On the Cover By Karl Rabe

Magic Messenger June 2025

Club President Sean Howell (Center) presents former presidents John Russell (left) and Dan Jones (Right) with the IBM Former President ribbon.

President's Corner By Sean Howell

My fellow Comperes,

Wow, Michigan Magic Day and the Spring Parlor Show are behind us. Thank you to all of you that helped out to make it the success it has become. The 2025 Spring Parlor Show was outstanding and all that attended had a great time. Thinking of time; time flies when you're having fun. It's already the beginning of Summer and School is letting out, vacations are beginning. There are conventions, gatherings, and shows to attend. So, I invite you to save the date of this year's club picnic, August 9th, 2025. I will be hosting this year's Picnic at the Howell homestead in Parma, MI, also affectionately referred to as Kracken Acres. We will be providing hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks, and beverages for all ages. There will be lawn games, a festival style show with an open mic for anyone else who wants to perform on an outdoor stage.
Camping is available for those interested. Our address is 5038 Hicks Rd, Albion MI 49224. My phone number is (734) 634-2000, call me directly if you have any questions or are planning on camping.

June offers another opportunity to have fun. The Plymouth Community Arts Council hosts a performing arts day camp where members get to teach the art of performance to a younger generation.
We are looking for other fun activities that could possibly turn into fund raising opportunities for our club. If you hear of any upcoming community events that might need some magic to round out their entertainment, for example having a couple members performing at a community event on behalf of the club. If you know of or hear of any possibilities please send them to your board so we can follow up and spread the joy of magic while strengthening the club.

Finally, Michigan Magic Day…WOW…all I can say is "WELL DONE RING 22!!!"
Ring 22 sponsored, directed and produced the 2025 Michigan Magic Day and they have set a high bar for us in 2027. The AAMC is the host ring for the 2027 Michigan Magic Day, our work has been cut out for us. We have a long legacy of hosting the MMD and the standard going forward has been set. If you have any thoughts, questions, ideas, a desire to sit on one of the committees we are going to be forming to meet the demands of such a production.

Enjoy your summer, It's shaping up to be a great one.
Cheers,
Cap'n Sean

Secretary's Report By Karl Rabe

At our most recent meeting, we had a large turnout of club members and visitors who were treated to a fantastic lecture by none other than Michigan's own John Luka.

Member Ming Louie remarked of John's lecture:

"I don't perform cards but was frankly awestruck by the creativity and details borne of years of experience and thoughtfulness. I've been performing Ed Marlo's slow motion aces for years but could never get it 100%, thanks to you I see a way forward. Small details like using your fingernails make it a miracle.

Thoughtful creative labor matters, not the scale. There may be more creative output in a card trick than grand illusion. Thank you for reminding us of this."

John's lecture was titled "Secrets You Can and Will Use" and the material held true to the title's promise. John performs wonderful effects and then teaches them step-by-step. Each has been thought out to be practical with no knuckle-busting slights. Even the occasional double-lift is accompanied by intelligently choreographed get-ready moves so the heat is off. John provides detailed attribution for every move that weaves a fascinating view into the history of magic. He has foreseen (or experienced) anything that can go wrong and designed and redesigned the routines to eliminate any shortcomings they may have had.

Thank you John for a great lecture!

Around the Town By Karl Rabe

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

The Spring Parlor Show was a blast!

Performers

• Sean Howell
• Mike Reuter
• Karl & Bill Rabe
• Tara McAllister
• Lincoln Stone
• Dan Jones
• Mike Thornton

Volunteers

• Austin Peczynski (Back Stage)
• Jim Molnar (Back Stage)
• Patty Rabe (Tickets)
• Rob Krozal (Front of House)
• Jackie Clark & Frank Machniak (Tickets & Raffle)
• Carl Wallace (Sound)
• Lisa Howard (Graphics)
• Mike Thornton (raffle donations)
• Bob Goodwin (Marketing)
• Mike Palko (Photography)
• Sean Howell
• Karl Rabe
• Mike Bogdas
• Dan Jones

Here are just a few of the great pictures Mike Palko took. You can see them all here.

Around the Town By Karl Rabe

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

The Spring Parlor Show was a blast!

