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More The Marcophile

• Marcophiles: Everything you want to know about warblers
• Marcophiles: Marco says bye to some and welcome to most
• Marcophiles: A walk along Marco’s beach

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When the witches of Marco toured the island to celebrate Halloween last year, the event was a smash hit. Now they’re doing it again and looking for more “witches” and others to take part.

“We had 53 witches last year and filled two of the trolley busses for the island tour,” says co-founder Nancy Ehlen. “It was a blast.”

All signs are for another fun evening when the witches take flight on Oct. 24. Approximately 60 volunteer witches will board two trolleys to trick-or-treat for donations to the Upon a Star Foundation.

As Nancy Ehlen and co-founder Michelle Jordan explain it: “The public is invited to a pre-party at Nacho Mama’s, to mingle with the witches at Marco Walk. The women will be selling T-shirts, coolie cups and Polaroid photos.”

Kids are welcome to take part in a costume contest — scariest, funniest, most creative, that sort of thing. Each child will get a “witch goodie bag.” Also available — face painting and animal balloons.

Nacho Mama’s will be offering dinner specials for kids and “witchy drink specials” for the grown-ups.

At about 7 p.m. the witches will board the trolley for their rolling tour of a dozen or more nightspots, so far including Sunset Grill, Joey’s Pizza, CJ’s on the Bay and Tara’s at the Esplanade, Marco Polo, Arturo’s, Crazy Flamingo, Rookies, Porky’s and the Little Bar and Old Marco Lodge in Goodland. Other restaurants that want to be included should phone Michelle at 272-3090 right away. The cost is $200.

Around 10 p.m. the witches tour will land at Guy Harvey’s at the Esplanade for a celebration. It will include live entertainment, plus contests for best costume, best broom and to see which witch raised the most donations. The public also is invited to join the fun in costume.

Want to be a witch? Sign up right away. It costs $50 plus a bottle of wine for the raffle at the party. For $50, businesses can sponsor a witch and get the merchant’s logo on her broom.

If you’re a warlock (a guy) you can travel the witches’ tour and be part of the entire evening for a donation of $1,000.

Whew. I’m worn out just describing the evening.

The Upon a Star Foundation, started by Michelle and Howard Jordan, has a mission of helping people on Marco who need financial help but sometimes don’t qualify for other charitable assistance. You can get details at www.uponastarfoundation.org.

Dentist supports the troops — help him

A dentist in Collier County is holding his third annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back event this year. It’s an innovative to help the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and the children at Youth Haven’s emergency shelter.

Dr. Thomas P. Hale of Advanced Dentistry of Naples is encouraging area children to experience the joys of giving back to others in the community by donating their Halloween candy in exchange for money.

Children will receive $1 for each pound of donated candy. The hard candy treats go to the troops. Perishable confections are donated to the children and families of Youth Haven.

Parents can take the unopened, wrapped candy their kids collected on Halloween to Dr. Hale’s office from 4 to 6 p.m., Nov. 3. The location is 9180 Galleria Court, Suite 100, in Naples.

The program has been a success, especially last year, when Dr. Hale collected more than 400 pounds of candy for Youth Haven and the troops.

Youth Haven is the only emergency shelter in Collier County for abused, abandoned and neglected children. Youth Haven serves more than 1,800 children and their families every year. The agency has been operating since 1972.

For more information on Youth Haven, you can phone 774-2904 or go online to www.youthhaven.net.

Halloween is funny

Why do demons and ghouls hang out together? Because demons are a ghoul’s best friend.

Who is the most famous French skeleton? Napoleon Bone-apart.

What do you call a witch who lives at the beach? A sand-witch.

OK, definitely for the kids. Jokes courtesy www.halloween.com.

Our e-mails: chris @chriscurle.com and don@donfarmer.com