2013-08 Ring Report

President Craig Fennessey opened the meeting with the introduction of the Ring officers and sadly announced that a close friend and participant in many of our Ring's activities, Magic Ian, had passed away, following surgery, on July 4th.  Ian had lectured and performed for our Ring in April and he will be missed in Central Florida.

Billy Scadlock announced that he would be leaving for Singapore, to work for  Universal Singapore.  Billy will be there at least a year portraying his Charlie Chaplin character for Asian audiences.

The Ring discussed several different events coming up: Bob Swadling lecturing in Leesburg on September 27th, Jacki Manna is booked for many library shows this season.  Doug Otto and Mark Fitzgerald are at The Hard Rock Cafe and Craig Fennessey can be found on alternate Friday nights at Gator's Dockside in Ocoee, Florida.  Wallace Murphy will be there on alternate Fridays.  Ravelli continues his entertaining on weekends at the Columbia Restaurant in Celebration  as well as the Courtyard at the Marriott Hotel.

Bev Bergeron shared his technique of producing printed business cards from blanks at his Impromptu Magic Session.  Mark Fitzgerald started off the performance portion of our meeting with the Stargate Card.  J. C. Hiatt chipped in with a  card 'Transpo effect'.  David Freeman pulled out all the stops performing Gypsy Queen complete with rope, rings and wand. Charlie Pfrogner pulled from his 'bag of tricks'  a miniature "Girl Without a Middle" illusion and Craig Schwarz followed with a Classic Pass demonstration.    Gary Adams reminded us of Dai Vernon with his routine, "The Trick That Fooled Houdini",  and Dan Stapleton assisted by two audience participants performed a clever sponge ball routine. Chuck Smith was up next with a chain release effect as well as a card prediction that baffled the audience. Ravelli ended the evening by demonstrating an entire magic routine set to music that he uses as part of his repertoire for children' shows. He also performed his version of the 'endless chain'.  It was an enjoyable evening for all.

Sheldon Brook