Since December has arrived, so has the twelfth issue of The Linking Ring for 2012. The last issue of the year is available here on the I.B.M. Web Portal, both in PDF format (for you to download and take with you), as well as in digital format, to read online. As is the tradition, the December cover features a Christmas theme -- a Hahne-drawn Santa Claus pulling a huge white rabbit out of a hat. In keeping with the spirit of giving of the season, one of the major articles in the issue is the Benevolence of Magic. And there are several ads with the Christmas motif, too. Let’s take a front-to-back walk through the December issue.
Editor Sammy Smith and President John Pye always lead off each issue of The Linking Ring. The editor’s column tells a fascinating tale about how he came into possession of a rare book. And our president gives us a summary of his travels and activities over the last month or so. He makes an interesting comparison between magic and music, two of his passions (he plays the organ and piano, you know).
Windy & Sunny, the stage names for Russell and Maryellen Douton, of Florida, are two of those venerable people who have been performing magic “forever.: At least that’s what sixty years must seem like. Read about their colorful career in a nice feature story by regular contributor Paul Lelekis. Windy & Sunny also bring us their own Parade.
This month’s promotion of the 2013 I.B.M. Convention, emphasizes yet another good reason to plan to attend the July 17-20 affair in Phoenix, Arizona. Mike Stratman draws an appropriate comparison between the gold up for grabs in the I.B.M. Contests, with the fascinating goldmines of Arizona. In both cases, you can Go for the Gold!
RING EVENTS are always featured up front in each issue, giving all of us a look at some of the special activities of rings who sent in such reports. Don’t skip these. They are packed with dozens of ideas to make your ring even better. Reports this month come from Ring 22 (Detroit), Ring 105 (Columbia, South Carolina), Ring 151 (Ontario, Canada), Ring 193 (Salt Lake City), Ring 202 (Malta), Ring 210 (Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, Michigan), Ring 211 (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Ring 257 (Las Vegas), and RIng 334 (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina). So how do you get YOUR ring featured? Take notes and photos and then SEND THEM IN!
MAGIC IN THE ROCKIES: 2012 is the subject of another feature this month. David Goodsell gives us a personal review of “The Reunion Convention.” Year after year, this is one of the best regional conventions in the country, and we always appreciate it when some attendee gives the rest of us a first-hand report. This is not an easy task, so thanks David, for this effort.
Editor Sammy Smith continues with Part Four of his “Story of The Linking Ring.” This started in September upon the ninetieth anniversary of the first issue of the magazine. Many letters and e-mails of appreciation have come in praising the series. It’s fun to look at many of the old covers, too.
Another interesting feature in the December issue is the story of how Frank and Geri Furkey of Georgia, put together one of the best collections of magic ever assembled, and what happened to it after they died. Part One, by Max Howard, is called, “The Magic House on Meadow Way.”
For the past year, Associate Editor Dennis Schick has been researching and writing about “The Benevolence of Magic.” It all started with a two-page article in the I.B.M. Convention Program in Dallas, on the hospital visits and lapel pins sold there. He began thinking of other ways magicians are generous with their time and talents, and profiles two dozen of them in this wide-ranging article. It is hoped that all readers of the article will be inspired to participate in any of these projects, contribute money to them, and to start projects of their own. A second article is already planned with more projects.
One of the best friends of The Linking Ring -- and of magic in general -- for over six decades, is prolific magic writer and inventor Ian Adair. This issue is the fiftieth anniversary -- yes 50th -- of his first One-Man Parade in 1962, and we pay tribute to him upon that occasion. But even better, we print -- guess what -- another One Man Parade by Ian. Enjoy his contributions, as well as reading about him. In his HOCUS POSUS PARADE, Ian brings us ELEVEN of his original effects. Thanks, Ian!
Have you ever read an article about MAGNETS? Well, Bev Bergeron devotes his column -- CUTTING UP JACKPOTS -- this month to “Magnets are Magic.” It’s a fascinating look at a common item which has all sorts of magic possibilities. That’s what we expect from Bev -- a little history, a few ideas, and a whole lot of fun!
Skip Way continues prodding the rest of us to do more to encourage aspiring young magicians in his column, POLISHING THE RINGS. This month he talks about “Teens Join Clubs,” with some neat ideas about how to recruit new members to your ring from a sometimes difficult demographic -- teenagers. Read this one again and again. And then go recruit some teens.
So what should you expect on THE KID-SHOW CIRCUIT? Columnist Marty Hahne applies a truism for all of magic -- “Expect the Unexpected.” Every magician who has ever written his or her advice of performing, has probably used that phrase. Here’s some advice from an active professional.
It’s all about saying “Thank You,” seems to be the theme for Scott Humston’s BUSINESS OF THE SHOW column this month. I say “seems” because a headline didn’t make it. But Scott does make a major point which many magicians miss -- the follow-up, the appreciation, the Thank You. He gives you several ways to do that, too.
While our president, John Pye, continues to give us reports from his native England, we have our own columnist -- Peter Scarlett -- also to bring us news from the land of the I.B.M.’s largest ring -- RIng 25 -- in his THE LONDON EYES. Read what magicians are up to in Great Britain.
One of the neat things which The Linking Ring and its columnists do regularly, is to introduce us to rising stars. One of these -- Jeff Prace yakes over Joe Turner’s WAYS AND MEANS columns this month. Check out the clever title of his effect: “PRAces” (pronounced “PR Aces”). Notice that is his name, too. It is his way to produce four aces.
Peter Marucci’s SHOWTIME brings us a gag production of your business card. Even though it has been predicted that computer and phone aps will replace business cards, I predict the cards will be around a long time. There are so many fun ways to produce them, as Peter shows us this month.
Ed Solomon is back with another STORYTELLING MAGIC tale, this time called “Spirit Light.” It’s a clever way to use your magic powers to make a burnt out Christmas tree light regain its light. Just in time to make you a hero!
HOCUS IN FOCUS this month includes the following reviews:
Eight Effects and a Sleight, by Michael Kociolek
The Book of Revelations by Lewis Jones
Comedy Helper 1& 2 by Stephane Bourgoin
Urban Illusions by J.C. Sum
“3” by Eric Ross
Card on Tie by Lex Schoppi and Manuel Muerte
Haunted by Peter Eggink
Puncture 2.0 by Alex Linian
Cryptical Envelopment by John Hostler
Custom Imprinted Million Dollar Giveaway by John Fabjance
Learning Patter by Ron Guttman
Magic: The Complete Course by Joshua Jay
Outstanding by Roberto Mansilla
Mind Mysteries Guide Book, Vol. 6 & Vol. 7 by Richard Osterlind
Pete’s Purse by Peter Petrashek
Slim by Craig Petty
A big thanks for all the expert reviewers for taking the time and efforts to provide information about their recommendations for these sixteen products.
The Linking Ring pays tribute to six magicians this month, with obituaries in the Broken Wand. In addition, a special In Memoriam by Vanni Pule about his friend Alan Shxon also appears in this issue.
RING REPORTS is the section in which individual rings record their recent activities, both for their and our archives, and for everyone to read and glean ideas. Like RING REPORTS, there are dozens of good ideas throughout the ninety-four reports.
Finally, we close by pointing out the always-popular display ads throughout the issue. Without the income from these advertisers, these issues would have to be a lot thinner, or more expensive. Please buy from these advertisers, and tell them you saw their ad(s) in the magazine. Advertisers get more readers per dollar in The Linking RIng than in any other magic magazine in the world.
So there you have the major features of the December 2012 issue of The Linking RIng, now in its ninety-first year!
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