On the Cover By Karl Rabe

Magic Messenger July 2025

The club bids a fond farewell to Bou-Yu Chen (front and center) as he heads West.

President's Corner By Sean Howell

Summer arrived rather abruptly.  I hope everyone is enjoying a fun, safe and prosperous summer.

Our annual picnic is coming up on the second Saturday of August (8/9/25).

The AAMC Picnic this year will be held at the Cap'n's Homestead (Kracken Acres) located in the next galaxy over at 5038 Hicks Rd, Albion MI 49224.

As you are driving on the roads closer to our house, please be aware of the horse drawn buggies, wagons and slow-moving tractors.

For those that would like to stay the night, we have room for campers with limited (20A) power availability and tents a plenty.

The Archery range will be open and traditional bows, arrows and arm guards are available for all ages.  If you have RC's we have plenty of space to drive/fly your RC's.  We also have outdoor games that will be set up with plenty of seating and shade tents.  If everything goes as scheduled, a new practice stage should be built.  The official Picnic Time is 2PM-5PM with unofficial activities continuing after.  You are welcome to bring whatever you would like.

If you plan to camp in either a trailer or tent, please contact me in advance at 734 634 2000.

• Doors Open 12:00
• Picnic Starts  2:00
• Food Service 3:00
• Magic Show  4:00
• Official Conclusion 5:00
• Bonfire 7:00 until whenever.

The Cap'n's Crew will provide Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans and a variety of sodas and water.  Please bring yourself and a guest or two, all are welcome and we have plenty of space, food and drinks.

Make sure that you mark your calendar and come visit the magical paradise we're creating out here on the edge of nowhere.  I hope to see all of you.

I close with a teaser: Every magician and aficionado would be well served to attend  an Improv class in an effort to better grasp the magic a moment can offer in September.

Secretary's Report By Karl Rabe

We had a great turnout for our June meeting. Phil Mann the Magic Mann was our featured performer and he definitely kept the magic coming. Streamers, breaking glass, dancing silks and canes. The crowd was d-lighted with Phil's spirit lights. He did a nice feather from book.. a great application for the prop. Phil did an improved version of his rose productions and a color die to rose. Phil wrapped up with a favorite bear from Duck Bucket. Thank you Phil.

Jim Malczewski

Somewhere during Phil's performance we managed to hold a giveaway. The estate of a former member who passed away some time ago donated some of his collection to the club. F. James “Jim” Malczewski passed away at the beginning of 2023. You can read his tribute on our website here.

The items were laid out and members took turns selecting items until they were gone. Thank you Jim's family.

Then it was time for Cake. Member and friend Bou-Yu Chen is leaving Michigan for a job in California. We will miss him. He has been a great contributor to the club and has injected a great amount of enthusiasm and manipulating skill to our monthly meetings and Parlor Shows. Member Bob Goodwin kindly donated a cake for the occasion, complete with club Logo. Who knew that Bob wasn't just a Mathemagician but also a Bakeamagician? Thanks Bob.

AAMC Members Bid a Fond Farewell to Bou-Yu Chen (front and center)

Then it was time for members to take the stage.

• Lincoln Stone did a really nice ring routine and some other items from his parlor show set.
• Karl and Bill did their Parlor Show act - The Indian Rope Trick
• Tara McAllister did some butterfly and fan moves she is working on.
• Johnny New York did a nice routine on the Power of Coincidence ending with a nice comedy reveal of a license plate.
• Bou-Uy Chen jumped up and said a few words of appreciation and goodby as it was his last meeting.
• Dan Jones did a Four of Clubs and Wallet / Dollar Bill routine
• Mike Thornton shared some fascinating history on his experience with Chavez in conjunction with some great Zombie Ball moves.

Then it was time for a bit of mingling.

Around the Town By Karl Rabe

Other Upcoming Events

An upcoming lecture by John Machniak

The Magic of the Mind

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 6:00-7:30 pm

John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library
24602 Van Born Road
Dearborn Heights, Michigan 48125
313-791-6050

"Are you an adult who's curious about the mysteries of the mind and interested in learning how the mind can deceive us, and what we need to be aware of to make sure that doesn't happen? Then join illusionist and Licensed Professional Counselor, John Machniak, for this entertaining presentation. He will discuss the psychology of how our minds work, the power of suggestion and demonstrate some illusions that show how easily we can be deceived. For adults 18 and older."

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.

Past Events

This June, the local Ann Arbor Magic Club (AAMC) partnered with the Plymouth Community Arts Council (PCAC) to deliver a unique week-long performing art magic camp for ten budding young magicians.

Club Volunteers (L to R) Karl Rabe, Charlie Palko, Brian Campbell, Dan Jones and Phil Mann.

Five volunteer magicians from the magic club worked with 2 representatives from arts council to deliver a combination of stage craft and magic training to ten youths ranging in age from eight to fourteen.

