Fake chips makes it easier to lose, have fun at Casino Night

BY Aprile McKinnon

The Mermaids of Canyon Lake Red Heart Casino Night was a “fab time,” Lyne Hall, one of the club’s founding members, said. Members and others rolled the dice and shuffled the cards at the Saturday evening event at the Canyon Lake Senior Center.

“It was great to see so many smiles and hear so much laughter,” Nicole Taylor Cook, the chair of the event, said. “What a great event. We’re looking forward to doing it again next year.”

This was Nicole‘s first time to be a chair for a Mermaids of Canyon Lakes event.

“Nicole and her husband Jeff were instrumental in making the event a success,” Lyne said. “They put the event together in a short amount of time and exceeded everyone‘s expectations.”

The roulette wheel was one of the popular games at the Mermaids of Canyon Lake Red Heart Casino Night Saturday. Photo by Aprile DeAnna McKinnon

Kim Pauley, one of the newer members to the Mermaids of Canyon Lake, moved into Canyon Lake with her family in November 2020. Joining the club is Kim‘s first time being involved in a club in Canyon Lake.

Kim and her husband Scott were hesitant at first to get involved with one of the various Canyon Lake clubs. They had so much fun at the Mermaids of Canyon Lake scavenger hunt, that Kim decided to join the Mermaids. Kim was the chair for the silent auction Saturday night and Scott served as the “Pit Boss.”

“I really enjoy helping others, so it’s nice to be a part of a group that gives back,” Kim said. “Everyone has been so welcoming.”

Players get vocal at the craps table Saturday at the casino night event. Many took the opportunity to learn how to play the game. Photo by Aprile DeAnna McKinnon

Nicole wanted to give a shout out to all of the Canyon Lake Town Center businesses who donated to the silent auction. Patriotic Arms. PZA, Studio K Tanning, Just for Paws Grooming, Southpaw Ceramics, Foxy Faces, Manhattan Beauty Project, Sports Stop, Rodeo Smoke Shop, Canyon Lake Market and California Styles all contributed prizes for the auction.

The casino fundraiser brought in $2,400, which will be given out to the charities that Mermaids of Canyon Lake supports, including Helping Hands, Riverside County Women‘s Shelter, Huey‘s Heroes, Angel Project, the Canyon Lake Fire Department and people in need in the local community.

“Nicole Cook Taylor did a fantastic job chairing the event, Lyne said. “Her committee stepped up by donating food items and their time on the day of the event. Their significant others always get pressed into service and make these events such a great success.”