2011-07 Ring Report

President Craig Fennessey called the meeting to order on June 15th with
32 members and guests in attendance. He then went on to inform us that
upcoming lecturers were to include Steve Reynolds and John Racherbaumer.
Dan Stapleton commented on the magic acts appearing on the latest season
of America Has Talent and the upcoming Abbott's convention.

The membership was queried as to whether any of them knew of any space
that would be available to store our Ring's props, equipment and other
paraphernalia that has been collected over the years. It should be climate
controlled.

Jack Kodell, one of our esteemed members, had his autobiography published
and released this month. Mark Fitzgerald is doing close-up at several clubs
in the Orlando area, including the Hard Rock Cafe. Mike Martin and others
are appearing at Give Kids The World on a monthly basis. Jackie Manna is
performing her ventriloquism-magic at area libraries.

Bev Bergeron continued his monthly Teach-In with an impromptu business
card handling routine and was followed by Phil Schwartz and Magic History
Moment No. 32. Phil's subject was "Alexander, The Man Who Knows".
Born, Claude Conlon, in Skagway, Alaska, in 1880, he developed into a
top performer, appearing at the Pantages Theater in California and other
venues drawing top dollar for his performances as a crystal gazer of the 20th
Century as well as a master magician. During the period of 1915 to 1920
he worked with Floyd Thayer developing The Dr. Q series of magic effects
including the Rapping Hand, Talking Vase, Slates, and several others. He
passed away in 1954 after a very successful career.

This meeting brought out many performing members starting out with

Mike Martin doing a comedy magic lecture routine assisted by Ben Mason.
Charlie Pfrogner followed with a variation of the Invisible Card Deck. Kerry
Pierce was up next with a variation of Ed Joseph's Magic & Mischief Box
as presented by Rachel Colombini. Mark Fitzgerald presented two effects:
the first was a multiplying bill routine with changing denominations and the
finish was having a playing card selected, placed back in the deck, expertly
manipulating the deck and finally producing the selected card.

Valerie and Bob Swadling performed several card effects including Fred
Kapps' Card Changing Colors. Bob finished with a very memorable Chinese
Linking Ring routine which few in the audience had ever seen before.

The Swadlings were followed by our youngest member, Sebastian
Midtvaage, who is preparing to participate in the next FISM competition of
North America. He gave us a preview of his performance with a beautiful
Coin and Card Matrix.

Joe Zimmer performed a comedy card effect with the help of Cuda Clux, a
chicken dummy.

Dan Stapleton performed "Plates", a card effect performed with the help of 4
volunteers who handled the cards and eventually selected cards and marked
their selected cards on paper plates. Dan successfully named their selections,
to the delight of the membership.

A fine time was had by all!