The reverse auctions continue to do well and we think they make buying used magic a little more fun. I know they make selling it more fun. For example we have a couple autographed DVD’s that started out at $25 each, they are now down to $15 each. Next week they will be $10 if they don’t sell. Will they hit $5? What happens if they hit 0? Selling something is always fun but with reverse auctions it makes things that don’t sell even more fun.

One more note, the first used item that sold was the only used item that did not have a picture (Choo Choo Charlie) so perhaps I need to work on my camera skills.

Sturgis Journal
River County Journal
Colon MI

To hear the full interview with Greg Bordner and Tom Whitford, click on the following link: Greg Bordner and Tom Whitford interview (3:05 – 2.82 MB).

Below is SR-154, As Adopted by Senate, May 15, 2012

Senator Caswell offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 154.

A resolution commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Abbott’s Magic Get Together.

Whereas, Since 1934, the village of Colon in St. Joseph County, Michigan, known as the Magic Capital of the World, has played host to the world-famous Abbott’s Magic Get Together, which draws magicians, magic enthusiasts, and interested spectators together from around the globe to this southwestern Michigan town; and

Whereas, The people of Colon will welcome visitors from far and wide to their community to celebrate the 75th Abbott’s Magic Get Together during the annual Colon Magic Festival this summer. Except for four occasions when the event was cancelled, the Magic Get Together has continued every year for more than seven and a half decades, culminating in this year’s 75th celebration; and

Whereas, Colon has long held the title of the Magic Capital of the World because of the colorful magicians and innovators in the magic business who helped found the burgeoning magic industry here many decades ago. Famous individuals in the magic industry, like Harry Blackstone, Percy Abbott, Recil Bordner, and Monk Watson, coalesced around Colon to found the magic institutions that remain there to this day; and

Whereas, Despite the ever-changing state and national economy, the magic supply industry has grown throughout the years, and it remains alive and strong in Colon. Not even World War II could stifle the magic industry in Colon, as the United States government during the war years deemed it a vital industry for supplying the entertainers who served the troops and providing materials for soldiers’ recreation. Today, Abbott’s Magic Company and The FAB Magic Company still call Colon their home; and

Whereas, The fun, excitement, and mystery of illusions being performed on stage transcends generations, technological changes, and societal differences to bring people of every age and all walks of life together to enjoy the skills and showmanship of magicians. Each summer, the annual Abbott’s Magic Get Together and Colon Magic Festival continue this tradition; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate, That we join with the people of the village of Colon, St. Joseph County, and all of Michigan in celebrating and commemorating the 75th Abbott’s Magic Get Together; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the village of Colon, Abbott’s Magic Company, and The FAB Magic Company.

Al The Only here; enjoying a beautiful, blue skied, sun drenched Sunday on Maui. I’m hoping Greg Bordner will have similar weather for the Get-Together this August 1 – 4, 2012, in the, just as beautiful, town of Colon, Michigan.

Our buddy from Chicago, photographer, the capturer of memories, David Linsell wrote to inform me that he has been asked by the Abbott’s staff to produce an all new Abbott’s retrospective multi media show for this years 75th celebration! As in past programs David has produced, this will be a walk down memory lane to relive past Get Together’s and all our magic friends and heroes. David is honored to be a part of Abbott’s 75th celebration!

Back in the late 1970s and early 80s, digital meant something to do with your joints. When you took a photograph, you had to wait a week for it to be developed. I don’t know the name of the official photographer during the Get Togethers back then, but for a couple years, right outside the dealer room/elementary school he would have displays set with photographs he took of the shows. It was one of the very few ways to get an awesome photo of one of the performers. Today we have the likes of Dale Farris, David Linsell and Mike Younger whose expertise as shutter bugs continue to capture memories.

These moments in time, captured with the press of a finger, let us look back and reminisce. My favorite Abbott’s photo is of Edger Bergen sitting with Charlie McCarthy on a dock and fishing in Sturgeon Lake. This only happens in Colon, Michigan. Sid and Bruce walking down State Street, Harry Jr. with the light bulb, Abb and Karrell, Jeff Bibik and Al The Only doing what they do and countless photos of the friends we’ve made over the years. Will you be at the 75th Annual Abbott’s Get-Together to capture a memory?

This year, just like every year, I look forward to another Get-together. While you’re there, don’t forget to say Hi.

Colon 2012 or Bust!

