2010-10 Ring Report

President Craig Fennessey called the meeting to order on September 15th and introduced the Ring's officers to the 30 members in attendance and guests Jimmy Vee and Eric Kennedy of Boston, Mass.

Billy Scadlock announced that the Sunburst Convention of Tribute Performers would be held this month in Orlando. The annual convention brings together performers from the regional area performing their specialties at two performances during the week as well as a list of other events that are open to the public.

Craig Schwarz, President of the local SAM chapter announced that their meeting night had been changed to the 4th Wednesday of the month and will be held at the IHOP on Hwy 192, just east of I-4. He also mentioned the SAM's National Conference will be held at the Kissimmee Radisson next March. The Florida State Magic Convention is scheduled for November 5th through 7th in Daytona Beach and members were reminded to purchase tickets now for choice seating at the show.

Keith Locke reported that he was initiating a Segway Transporter Experience this month on International Drive and invited the members out to try it. Jackie Manna announced that her Clown Alley would be having a Show in October at a local Lutheran Church. Dan Stapleton reported that America Has Talent will be at the Bob Carr Auditorium on November 7th and there will be a Don Martin Memorial Service in Deland if any one wished to attend. Dan will also be presenting a Ring Lecture in Leesburg on November 14th.

James Songster will be performing at Wizards in Kissimmee on October 18th his production of The Theater of the Unexplained. Kerry Pierce will be hosting a Halloween Party for adults and kids at his property on October 29th and 30th.

Bev Bergeron was up next with his Tic Tac Toe Prediction Teach-in that had some of the members playing with it for the rest of the evening.

Phil Schwartz presented the Ring with Magic History Moment # 25 and addressed the secret that goes back to the year 1902 when the book "The Expert at the Card Table " was written by S. W. Erdnase (E.S. Andrews)? Ed McGowen quickly followed Phil with a demonstration of 3-card Monte the old fashioned way.

Chris Dunn emceed the performance part of the meeting. Doug Kalcik saw through the styrofoam cup and avoided impaling his hand on a spike hidden under one of the four that had been placed on the table. Phil Schwartz returned as a performer with the Thayer made Blue Phantom Disc Illusion invented by Hans Trunk and truly mystified the audience. Chuck Smith opened with a beautiful large butterfly silk and performed a selected card torn and the remainder found in an unopened can. Dan Stapleton came up next with an audience volunteer and demonstrated Reflexology, a humorous by the volunteer to catch his $50 bill that
had been placed in an envelope and dropped between his fingers. After a few attempts he was successful but was chagrined when he removed the bill from the envelope it had mysteriously changed to a $1 denomination. Mark Fitzgerald closed the show with a three coin manipulation and 4-Ace handling effect.

A fine time was had by all.