Ring Event Report
The Magic of Christmas
December 6, 2008

Five members of Ring 362 took the stage for The Magic of Christmas at the Alamo Theatre in Bucksport, Maine, on December 6, 2008.

Dr. Wilson took the stage for a pre-show sale of Prize Candy. One of the last to claim his prize was Scott Grassette, who won a set of juggling clubs. Scot opened with some fast-paced juggling of clubs, balls, and hoops. He then brought a young volunteer on the stage for a little magic that required an ever-larger set of wands to make the magic happen. The final wand was much larger than the volunteer!

Dr. Wilson recruited an assistant to help with baking a cake by magic. The cake had a large variety of improbable ingredients, including sawdust, shoe polish, and toothpaste, but it turned out OK after all. Danny Baker, Maine's Funniest Magician, tried to get his puppet to sing Jingle Bells, but Wally the Wizard, dressed in a Santa suit, had a lot of trouble with the lyrics. Dr. Wilson joined Danny Baker to tell of a family tradition of unwrapping a single present on Christmas Eve. Dr. Wilson's present was a magician doll. He showed Danny his trick of leaving a large, empty toy box out for Santa to inspect, then placed the doll in the box as he and Danny settled down for a nap.

The doll came to life as Professor Miller, who danced with a floating ornament from the Christmas tree before performing the Chinese Rings. Danny Baker took the stage again for some delightful magic with balloons. He was very surprised when one of his volunteers was able to tie a balloon dog faster than him, with a little help from offstage. Scot Grassette returned to float a youngster in the air before turning him into a rabbit.

Dr. Wilson offered magical assistance for these turbulent times by showing an enchanted envelope. Money placed in the envelope is safe; the envelope is safer than any bank. An audience volunteer signed a dollar bill, then selaed it into one of the magic envelopes. Dr. Wilson attempted to show how the envelope protected the bill from fire, but for some reason both bill and envelope were reduced to ashes. The volunteer received a large gift box from under the Christmas tree in compensation. Inside the box was another gift-wrapped box, which contained a third box inside. When all was unwrapped, the volunteer found his signed dollar bill in the final box.

Danny Baker performed some silent magic, producing flowers and other items from silks, before taking another set of young audience members on a wild ride of fun magic, with gifts for all. Scot Grassette closed the show by suspending a glass of water from a straw before producing a snowstorm from his bare hands. As snow filled the stage, Santa appeared. The entire audience was invited onstage, and everyone received a present from Santa (portrayed by Gary Jewell).