2013-07 Ring Report

President Craig Fennessey opened the meeting by welcoming an initial member turnout of seventeen. He announced that five of our members had participated in a Gala affair benefitting the 'Give Kids The World' organization.  The event was held at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando and was attended by 2500 supporters of the project.  Our members who entertained were Craig Fennessey, Mark Fitzgerald, Jacki Manna with Matilda, Wallace Murphy and Doug Otto.

Craig reminded the membership that Steve Reynolds of New Orleans would be doing a lecture at the IHOP on August 7th and that the Tampa Magic Fest would be held in Tampa, on June 22d.

Dan Stapleton announced that plans for the Florida Magic Convention, to be held here in Orlando next May (2014), were moving along quite well and that a number of Ring Members had already purchased tickets for the event.

Bev Bergeron performed an impromptu Torn and Restored Napkin routine as part of his on-going teach- in  instruction followed by Phil Schwartz with Magic History Moment #50, a treatise on collecting books on magic.  He mentioned that one of the earliest books published in 1720 was The Golden Cabinet of Secrets.  Many of the publications were simply magic catalogs: others, illustrated volumes dedicated to posters of performing magicians. In later years the subject matter grew to include many facets of magical techniques and paraphernalia.  Phil ended his presentation with examples of publications from his collection.

Jacki Manna opened the performances by introducing her ventriloquist partner, Matilda, and proceeding to a discussion with a "genie in a vase". Mark Fitzgerald followed with a Card and Coin Matrix Routine expertly performed to music titled 'Shape of my Heart'.  Craig Fennessey added to the evening of magic by doing a scratch-off card effect and having a marked quarter  disappear and mysteriously turn up in his wallet.  Chuck Smith, not to be outdone, demonstrated his mentalism  prowess with an ESP pack and ended with a novel 'Tube on a Strong".  Ed McGowen was up next with his bag of tricks - its always a treat to see Ed perform.  Larry West mystified the members with "Dots Impossible" .   Peter Cane chipped in with 'Curse' followed by Jim Zacary with 'Dominoes Delight'.  Dan Stapleton was up next with 'Deck Tracy' performed from his huge repertoire of card magic and  Charles Pfrogner closed out the evening with a Gozinta Box and Sponge Ball Routine.

Sheldon Brook