In Memoriam

In Memoriam

The year was 1962 and I was 12years old and "working" at Don Masters Studio of Magic formerly Marvins Magic shop on the 8th floor of One North Orange in downtown Orlando.       Don and his wife Betty had decided to move the shop to a larger location between Church and Pine street in the Magruder Arcade. The shop now had 4 store fronts and one of the rooms was used for magic IBM and SAM meetings.     Don and Betty also put together the Orlando Jr. Magicians club and Orlando Magic Maids for the girls interested in magic.   At the close of 1962 I was selected asJunior Magician of the year  and my 12 year old magic buddy was selected as The most creative Junior Magician of the year.  We both recieved trophys , magic tricks and a certificate.   We were both so proud and we laughed and carried on like 12 year olds often do.       We remained good friends although I left Orlando for a number of years.    I returned in 1967 and ran into my magic buddy many times and I still possess a small magic wand he gave me as he knew I collected wands.I always knew when he was around as I would here him call out "Hey, Mickey" as he was one of the few that called me by my first name.   Only childhood friends knew that.    I am going to miss my 12 year old magic buddy - James Sherill.    I'll also miss his infectuous laugh.  When he would laugh, mostly about anything,you would just have to laugh with him.   Our magic club,the magic fraternity,his family - we all have lost a wonderful human being.   I still can see him,a skinny kid of 12 with his homemade flipover boxes and other home made effects - but most of all it's the laughter.       So long magic buddy - We'll miss you!

swapmfoxfl@aol.com

Broken Wand

Bev Bergeron reporting:

We lost two good members this past month.  The Broken Wand Ceremony was held for Donald Scudder and James Sherrill.

I’m so very proud of our Ring members who turned out for their brother magicians.  Donald service was held at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home in Altamonte Springs.  The family was very appreciative for the ceremony.

James’s ceremony took place during the public viewing on Friday night.  At 7:00 P.M. Over 30 members of our Ring and other magicians from around the state plus members of James’s family gathered for the Broken-Wand Ceremony.

Many members of the Ring got up and told stories of how they first met James and what he meant to them.  It was a very emotional period.  There was laughter and sorrow, but in the end the spirit of the room was enlightening.

After the wand was broken and placed with James for save keeping, the members did not rush out of the building.  They stayed to tell more stories about James and his magic.
The next morning, Saturday, about 20 members of our Ring gathered at the church for James’s final services.  Eight of our members served as pallbearers