Posted June 28, 2008- Tom Prete Assembly #127 of Wallingford CT will hold its 28th annual New England Magician's Conference on Saturday March 14, 2009 at its new convention site, the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cromwell, Connecticut. The all-star lineup for this great one day event will include Bob Little, David Boyd, comedy magician Levent, Eric DeCamps, Shawn Farquhar, and world renowned magician Eugene Burger. The conference will honor Bob Little for his life time achievement as a magic dealer and his contributions to the art of magic. The fun begins at 9:30 a.m. and includes a close-up show, three lectures, dealers and a gala evening show. Information is available at www.magicsam127.org or by contacting conference chairman Henry Holava at 203-238-1940.

Posted May 19- 2008 - PA#1 members perform for the Long Island Mystics on May 12th. Left to right Harvey Berg, Nina and George Schindler, Isaac Rodriguez and Eric DeCamps. (Photo courtesy Phil Levy. Click the image to enlarge.)

Posted April 4, 2008 - Tom Prete Assembly 127 hosted a successful 27th Annual New England Magicians Conference (NEMCON). The one-day convention was held March 8th at the Holiday Inn in North Haven, Connecticut and featured a close-up show, three lectures, dealers and a gala evening show. Over 200 people packed the Holiday Inn ballroom for the Gala evening show featuring Charlie Hayden, David Garrity, David London, Tom Craven, Bob White and The Great Tomsonie & Co. (Johnny Thompson). S.A.M. Assembly 127 President Bill Hoagland presented convention honoree Henry Holava with a plaque for his contributions to the art of magic, to Assembly 127 and his work on NEMCON. Plans are well underway for the 28th NEMCON convention to be held March 14 2009. Visit Assembly 127’s web site at www.magicsam127.org for future convention up dates.

In the photo, left to right: NEMCON performers Tom Craven, Bob White, Charlie Hayden, David London, Johnny Thompson, Pam Thompson, Krista, David Garrity & NEMCON chairman Henry Holava. Click the image to enlarge.

Charles Kelman

Richard Hodes

John Kedves

Harry Hines

Posted March 29, 2008 - Assembly 127 awarded honorary life membership to five charter members of the assembly who are still members after 32 years. They are Charles Kelman, Richard Hodes, Albert Palmero (no picture), John Kedves and Harry Hines.

Posted March 29, 2008 - Parent Assembly #1 - Brad Jacob (center) accepts the Parent Assembly Magician of the Year 2008 Awards at the 99th Annual Salute to Magic Show. Left to right Parent Assembly President Isaac Rodriguez, Brad and Dean George Schindler. Click the photo to enlarge. (Bruce Kalver Photo)

Posted February 29, 2008- S.A.M #33 member Sister Carol "NY Giants Mascot" had complimentary tickets behind the goalposts from John Mara co-owner of the team. She prayed for the Giants to win. Her sister Terri (left) kept yelling:"You Can Do It" - They did! Click the image to view a larger copy.

Posted February 29, 2008- S.A.M Assembly #61 honored Si Adams (Sylvester Adamski) with a 50 year membership certificate. Congratulations Si! Click the image to view a larger copy.

Posted January 26, 2008- Tom Prete Assembly #127 is accepting contributions to its newly-formed Thomas R. Prete Memorial Scholarship for the Arts.

Tom died in 2007. He was a teacher, artist, entertainer and poet whose impact on his community was far-reaching. When he retired from teaching in the North Haven Connecticut school system, he opened a magic shop in nearby Wallingford. He was a founder of Assembly #127 and achieved honorary membership in the S.A.M. in 2005.

Assembly #127 will award a $300 scholarship to a deserving graduating high school student living or attending school in the Wallingford-North Haven area who plans to attend an institution of higher learning and major in performing, visual, or graphic arts; or performing, visual or graphic arts education. The first scholarship will be awarded in June 2008.

Assembly #127 also has produced a video tribute to Tom. It will air at Assembly #127’s annual convention, NEMCON, to be held March 8 at the Holiday Inn in North Haven.

Checks should be made out to the Thomas R. Prete Memorial Scholarship for the Arts and mailed to:

Chairman Michael Gagne
59 East Side Dr.,
Wallingford, CT 06492.

Information also is available at www.magicsam127.org and clicking "Scholarship", or by calling 203-265-4118.

