On the Cover By Karl Rabe

Magic Messenger December 2023

Fred Lenter lectures to the club on easy-to-do coin miracles.

President's Corner By Dan Jones

Hello AAMC Members and Friends,

What a GREAT year we've had here in the club. We hosted two great lectures with Erik Tait and last month with Fred Lenter. We had two great parlor shows, helped run a summer magic camp, held a summer time picnic, conducted a close-up competition and held our magic flea market.

We have grown our membership by at least a half dozen this year. Our club's purpose is to promote the art of magic and that's what we are doing through our shows, lectures and appearances at the library. We gather together as magicians, magic enthusiasts, historians and friends to share the art and learn from each other.

But we need your help. What do you want from the AAMC in 2024? Please share your ideas with us. Would you like to see more lectures? Would you like to teach at one of our meetings or lead a discussion? Talk to me or another board member.

The plans are being made for the coming year. How will you be involved?

Happy Holidays to All.
Dan Jones, President AAMC.

Secretary's Report By Karl Rabe

November Meeting

Our meeting was called to order by club President Dan Jones and we kicked off with our round-table question. The question of the month was, what is your go-to trick. Answers varied from the simple French drop with any coin, to tricks with thumb tips, and a number of card tricks.

We welcomed guest Dreygon Hibbbler from Ring 22 and also welcomed three new AAMC members!

• Kaylin Janiczek
• Ramiro Gotierrez
• Tara McAllister

Then fresh off his starring role as Harold Hill on his The Music Man tour, member Dalton Cahill gave us a live rendition of "(Ya Got) Trouble".

Then we had a special guest lecture with Ring 22 member Fred Lenter. Fred covered a magician's-dozen (relatively) easy to do coin tricks with detailed explanations and tips. He also provided great lecture notes to supplement the material.

These are the tricks he covered... whew! What a list! Thank you Fred for a fantastic evening.

• Vanishing Silver Dollar (BOH)
• Matrix coin trick with half-dollars
• Dean Dill matrix with no cards
• Skinner quarter and penny on deck
• 5 coin disappearance
• Two in hand / one in pocket
• Coins across with sheel
• Coin disappearance in handkerchief
• Roger Klause multiple coin vanish
• Fechter coins across
• Han Ping Chien
• Copper/Silver in spectator's hand
• Copper/Silver with big penny
• Duct Tape Comedy Coin Vanish

Finally after the lecture multiple jam sessions broke out with Fred and others.

Mathamagically Speaking By Bob Goodwin

Mathematically Speaking #4
The 1089 Force
Bob Goodwin

This month we will explore a simple technique to force the number 1089. This number is special because it can easily be forced in a convincing manner.

Procedure

If this procedure is followed, the result will always be 1089.

Editor's note: This also works with a three digit number where the digits are in descending order... example 765 or 732, etc.

Effect

You can use this force in a variety of effects. Your imagination is the only limit. Here is but one example.

For a book test, you can have the first two digits represent a PAGE in a book. The next digit can represent the ROW on the page. Finally the last digit can represent the WORD on the row.

What effects can you come up with using this principle?

Edited by Karl Rabe

The Broken Wand By Karl Rabe

Graham Robert Putnam, born in Lansing, Michigan, passed away under hospice care in his home in Dexter, Michigan on October 31, 2023. He was 76. Graham was one of the founding members of the Ann Arbor Magic Club.

Graham was the long time owner of Chicago-based FUN Inc, manufacturing magic tricks and novelties, one of which was “Whoops” the original rubber vomit. Graham also owned at one time Royal Magic and Fishlove Novelties. FUN Inc made the prizes for Cracker Jack for many years.

Graham owned the rights to, and manufactured, the ubiquitous "Coloring Book" which has sold tens of thousands of copies. Each copy had to be hand cut and collated. Graham's wife Katheryn helped with this task and shared it was not one she looked forward to.

Graham’s last performance was earlier this year at his daughter’s wedding where he gave a father-of-the-bride speech and performed card tricks for guests.

His family held a memorial celebration on December 2nd at the Michigan League in Ann Arbor. Local magic colleagues Karl, Patty and Bill Rabe, Kevin Peshick, Michael Mode and Jeff Wawrzaszek were present along with other including Gabe Fajuri of Potter and Potter Auctions and Greg Border of Abbott's Magic. Laying about at the celebration for impromptu performances were Yakkity-Yak teeth, plenty of playing cards, Fake Vomit and ropes for Professor's Nightmare.

