During this Autumn season, our imaginations entertain stories of the supernatural. Please enjoy an old time radio broadcast from 1949 featuring a ghost and Harry Blackstone Sr., The Magic Detective, titled "The Phantom Intermezzo." At the end of the show, Blackstone will teach a trick that anyone can perform. Just click the track below and enjoy the show ... but remember not to tell anyone the secret you will learn!

















































HARRY BLACKSTONE
World's Foremost
Magician
"Blast From The Past"
Click Track for a Magic Mystery
IBM Ring 1 Annual Dues
The webmaster asks that Ring 1 members submit images of themselves in action so we can showcase the fun we have to share. The world is visiting OUR www.ibmring1.com to see what the excitement is all about! E-mail a photo of you performing magic (or your preferred headshot) to: watson7654321@gmail.com . Your photo may magically appear on our Ring 1 website!
HELPFUL LINKS
2024-2025
OFFICERS
President
D Jay Lenz
618-462-3675
Vice-President
Steve Queen
314-651-9162
Treasurer
Sandy Weis
314-378-4403
Secretary
Alan Zibits
636-273-9974
2024-2025
BOARD MEMBERS
Scott Smith
Past President
618-610-5947
Steve Finkelstein
314-409-6869
Gary S. Chan
929-525-3496
mentalist@gschan2000.com
Paul Gregor
314-827-4266
Michael W. McClure
618-826-5125 (Also Our Webmaster)
Scribe
Sandy Weis
314-378-4403
SPIRIT Newsletter Editors
Gary S. Chan & Paul Gregor
RING ONE
FEBRUARY 2025 REPORT
Sandy Weis
I.B.M. Ring1
Scribe
1927 95 Years of Magic! 2021
View Steve Finkelstein's Lecture before it's gone by
A bit of HOGWARTS magic resides on our Officers & Board page ... Check out Ring1's counterpart to Prof. Dumbledore ... our very own animated 1st President!
Join MAGIC 101
Our Experienced Mentors Are Available To Help
Please Contact Any Officer Or Board Member Listed Below For Informaton
Harry Blackstone Sr. performed at the 1946 I.B.M. Convention in St. Louis, Missouri - hosted by our I.B.M. Ring 1
Annual membership in IBM Ring 1 is $20 and is a bargain, considering our lineup of performers, lecturers, and activities! If any of your contact information has changed, please let Alan Zibits know at alan.a.zibits@boeing.com.
To pay by mail: Write a check payable to “IBM, Ring 1” for $20.
Write “2024 Dues” on the memo line.
Mail the check to"
Sandy Weis
1755 Elkins Drive
St. Louis, MO 63136.
OR PAY ONLINE:
Our Next Meeting
Ring 1 MAGIC OPEN MIC NIGHT
March 5, 2025 (event begins at 7 p.m.)
Please join us on March 5th
Doors open at 6:00 pm
Magic 101 (led by Steve Finkelstein) begins at 6:15 pm
Magic Open Mic Night begins at 7pm
Dielmann Recreation Center
11400 Olde Cabin Road
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Happy New Year,
As this message is being written just prior to Christmas, I want to wish everyone a very warm and safe holiday and a wonderful new year.
We completed an extremely successful year in 2023, and look forward to renewing our efforts to educate and entertain our membership in 2024!
As a reminder, our member dues rate for the 2024 year is $20.00. We offer so much for a modest amount, and continue to bring in top-tier lecturers while providing others with many opportunities to help themselves and our club to flourish.
Please join us as often as you can for our exciting New Year plans! You are welcome to bring guests at any time ... they just might get bitten by the magic bug and officially join in on our fun and fellowship. I hope to see you soon!
I.B.M.Ring 1 Annual Dues
PLEASE USE THE DONATE BUTTON ABOVE WHEN PAYING BY PAYPAL.
UPON MAKING PAYMENT YOU MUST SEND AN EMAIL TO
sweis50@yahoo.com
FOR HER TO PROPERLY CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT.
IF YOU FAIL TO SEND THIS EMAIL, THE FUNDS YOU TRANSFERRED MAY NOT BE CREDITED TOWARD ANY MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL (SINCE PAYPAL DOES NOT ALWAYS PROVIDE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO IDENTIFY WHO YOU ARE). ANY PAYMENT RECEIVED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED EMAIL WILL BE CONSIDERED AS A GENERAL DONATION ONLY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT.
PLEASE USE THE DONATE BUTTON ABOVE WHEN PAYING BY PAYPAL.
UPON MAKING PAYMENT YOU MUST SEND AN EMAIL TO
sweis50@yahoo.com
FOR HER TO PROPERLY CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT.
