Vol. 4 Issue 7 July Visit our Web Site at

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1 Vol. 4 Issue 7 July 2007 We meets the first Thursday of the month at Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Ave. Sarasota FL Workshop at 6:00 pm. Officers meeting 6:30 pm. General meeting and presentation 7:00 pm. Visit our Web Site at Our annual Teach In is back by popular demand. Members of the club will share their proficiency in particular elements of magic. This is the time to ask questions and get close up and personal instruction. There will be tables set up around the room with each one dedicated to a particular item. David Pitchford will amaze you with his card handling. Wes Meltzer will keep you in knots with his ropes and stories. David Downer will show you how to make your money grow before your eyes. Joe Floersheimer will once again teach you some tricks with NSR. (no skill required) Jim Peterson will inspire you with his knowledge and experience in stage magic. Were practical, hand outs will be provided for your own practice session and perhaps next year you will be at one of the tables to share your achievements. Bring a deck of cards, some rope and a willingness to learn some great new effects. This is a non credit course and there will not be any diplomas nor a prom. During the evening there will be tables provided for the displaying of items you wish to sell. So empty those closets, the attics or that trunk under the bed. All those magic items that you never got around to learning or using may be just the thing that someone else is looking for. Just think, your next vacation could be funded this evening. It is also a good time to take inventory of your tapes, books etc. If they are no longer used and could possibly be added to our library bring them along. Vol. 4 Issue 7 July 2007 Page 1

2 Magic Workshop Bill Bremner Coordinator Dear Abbey; (formerly Bill Bremner) I m having a problem with a double lift and an Elmsley Count. I m also not to sure about Professor's Nightmare and a Matrix. Appreciate assistance. L.M. ( Learning Magician) Dear LM; Dear LM; That s what we re here for. Bring along your problem and the items related to it and we will do our best to assist you in learning the proper moves to accomplish your goal. This feature of our meeting is to help all of our members to make them better magicians in all phases of our art. July 5th Teach-in/Swap Meet August 2nd Members Lecture Dave Downer, The Art of Presentation Sept. 6th Diamond Jim Tyler, Lecture Oct. 4th Close Up Contest Oct. 19th Special Lecture, Nathan Kranzo November Ring 81 Gala Show featuring Ken Chandler, Danny Tong, Dave Downer, Michael Barron. Start pushing tickets From the President When 23 Sarasotan s joined Inez Kitchen at a meeting to organize a new I.B.M. ring here in our community in 1948, little did they know what they were creating. They could not have known that their group of 23 charter members of Ring 81 would grow to three times that number. They could not have known that one of the Ring s charter members, famed magician William Preston, would later serve as I.B.M. president. They could not have known that many of their members would build full-time successful careers in magic, careers that would take them all over our great country. They could not have known of the many magicians who became better magicians through the sharing of ideas, the instructional programs and the guest lecturers presentations that took place over the last nearly sixty years at Ring 81 meetings. We owe a great deal to these predecessors of ours. They created Ring 81. They got it started. They built it through the years. Yes, we owe them much. We can repay that debt only in one way: by continuing their efforts to build our Ring, to make it stronger, to improve and expand its contributions to the world of magic. Our Ring 81 members of today are doing just that. They are performing at many locations: at trade shows, business meetings, children s parties, museums and at our own shows --- all see Ring 81 magicians carrying on the tradition. They carry that tradition on by teaching each other new tricks or new ways of trickery. They do it by sharing their magic. Also, many of our members continue the tradition by performing for civic events. Examples abound. One notable instance is the three days of our community s important blood donation drive. Ring 81 members have volunteered to perform, to entertain the donors. It would have been great if more members could have participated. Nevertheless, donors will enjoy and appreciated the magic.the magic that Ring 81 members will create. I urge more of you to volunteer. And to the cadre of regularly active volunteers, I say, Keep it up, please. Stevie Dee Parties, Conventions, Graduations. You name it, He does it. Steve can be reached at: or FAX S U P P O R Dave Downer Strolling - Parlor Party Magic (941) adkmdowner@msn.com M E M B E R S CHECKERS The Clown Juggling - Magic Balloon Sculptures Vol. 4 Issue 7 July 2007 Page 2

