February 3, 2010 - S.A.M. Assembly 252 - Alexandria, VA, is presenting a magic show to raise money for the relief efforts in Haiti. The show will be February 12th at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia. All costs for the show have been donated, so all income will go directly to the relief efforts. Strolling magicians and a silent auction begin at 7pm. The stage show begins at 8pm. We are fortunate to have a great 780 seat theater for this. If you're in the area, please attend.

January 21, 2010 - Professor Rem honored as "Dean" of the Assembly. Left to right: MI Mike Miller, President Tony Antonelli, Professor Rem and PNP Bruce Kalver. Photo by Brian Hurlburt, click to enlarge.

January 11, 2010, Miami, FL - World renowned magician, Fantasio, was named Dean of The Society of American Magicians, Assembly 280 / Magic City Conjurers in Miami, Florida. Ricardo Roucau, better known around the world as Fantasio, appeared countless times on the Ed Sullivan Show, was the magician for the Beatles debut on that show, has opened for Liberace and numerous other celebrities and has performed around the world. The title of Dean is a lifetime one and is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a magician by any assembly. Photo: Fantasio with PNP Maria Ibanez. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted December 8, 2009 - At the annual Assembly #24 (Capital Region-NY) Christmas party December 8, Clem Kinnicutt was officially honored and named "Dean" of the Assembly." The presentation was made by National Council officers, Dean George Schindler, Second Vice President Vinny Grosso, Regional Vice President Pat Colby and Joe Goode, the Assembly president. This was followed by congratulatory film clip by the members of the National Council and a live Skype visual phone message from National President Mike Miller. A show followed with Joe Goode, Singer grand daughter Jordan Kinnicutt, Dave McDonald, Pat Colby and George Schindler. Photos of the event are available at http://sam24.synthasite.com/. PHOTO: Left to right: Joe Goode, George Schindler, Clem Kinnicutt, Pat Colby, Vinny Grosso. Click to enlarge.

Posted November 27, 2009 - Vinny Grasso presents Certificates at November Counci Meeting. Photo at right, left to right: Tom Waldrop, Tom Cramer, Michael Roth, Vinny Grosso, Christopher Bontjes looks on. Photos courtesy Mike Roth. Click the images to enlarge.

Posted November 22, 2009 - While The Illusion performs in the background, the other performers in the Rock & Roll Magic Show take their well deserved curtain call. From left to right the performers are Joe Biernacki, Ric Ewing, Kara Ewing, Germar, Roy Porfido, Douglass the Magic Man, Bob Steiner, Danielle Lamb, Reggie and Jerry Barrilleaux, Loren Lind, and Timothy James. Click the image to enlarge. (Walnut Creek - Dean Lesher Center)

Posted November 22, 2009 - From November 16 - Presidents pose with Dean George Schindler at MEF Sponsored lecture. Left to right: San Francisco Assy #2 President Tamaka, George, PNP Bob Steiner, standing PNP Loren Lind. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted November 12, 2009 - S.A.M. Members attending the annual Broken Wand Ceremony at the Houdini Grave Site, Nov 10, 2009. PA#1 members left to right are Paul Hsiao, Jim Stranges, Bruce Lish, Rabbi Noach Valley, George Schindler, Arthur Ashendorf, and Rabbi Jack Glickman, Plus Tony Corrao of Assembly #77. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted October 24, 2009 - The Assembly 170, Pikes Peak Prestidigitators show, 10/24/09, raised $600 for homeless in Colorado Springs. Back Row L-R: Mark Weidhaas, Gary Klatt, Tom Paine, Dick Bowman, Bruce Black, Larry Mahan, Frank Klein, Chris Faria, Steve Hirthler. Front Row: David Wintermute, James Wintermute, Benji Bruce, Branden Darcell, Blake Nielsen Click to enlarge.

October 17, 2009 - The Westside Wizards presented a benefit show to raise money for several schools in the Los Angeles area. More than 250 people we present to see our first benefit show. The show lasted more than two hours and was enjoyed by all. Performance Participants: Les Cooper, Raul Fernandez, David Cotelessa, Don Kenny, Timothy Mannix, Frank Padilla, Jr., Alexander Scianna, Rhoel Garcia, Wendy Sobel. Performances raised more than $500.00 for the schools!

Alex Scianna	David Cotalessa	Don Kenney
Ice MacDonald and Raul Fernandez	Les Cooper	Wendy Sobel
Rhoel Garcia	Tim Mannix	Post Show Cast Picture

October 1, 2009 - Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 24th at 3:00pm and be sure to attend the 9th year of this wonderful benefit show. For full details, download a flyer here that details contact info, who is benefitted and other pertinent info.

September 11, 2009 - The Installation of Officers and an Honor Evening for new PA Dean Eric DeCamps was one of there Assembly's most successful events in many years. The ceremony was hosted by Bob Fitch. National Officers Mike Miller, Vinny Grosso, George Schindler and RVP Pat Colby were on hand to witness a star studded show emceed by Meir Yedid, who presented the performers; George Schindler, David Corsaro, Margaret Steele, Alan "Ace" Greenberg, Steve Rodman, Tom Gaudette, Mike Miller, George Saterial, Marc DeSouza and Mark Mitton. Over 220 people were in attendance!

Eric DeCamps accepts a "team" shirt from Mike Miller - Bob Fitch looks on.

Dr. Steve Gross officiated at the installation. Photo Dexter Lane.

Posted July 22, 2009 - Birthday magic was the theme of our July meeting. We celebrated the 90th birthday of compeer and Life Member #24, John Marenholtz. Our president and host Angelo, put out a nice spread of hotdogs, burgers, potato salad and fries. Members Dan Sclare, Rick St. Pierre, Angelo Chirico and our Dean Bob Killian performed birthday magic for John. John received birthday cards and notes from our Regional VP Tucker Goodman, National Secretary Marlene Clark, Our new National president Mike Miller, and the Dean of the SAM George Schindler. John also received cards from some of our members who could not attend. These included Soll Levine and our secretary Dana Ring. They were attending the National Convention in Buffalo. It would not be a party without cake, so we ended our birthday meeting by surprising John with a SAM birthday cake. A magical time was had by all! Happy birthday John! "You do have friends in the SAM!" - Dan Sclare VP for Dana Ring Scribe and Secretary.

John's Friends in the SAM, from left to right: Cal Vinick, Dave Edwards, Bob "Doc" Teraila, Rick St. Pierre, Angelo Chirico, Ray Lorenzo, John, Bill Smyth, Dean Bob Killian, Dave Garrity and Dan Sclare.

The Birthday Cake!

Birthday Boy and Life Member #24 John Marenhottz

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.