Canyon Lake witches have all kinds of fun

BY Dawn Rankins

A whole variety of witches came by way of broom, cart or car to The Canyon Lake Women’s Club’s annual Gathering of Witches Saturday at the Canyon Lake Senior Center.

Before entering the Gathering, participants stopped at one of the dozen or so vendors who were peddling wares of soaps, jewelry and other items that any witch might want or need.

While brooms were left at the door, or cars and carts parked in the lot, and after a little witch shopping, witches picked up their seat assignments and came into the Gathering. Once there, they were met by a table of dozens of raffle baskets made and donated by many of the club witches and vendors.

After scoping out the magical baskets, witch participants journeyed into the Witches Potion Bar. The bar served up a potion drink of either wine, cider or the event’s signature Witchyrita.

Photo provided by Kathy Ray

With drink in hand, many of the Witches gathered in the grand banquet hall, while others stepped onto the Witches patio and had their palms read by Witch Debbie Gonzales, or their fortune told by Fortune Teller Kathy Santangelo, or perhaps, they visited the Witch doctor, Shawna Bowen.

When the lunch was ready to be served, Witches gathered at their tables with their covens. Unlimited salad was on the menu along with some bread, a witch pasta and a delectable poison-apple tart.

A poem was read to all witches and witches in training (those younger than 18), entitled “Canyon Lake Witches.” The poem spoke of all the wonderful things that this amazing group of witches do.

The best-dressed contest winner was Peyton Bovee and the best witch hat went to Debi Gonzales. These winning witches received baskets full of goodies.

The greeting Witch. Photo by Dawn Rankins

As the afternoon began to wrap up, the Gathering of Witches spent time at their tables making mini witch hats. Each table created a hat and then displayed it with the others during an informal parade. The winning table was led by Grace Ward and Kathy Barbay.

The last thing on the witches’ schedule was its raffle of baskets, which brought in funds for the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club. As the Gathering of Witches broke up and they returned to their brooms, cars and carts, the group focused on its next activity, the Winter Holiday.