3 MAGICAL REMINISCING With Jim Peterson EDDIE TULLOCK Trade Show Magician Eddie Tullock was the dean of trade show magic. Eddie was born in 1919 in Minneapolis and was the eldest of two children. Like so many of us he received a Gilbert Mysto Magic Set as a gift and was hooked on magic. At age 15, he met a Midwest magician named Harry Gordien, who hired Eddie to work the carnival ten-in-one show as a barker, beginning his lifelong career as an entertainer. In 1956 Eddie was invited by Westinghouse to bring his sleight-of-hand magic, to a business convention in Philadelphia to promote a new electric light bulb. I met Eddie, for the first time, at a School Administrator's Convention held in Atlantic City. The year was 1959 and I was a salesman for National School Studios. For a little guy he had a voice of thunder. His effects were mostly card tricks, but he could hold a crowd of 100 to 200 people spellbound while he hammered home the corporate marketing message. At one convention Eddie showed me the inside of his attaché case and it was filled with decks of cards. He used four to five decks of cards a day. He was not the world's greatest card technician. He built his entire act with a palm, classic force, top change and the double lift. For the most part all of his sleights can be found between the covers of "Royal Road To Card Magic." His tricks were not new, nor were they particularly original. He didn't belong to any magic clubs, didn't spend much time watching magic and seldom practiced. So what did he have to offer? Simply this: Eddie Tullock was perhaps the most entertaining man in the world when doing magic with a deck of playing cards. He hammered home the corporate marketing message with power and energy. He know how to present an effect and he had a great understanding of people and could read his audience. No one could present a card act with the force and excitement as well as Eddie Tullock. Note: He had stubby fingers and used bridge size cards. I was in and around trade shows for over 40 years and I never saw anyone do it better. On May 5th, at the age of 88, we lost the undisputed founder of trade show magic. Re: MAGIC...June Issue TULLOCK...The Phantom Founder of Trade Show Magic Vol. 4 Issue 7 July 2007 Page 3

4 Trick of the Month. Author: Unknown Impossible Card Location Using a 52-card deck, have three people each select a card without showing it to you. Tell them to memorize their card. Deal one pile of 10 cards face down. Next to it deal a pile of 15 cards, and next to that deal another 15-card pile. Keep the remaining 9 cards in your hand. Have the first person put his (or her) card on top of the 10-card pile, cut as many cards as he wants from the second pile, and put them on his card. Have the second person put her card on the second pile, cut as many cards as she wants from the third pile, and put them on top of her card. Have the third person put his card on top of the third pile, hand him the 9 cards you're holding, and have him place them on top of his card. Pick up the last pile, put it on the middle pile, and put both on the first pile. Make clear that the cards are now lost and you will find them. Take four cards off the top and place them on the bottom of the deck. Explain that you are going to flip a card up and next to it one down and keep on repeating this until you don't have cards in your hand. Tell the spectators to say "Stop" if they see their card. Deal the cards alternately into two piles, one face up and one face down, starting with the face-up pile. When all the cards have been dealt (the spectators won't see their card unless you mess up), push the face-up pile aside and pick up the other pile. Deal it into two piles in exactly the same way. Keep repeating this until you have only three cards left face down. Turn them over, and there are their cards. The top one is the third person's card, the next is the second person's card, and the bottom one is the first person's card. Card Facts Court cards designed in the 16th century in the manufacturing centre of Rouen became the standard design in England, while a Parisian design became standard in France. Both the Parisian and Rouennais court cards were named after historical and mythological heroes and heroines. The Parisian names have become more common in modern use, even with cards of Rouennais design. King of Diamonds:Caeser, King of Clubs: Alexander, King of Hearts: Charlemagne, King of Spades: David. Queen of Spades: Pallas, Queen of Hearts: Rachel, Queen of Diamonds: Argine, Queen of Clubs: Judith Popular legend holds that the composition of a deck of cards has religious, metaphysical or astronomical significance: typical numerological elements of the explanation are that the four suits represent the four seasons, the 13 cards per suit are the 13 phases of the lunar cycle, black and red are for day and night, the 52 cards of the deck (joker excluded) symbolizes the number of weeks in a year, and finally, if the value of each card is added up and 1 is added, which is generally explained away as being for a single joker the result is 365, the number of days in a year. The context for these stories is sometimes given to suggest that the interpretation is a joke, generally being the purported explanation given by someone caught with a deck of cards in order to suggest that their intended purpose was not gambling. Vol. 4 Issue 7 July 2007 Page 4

