When this theme was first proposed at one of the planning meetings the assembled planners all perked right up and voiced their approval. After further explanation, however, enthusiasm waned a bit ("No Lew, a stripper deck." "So, what're you saying? She's not coming out of a cake?") For November's meeting we present a discussion of magic with Gaffed Decks (of cards), opening with the old favorite, "The Stripper Deck".

The format of this meeting promises to be fairly open and jazzy so grab your gaffed decks (any gaffed deck) and come chat with everyone about this facet of what we do. Thursday, November 19, 7:30 pm, rm. 210 of the Colorado State Office Bldg., 3842 S. Mason.

No, not a near miss but, rather, a heads-up for one of the best lectures on the magic scene today. You may recognize Michael Close as the author of the "Workers" series of books and as the magic product reviewer for MAGIC.

He is a full time magician and a detailed thinker whose creativity and innovation have produced countless magic routines that "work", not just as devious tricks but as good performance entertainment. Mr. Close is on his farewell lecture tour (not farewell to magic, just farwell to lecturing) and as a parting gift he's offering the bulk of his work to date in books and videos and one last lecture. Please join us on Monday, December 7th at 7:30 pm at the usual place for this exciting lecture.

Upcoming Events

October was a delightfully busy month for the Presto-Digitators. The first event was a lecture by Michael Ammar. Michael had not visited us in a number of years after numerous appearances in Colorado and in Fort Collins beginning in the early 1980's. His current lecture was best described by Presto-Digitator Cody Landstrom, who besides being a magician and juggler, is also an accomplished musician. After Michael's lecture, Cody remarked, "He hasn't lost his chops!" Michael's lecture had a little bit for everyone. His philosophy about magic was as important as the routines he discussed. The second half of his lecture was devoted to his work on the cups and balls.

Just judging by the amount of purchases made after the lecture, Michael Ammar was very well received. Many in attendance were unaware that Michael's wife Hannah, who accompanied Michael on this visit, is the lovely daughter of Frances Willard who recently graced us with her presence at this year's Magic in the Rockies convention the previous month.

The regularly scheduled meeting night presented the club with another lecture opportunity. Compeer Barry Fernelius was nice enough to "road test" his newest lecture with the club. Barry is a charter member of Jeff McBride's Mystery School. What Barry had learned in Mystery School during the past several summers was evident in his lecture. Barry shared more than just the effects he performed and then demonstrated. His method for constructing a routine and for working out all of the bugs through a systematic approach would serve any magicians who wanted to improve their ability to mystify through flawless presentation and engaging patter.

"Later that same month" - Several Presto-Digitators traveled to Denver as part of an agreement with the Mile High Magic Club. At our August meeting, members of Mile High performed for the Presto-Digitators.

Now it was our turn to reciprocate. Ed (Mr. Magic) Hurtubis, Bob Blea, Tim Pendergast, Byron Ferguson, and Lew (Loudini) Wymisner joined Denver's Bob LaRue, Gene Gordon, and Dave Elston during a performance of "spooky magic" for Mile High members and for residents of the Metro Manor, which accommodates the Mile High club meetings.

The final event of a magic month was a trip to neighboring Greeley by several Presto-Digitators to see the Spencers who were performing at the beautiful Colony Civic Center. It was especially nice to get to see the Spencers after reading about them in The Linking Ring. Their show was well received by the 1400 plus in the audience. After the show, we got to chat with Kevin Spencer, and none other than David Sandy who was spending some vacation time acting as a "roadie" for the Spencers.

Lew Wymisner.

October suggests magic and Halloween, and there WAS plenty of magic. I attended the Lee Earle lecture "Syzygy's Best" in Denver.

Michael Ammar and his wife Hannah (Frances Willard's daughter) visited Colorado and lectured in Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins.

The theme for the Psi-Clones meeting was "Bizarre Magick" which included performances by R. Scott Ferris, Wilson Hunter, Don Krill, Lee Marelli, and Michael Townsend (facilitator).

Presto-digitator Barry Fernelius, presented his "New Eyes" lecture motivated by a Marcel Proust quote, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes".

Later in the month, several Presto-Digitators, Bob Blea, Byron Ferguson, Ed Hurtubis, Tim Pendergast, and Lew Wymisner headed south to Denver to entertain the Mile High Magicians and the Metro Manor Residents.

Congratulations to Bob Blea, Colin Casanova, Frank Di Piazza, and Carl Gardner who are new members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Ed Hurtubis