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M-U-M Reports

February 2009 Meeting

Theme: Magic I saw/learned from Television

The assembly moved that we accept the gracious offer of Larry Kahlow to host the meetings at Eagle Magic.  It was decided that (with Larry’s final approval) we would start meeting there in September, after the three-month summer hiatus.

Adam and his lovely wife (and capable assistant) Lisa performed a wonderful version of metamorphosis.  Don French used two chairs and a rope to illustrate a story about a one-semaphore town in the 1940s.

Jack Nordin (left) demonstrated his latest moves in the now-infamous rope routine.

Darnay “took us home” (literally) with video of a complete performance from his home-theater during a SAM Assembly-12 meeting in the mid 1980s.  In that Halloween-themed performance, Darnay performed death defying illusions and a levitation with (then teen-age) Suzanne.

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M-U-M Reports

January 2009 Meeting

Justin Alan was our featured guest.

Prior to Justin’s lecture, we applauded the success of the November meeting held at Eagle Magic.  We voted against having meeting-locations rotate between member-homes.

The obituary that Darnay had graciously prepared for Jerry Johnson was read aloud.

It was agreed that the March meeting will feature and acknowledge past presidents of SAM Assembly-12. 

Then it was time for Justin.  In addition to a delightful sampling of his routine, Justin also shared some of his observations and rules on restaurant magic.  We saw a here, then there signed-card routine, a card-to-wallet using his preferred “Real Man’s” brand wallet, and a vanishing tissue sucker routine using a roll of toilet paper (one-ply).  We also were entertained with a teathered-folded card illusion and the “Instant M.C.” routine.  Justin closed with a tic tac toe prediction.  Thank you Justin.

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Meeting Announcements

March meeting

March 20th is the date of our next meeting, and we will be honoring past presidents; most of whom will be performing. This should be a memorable event. Pizza will be served.

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Meeting Announcements

February meeting

Our February meeting will take place on the 20th of the month. The theme has to do with TVs. Perform something you’ve seen on TV and bring a tape for comparison purposes. Or think more outside the box so to speak; so be creative — how about linking TVs or TVs and balls or even floating TVs.  Remember March is our toast a past president party.

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Meeting Announcements

January Meeting

Our Jan meeting will be held on the 16th of the month. Justin Alan will be our guest. He is one of the more prominent restaurant workers in our area. He will share some of his work with us.  Hopefully chili will also be provided by Sandy and her wonderful husband. Feb. will be TV magic.

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M-U-M Reports

November Meeting at Eagle

Minneapolis, MN  This month’s meeting took place at the new location of the oldest, continuously-operating magic store in the U.S.A. — Eagle Magic.

Meeting at New Eagle Magic Store
Photo: Jennifer Kahlow

Owner Larry Kahlow shared with the members some of the rich history of the store since it’s inception in 1899 including visits by Houdini and Thurston.  On this night he performed two knots-on/off rope trick.  Jack Nordin followed with a different kind of rope trick; that of a cowboy, swinging and twirling a lasso.  Darnay shared a bent-nail puzzle similar to one that fascinated him as a small boy.  Aaron Timmerman  flashed all of us with a wad of bills that changed from ones to hundreds.  Geoff Williams entertained with Hart’s Link and Adam Moore performed a thumb-cuff escape and vanish.  Bob Miller closed with an entire routine he has been developing that included versions of Feeling Flushed, Shuffleboard, and a BAM method of tracking five cards.  Thank you Larry for opening your doors to us.

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M-U-M Reports

Sept & October Meetings 2008

The October meeting was our annual auction, where deals were the theme of the evening.  Value of the items was boosted when a few of the sellers offered to instruct bidders on the methods and nuances.
We noted that attendance was less than our 2007 auction: the economy, attrition, and reduced promotion were cited as reasons.
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M-U-M Reports

Obituary: Gerald B. “Jerry” Johnson

 

 
 

Jerry Johnson of Richfield, Minnesota, died October 30, 2008 after an eight-month illness. He was 76.

Jerry grew up on a farm in Forest Lake, MN, and began studying magic at age eleven.  He built many of his tricks and wrote his own patter which resulted in his unique style of comedy stage magic.  He began performing as a young teenager and continued to do shows until his retirement in 1997.  He was known for his original moves, quick wit, and humor.

After graduating from Forest Lake High School, he attended Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN for two years before being drafted into the Army.  He was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky where he played the trumpet in the 74th Army Band and performed magic in shows for Special Services.  He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1958 with a degree in education.  The family moved to San Diego, California where, for two years, Jerry taught English and Speech at La Jolla Jr. Sr. High School.  He then took a job with Retail Credit Company as insurance inspector, was able to transfer to Minneapolis, and work a total of twenty two years.  In 1983 he returned to education and worked with computers in a special education school district until he retired.

During his years in San Diego and later in Minneapolis, he belonged to the SAM and IBM, holding offices in both organizations.  He won the Silver Medal for stage magic at the 1983 SAM Convention, and in 2000 he won the First Place Award for Comedy Magic at the Houdini Club of Wisconsin. 

Jerry is survived by his wife of 55 years Connie; four daughters: Pam, Ann, Leslie, and Kim; and two grandsons: Phillip Morley and Leo Plumer.

 
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Meeting Announcements

November meeting at the new Eagle Magic

Our November meeting will take place at the new center of Burnsville — Eagle Magic. It’s 4 lights east of 35W on Hwy 13, southeast corner right under the Remax sign. The parking lot is a little tricky to get into but we can do it. We start at 7:30 with a short biz mtg then Larry will briefly cover the entire history of magic in the upper midwest. Pls bring something to share and show.

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Meeting Announcements

Auction at Oct meeting

Assembly 12 invites you to the Oct. meeting to be held on the 17th. From 35W south take 90th west to Xerxes north to 8630 and St Marks Church. We meet at 7:30 and members are asked to bring money and treasures as it is auction night. You can either pay local dues of $10 or a buyer/seller fee of $5. 10% of selling price will go to the club. Next month we will be meeting at Eagle magic in downtown Burnsville.