5 Tampa-IBM Ring 42, SAM Assembly 82 On Thursday, June 21, the Tampa Bay Magic Club (TBMC) will again hold its annual Strolling Close-Up Competition & Potluck Dinner. This has become the NUMBER ONE event of the year for TBMC. Last year, over 90 members and guests witnessed fantastic magic performed at each & every table by 10 magicians. For those of you who attended, I need not say more; for those of you who missed last year's event: this is the most phenomenal magic show you will ever witness!!! This year we will have to put a limit on the number of reservations (even for members) -- it was just too crowded last year! Even though this may seem early, we are already more than half full! I strongly recommend you or call Paul Preston (preston9@tampabay.rr.com / ) to reserve your seats - ALL SEATS MUST BE RESERVED BY JUNE 16 OR SOONER IF WE ARE FULL! WE ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF PERFORMER SLOTS STILL OPEN: That's right; if you can do a minute performance, sign up by calling Tom Kirwan at (727) There is a $20 registration fee (includes dinner for one) Limited to the first 10 registrants. Deadline is June 8, First Prize is $300, 2nd is $200, 3rd is $100. Our new way of picking the winners by the audience gives every performer Ft. Meyers Magician s Association, FMMA The Ft. Myers Magician's Association is comprised of the combined membership of Assembly 150 of the Society of American Magicians SAM) and Ring 303 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Our usual meeting night is the first Tuesday of the month and visitors are always welcome. We meet at 7:00pm in the wellness center of Myerlee Manor, 1499 Brandywine Circle, Ft. Myers. The July meeting will have an open theme where many of the members perform for the entertainment of all.. We recently celebrated the 70th birthday of Danny Tong one of our popular members. We wish Danny all the best for many years of good health and good magic. For those of you who have not availed yourself to his recently released DVDs you're missing something. The Linking Ring Magazine of May 2007 had nothing but praises for these two DVDs. You can contact Danny at Due to the request by some of the members who were fortunate enough to attend the Torn and Restore Newspaper close up class given by Bob Scekeres at our last meeting, there will be additional classes given in this effect. This will be a two hour workshop. In order to make it most convenient for those interested the dates are still flexible awaiting your preferences. Dates that are being considered are July 11th, 12th or 13th, and the time will be 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Arrangements are being made for a room at Beth Sholom the venue where our regular meetings are held. Please let Bob know of your preferred dates. Naturally the majority will have to be the ruling factor. Bob at R.SCEKERES@VERIZON.NET Vol. 4 Issue 7 July 2007 Page 5

6 Once again our members stepped up to the task at a community event. POKER MADNESS sponsored by the Sarasota Manatee Jewish Federation. The May 12th event at Michael on East turned into a huge success. Ring 81 helped make this happen by the participation of Jim Bedwell, Joe Floersheimer, David Pitchford and Wes Meltzer Jim Bedwell amazing the onlookers. David Pitchford with a perfect fan as always Wes Meltzer with cards? Most have forgotten the ropes. Joe Floersheimer socializing with the guests.. Photos by Syd Krawczyk Photography WANTED Magician/ Balloon twister to fill in dates, Nights & Weekends. StevieDeeMagic@Yahoo.com Magic Magazines for Sale. Complete sets. Many library bound. Over 50. Different Titles Steve Dee Vol. 4 Issue 7 July 2007 Page 6

7 Every month a different member of our club will be the subject. They may be officers of the club or non elected members. Makes no difference if they are sleight of hand specialists, saw-in-halfers, live animal guys, or ropers, every one is fair game. If you haven t already had your 15 minutes of fame and even if you have here s your chance. was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She credits her first exposure to magic when she accompanied her older brother to a magic shop. Years later, as a stay at home mom she bought some books on magic. Then she took her daughter to Arts Day in Sarasota and met Dave Pitchford who invited her to come to one of the club meetings. Afterwards, she became a member of the IBM and Ring 81, along with her mother Sylvia. Bob Scekeres asked her if she would be willing to do the website for Ring 81. That s how she became the web mistress. She also has a personal web site. She was employed at Sprague Electric Co. for 15 years and had a terrific career there including software courses at Temple University. She developed all of the software programs for automatic relay systems in order to test the circuits that were manufactured at the plant. She also wrote software for the CAD department and put together the inventory program there. Her husband, Carl, of 25 years and daughter Laura have been in Florida since Her hobbies include biometeorology, reading and research on herbs. She likes to experiment with bubbles, and has made cubic bubbles, carousels, and sculptures. She is currently refining several bubble solutions, for different purpose. Her hobbies are endless. She plays several instruments including the organ, guitar, piano, clarinet, flute and auto harp. In her free time she asks and answers trivia questions for an online group of friends. Where else would she ask, "Which spice, according to Malaysian folklore, had the power to protect against crocodiles?" She also enjoyed writing music, poetry, oil painting, and making pencil drawings. (I m exhausted just from writing this) Currently she belongs to the Herbal Research Foundation, the American Botanical Council, the Free Access Organization, the Soap Bubble Fanciers Group, and the American Institute of Biometeorology. She also makes her own soap. She s now working on a full deck. Vol. 4 Issue 7 July 2007 Page 7

8 Arnieism of the Month Q: Where can women over the age of 50 find young, sexy men, who are interested in them? A: Try a bookstore under fiction. Your suggestions and submissions are not only appreciated they are sought. Share a trick, an event or anything relevant to Ring 81. Want More Magic? A group of Ring 81 members meet every Tuesday from 7 to 9 pm at Bennigans Sarasota, Bahia Vista and Rte. 41. It s a nice informal atmosphere in which to share and compare your latest effects with some of your BOOKS GALORE President Dick Johnson, mokidick@comcast.net Vice Pres. David Downer, Dave@lawsongroup.com Officers Ring 81 Sgt. at Arms & Newsletter Editor Joe Floersheimer, Secretary Bob Banta, banta@hotmail.com Treasurer David Pitchford, dapo@comcast.net Joe Floersheimer 5814 Fairwoods Circle Sarasota FL Vol. 4 Issue 7 July 2007 Page 8