting way to end the night than singing that famous Robert Burns melody of “Auld Lang Syne”. 

      Should old acquaintance be forgot,
      and never brought to mind?
      Should old acquaintance be forgot,
      and old lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

This represented my first ever Scottish Burns Supper but hopefully will not be my last. 

LONG LIVE "THE KING"

From the moment the first sustained note is played from the theme to “2001 Space Odyssey”, goose bumps begin to form and  anticipation heightens.  During that nearly 2 minute musical introduction, your imagination runs wild.  You begin to believe that Elvis Presley is going to walk out on the stage.   

It wasn’t “The King” in persona that appeared but the looks, the moves, and the voices presented by the top ten finalists was nothing short of stunning. Last evening was the culmination of a three-day event to honor Elvis and his music and to compete for the coveted title of “2018 E.P. Expo Tribute Artist Champion”.   

In preparation for the event, the venue at the Quechen Casino in Yuma, Arizona was transformed to accommodate three jumbotrons, hundreds of lights, state-of-the art sound systems and a plethora of cameras. 

Before entering the theater you are greeted by a display of Elvis memorabilia including jump suits, photos and some of his favorite jewelry.  Once inside there is plenty of opportunity to purchase books, tapes, photos, jewelry, etc.  Be aware of your surroundings as you might just encounter Elvis.  I spotted him buying jewelry.

The first hour was a “Live for TV” production featuring the outstanding talents of three prior winners - Jacob Roman 2013 Champion,  Jay Dupuis 2014 Champion, and Bill Cherry 2009 Champion. 

Bill Cherry

Jacob Roman

Jay Dupuis

During that hour you are transported back, via the use of multimedia footage, to the life and times of Elvis.  Starting with his earliest high school days, then moving to his military days and finally ending with his final concert appearance in 1977.  It brought back a flood of emotions.

Jacob Roman, Bill Cherry and Jay Dupuis each represented a different era of Elvis’s life, complete with the look, the dress and the songs. Both Bill Cherry and Jay Dupuis have gone on to perform in Las Vegas, most notably in “Legends In Concert” at the Flamingo, the longest running show in Las Vegas history.  

After a short intermission the top ten finalists entertained the audience with two songs each.  The styles, the dress and the looks all varied but each one did a fantastic job.  Now it was time for the judges to announce the winners.   

The ten finalists

My second place pick pulled off the win and received the $2,500 prize money.

WINNER!  On the left in the blue jumpsuit

It was truly an outstanding evening of Elvis music and I hope to attend a similar event in the future. 

TRACTOR RODEO

The event was listed as the 40^th Annual Tractor Rodeo.  My mind raced with what that would look like.  Having competed in many rodeos during my life, I was having a hard time trying to envision a tractor rodeo.  It was a ‘must see’ on my list this week so today we headed off to Wellton, Arizona. 

I entered the address into my GPS but it kept giving me an error.  This prompted a call to the number listed on their website.  I had to chuckle as the gal explained that the website address was wrong and she didn’t have an actual address.  I guess it was a good thing I called.   She proceeded to give me the following instructions: 

“Take Exit 30 off of Interstate 80 and turn right.  You will see a cemetery and church on the left and just after that you will see a golf course on the right.   Turn right and continue on that road.  I’m not sure what road that is but you will see all the tractors on the left.  You can’t miss it.” 

After I hung up I immediately went online and discovered that the population of Wellton, Arizona is under 3,000.  That explained the verbal directions I received.

The tractor rodeo wasn’t a rodeo at all but an equipment and tractor show.   Admission was $5 and was to benefit the Town of Wellton Parks and Recreation.

The event was set up on a graded dirt lot and was white lined for the participating vendors.  I did take notice that there were vendors from as far away as Alaska. 

As I walked up and down the display rows I couldn’t help but feel the pride in the individuals behind their equipment and tractors.  Many had arrived in motorhomes and set up camp in this remote acreage site for the 2-day event. 

I did enjoy the morning and learned some historical facts along the way.  

