Photos from Abbott's 2012 Day 3

Day Three of Abbott's Get-Together was another beautiful, sunny day in southern Michigan. People were still coming in to Abbott's Magic Factory to pick up their registration packets. The bulk of their magic inventory, however, was relocated from the Factory to the dealers' room that was set up in the elementary school.

You never know who is going to show up at a Get-Together. Perhaps if I would have waited for the owner of this car to return, I could have solved an age old question.

Buskers fanned throughout the village to entertain the guests. One was appointed to the downtown area where the annual arts and crafts fair was taking place.

Jania Taylor (http://www.magicbyjania.com/) was assigned to the grocery store that had a throng of people who were there during the lunch hour for the Kiwani's Club benefit. They were offering lunch for $1.00 that included a hot dog, chips, soft drink and an ice cream sandwiich. You could order an extra hot dog for just 50 cents.

Michael Mode (http://www.magicmode.com/) was one of those who helped Jerry Costello with the "Happy Hour" party at Jerry's lake house that took place after Adele Friel's lecture and before the evening show. (Jerry is on the left and Michael is on the right).

You never know how people will be dressed for the Friday night show. Have you ever seen a dress made entirely from balloons? Never mind WHERE did she sit in the show last night. The question is HOW did she sit?

Following the evening stage show, the city presented an enjoyable fireworks show just outside the high school.

Photos from Abbott's Day 2

Day Two in Colon (that's "number two" or August 2nd which is number two, too) was another bright, sunny day with plenty of socializing on the schedule.

There were plenty of "buskers" on the main street entertaining the local residents and tourists who happened upon the lot of magicians. There has been a flurry of news reports in all the nearby newspapers promoting the convention.

Back at the high school before TIna Lenert's morning lecture, we had a photo opp with Mac King, Stan Allen, Tom Mullica, Scott Wells, Mark Holstein and Bill Smith.

Mac King gave one of his rare lectures to the group that afternoon which included a rope routine and several card effects along with lots of funny stories. His lecture sales had people lined up to the back of the auditorium.

Al the Only conducted the annual tour of the Colon cemetery with a record number in attendance this year of over 70 people who braved the blazing sun. Al gave us information about the deceased and their magical lives interspersed with several stories that brought them to life. It was fun to hear the stories amplified by some of the descendents who were in the audience including those from the Jack Gwynne and Jerry Conklin families. Of course it was Harry Blackstone, St. who started it all. He and Harry Junior both rest here.

Danny Black struck a funny pose at the headstone of a non-magician that was adorned with several garden gnomes.

Photos from Abbott's Days 0 & 1

It is time for the 75th annual Get Together and the weather is expected to be a beautiful, sunny week. That's great news since many of the convention activities happen outdoors like some of the dealers who display their wares under tents and there are street buskers and people walk all around the little village from bar to restaurant to shop.

I think I have heard most of the jokes about Colon, Michigan ("Is it between 'semi' and 'oscopy'? and "What do you call speed bumps in Colon? Polyps." and "The sports teams say that Colon is number two," and others I can't share here). But durinhg this year's Get Together, a friend gave me this refrigerator magnet.

Before the 75th Get Together began, David Seebach (http://www.davidseebach.com/) hosted a "night before" party on Blackstone Island. Here he stands before the Okito Checker Cabinet built by Norm Neilsen. This is on sale for $2,500 and the nightclub table it sits on is going for $500, or the pair for $2,800.

At the party, I had a chance to chat with Adele Friel Rhindress, one of Blackstone's assistants in the late 1940's. She is a wonderful, charismatic lady who is very fascinating and has the most wonderful stories. More on The Elusive Moth at: http://www.elusivemoth.com/Elusive_Moth_Reviews.html

Al the Only aka Al Oha (http://www.tricky1.com/), and I chatted about the annual Open Colon golf tournament plus the tours of the cemetery he conducts.

The 23rd Annual Open Colon golf tournament had a record number of over 30 golfers including Mac King, Michael Finney, Bill Smith, Obie O'Brien and many others notable magicians. David Merry took top honors this year for his second time. Other two time winners include Brad Jacobs and Al the Only.

See who you can name in the photo above.