“Hocus Pocus” novel by AW Jantha, movie by Disney

by Teri E. Popp & Laura Chin, Tastemakers in Residence - Photos by Bill Popp, Teri Popp, and Mary Niemeyer

“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble” ~as spoken by the three witches from “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare.

One thing about belonging to a large book club is that you get to celebrate lots and lots of milestone birthdays!! And, when that special someone’s birthday falls on a Halloween, it’s only fitting to go full on witchy woman!! What better way to do that than with the novel “Hocus Pocus” by AW Jantha, and the classic, cult Disney movie of the same name starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy!

We started the evening with a rambunctious edition of the German dance song, Wolfshäger Hexenbrut (The Wolfhunter’s Coven), with group photos to follow.

We welcomed our new Queen Bee (an honor bestowed to members upon their 60th), in style with a full itinerary of evening’s activities that kept social distancing in mind. Our timeline for the night included help from all of the ladies of W3 and some of their ever-supportive spouses:

8:00-Stacy’s delivery of bar/table/decorations
9-10:00-Brent delivers and sets up a fire pit
12:00-Jeanne pick up a cake from Wayzata Woullets—cake commissioned by Sussan
12:30-2:30-Jeanne decorate cemetery, witches, pumpkins, tables
4:00-Book club arrives for dance rehearsal
4:30-Set up for the party: Jodene bar; Wendy Candy Bar
5:30-Mary arrives: The W3 court lines up in two lines allowing Mary a pathway to her throne. We all gather around the throne with our beverage in hand and go through the QB initiation poem, during which she is presented with her necklace (Laura C), a crown (Teri), wand, and her Queenly goblet with a signature cocktail. We toast the new Queen.
5:45-Group photographs in the front of the house
6:00-Start Binx (game-Laurie)
6:10-Wolfshager Hexenbrut Dance: Witches dance in front of the house on the driveway
6:15-Jeanne pick up dinner
6:20-Move to the backyard for cocktails
6:45-Dinner (Teri from the Lafayette Club)
7:00-Game and Prizes (Laurie, Laura C, and Renee)
7:15-Cake and champagne toast

Our menu was scrumptious (no “dead man’s toes” in sight!):

Smoking Wicked Witch Cocktail
Magic Munchies (pretzel mix)

Hocus Pocus Witches Elixir
Alternative Potions
Cunningly Clever Caesar Salad
Post Mortem Pot Roast, with Mashed Potatoes and Carrots

“Poison Apple” Cider Libation
Winnifred Birthday Cake

Candy Bar: Cracker Jacks, Salted Nut Rolls, Caramels, Sugar Skull Lollipop Rings, Tootsie Rolls, Sugar Daddies, Mentos, Fireballs, and Bit-O-Honeys

During the evening, our new Queen Bee Mary put a spell on us! But, as we all know, in the end: “It’s all a bunch of Hocus Pocus”!! We hope you enjoy a safe, healthy and happy Halloween.