2008 Archives...
This page contains a chronological listing of articles and reviews about PMA events and activities from 2008. These reports were initially published on our News page. Find links to our other archives at the bottom of the News page as they become available.
2008 PMA Banquet...
Sunday, January 20, 2008
The Annual PMA Dinner was held on Jan. 20th 2008 at The Grecian Gardens in Chillicothe, IL. There were about 25 members and guests in attendance. PMA President Adam Shake began the evening by making the opening remarks followed by member Doc Lowery blessing the food. After dinner, Committee Member and past PMA President Gordon Snow performed the New Officers initiation and announced this year's President as Adam Shake, Vice President as Greg McNeil, Treasurer as Jerry Tupper, Secretary as Greg Joyce, S.A.M. Representative as Troy Keefer, I.B.M. Representative as Allen Broomfield, and F.C.M Representative as Grant Golden.
Adam then performed the New Members initiation and announced Brock Cassidy, Carol Lowe, and Byron Niebuhr as new members of the PMA. Jerry updated the assembly on the latest developments going on with Bergner's and Gordon updated the assembly on upcoming lectures. Greg McNeil updated the assembly on the April show and reminded us all that April is only a short time away.
After the business matters were finished, it was time for the entertainment! Adam gave us a sample of the water magic that he will be performing in April. Adam performed two entertaining tricks, both contained water. Greg McNeil performed a classic and funny "name your card" trick, and Allen performed two mentalism tricks, including his popular "calendar trick". Adam then concluded the evening and wished everyone a safe ride home.
Allen Broomfield - January 26, 2008
January Monthly Meeting...
Monday, January 21, 2008
The January meeting was held at our regular location in the meeting room upstairs at Bergner's in Sheridan Village. Several issues were discussed including a fund raising project, a couple of public relations events, and more details for our April 19th show, "Spellbound". A couple lectures were mentioned with exact schedules still being ironed out. We had a good turnout with sixteen PMA members, returning guest, Kyle Basset, and a new guest, John Yates, attending
The magic topic for January was "Cool, Calm, and Collected". Several members brought in favorite pieces from their collections including some rare and unique items. Adam Shake started the session by showing a Mis-Made Parasol which was autographed by Doug Henning. Greg McNeil showed a set of solid stainless steel Merv Taylor Linking Rings made by Fred Rickard, probably in the 1950's, and another set of Merv Taylor rings once owned by John Mendoza.
Doc Lowery showed a couple of old and unique puppets, one of which was a Duck he acquired from long time PMA member, Ted Colteaux. He also had an interesting small puppet of a boxer which is constructed so that the arms move in and out as if punching. Kathy Martin brought in an old Break-Away Wand made from Catalin, probably in the late 50's, by expert machinist Connie Haden. David Taylor performed an entertaining card transposition using a nicely made brass plate made by Morrissey many years ago.
Grant Golden brought a whole bag of things. He handed out some souvenir thimbles he received from Dave Madden, who most of you remember as Ruben Kincaid from The Partridge Family. Grant also showed several collectible magic tokens and coins including S.A.M., Adam's palming coins, Thurston, Kellar, and Houdini souvenir coins, and a neat collection of pins from Abbott's conventions of the past. He showed some of his favorite books gathered over his lifetime, notably a copy of Magic for Boys, published in 1954.
Karl Niebuhr showed a very nicely made table top illusion where solid metal blades were used to slice a candle into thirds. When the three doors in the front and back were opened, we could see right through the box, and the middle section of the candle had vanished. The doors were closed again, and when the blades were removed and the doors opened, with a little bit of magic, the candle was once again in one piece. Karl explained that he had purchased this through an ad in Magic Magazine, where it was described as a limited edition item. Gordon Snow concluded the session by describing a set of large Hippity Hop Rabbits once owned by Karrel Fox.
It was good to have so many participate and bring in their various treasures!
Kathy Martin - January 28, 2008