IF YOU FAIL TO SEND THIS EMAIL, THE FUNDS YOU TRANSFERRED MAY NOT BE CREDITED TOWARD ANY MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL (SINCE PAYPAL DOES NOT ALWAYS PROVIDE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO IDENTIFY WHO YOU ARE). ANY PAYMENT RECEIVED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED EMAIL WILL BE CONSIDERED AS A GENERAL DONATION ONLY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT.
Annual Dues increased to $20 on Jan. 1, 2023
Annual Dues increased to $20 on Jan. 1, 2023
MAGIC MOMENTS VOLUME 1
Click here to view
our first filming adventure ...
Ring 1 magicians performing for you!
1st Place Advanced
2nd Place Advanced
3rd Place Advanced
2024-5 Officers Installed by Doug Clark, I.B.M. TVP
New Year's Message
from Our President
President Lenz's Certificates of Appreciation
Sandy Weis - Gary S. Chan - Paul Gregor - Dan Todd
Michael W. McClure - John Davit - Steve Finkelstein
I.B.M. Ring 1
Close-up Contest Winners 2023
Bob Blattel has been organizing a Toy Drive for almost twenty years. His company, Blattel and Associates, have been helping to get the word out to their clients who also contribute toys. Bob’s wife, Chris, helped to start the toy drive when she was teaching at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Saint Charles. The North Grand Area in St. Louis City benefitted for almost 17 years. However, when COVID hit their neighborhood, it was not feasible to continue to service that area. Therefore, Bob connected with The Employment Connection, which is a United Way of Greater St. Louis partner agency, and their CEO Sal Martinnez. A brochure, that was distributed, requested new or gently used, unwrapped toys. Bob’s grandchildren helped to pack the toys in his basement. His son, Scott, and daughter, Kate even donated four bikes to the toy drive. Bob shared the following—"My favorite way to give back is through magic. This past December, I volunteered to perform at three local ‘Breakfast with Santa’ events and sponsored the ‘Holiday Magic Toy Drive.’ Thanks to all the people and businesses who helped collect and donate toys, we reached nearly 200 needy and unhoused families in the Greater St. Louis Area. A special thanks to Sal Martinez and his team at Employment Connection for coordinating and distributing toys!” The Ring appreciates what you are doing for the less fortunate in our community.
Steve Finkelstein, Ring 1 Board Member and Community Engagement Chairman, organized a new event entitled IBM Ring One Supporting Our Troops: A Magical Homecoming. On Saturday, December 21, 2024, IBM Ring 1 joined with the USO and brought joy and wonder to 3,000 active duty military personnel. This is a yearly event, also called Green Day. These personnel are traveling from Fort Leonard Wood through St. Louis Lambert International Airport to begin their holiday leave as they made their way home for the holidays.
A team of five talented magicians from Ring 1—Steve Finkelstein, Tim Shegitz, D. Jay, Dan Todd, and John Skarin—dedicated their morning to performing close-up and walk-around magic for our troops. From 6:00 to 10:30 AM, the magicians moved around the USO area, engaging and creating moments of surprise, laughter, and connection.
"It was an incredible experience to bring smiles to the faces of those who serve our country," said Steve Finkelstein, reflecting on the event. "We felt honored to entertain and provide a brief escape for our troops as they waited for their flights." This special event marked the beginning of what IBM Ring 1 hopes will be an ongoing relationship with the USO. The magicians expressed their enthusiasm for continuing to support and uplift military personnel through the art of magic. "Seeing the joy and amazement on their faces was the best reward we could ask for," was a common refrain expressed by all of the volunteer magicians. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate with the USO and give back to those who give so much for us. We have opportunities to spread the magic to other cities with other IBM Rings. As the holidays approach, moments like these serve as a reminder of the importance of community, gratitude, and the magic of human connection. IBM Ring 1 remains committed to using their craft to spread positivity and support, ensuring that those who serve our nation experience a touch of wonder during their travels. Steve thanks the Ring One Team for doing such an outstanding job!
Our LIVE August 14th Auction Items & Prices Realized
Click on SOME images for Product Information/Retail Value
Flaming Head Chest
1980 MAK Magic Very Used $175 Retail Value
Balloon to Dove
Magic Makers
$300 Retail Value
Duck Bucket Daytona
$300+ Retail Value
Guardian of the Grave
Magic Works
$45 Retail Value
The Final Answer Reloaded
Kohler & Alexander Donated to Ring 1 by James Hodge
$395 Retail Value
ALSO ... Our extreme gratitude for the on-stage assistance of Sandy Weis, Mike Hindrichs, Moriah Edwards, Deacon Edwards, Dee Smith, Dave Goldfarb, & Brook Lynn.