ROBERT SHAW and the YUMA THEATER

The time was 7:05pm.  The location was the Yuma Historical Theater and Art Center. The house lights dimmed. Seconds later the voice of Robert Shaw roared out those ever famous words “Hello. I’m Johnny Cash”.  Suddenly the house lights illuminated Robert Shaw and the Lonely Street Band and an entertaining evening of Johnny Cash music ensued.

Robert Shaw and the music of Johnny Cash   Photo by Lonely Street Production

The Yuma Historical Theater, originally called the Zeller Theater, opened it’s doors February 21, 1912.  Tragedy struck on September 8, 1913 when it burned in a spectacular fire that destroyed the theater portion of the building. The roof was destroyed as well as the interior, the temporary seating and the "moving picture machine." Fire damage to the roof framing still exists. 

Within three months of the fire, arrangements were made to repair, rebuild and lease the new structure to a new tenant, Riley's Garage.  Riley's Garage officially opened the first week of January 1914 and occupied the building for eleven and a half years.

In 1926 it was announced that $40,000 would be spent to reconstruct the building for theater purposes. The grand opening was January 12, 1927 as the Yuma Theater.   Sadly, tragedy struck again in 1936 when a fire broke out in the attic. The theater went dark yet again during the reconstruction period and reopened on April 11, 1936.

Inside the Yuma Theater Photo by Yuma Theater

Today as you enter the 640 seat theater you will see an interior decor that has remained virtually unchanged since 1936, complete with two monumental mermaid murals in the audience chamber and the only functioning carbon arc projectors west of the Mississippi. 

Inside Yuma Theater Photo by Yuma Theater

Mermaid Murals inside Yuma Theater  Photo by Yuma Theater

Robert Shaw is the Owner, President and Executive Producer of Lonely Street Production, a company he founded in 2005 and based in Tucson, Arizona.  Shaw was born in Southeast Indiana, raised in a musical family and began performing at a young age. Shaw has performed with both the Chicago and New York casts of Broadway’s smash-hit musical “Million Dollar Quartet.” 

Robert Shaw  Photo by Lonely Street Production

As a pre-eminent Cash tribute artist, Shaw presented the 50-year career of Johnny Cash through stories, media and music.  Highlights included "Folsom Prison Blues", "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire", "A Boy Named Sue" and "Ghost Riders in the Sky." 

With a ticket cost of only $25, you can enjoy an entertaining musical evening at a relatively low price. 

3:10 TO YUMA

A classic Russell Crowe, Christian Bale movie pits a small town rancher against a captured outlaw who is awaiting the 3:10 train to Yuma, to be followed by the Territorial Prison and a court date.  The train tracks run parallel to the walls of the Yuma Territorial Prison.

Grounds of prison

Tracks run parallel to the prison

You won't have to wait until 3:10pm to view the remains of this historic prison.  The grounds, including the museum and cell blocks, are open from 9-5 daily. The Yuma Territorial Prison dates back to the 'wild west' days of 1876.  One can only imagine what it must have been like to be one of the 3,069 prisons to be filtered through the prison system.  

Prisoners at Yuma Territorial Prison

Once parked follow the path to the Admission building. A cost of $8 for adults will be collected here. Next you will receive a guide map and brief intro from a staff member.  Then it's a self-guided tour as you work your way around the park area. 

Climb the steps of the Guard Tower for some fantastic views. 

Walk through Sally Port, view the video in the Museum and step inside the Cell Block area.

See a reconstruction of one of the many Guard Towers. It offers a commanding view of the area and is situated atop the prison's original water supply.  

The Sally Port is one of the last remaining original abode structures of the prison and served as the check point through which all prisoners entered and left the prison.

Be sure to catch the informative 8-minute video running continuously in the museum.  Then take in the museum displays, including the digital displays on "Bad Girls of the Old West" and "Mormon Prisoners".  Be sure to have your prisoner photo taken. 

Even if you aren't a history buff you will want to take the 30-minute narrated "Cell Block" tour, originating from the Museum.  Let yourself experience the dark and suffocating feeling of being placed inside the infamous "Dark Cell", used only for the most incorrigible prisoners. 

The area is extremely clean and well maintained and offers terrific views.  Allow at least 2 hours to enjoy the facility.