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
JANUARY 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
Official Relaunch of MAGIC 101
February 5, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Please join us on February 5th
Doors open at 6:00 pm
Event 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
2023-4 Officers Installed by Alan Fisher, IBM-GCTVP
New Year's Message
from Our President
Darryl Lenz
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
On December 4th the Ring held their Annual Holiday Party, with 36 sending in their RSVPs. Michael W. McClure coordinated the events for the evening, which began with some unique games. He had isolated pictures of members’ eyes, lips, ears, and mouths, and those in attendance had to figure out which member each image belonged to. It was a fairly difficult task and succeeded as a clever icebreaker that forced members to work together. He also had a set of rebus puzzles which, when deciphered, named “famous” magicians (many of whom were somehow connected to our Ring). The one that stumped most of us was “Michael Jackson.” Many of us did not know he practiced magic. Michael McClure assured the members that Michael Jackson not only enjoyed and performed magic, but also held a patent for a special magic effect he often used on stage. Our Michael M. is very creative. He also requested that member Paul Gregor play holiday tunes on his organ during the first hour. Paul’s talents were greatly appreciated. The members who played the games really enjoyed the activity as a warm-up to the evening’s fellowship. Prizes were awarded to the members who earned the most points in three different challenges.
The Ring again purchased Firehouse sub-sandwiches (special thanks to James Hodge for picking up and delivering the order), and several members brought a side dish to share, or else donated to the Ring to help offset expenses. There was plenty of delicious food for everyone.
For the middle third of the programming, Columbus Smith presented a show/mini lecture entitled “A Haunted Victorian Christmas.” He performed many effects from his regular, professional show, and then explained the details and nuances of several of them. Most of his magic was of a spooky or supernatural theme, which included a clever Haunted Key presentation, a mysterious bell ringing (and then not able to be rung), and an untouched swaying of randomly selected bells, all of which are designed to make an audience wonder if a disembodied spirit’s hand was possibly enacting the magic. Sandy Weis’ favorite was the book test he performed. She has seen many magicians perform book tests, but this one was one of the best. Thank you, Columbus, for sharing your time and talents with the Brotherhood. He is performing a similar lecture at other paid venues, so we are fortunate that our members were able to see it first and for “free.”
Then the excitement began with Michael’s new and improved gift exchange. Members were encouraged to bring wrapped gifts related to magic. The members were instructed to take a different gift from the table and sit in a circle. Everyone opened their presents so all the members could see what the gift possibilities entailed. Michael gave each member an envelope. The members took turns reading the messages in their envelopes. For example, a message might instruct “Everyone to pass their gift to the right,” or “Swap with someone wearing Red.” Some messages offered the opportunity for that person to challenge another (of their choice) to a giant inflatable Dice roll-off, or a Rock-Paper-Scissors competition, with the winner retaining the prize of their choice. Several members received cash in their envelopes (donated by the Ring) which was really a welcome surprise, as that extra bonus was theirs to keep and not subject to swapping. When the game concluded, no one ended up with the present they originally had picked. The final round allowed everyone to participate in an “Odd or Even” prediction, which eventually narrowed the crowd down to one winner. This “lucky” player was allowed to steal any gift they wished. Michael redesigned our gift exchange to allow all players to be constantly active throughout the entire game, and yet guarantee everyone a chance to still be the final winner at the end. Our members really enjoyed this and have demanded that we never go back to our old White Elephant/Dirty Santa method.
Our thanks to Michael and his wife, Susan, for organizing this fun event. They promised new surprises in 2025 … if our members don’t wind up on Santa’s naughty list before then!
Visitors are always welcome to the Ring’s meetings and activities.
Our LIVE August 14th Auction Items & Prices Realized
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
Click on SOME images for Product Information/Retail Value
If the rear parking lot is still unavailable, see this Special Overflow Parking Chart
Our THANKS to the incredible talent who helped create "The BEST show Ring 1 talent has produced in decades!"
- Quote from Veteran show patron
Vintage Magic Milk Pitcher
John Apperson Collection
n/a Retail Value
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
ALSO ... Our extreme gratitude for the on-stage assistance of Sandy Weis, Mike Hindrichs, Moriah Edwards, Deacon Edwards, Dee Smith, Dave Goldfarb, & Brook Lynn.
IBM Ring 1 will hold the relaunch of its MAGIC 101 program (after a 5 year hiatus), with the doors opening at 6:00 pm at the Dielmann Recreation Center in Creve Coeur. Four separate stations will be set up for members to learn practical magic in the four disciplines of Coins (Paul Gregor), Cards (Steve Zuehlke), Sponge Balls (Steve Finkelstein) and Okito Box (Quinton Robinson). After every 30 minute tutorial, the instructors will switch tables so that, by the end of the evening, the entire group will be able to see everything being offered. You are welcome to bring family and guests (all ages) to our meetings. The Ring always provides soda, water & snacks for all attendees to enjoy.
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call 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!
The Silent Treatment & Red Card
& Fully Loaded
Allen & Giobbi & Mason
$145 Set Retail Value
Cardiographic - Stage Version
Martin Lewis
$286 Set Retail Value
Knot Unexpected & Slashed
Steinmeyer& Alexander
$104 Set Retail Value
The Final Answer Reloaded
Kohler & Alexander Donated to Ring 1 by James Hodge
$395 Retail Value
Nest
of Boxes
from the
Steve Zueklke Collection
Nest of Boxes (7)
N/A
$N/A Set Retail Value
Production Box Autographed & Numbered
Clarence Miller
$N/A Retail Value
from the Steve Zueklke Collection
Linking Coat Hangers
N/A
$80 Retail Value
Bill Wisch Slydini
Lecture Package 2012
Bill Wilsch/Slydini
$N/A Retail Value
Ketchup Fries & More
Kandu Magic
$389 Retail Value
Real Eel Skin
Card to Wallet
LePaul "styled" gimmick
$300 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!
White Star (Titanic Themed Effect)
Created by Dan Todd
$250 Retail Value
WOW Book Test (4 Books)
Meir Yedid
$75 Retail Value
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
Crystal Silk Cylinder
John Apperson Collection
n/a Retail Value
Fortuneteller's Book of Days
Paul Green
RARE & HARD TO FIND
OUR EVENT WAS A HUGE
SUCCESS!!!
ECLIPSED
LAST SEVERAL
YEARS'
ATTENDANCE
RECORDS!!!