Experience the wonder of LIVE magic as 15 of our member magicians showcase their incredible skills. This is an event you won't want to miss! A full slate of performers quickly volunteered to entertain after we announced the new event at our Feb.5th meeting. If you are also interested, and time allows, please bring your own effect and we'll see if we can squeeze you in. We must end the event at 9pm, per our venue's rules, but if each scheduled performer takes less than their 8 minute allocation, we just might have time left to feature YOU too! If interested, you need to contact Mike McClure quickly, as these possible bonus performances will be awarded on a "first come" basis. There is no promise that there will be extra time, but we do want to make sure this possible opportunity is made available to all members that are interested.
Bring your friends and family for an evening of enchantment, laughter, and spectacular performances. Our Magic Open Mic Night promises to deliver a magical experience for everyone.
Admission for guests is free! Be sure to arrive early to secure the best seats in the house, as the event will begin promptly at 7pm. Come witness the extraordinary, the mysterious, and Ring 1's special brand of magic.
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. My information is as follows:
Michael W.McClure
watson7654321@gmail.com
618-826-5125 (please leave message)
We look forward to making our club the BEST I.B.M. Ring … the only thing we need is YOU! Please consider joining us!
Be ready to have some FUN!
Our THANKS to the incredible talent who helped create "The BEST show Ring 1 talent has produced in decades!"
- Quote from Veteran show patron
Our Sincere Thanks to all of the donors, and to Steve Corbitt for volunteering his time and serving as our Auctioneer!
THIS YEAR OUR ONE 2pm SHOW BEAT BOTH 2023 SHOWS' TOTAL ATTENDANCE COMBINED!
2nd Place Josh Weidner
3rd Place Zi Wang
1st Place Tim Shegitz
Chairman Gary S. Chan
I.B.M. Ring 1 Magic Contest Participants 2024
I.B.M. Ring 1 Magic Contest Winners 2024 (left to right)
I.B.M. Ring 1 Holiday Party & Gift Exchange 2024
Cardiographic - Stage Version
Martin Lewis
$286 Set Retail Value
Knot Unexpected & Slashed
Steinmeyer& Alexander
$104 Set Retail Value
Nest
of Boxes
from the
Steve Zueklke Collection
Nest of Boxes (7)
N/A
$N/A Set Retail Value
Real Eel Skin
Card to Wallet
LePaul "styled" gimmick
$300 Retail Value
Production Box Autographed & Numbered
Clarence Miller
$N/A Retail Value
The Silent Treatment & Red Card
& Fully Loaded
Allen & Giobbi & Mason
$145 Set Retail Value
from the Steve Zueklke Collection
Instant Art Set
Ickle Pickle
$185 Retail Value
8pc. 12" Linking Rings - Hollow Core
Michael Ammar & TCC
$250 Retail Value
Appearing Straw
N/A
$50 Retail Value
Bill Wisch Slydini
Lecture Package 2012
Bill Wilsch/Slydini
$N/A Retail Value
Ketchup Fries & More
Kandu Magic
$389 Retail Value
Transformation Cage
Dove to Rabbit
N/A
$299 Retail Value
Quadro Vicious
Circle Barbed Wire Linking Rings
Murphy's Mfg.
$149.95 Retail Value
Hemingway Lock Baldpate Routine
Collector's Workshop
$100 Retail Value
Vintage Multiplying Bottles
John Apperson Collection
n/a Retail Value
Winning Bid $40
N/A
Item Sold Before Auction
Winning Bid $15
Winning Bid $60
Winning Bid $80
Winning Bid $45
N/A
Winning Bid $35
N/A
N/A
Winning Bid $70
Winning Bid $50
N/A
N/A
Winning Bid $180
Item Sold Before Auction
Winning Bid $20
Winning Bid $90
N/A
Alternate Mentalism Set Winning Bid $45
N/A
Winning Bid $30
Winning Bid $60
Winning Bid $30
Winning Bid $60
Item Donated to Ring 1 by Bruce Dyvig - Winning Bid $40 - THANKS BRUCE!
Item Donated to Ring 1 by James Hodge - Winning Bid $70 - THANKS JAMES!
D J Edwards donated an additional $50 to our Ring - THANKS D J!
Larry Minth donated an additional $40 to our Ring - THANKS LARRY!
Fortuneteller's Book of Days
Paul Green
RARE & HARD TO FIND
White Star (Titanic Themed Effect)
Created by Dan Todd
$250 Retail Value
WOW Book Test (4 Books)
Meir Yedid
$75 Retail Value
Linking Coat Hangers
N/A
$80 Retail Value
Vintage Magic Milk Pitcher
John Apperson Collection
n/a Retail Value
Crystal Silk Cylinder
John Apperson Collection
n/a Retail Value
OUR EVENT WAS A HUGE
SUCCESS!!!
ECLIPSED
LAST SEVERAL
YEARS'
ATTENDANCE
RECORDS!!!