Around the Town By Karl Rabe

IMPORTANT: For our December meeting we will be holding a Pizza Party at the PCAC. Arrive at the normal time and come hungry! We will also be holding a white-elephant gift exchange.If you'd like to participate, bring a magic trick, book or prop from your collection. ($20.00 limit). Wrap it or put it in a gift bag and bring it to the meeting.

We have set the date for the Spring 2024 Parlor Show. If you would like to perform or assist, contact Sean Howell. Note performing is limited to Club Members.

Other Calendars

• Check out John Luka's Magic page and his well maintained list of Michigan Events
• All AAMC Events and details can be viewed on the website calendar.

2023 in Review

Friends we lost in 2023

Around the Town By Karl Rabe

IMPORTANT: For our December meeting we will be holding a Pizza Party at the PCAC. Arrive at the normal time and come hungry! We will also be holding a white-elephant gift exchange.If you'd like to participate, bring a magic trick, book or prop from your collection. ($20.00 limit). Wrap it or put it in a gift bag and bring it to the meeting.

We have set the date for the Spring 2024 Parlor Show. If you would like to perform or assist, contact Sean Howell. Note performing is limited to Club Members.

Other Calendars

• Check out John Luka's Magic page and his well maintained list of Michigan Events
• All AAMC Events and details can be viewed on the website calendar.

2023 in Review

Friends we lost in 2023

Funny Business By Karl Rabe

'Tis the season for Santa Jokes...

• What does Santa use to clean his sleigh? Comet.
• Why does Santa use GPS? He doesn’t want to be a lost Claus.
• Where does Santa stay on vacation? At a ho-ho-ho-tel.
• Who says “Oh, oh, oh?” Santa Claus walking backward.
• What did the ocean say when Santa flew over? Nothing. It just waved.
• What do you call Santa when he’s on a break? A Santa pause.
• Which of Santa’s reindeer has the best moves? Dancer.
• Where does Santa store his suit? In his Claus-et.
• Why is Santa so good at karate? He’s got a black belt.
• What did one of Santa’s helpers say to the other? Let’s take an elfie.
• What did Santa and Mrs. Claus name their daughter? Mary Christmas.
• How much did Santa pay for his sleigh? Nothing. It was on the house.
• Which of Santa’s reindeer has bad manners? Rude-olph.
• What do you call Santa’s helpers? Subordinate Clauses.
• What did Santa say after returning to the North Pole? There’s snow place like home.
• What did Santa say to the comedian? You sleigh me.
• How do you invite Santa to a party? You request his presents.
• What do you call someone afraid of Santa? A Claus-trophic.
• What’s a cat’s favorite holiday song? “Here Comes Santa Claws.”
• What did Santa do when his sleigh broke down? He got it mistle-toed.
• What happens when Santa gets stuck in the chimney? He gets claus-trophobia.

Funny Business By Karl Rabe

'Tis the season for Santa Jokes...

• What does Santa use to clean his sleigh? Comet.
• Why does Santa use GPS? He doesn’t want to be a lost Claus.
• Where does Santa stay on vacation? At a ho-ho-ho-tel.
• Who says “Oh, oh, oh?” Santa Claus walking backward.
• What did the ocean say when Santa flew over? Nothing. It just waved.
• What do you call Santa when he’s on a break? A Santa pause.
• Which of Santa’s reindeer has the best moves? Dancer.
• Where does Santa store his suit? In his Claus-et.
• Why is Santa so good at karate? He’s got a black belt.
• What did one of Santa’s helpers say to the other? Let’s take an elfie.
• What did Santa and Mrs. Claus name their daughter? Mary Christmas.
• How much did Santa pay for his sleigh? Nothing. It was on the house.
• Which of Santa’s reindeer has bad manners? Rude-olph.
• What do you call Santa’s helpers? Subordinate Clauses.
• What did Santa say after returning to the North Pole? There’s snow place like home.
• What did Santa say to the comedian? You sleigh me.
• How do you invite Santa to a party? You request his presents.
• What do you call someone afraid of Santa? A Claus-trophic.
• What’s a cat’s favorite holiday song? “Here Comes Santa Claws.”
• What did Santa do when his sleigh broke down? He got it mistle-toed.
• What happens when Santa gets stuck in the chimney? He gets claus-trophobia.