Posted June 5, 2009 - Parent Assembly #1 of the Society of American Magicians in New York elected Eric De Camps as their new Dean, succeeding the late Sam Schwartz. Mr. De Camps has been a member for 27 years and was Parent Assembly #1 "Magician of the Year" in 1996. He is currently on their Board of Directors. Eric earned a Gold Medal and is a Life Member of the Society. - His "Pure Magic" show is currently running in New York City until the end of June.

Posted June 3, 2009 - Tom Prete Assembly 127 of Wallingford, Conn. will hold its 29th annual New England Magicians Conference (NEMCON) on Saturday, March 23, 2010 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cromwell, Connecticut.

The All-Star lineup for this great one-day event will include internationally renowned magician Gene Anderson; master magician and teacher to the stars Bob Fitch; IBM First Place junior close-up magician Ali Shelley; motivational speaker and corporate magician John Henry; 12 year-old rising star in magic Melissa Russo; Europe’s close-up champion and IBM/SAM close-up winner Marc Oberon; and eight-time winner of the IBM Gold Medal International Award of Excellence and FISIM winner, Arthur Trace.

Assembly 127 member and President of the Inner Circle of Bizarre Magick Joe Cabral will be the honoree at NEMCON 29, for his contribution to the art of magic and his tireless contribution to NEMCON.

The fun begins Friday night with a Bob Fitch interactive lecture on performance technique. Saturday’s activities begin at 9:30 a.m. and a full day of magic includes a close-up show, three lectures, 16 dealers, a silent auction to benefit the Tom Prete Scholarship for the Arts, and a Gala All-Star evening show.

Information is available at www.ctNEMCON.com, or by contacting conference chairman Henry Holava at 203-238-1940, or e-mail HHolava@ctnemcon.com.

Posted May 27, 2009 - National Historian Tom Ewing will be honored at the Assembly #4 Banquet and Show June 18. The dinner will take place at the American Legion Hall in Philadelphia with a show featuring Al and Rebecca Lloyd, Mike Bonacci, Doc Swan, Tommy McDonnell, William Rauscher and President Elect Mike Miller. If you wish to attend you need to call Peter Cuddihy 859-489-3459 or go to www.sam4.org. Dinner and show $ 30.00.

Posted May 16, 2009 - New York Mayor Bloomberg proclaimed May 16 as "Society of American Magicians Magic Day" in New York City honoring Parent Assembly #1's 100th Anniversary of the "Salute to Magic" show. President Ken Ferst displays the proclamation. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted April 9, 2009 - It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of a magic friend. Seth Ossinsky, 42, passed away March 29 during heart surgery. What I remember most about Seth was his smile, always in a mischievous mood. For those closest to him know that he was a very giving person, loved animals and loved keeping in touch with magicians on the phone or the Internet. Seth grew up in the Daytona Beach area and worked for Daytona Magic for a few years before moving to Phoenix, Arizona. He was a "goodwill ambassador" for Daytona at various events and in local parades as "Daytona's #1 Nerd", which was his character. Seth was General Chairman for one of the Florida Magicians Association conventions, was past President of the Daytona SAM Assembly, loved clowning and working with schools. He always dreamed big and never accepted the word "impossible". — Dan Stapleton

Posted March 27, 2009 -

Tom Prete Assembly 127 hosted a successful 28th Annual New England Magicians Conference (NEMCON). The one-day convention was held Saturday March 14th at its new location the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cromwell Connecticut. On Friday night, Eric DeCamps hosted a performance workshop for registrants staying over at the hotel. Young Zach Ivins and convention chairman Henry Holava performed for the workshop.

On Saturday, the day started off with a close-up show featuring Charlie Cambra, Eric DeCamps, Bob Little, Eugene Burger, and Shawn Farquhar. Lectures throughout the day included; Levent, Shawn Farquhar and Eugene Burger and everyone found the time to visit the 16 dealers in our new, expanded dealer’s room.

A record 300 people packed the Crown Plaza ballroom for the evening show. NEMCON Chairman Henry Holava and Assembly 127 President Bill Hoagland presented convention honoree Bob Little with a plaque for his life-time achievement in magic. A spectacular evening show followed featuring MC Bob Little, David Boyd, Eugene Burger, Levent and Shawn Farquhar. Each act was given a standing ovation. Plans are underway for the 29th NEMCON convention to be held March 13, 2010. Visit Assembly 127’s web site at www.ctNEMCON.com for future convention up dates.

Bob Little, Levent, David Boyd, Eugene Burgher, Hanna Farquhar, Lori Farquhar and Shawn Farquhar.

Assembly 127 President Bill Hoagland, NEMCON Honoree Bob Little and NEMCON Chairman Henry Holava

Charlie Cambra

Click the images to enlarge.

Posted March 8, 2009 - Parent Assembly #1 named George Gilbert it's "Magician of the Year 2009" Presentation will be made at the historic "100th" Annual Salute to Magic show May 16 in NYC. Details at www.sampa1.com. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted January 14, 2009 - Assembly #007, Omaha, Nebraska honored Pete Petrashek with the David P. Abbott Award. Wizard Banquet was attended by President Bruce Kalver who presented Pete with a Presidential Citation. Left to right First VP Mark Weidhaas, PNP Jay Gorham. Pete and MI Bruce Kalver. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted Nov 24, 2008- Left to right: Fred Pitella, Jerry Weisenberg, George Schindler, Bruce Lish, Rabbi Noach Valley, Rabbi Jack Glickman and Arthur Ashendorf. Photo by Ethan Silverman photo; click to enlarge.

Posted Nov 1, 2008- A very successful National Council Meeting got lots of work done and the great hospitality of Assemblies 18 and 157 made the weekend great fun. A pre-meeting show featured the talents of Doug Reis, John Hromada, Ray Lucas, Howard Mincone, Bill Cornelius and Ray and Debora Witkowki. After the Saturday meeting, car pools took the council members to a great restaurant overlooking the three rivers. Assembly members drove us to the Cuckoo's Nest Magic Shop and back to the hotel. Small groups met for dinner and nightlife sightseeing. John Apperson and his committee found a great theater for the 2011 Pittsburgh convention at the Hilton Hotel. Many thanks to both Assemblies. Click here for a photo gallery by Mark Zajicek, George Schindler and Manon Rodrigues.