Performers

• Sean Howell
• Mike Reuter
• Karl & Bill Rabe
• Tara McAllister
• Lincoln Stone
• Dan Jones
• Mike Thornton

Volunteers

• Austin Peczynski (Back Stage)
• Jim Molnar (Back Stage)
• Patty Rabe (Tickets)
• Rob Krozal (Front of House)
• Jackie Clark & Frank Machniak (Tickets & Raffle)
• Carl Wallace (Sound)
• Lisa Howard (Graphics)
• Mike Thornton (raffle donations)
• Bob Goodwin (Marketing)
• Mike Palko (Photography)
• Sean Howell
• Karl Rabe
• Mike Bogdas
• Dan Jones

Here are just a few of the great pictures Mike Palko took. You can see them all here.

Funny Business By Karl Rabe

A man stumbles upon a magical lamp. He rubs the lamp and a genie appears! The genie says that he will grant the man only one wish, and that he has to pick from three choices. He can either be the richest man in the world, the most popular man in the world, or the wisest man in the world.

The man says, “We all know that money does not bring happiness, and that popularity just makes you a slave to the whims of others, but wisdom is everlasting. I want to be the wisest man in the world.”

The Genie goes “poof” and suddenly the man’s face assumes a serene expression. He sits down, rubbing his chin in thought. Then he looks towards the genie and says, “I should have taken the money.”

Steven Wright one liners...

I spilled spot remover on my dog, now he’s gone.
What’s another word for Thesaurus?
If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving isn’t for you.
Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time
Whenever I think of the past, it brings back so many memories.
I think it’s wrong that only one company makes Monopoly.
I went to the General store, they wouldn’t let me buy anything specific.
If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
It doesn’t matter what temperature the room is, it’s always room temperature.
All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand.
I’m going to get an MRI to find out whether or not I have claustrophobia.
I’m addicted to placebos.
I put instant coffee in a microwave and almost went back in time.
In Vegas I got into an argument with a man at the roulette wheel about what I considered to be an odd number.
Why do irons have a setting for permanent press?
If you had a million Shakespeares, could they write like a monkey?
If you were going to shoot a mime, would you use a silencer?
I saw a subliminal advertising executive, but only for a second.
Do Lipton employees take coffee breaks?
My brother was a clown for the Ringling Brothers Circus and when he died all his friends went to the funeral in one car.
I wrote a few children’s books… not on purpose.
Every morning I get up and make instant coffee so I’ll have enough energy to make the regular coffee.

Funny Business By Karl Rabe

A man stumbles upon a magical lamp. He rubs the lamp and a genie appears! The genie says that he will grant the man only one wish, and that he has to pick from three choices. He can either be the richest man in the world, the most popular man in the world, or the wisest man in the world.

The man says, “We all know that money does not bring happiness, and that popularity just makes you a slave to the whims of others, but wisdom is everlasting. I want to be the wisest man in the world.”

The Genie goes “poof” and suddenly the man’s face assumes a serene expression. He sits down, rubbing his chin in thought. Then he looks towards the genie and says, “I should have taken the money.”

Steven Wright one liners...

I spilled spot remover on my dog, now he’s gone.
What’s another word for Thesaurus?
If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving isn’t for you.
Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time
Whenever I think of the past, it brings back so many memories.
I think it’s wrong that only one company makes Monopoly.
I went to the General store, they wouldn’t let me buy anything specific.
If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
It doesn’t matter what temperature the room is, it’s always room temperature.
All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand.
I’m going to get an MRI to find out whether or not I have claustrophobia.
I’m addicted to placebos.
I put instant coffee in a microwave and almost went back in time.
In Vegas I got into an argument with a man at the roulette wheel about what I considered to be an odd number.
Why do irons have a setting for permanent press?
If you had a million Shakespeares, could they write like a monkey?
If you were going to shoot a mime, would you use a silencer?
I saw a subliminal advertising executive, but only for a second.
Do Lipton employees take coffee breaks?
My brother was a clown for the Ringling Brothers Circus and when he died all his friends went to the funeral in one car.
I wrote a few children’s books… not on purpose.
Every morning I get up and make instant coffee so I’ll have enough energy to make the regular coffee.