All the best,

Al The Only

Al The Only, your occasional correspondent here. (It takes awhile for information to travel via the coconut wireless.) In the bad news, good news department, our friend from Chicago, photographer, magician, loyal Camp Colon attendee, Abbott’s family member and all round nice guy, David Linsell has had a rough two weeks, but he’s on the other side and healing. He is finally responding to the heavy duty IV antibiotics while in the ICU, and was released from the hospital on Thursday, May 10th. David says that if he really takes it easy, he should be off the oxygen in a week. (editors note: and back to helium.)

You can write David at dlinsell@earthlink.net.

All good wishes go out to David.

Here’s the e-mail I received from David.

Be well,

Al The Only

On May 10, 2012, at 6:37 AM, David Linsell wrote:

Good Morning Al,

I’m writing you from hospital where I have been a guest for the last week recovering from a killer case of Double Pneumonia! Maybe I need to cut back on the fanning powder! But the good news is I get to go home today!

Today I have been making Napkin Roses (thanks Michael Mode) for all the nursing staff that has kept me alive in the ICU this last week.

David

-Hosted a 2 day Closeup Convention
-Hosted a 1 day Flea Market and Auction
-Added nearly a 1000 items to our Get Together Gear Store
-Added 586 Instructions as Instant Downloads
-Added Over 20 Manuscripts as Instant Downloads
-Added Over 30 Books as Instant Downloads
-Added 7 Illusion Plans as Instant Downloads
-Processed over $8,000 in used magic
-Worked out release work for an upcoming major motion picture
-Began Work on the 2012 Halloween Magic Project

Currently we have about a dozen more books waiting to be scanned, more used magic that needs to be added to the website, and preparation for an upcoming West Coast convention as a dealer. All this is being done in addition to the day to day work to run and maintain a magic shop with the highest integrity.

This has placed the Abbott webmaster a little behind in 75th Get Together updates on the web. Several new acts have been added and I apologize to the performers for not getting their information up there quicker. We hope to be caught up in the updates in the next week or two.

Due to this delay in keeping you updated in the 75th we will be extending our $190.00 Full Registration price thru May.

Abbotts has begun working on its 2012 Halloween project which we have affectionately called “The Greatest Magic Un-Earthed” and it will compliment last years Halloween special (which ended up creating a new category on Tops and also a new webpage of its own called Creepy Magic) except that instead of using Halloween to spice up magic, we will be using Magic to spice up Halloween.

Like we did last year we are looking for your idea’s on how to use magic and principles of magic to create killer Halloween illusions and decorations that one would expect to see when visiting a magicians home in October.

People who send in articles (pics and videos most welcome) will receive full credit and will also receive a free instant download from Abbotts (select from any of our 700+ $4 downloads which we believe to be the largest selection of magic downloads on earth, or in this case, unearthed). Have multiple articles and you can have multiple downloads!

Thanks to all who attended the Flea Market/Auction making it a great success and a special thanks to our auctioneer Larry McMechan who was outstanding (For those who don’t know, Larry is Grandfather to the Reed sisters who have performed at the Get Together).

Just a beautiful day today in Colon so I put the “back in 10 minutes” sign on the front door and walked my dog down to the Colon Park to check out the latest work. The childrens playground is the ongoing project now and it is so new that the swings have not yet been added to the swing sets. Most of you are already somewhat familiar with the park which has the Michigan Historic Site marker on it honoring Blackstone and Colon, and of course there is the main structure which is the pavilion. New this year will be the trails, docks, and the kids playground.

We can’t think of a better time than to come to Colon Mi with the family and enjoy this fine park.

Led by Dale Salwak of Southern California, the delegation included Rich Bloch of Washington, D.C., Danny Cole of Southern California, and their assistants Ryan Salwak and Stacey Cole. The group departed from Beijing and arrived in Pyongyang the same day for performances in North Korea’s capital over the following week.

The groundwork for this visit was laid by Salwak during two previous visits to North Korea: In 2009 when he was the only American magician to perform at the national birthday celebration for the country’s revered founder, Kim il-Sung, and in 2011 when he was invited to view and meet North Korea’s lead magicians in their spectacular “Grand Magic” show in the 150,000 seat Rungrado May Day Stadium.

Dale Salwak will be appearing at the Abbott Magic Get Together August 1-4 2012.

American delegation prior to the opening ceremonies in North Korea (From Left): Rich Bloch, Danny Cole, Stacey Cole, Jae Hwe Ku, Ryan Salwak, Dale Salwak.

North Korea’s lead magician, Kim Taek Song (center) after discussing a future cultural exchange with (From Left): Yuji Yasuda, Jae Hwe Ku, Dale Salwak, Ryan Salwak.