Ring NO. 46, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Seymour Davis Ring
Meets 7:00 pm, 1st Monday of the month at the New Beginning Fellowship Church, 15601 S. Pennsylvania in OKC
LEE WOODSIDE, Secretary. Email: WoodsideLee@hotmail.com.
Our themes for November were Patriotic Magic and Turkey Magic. Members were encouraged to perform magic that honors our military heroes or to show a magic item they bought that did not live up to the hype in the ad (imagine that!)
President Cassidy Smith started the meeting by showing off some of his favorite magic routines. He began by producing a bouquet of flowers. He then performed a multi-phase cut and restored rope routine that he said was inspired by Michael Skinner, who was his “mentor,” even though Cassidy never actually met him in person. Cassidy finished by using his elegant Sherwood Cups and Balls to perform a routine with lots of bits of business and great technical skill.
Michael King led off the “Turkey Magic” portion of the meeting. He talked about an effect that has the participant perform calculations that force the number 1089. He said that the instructions indicated it would work even if the first number given is smaller than the number with the digits reversed, which is not the case. Michael then told us about ordering an early version of the nut off bolt effect and receiving a nut, a bolt, and a length of fishing line, with instructions to glue the line to the nut.
Jim Green showed us his jumbo 3-Card Monte props. He discussed ways of causing the King to turn into the Queen and vice-versa.
David Teeman showed a deck of cards with super heroes Captain America and Wonder Woman as the jokers. He had two cards selected and returned to the deck. When the cards were spread on the table, the selected cards were between the two jokers. He then showed a drawer box to be empty. After a magic spell, the box was opened to reveal Captain America and Wonder Woman action figures.
Cassidy Smith led a discussion on ways to store magic items. He recommended tackle boxes and sewing boxes with multiple compartments for storing close-up magic props. Lee Woodside said that storing props in clear freezer bags lets you easily determine what is in the bag without having to open it. Lee also advised that if magic is stored in a closet, to be sure to check the carpet for moisture frequently.
Our annual election of officers took very little time. All the current officers were elected by acclimation to serve during 2024. Cassidy Smith will continue as President, Justin Teeman as Vice President, Michael King as Treasurer, and Lee Woodside as Secretary, even though Lee offered to nominate anyone crazy enough to want the job of Secretary.
Lee Woodside performed a routine to honor those who served in the military. He started by playing the songs of each of the branches of the military and asking those who served in each branch to stand. He had Molly Brasier present a small American Flag to each of the veterans. Lee then performed the Mismade Flag effect.
Rick Martin showed off his finger chopper that he made with the help of his laser cutter. He showed three playing cards, each of which had a hole in the center. He placed his finger through the holes and raised up the middle card through his finger.
Derrick Beeson performed the “Demi Deck.” A deck of cards was placed into the device and the deck was broken into two parts and then restored.
Grant Vinton invited Justin Teeman and Cassidy Smith to each select a playing card and then return it to the deck. Grant then spread the deck and showed that the selected cards were between the two joker “detectives.”
Justin Teeman performed a blackjack-themed effect with four cards. Pairs of cards turned into blackjacks. As a finale, he ended with four black jacks.
Cassidy Smith invited Jerry Bowzer to select any five items from Cassidy’s close-up props. After studying the items for one minute, Cassidy performed a very professional routine using all the items.
Lee Woodside