2013-03 Ring Report

President Craig Fennessey introduced the Ring officers and guests, Linking Ring Executive Editor, Sammy Smith and International IBM Past President Michael Stratman. George Bernard and Past-Ring President Carl Fowler were also recognized. The Ring's upcoming Flea Market and Auction will be held on March 23d at a new location, Sleuth's Theater, located on International Drive in Orlando. Tom Craven will be the featured Lecturer and workshop facilitator. One-half of the 30 flea market tables, available, have already been reserved for the event.

Mathew Wright will be the featured lecturer here at the IHOP on April 17th. Our own Steve Hart has put together a brief video on past flea markets and hopes to share it with us in the near future. Next years' IBM Convention will be held in Phoenix, Arizona and in 2015 the host city will be in neighboring Jacksonville, Florida.

Our Ring unanimously voted to put together a scholarship or subsidy program to encourage aspiring young magicians to participate in our Ring's activities and encourage their magical aspirations. Bev Bergeron will report later.

Sammy Smith presented Linking Ring's Howard Bamman Trophy to Bev Bergeron for his tireless and continuing contribution of monthly articles in Linking Ring for the 10-year period of 2001 to 2011. Bev graciously accepted and proceeded to present to the membership an impromptu Magic Moment. He demonstrated a torn napkin routine that can be performed in almost any location with readily available paper napkins but practice, practice......

Phil Schwartz followed with Magic History Moment Number 47, The Ultimate Okito by the late Robert Alba, MD. This was the follow-up treatise to the author's first publication on Okito's contribution to magic. Phil also displayed his collection of various die boxes produced by Thayer and others. Included in his collection was a box fabricated of Honduran mahogany, a prayer vase, an Owen prediction box, a card box and several sizes of die boxes. The membership was delighted with his presentation.

After a brief intermission 6 members volunteered to perform. Bob Swadling flawlessly produced a playing card from silk followed by a card and ace production and finishing with coins penetrating a packaged deck of cards. George Bernard followed with a coin through a plastic envelope illusion. Dan Stapleton was up next with a card prediction routine and closed with an imaginary stroked cue ball leaving a chalk mark on the
cupped hands of an audience participant. Mike Stratman next demonstrated his handling and manipulation of corks in an entertaining routine. Up next was Doug Kalcik who performed a parody of a Houdini escape, employing a wine glass, a small chain, and a closed box to house the goblet. Carl Fowler closed out the evening with a very entertaining variation on the Professor's Nightmare.

Sheldon Brook