As I was posting the Broken Wand for the June 2011 issue of The Linking Ring, I realized that it is rather unusual this month, in several ways. I will point these out and discuss them a little, to help you to better understand and appreciate the value and importance of the Broken Wand in The Linking Ring, within the world of magic.
(1) First is the number of obituaries -- eighteen -- several more than we usually have. Usually it is more like ten or twelve. There doesn't seem to be any particular reason for this larger number this month, except for the several deaths which are from last year (see next item).
(2) This month we include four people who died last year, more than usual. This happens when no one notifies the I.B.M. office of the death. The way we usually find out about it is when a membership renewal form is returned to the I.B.M. Office with the word "deceased" or "died" written on it. Also, sometimes the post office returns the membership renewal form with the notice "Cannot be forwarded, died," or "Died, return to sender." Please help us by notifying the I.B.M. Office when you hear of a magician's death. Don't assume someone else will do it; too often, no one does.
(3) We have three obituaries for women in June, the most we're ever had in one month. Yes, magic still is dominated by men; but women are a vital part of our profession, too. Two of the three women worked with their husbands in magic acts. For your information, we do include magician assistants in the Broken Wand, recognizing their importance in magic, so please nottify the I.B.M. Office of these deaths, too.
(4) Five of the obituaries for June are for people who were either not members of the I.B.M. or were former members. When I began editing the Broken Wand several years ago, editor Sammy Smith and I agreed that the Broken Wand should be for ALL magicians and magician assistants, and not just for I.B.M. members. We are proud that we are the only magazine anywhere to be the publication of record for magician obituaries. (But we still must KNOW about them, so please help us.)
(5) Age is usually a factor in dying, so it is not surprising that we would have a number of older people represented in the June Broken Wand. We have two in their nineties (95 and 94), and four in their eighties (82, 85, and two at 89). But at the other end of the scale, it is sad to note that we had one who was only 55, and six in their sixties. My comment here is to live life well since we never know when we will die. Also, it is comforting to know that so many magicians have brought joy, smiles, and out-and-out laughter to so many people over the years. Isn't that what it's all about?
(6) Since the I.B.M. is the largest magic organization in the world, it stands to reason that within our membership we have more people who read and know virtually everything which deals with magic. So if all members would notify the I.B.M. Office when they read or hear about a magician's death, just think how complete our archive of magician obituaries would be? I am pleased that this month we learned of deaths of magicians from more different sources than ever before, another reason for the larger number this month.
Finally, you may have heard over the years, that the first job which many newspaper reporters and editors had on a newspaper was writing obituaries. This suggests that writing obituaries is a lowly and even a simple skill to learn and do. But I take great pride in being able to honor and pay tribute to people at the end of their lives. And I greatly appreciate everyone who helps me and the I.B.M. perform this worthy endeavor. Thank you.
To close, I recently received this thought in an e-mail:
"When I die...
All the things that I've done for myself, will die with me.
But all the things I have done for others, will live on and on and on....."
