2010-07 Ring Report

President Craig Fennessy called the meeting to order on June 16th and introduced the Ring's Officers to the 28 members and guests in attendance.

Craig had attended a preview visit to the new Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studio's Islands of Adventure and was very impressed by its detail and attractiveness but warned of the crowds that will be encountered. He has made arrangements for future lectures with Trevor Duffy, Ken Scott, Richard Turner and Bob Sheets. The membership will be notified by E-mail when the final dates and times have been established. Joanie Spina will also be putting on a workshop in the near future under the auspices of Keith Locke.

On the first Sunday of the month, Ring members have been meeting at Gator's Dockside for dinner and a close-up magic encounter. June 6 was no exception and it was standing room only for the restaurant audience and some of the participants. Several other Ring members are booked around town: Bev Bergeron at The Wizards of Magic, Dan Stapleton at the Portofino Hotel, Josh Stenkamp on I-Drive, Mark Fitzgerald at the Hard Rock Cafe and Doug Kalcik at Murphy's Pub.

Craig encouraged the Ring to participate in the sale of Aldo Columbini Magic and to do what ever possible to help in supporting the funding for Rachel Wilde's impending medical procedure. We all wish her a speedy and successful recovery.

Dan Stapleton spoke of the recent passing of Don Masters, one of the founders of our Ring. Don was the owner and operator of several magic shops in the Orlando area before the advent of the Theme Park Era. In addition to Magic Don had an interest in Mystery Books, Horror Movies from the old school and was a fan of character actors, Johnny Weissmuller, Boris Karloff, and Bela Lugosi, to name a few. Dan had been asked by Don's executors to dispose of scores of VHS tapes and other memorabilia that he had collected over the years. The Ring expects to conduct a memorial service for him in the near future.

Bev Bergeron continued his series of mini-teachins with match book magic and other comedy routines.

Phil Schwartz presented Magic History Moment # 23 with an introduction of the History of Magic Books initiated by Professor Hoffman(nee Angelo John Lewis) in 1876 titled Modern Magic and now showing to the Ring his contribution to the series with the first issue of his treatise titled "The Ultimate Thayer" co-authored with Dr. Robert Albo. The complete package consists of two volumes and 10 DVDs and is now on its way to the bookshelves of those who have pre-ordered and those of you who would like to have a copy please get in touch with Phil.

Chris Dunn volunteered to emcee the performance portion of the meeting and had no trouble in getting Josh Stenkamp to lead off with card effect that left many in the audience baffled. Colin Parks followed with a little Rope Magic and Cards. Mark Fitzgerald did another card illusion and then Dan Stapleton performed 2 packet tricks that came from the Don Masters Collection. Bob Swadling performed the mystery of the Sympathetic Match Box and demonstrated his method of card control utilizing a 'spring shuffle'. Doug Kalcik performed a thumb cuff escape and finished with a Candle Illusion changing flame to salt. Chuck Smith performed a Remote Viewing Matrix with prediction that amazed the mmbership. Sebastian closed the evening with a superlative performance mixed cards unmixing and Silver Dollars Transposing.

A fine time was had by all.

Sheldon Brook