• Each day was started with a theater game to teach the students different acting skills such as expressing emotions, pantomime and responding on cue.
• Then several hands-on magic lessons were delivered where the students learned to perform different basics of magic.
• Each day wraps up with a fun activity of balloon twisting or juggling.
• A variety of magic is taught and by mid-week the students select a particular trick to perform in the end-of-week show for parents and families. They also do several exercises to select a stage name, define their persona and pick a costume.
• The remainder of the week is focused on honing their act. Students are encourage to use their creativity to develop a story line to deliver.
• Parents and family come at the end of the week to enjoy a show put on by the new magicians.

Creativity was definitely on display as acts included a trick performed with Home Depot five gallon buckets, catching a soap bubble which then turns to glass and a magical presentation solving the mystery of how socks vanish in the washing machine.

Students showed remarkable resilience handling slight hiccups on stage with aplomb.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, watch for notices next year. It is a very fun and rewarding activity.

Around the Town By Karl Rabe

Other Upcoming Events

An upcoming lecture by John Machniak

The Magic of the Mind

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 6:00-7:30 pm

John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library
24602 Van Born Road
Dearborn Heights, Michigan 48125
313-791-6050

"Are you an adult who's curious about the mysteries of the mind and interested in learning how the mind can deceive us, and what we need to be aware of to make sure that doesn't happen? Then join illusionist and Licensed Professional Counselor, John Machniak, for this entertaining presentation. He will discuss the psychology of how our minds work, the power of suggestion and demonstrate some illusions that show how easily we can be deceived. For adults 18 and older."

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.

Past Events

This June, the local Ann Arbor Magic Club (AAMC) partnered with the Plymouth Community Arts Council (PCAC) to deliver a unique week-long performing art magic camp for ten budding young magicians.

Club Volunteers (L to R) Karl Rabe, Charlie Palko, Brian Campbell, Dan Jones and Phil Mann.

Five volunteer magicians from the magic club worked with 2 representatives from arts council to deliver a combination of stage craft and magic training to ten youths ranging in age from eight to fourteen.

• Each day was started with a theater game to teach the students different acting skills such as expressing emotions, pantomime and responding on cue.
• Then several hands-on magic lessons were delivered where the students learned to perform different basics of magic.
• Each day wraps up with a fun activity of balloon twisting or juggling.
• A variety of magic is taught and by mid-week the students select a particular trick to perform in the end-of-week show for parents and families. They also do several exercises to select a stage name, define their persona and pick a costume.
• The remainder of the week is focused on honing their act. Students are encourage to use their creativity to develop a story line to deliver.
• Parents and family come at the end of the week to enjoy a show put on by the new magicians.

Creativity was definitely on display as acts included a trick performed with Home Depot five gallon buckets, catching a soap bubble which then turns to glass and a magical presentation solving the mystery of how socks vanish in the washing machine.

Students showed remarkable resilience handling slight hiccups on stage with aplomb.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, watch for notices next year. It is a very fun and rewarding activity.

Funny Business By Karl Rabe

Lincoln Stone had a chance to teach some old guy some magic at the recent IBM Convention 🙂

A little boy wants his toy, so he walks up to his mother and says, “Mom, give me my toy.”

His mother responds by saying, “What are the magic words?” So the little boy says the magic words and his mom gives him his toy.

The next day, the little boy starts kindergarten. At snack time, the little boy wants some juice, so he walks up to his teacher and asks for a juice box.

The teacher says, “What are the magic words?” So the little boy says the magic words.

But the teacher gets upset, and calls the little boy’s mother and asks her to come in.

When the three of them are sitting in the room together, the teacher asks the mother, “Have you been teaching your son sarcasm?”

“No,” the mother says. “Why, what did he do?”

“Well, he asked for a juice box,” said the teacher, “and I asked him to say the magic words, and instead of saying please, he said ‘you’re thin and you’re beautiful’.”

Funny Business By Karl Rabe

Lincoln Stone had a chance to teach some old guy some magic at the recent IBM Convention 🙂

A little boy wants his toy, so he walks up to his mother and says, “Mom, give me my toy.”

His mother responds by saying, “What are the magic words?” So the little boy says the magic words and his mom gives him his toy.

The next day, the little boy starts kindergarten. At snack time, the little boy wants some juice, so he walks up to his teacher and asks for a juice box.

The teacher says, “What are the magic words?” So the little boy says the magic words.

But the teacher gets upset, and calls the little boy’s mother and asks her to come in.

When the three of them are sitting in the room together, the teacher asks the mother, “Have you been teaching your son sarcasm?”

“No,” the mother says. “Why, what did he do?”

“Well, he asked for a juice box,” said the teacher, “and I asked him to say the magic words, and instead of saying please, he said ‘you’re thin and you’re beautiful’.”