Posted October 23, 2007- October 17-2007 President Larry Lippman (left) looks on as new Member Matt Hiller receives his certificate and pin from Dean George Schindler (right). Click the image to view a larger copy.

Posted September 22, 2007- The New London Society of American Magicians Assembly #63 announces their annual banquet, November 4, 2007, 4pm, at Ocean Beach Park, New London, CT. Cost is $31.00 per person. Buffet, Cash Bar, Incredible Entertainment! Scheduled performers include The return of Wayne Gignac - Emcee - David Garrity - Illusions and Comedy - Ken Sprano - Magic Plus - Charlie Hayden - Comedy Magic AT IT’S BEST! Please RSVP Jim Spinnato no later than October 14, 2007, 860.447.1107 or james.spinnato@snet.net. See www.magicsam63.freewebsites.com for more. Don't miss this great event!

Posted September 5, 2007- First VP Mike Miller and Dean George Schindler accept check from RVP Vin Grasso for the National Center Foundation on August 29. Proceeds are from the profit of their show that evening. Group photo to right (L to R): Paul Ward, Clem Kinnicutt, Charles Tryon, David Boyd, Mike Miller, You, Vinnie Grosso, Erick James, Willis White, Helen Patti, Norbert Kosinski, Joe Goode (in front), and David MacDonald. Photos below are from the show. Photos by Clem Kinnicutt. Click any photo to enlarge.

Posted September 5, 2007- Dave McDonald receives Magician Of The Year award on August 29, 2007. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted June 24, 2007 - Assembly 104's June Installation Banquet was a great time, as the photos show! Click any photo to enlarge.

Posted June 7, 2007- Mega Magic Show to benefit Cub Scouts in Naugatuck, CT - June 22 will feature S.A.M. Assembly 26 members. The photo to the right shows Mister Miracle the Wizard (Joe Lantiere) who will do close up at a membership recruiting table. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted May 12, 2007- Howie Schwarzman (left) receives Magician of the Year award from Parent Assembly #1 presented by Isaac Rodriguez (producer of Salute to Magic show) Kinnicutt Photo, click the image to enlarge.

Posted April 17, 2007- Assembly 206 rolled out the red carpet for the National Council meeting attendees. The meeting was productive and many serious issues were discussed regarding future conventions, membership and dues. Special thanks to Doc Stan Seaton and Ron Cartlidge for making all the arrangements. A photo gallery is available by clicking here.

Posted February 28, 2007- The Austin Magic Auction had a record year in profit. This was the 25th Anniversary of the auction and Assembly 206 has announced a donation of 10% of the profits. The auction grossed around $18,000 in sales, a percentage of the profit will be donated to the Society of American Magicians National Magic Center. Photo: 24 of the stage items received a tip of the fez from auctioneer Scott Wells for bringing in a hundred dollars or better. Left to right Scott, David Hira, Kent Cummins (Photo Millie Seaton)

Posted February 15, 2007- Members of #161 of Green Brook NJ, did a fundraiser show on Feburary 9th for the family of a young man who had medical needs and were commended by local groups who agreed that magic is family entertainment. The assembly is well known for their contributions to the Houdini Fund. Left to right top row: Gene Soucek, Bruce Langrock, Norm Rosen, Doug Thornton. Bottom: Scott Leavitt and Jim Flood.

Posted February 4, 2007- Congratulations to Debbie Leifer who was named "2006 Magician of the Year" at a banquet meeting of the Georgia Magic Club (SAM Assembly #30 and IBM Ring # 9.) on January 20, 2007. Debbie, a full time corporate entertainer, was selected from a list of eight nominees.

Posted January 21, 2007- Parent Assembly #1 of the Society of American Magicians named Howard Schwarzman It's 2007 Magician of the Year. The official presentation will be made at the 98th Annual "Salute to Magiâ" show May 12 at the Heckscher Theater in New York.

Mr. Schwarzman has been a member of the Assembly for 45 years and has distinguished himself in the magical fraternity as being one of the top flight card magicians of the 20th century. Originally from New York, Howard was one of the founders of FAME the New York City young magicians club in the 1940's mentored by Abe Hurwitz. Now living in Baltimore Maryland, Mr., Schwarzman continues to be an active member of the magic fraternity, which recognizes his work as an innovator, writer and performer. He flies his own plane, is a talented piano player and is one of the most knowledgeable card performers in the country.