The Secretary’s Report

Ann Arbor Magic Club - December Meeting & Holiday Party Recap

The Ann Arbor Magic Club's December meeting and Holiday Party was a magical evening filled with festive cheer, camaraderie, and plenty of magic! We were thrilled to have a great turnout, making it a perfect way to end the year.

A Fond Farewell and New Beginnings
Our President, Dan Jones, led the meeting one final time before stepping down. In a heartfelt moment, Dan introduced the new 2025-2026 Board:

President: Sean Howell
Vice President: Mike Bogdas
Treasurer: Rob Krozal
Secretary: Karl Rabe
Sergeant at Arms: Tara McAllister

Dan's leadership over the years has been invaluable, and the club took a moment to express gratitude for his many years of dedicated service. His legacy will surely live on in the club's continued growth.

Dan also introduced two guests; Kevin Rosewood from Ring 89 and Trevor Elliott a guest of Kaylin "Kinetic Kay" Janiczek.

Exciting Club Announcements
Dan then turned the meeting over to a few important announcements. First up, Tara McAllister shared some exciting opportunities for our members. Sign-up sheets were circulated for two fantastic events:

Spring Tour of Baffling Bill’s Illusionarium — A behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unique magic collections in the area.
Professional Headshots at the January Meeting — Tara arranged a special group rate for members to have professional headshots taken, perfect for any performer looking to update their image.

In another exciting development, Dan revealed that a Member Stage Competition will be added to our roster of annual events starting next fall. More details will follow, but we can't wait to see our members showcase their talents in this exciting new challenge.

Club Growth and Legal Updates
President-elect Sean Howell announced that the Board is working diligently on updating the club’s by-laws to simplify and clarify them. The ultimate goal is for the club to become a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization by 2025, which would open the door for small grants starting in 2026. The board has been consulting with an accountant and a lawyer to ensure compliance, and we are excited about the potential growth this will bring to our club.

A Night of Magic and Merriment
After the announcements, the magic continued! Members mingled, enjoyed delicious pizza, soft drinks, and cookies, and then it was time for the much-anticipated White Elephant Exchange. With 15 participants, the exchange was a hoot! The highlight of the night? Mike Thornton walked away with the grand prize: an authentic Mike Thornton Magic Kit. Talk about a perfect fit!

Member Performances
The performance portion of the evening was truly a highlight. Our youngest member, Lincoln Stone, kicked things off with a delightful pick-a-card routine, where a chosen card magically rose to the top of the deck at the sound of his slide whistle. Lincoln also performed an impressive linking rings routine that had everyone talking. I hope he calls it "The Lincoln Rings".

Next, Mike Doyle wowed us with a mind-bending performance of Josh Zandman's Book Test, followed by Kevin Rosewood who performed a signed card to the top of the deck, then sealed it in an envelope for a jaw-dropping finale.

Chuck Kimbrough added a bit of impromptu magic to the mix with his coin-in-bottle routine, using nothing but a regular coin and an un-gimmicked water bottle. Phil Mann amazed us with his Two in the Hand, One in the Pocket routine, which evolved into a mind-blowing double climax involving nuts, bolts, and a twist that left the crowd in awe.

Kay "Kinetic Kay" Janiczek then shared a bit of her juggling journey, performing a cascading two-ball juggle while spinning a plate — but that wasn’t all! In an impromptu challenge from Dan, Kay skillfully performed a Tissue Paper Juggle, showcasing her quick thinking and dexterity.

Finally, April Barrett closed out the performances with a heartfelt tribute piece in memory of the late Jim Tait. Using Naughty/Nice cards and the Out To Lunch principle, April's performance was a touching tribute to a fellow magician and a beautiful way to end the evening.

A Magical End to a Magical Year
The night wrapped up with more socializing, impromptu jamming, and, of course, a whole lot of magic. As the lights dimmed, it was clear that the Ann Arbor Magic Club had ended the year on a high note — and we can’t wait to see what magic 2024 will bring!

Special Thanks
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, performed, and helped make the night such a success. Here's to another year of friendship, magic, and new adventures with the Ann Arbor Magic Club!