Funny Bones
Rings of Yore
Today a special article from the August 1971 Linking Rings reporting on the clubs Charter Day.
"Linking Ring Vol 51 Issue 8", Aug 1971, p. 50
Charter Day - Ring 210
This fledgling Ring with less than 20 charter members drew an enthusistic and loyal group of 136 paid registrants by the simple expedient of using the magic words, "Duke Stern.”
The presentation scroll read:
In recognition of his lifetime of devotion to magic, his many contributions to this art and his friendship with magicians everywhere, Ring 210 proudly assumes the name, The DUKE STERN Ring.
The afternoon began with an illustrated talk by Charlie Rulfs of Ann Arbor on "Magical Nostalgia," indicating the collector's interests and his role in preserving books, posters and apparatus relating to our craft.
The indomitable Roy Kissell performed his usual smooth role as M.C. of the afternoon and sprinkled his own brand of mystifications between tracts, Dennie Loomis premiered a juggling display and an impressive fire-eating demonstration.
Detroit's “Lenardo, Jr.” shewed his nice manipulative routine with balls and a clever egg bag sequence. John Osbourne forsook ventriloquism and featured "Trcublewit" with a veryeffective patter, proving himself a versatile entertainer. The Amazing Conklins, from Colon, contributed lheir fine “Circus Act,” a wonderful family in a polished and well-paced act. The Duke Stern Lecture capped the afternoon’s events.
The curly-topped Shirley Temple of magic explained the Guatemala Rope Cut, a non-slate spirit-slate writing and his justly-famous “nothing happens” ten card count. This, betwixt sage and hilarious advices and asides on matters of presentation.
Hank Moorehouse sparked the evening show with his experienced M.C. bits and banter. Dennis and Bonnie Loomis opened with their smoothly- routined “Fantasy in Red and Black.” Plumes, silks and canes seemed to do their whimsical bidding in a nicely flowing and most magical manner. Henry and Vera Moorehouse followed, aided by two of their nicest productions, the graceful and lovely Kim and young born-to-theatre Buddy Moorehouse. A chair suspension and the production and vanish of doves and a rabbit highlight a very pleasing act.
Gene Anderson was easily persuaded to astonish with his impossible restoration of a torn newspaper. Our local pride and delight, young Jeff Wawrzaszek, performed a revision of his award-winning thimble routine. Jeff reaffirmed and widened his circle of admirers, gaining special commendation from an ageless thimble-king named Duke Stern.
The chaos which followed could only have emanated from a Pixie named Duke, sometimes confounded by a very large Imp named Karrell Fox. The 20 foot streamer from a slip of paper went into the shade with the resurrection of the Duke’s 1930 mime of a first-time manipulative act. The arthritic multiplying billiard balls and spilled cards, climaxed with a “flying" bird cage, leaving an audience strewn with limp magicians. Help (?!) arrived from the dainty Fox of Detroit. The waterless Lota (in the face), and a non-cooperative serpent silk were followed by Harrell's more serious (?) presentation of how he would have done a repe trick — had there been any need for another rope trick — which didn’t seem to be the case. How do you build this to a climax? Obviously, by locating the selected card in cne of two Custard cream pies.
A charming young couple, all the way from Toronto, Doug Henning and Mars, Canada’s sensational illusionist, came to honor Mr. Stern. In their capable hands, lighted torches changed to flowing silks. The beautiful Mars entered the Zig-Zag Girl box and survived the incredible, to a round of applause that was only topped by their rapid-fire package-box (substitution trunk), presentation. Here’s to more illusion shows presented in such a smoothly professional manner!
The subsequent letters, honors and presentations to our beloved namesake Duke Stern were numerous, sincere and deeply moving; not of such stuff as one records in cold print. TheFoxy one was busy at this point bringing on the 20-ft. crying towel for Duke, and finally alleviated all of the sweet suffering by returning with the remains of two sightly-used Custard pies and bestowing same in appropriate places.
Three or four guest hucksters materialized to assist Duke in a flurry of effect on behalf of a worthy dealer. Impromptu close-ups, balloon sculpturing and socializing went on. Tired but happy Ring 210 faithfuls assisted our generous (and unpaid), visitors in loading their properties, thanked the many beautiful people who came long distances to support this event and went homo reflecting on the middle word in I.B.M.
