MANCHESTER – The Witch of Whiting, also known as Princess Katey joined her fellow white witches, special guests and members of the public earlier this fall for a spellbinding event called “Witches Day: A Magickal Market” at the Crestwood Village 2 Clubhouse in Whiting.
The event featured a variety of vendors whose wares included tarot card reading, crafts, jewelry, books by local authors who were there to sign them, refreshments, singing, belly dancing and much more.
Princess Katey noted that the community event also served as a fundraiser for black cats. Her Magickal Marketplace supported “your local witch, women and family-owned businesses, black cats and all animals alike.”
The event had kitten and cat adoptions with cash donations. “We raised over $800 that went to the nonprofit Head Start Animal Rescue,” she added. Funds also went to the Residents Club of Village 2.
The event also featured an appearance by that lovable popular pooch Gilbert from Lacey Township. The social media sensation stopped by wearing his autumn overalls for photos assisted by family members.
Princess Katey provided a little history about Halloween which took place after her event. She said “All Hallows Eve or modern-day Halloween, is a day where we honor our deceased loved ones. This holiday (Samhain) is believed to be a blend of ancient Pagan and Christianized customs.”
“A beautiful Samhain custom is a tribute feast they would hold each October 31st – November 1st. This is called a ‘Dumb Supper,’ where you invite your deceased loved one to sit and share a meal with you. They would set the table for their deceased loved one with food and drink and the whole family would eat in silence to honor them, through the long winter ahead, so that in spring time they may sow their fields again with a bounty of food,” she added.
The Witch of Whiting took the stage to sing several songs appropriate for the day including “Witchcraft,” “Witchy Woman” and “Season of the Witch.” “The other songs I sang were a tribute to the most famous white witch herself, Stevie Nicks,” the princess noted.
Author /artist Dina A. Leacock of Medford was among the vendors at the event. She was not only selling several books that she wrote and self-published but jewelry that she made.
“I was an elementary school teacher for 10 years in Camden. I later became a reporter for The Burlington County Times and somehow ended up running a senior center for 18 years – talk about going extreme,” she remarked.
Leacock has sold more than 250 short stories and has two short story collections: “Just A Drop in the Cup” and “Seasons on the Dark Side” under the pen name of Diane Arrelle. She is the co-owner of a small publishing company, Jersey Pines Ink LLC and resides with her husband and her new cat on the edge of the Pine Barrens which she proudly noted is home to the Jersey Devil.
“I’ve always enjoyed writing horror. I always read it and started publishing in horror in 1988 and I really enjoy it. I always loved fantasy and different stuff.”
As for Gilbert, who is 4 years old, his owner Shannon Dixon described him as 63% Chihuahua. “He is a very special guy. Very chill. There is just something about him.”
Also present with the family was Jason Dixon, 23, who was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in April. Shannon Dixon explained, “they didn’t know if he was going to live and if he did live whether he would be able to breathe on his own again.”
“He had a massive stroke and there was so much traumatic brain injury that half his brain is atrophied now. In the last six months he has come so far and so much further than we ever expected. Just for him to be here with us today is very special. Half the money that we raised (at their table) today is going toward his care.”
“I would love to do this event again,” the Witch of Whiting remarked. For those wanting to learn more about Princess Katey’s magical activities, email her at underthesilvermoon2009@gmail.com.
