Sunday, April 08, 2007

Ring 50 “Spring Cleaning” Auction Draws A Crowd at April Meeting

Before the auction began Dick Christian (Christian the Magician) performed for the 61 members of the audience one of the last remaining and operational Blooming Rose Bushes.
Our auctioneers Dick Christian and IBM Past President, Bill Wells did a fantastic job demonstrating the live auction items and getting the best dollar. Overall lucky bidders got some fine magic equipment. Lucky bidders walked off with some of the interesting pieces like: A Square Circle, Spear Thru Head, Guillotine, Silk Production Box, Spirit Slates, Dove Vanish Box, Fire Purse, Mental Epic, and a collection of Eugene Burger Books, just to name a few. Louis Hofheimer (Capt Token) was top bidder for a collectors item T-Shirt from the former Al’s Magic Shop. Dwight Redman was the lucky bidder for a Kollossal Killer Wallet, another hard to find quality item. Mike Leggett tied up Abbott’s Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks. Eric Henning struggled to the top with a high bid for a 22"x33" framed Magic Castle Lithograph by Terry Lamb. Louis Meyer was happy to see his Ian Adair’s Crown Jewel get lots of bids bringing in four times more than he expected. Eighty-four items sold in the auction netting the Ring $171.30 in fees and donations for the Ring Treasury. Twenty-four items were sold in the live auction and sixty nifty magic items in the silent auction.


Magi-Whirl 2007 Is Happening April 13 & 14
This years Magi-Whirl events have some of the finest lectures and performers that you won’t want to miss. If you haven’t paid for your registration, you can do it on-line until April 10th. After that you will have to pay at the door. The registration fee is $50. If you only want to attend the Saturday evening Gala Show featuring the Magic of Krandl & Company, the Amazing Humorist Tim Sonefelt, Magic by Bob Sanders, the Magic of Michael Lair, Magician Extraordinaire Michael Taggert, DC Magician of the Year Dwight Redman, and Magical Master of Ceremonies – Bob Carnathan, the cost is $10. Cash or checks are only acceptable at the school. Make checks out to IBM Ring 50, there is no ATM available.
Directions to Magi-Whirl - Using I-495 (Beltway):
Take Exit 176B (Telegraph Rd. North). Follow overhead signs to Duke Street West (Route 236 West/Landmark). At the 2nd traffic light, turn right on Cambridge Rd. and then an immediate left. Drive a very short distance up the hill to Bishop Ireton on the right. Use the very first entrance to the parking lot. Entrance to Magi-Whirl is at the far end of the parking lot.

Other Ring 50 News
Jeffery Sobel was voted into the Ring on April 4th. In the wings waiting for membership into Ring 50 are: Gabriel Brehm, Jay Krasnow, and Terrance Moran. Pending IBM membership is Jeff Dionise, and Teresito Malicse. Dave Gregory of Georgetown has expressed an interest in joining Ring 50.

2007 Dues Due
Fourteen 2006 members have not come forward with their dues for 2007. The Constitution and By-Laws state: “Article II, Sect 4, Any member whose dues are three months in arrears shall be automatically suspended.” Suspension will be effective in May. If you don’t have a 2007 membership card, better get one soon. The $15 dues may be sent to Bob Patterson, Treasurer, 3450 Wainscott Place, Lake Ridge, VA 22192-5263. Make checks payable to IBM Ring 50.

Nominations for Office
Wow! Time flies when you are having fun. Another year has gone by. Next month, May, we will hold our annual election for officers. At the June meeting the officers will be installed. Those nominated are: President, Mike Taggert, Vice President, Louis Myer, Treasurer, Bob Patterson, Secretary, Laurie Curry, Sergeant-at-Arms, Reggie Rice, Director at Large, Don Freedman, Director at Large, Bill Wells and Director & Past President Dwight Redman.

Sharpen Your Skills – Two Contests Coming
May 2 Meeting - Magician of the Year Competition
May’s Ring 50 meeting will feature our annual Dan Lacey Magician of the Year competition open to all members. If you want to compete begin your planning now. Each magician will be given seven minutes to a maximum of nine minutes for his or her performance. Competitors will be judged on such things as performance skills, entertainment, and originality. All performers will need to be paid up members of IBM Ring 50 in order to compete. The competition honors the memory of the late Dan Lacey, a former Ring 50 president, who inspired members to explore their limits in performing magic. A bequest from his family and his workplace provided a rotating trophy, which is awarded to each year’s winner. Potential competitors should contact Ring 50 President Dwight Redman.

June 6th Meeting - Winton Carroll Award “Most Humorous Magician”
This is a new contest with a $100 award for the magician showing a ‘bit of humor’. Contest will be held each year for the next five years and will be separate from any other contest. The winner will be determined by "people's choice" in which each member of the audience has the opportunity to vote for the comedy magician of their choice. The one with the most votes wins. Ballots will be made up the day before the meeting once all the contestants have applied. This contest is open to all members. Apply to Dwight Redman for the Winton Carroll Contest.

~~ Bob Patterson

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