Abbotts 25th Get Together 1962
by John Braun
Magic's votaries and neophytes to the record breaking number of 624 converged upon Colon, Michigan, August 22 to 26, for the annual carnival of mystery. When the call to a Get-Together goes out from the Magic Capitol of the World, these pseudo wizards flock in from everywhere, for they are loyal legerdemainists to a man - or boy - yes, to a woman, too! They heard the call way over in New Zealand, and its echoes sounded from Canada down to Texas, from California across to Florida. There were accolytes accompanied by parents; there were those who had garnered world renown, and many who appear on the TV networks of the Nation. And there were many more who keep the banner of Magic flying in the towns, villages and hamlets of North America, afficienados ranging in age from 8 to 80. But "like I said", they're loyal to the Goddess Maja, and when they meet, they have FUN. And they depart laden with the latest devices developed in Abbott's "Laboratory of Legerdemain," the biggest in the business, ready for another season of the "now-you-see-it-now-you-don't" Art the public never tires of. Yes, it was a time for FUN. And to many of us, it was a happy reunion unique among the multifarious gatherings of mankind down through the ages!
The fun began officially Wednesday evening, August 22, at the elementary school auditorium, where the capacity crowd was treated to a stage filling, spectacular "Welcome Magicians" opening. Abbott's Catalog describes it (page 237) as a "spectacular finale", but it makes a "welcome" like a fireworks display-pagodas, flags, streamers, ribbons and confetti completely filling the stage. Add to that Dorny as MC, big cigar, flash paper et al, Wilma Rench at the organ, a welcome by Colon's "mayor" Grant Baughman, and the program was on! Wow-e-ee! What an opening!
Rick Rogers of Milwaukee featured the borrowed bill in cigaret and a canvas covered box substitution to a good hand; Reggie Lawrence juggled and trick-bicycled through some laugh-getting antics; Arturo's magic was varied and entertaining, with attractive apparatus; Jim Shannon and Joanne pleased with ropes, three linking rings, blooming bouquet and some nice cane magic. After intermission the Amazing Conklins, a magical family of four, performed magic small and large, featuring the Doll House, Disappearance of a girl who reappeared at the back of the house and came running down the aisle, and the East Indian Basket Trick with a surprise finish. Jim Hanning, official photographer, displayed versatility with some very nice "antique" apparatus we'd like to be able to buy today; Gordon Miller, a Colon lad, opened with hat and cans to table, worked smoothly through an entertaining routine to the big banner en staff finale and then - Gail Fyhrie - tall, attractive, blond, and a Chicago prize winner, with Parasol, Handkerchief "Poke Thru" Color Change, Blendo, Rabbit production, and multiplying billiard balls which change into a large ball that splits into two bouquets - pul-chritudinous prestidigitation!
The Ciose-Up Entertainers followed after the seating had been rearranged for four tables, the audience remaining seated and performers moving on every 15 minutes.
Jim Ryan of Chicago entertained skilfully with dice, cards and Cups and Balls. Outstanding in his hands were LePauls "A Quadruplicate Mystery." the revealing of 5 peeked-at cards each in a different way, the Rising Cards and the Cups and Balls.
Signor Torino (Tony Kardyro) befuddled with sleight-of-hand card magic - the Ambitious Card, Four Ace Control, Slop Shuffle Aces, and Aces dealt to the chosen hand in a five-handed game. For some reason, an assisting spectator could draw a red-backed card from a blue deck; even a black card drawn from a blue deck would unexplainably have a blue back!
Karrell Fox interlarded his magic with "gag" stuff - FUN was his goal. The BIG ring, cards with "Marx" on the backs, finding selected card with a "Key" card, a routine with the novelty shop ball vase and explanation, then some nice work with the Aces. You never knew where they were. Red Aces under your finger became black, and kept jumping around until you gave up trying to follow them. And that "Foxy" wit kept you laughing till the last twist went into the silver foil giraffe.
Johnny Piatt used Cups and Balls, Dai Vernon's "Triumph", Black Jack deal, Ring on Stick, color changing knife, glass through table, and Brain Wave invisible deck routine, all smoothly performed. Sure, it was over much too soon!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch - 'scuse, please - I mean back at the Abbott plant, the demonstrations had been going en all day. The showroom and auditorium had been enlarged and completely redecorated this summer, and we adjourned for goings-on there that kept up long after I "called it a day." Duke Stern and Howard Strickler were on hand to liven things up and Neil Foster, Recil Bordner, Gordon Miller, Duke, Arturo and others of the staff continuously paraded tricks from stock that kept you drooling.
The Magician's Rendezvous was open all night for those who wanted to take cards and find them, or swap cherished secrets, and believe me, this went on and on for four days! The American Legion opened the doors to those seeking food and conviviality, so everyone had a good time. THURSDAY, AUGUST 23
The day began with demonstrations at the plant, and little groups of enthusiasts under the tents in front, a pattern followed throughout the conclave. Messers Torino, Persi, Stewart Judah, Jim Ryan, Monk Watson, Felix Greenfield, Al Goshman, Chic Schoke, Russ Walsh, Bob Nelson, Arnold Krastin Jerry Lukins, Stewart James and countless others were to be found here as interested participants in the "miracles" displayed.
The first programmed event was the Magi-Minister's show in the elementary school auditorium, in charge of Joe White as M.C.
Rev. Bill Oberg, Past President of the Fellowship of Christian Ministers, was first with "My Soul Needs A Band Aid"; Felix Lorenz, Jr. sang a hymn during his demonstration of a lesson built around the 20th Century Handkerchief trick; Rev. Larry MacAllen "chalk talked" for his spiritual lesson, drawing a bunch of bananas, picking one to peel and eat, then tossing out a dozen or more from the crumpled drawing! Rev. David Allen had name cards representing New Testament characters in his object lesson; Rev Sherman Epler used the Chinese Prayer Vase, the Broken and restored Pop-it Beads, then a presentation based upon Hawthorne's famous story, "The Mara-culous Pitcher," the lesson being "Give, and get more than you give - share, and you shall possess !"
During this contest, Joe White prefaced each introduction with a lesson. His subjects were Creation, the parable of the Mustard Seed, and several scriptural texts, illustrated with the Linking Ropes, Vanishing and Appearing Candle, Alarm Clock Box, and Sand Frame.
Rev. John DeVries used "The Professor's Nightmare," grapes to juice, and balloon to dove very effectively for his lessons. Ray Hackman presented "Turning Back the Hand of Time," a theme which goes back to the time of King Hezekiah. Rev. Kenneth Turner's lesson was aptly illustrated by the sucker vanish of a glass of milk.
Prize winners were: First, John DeVries; second, Rev. Sherman Epler; third, Rev. Larry Mac-Allen; and three winners of fourth prizes, Ray Hackman, Rev. Kenneth Turner and Rev. Bill Oberg.
Jack Gwynne's lecture proved to be one of the highlights of the Get-Together, covering such points as Personality and Audience Appeal; Look Like a Magician; Project Your Voice; Personal Mannerisms; Come to Conventions to Find Out What Not to Do; To Get Anything From Magic You Have to Give Something to it; Entertain First, Mystify Second, Third, Make People Like You; Stage Magic - tricks are performed but illusions are presented; Showmanship, Details of Dress, Ways of Presenting to Overcome Prejudices, and finally, "Magic is an ART - not merely a hobby or pastime!" Jack has a rich background of experience both as a performer, world traveler, and student of magic, and we look forward to that book he plans to complete - someday!
After dinner at one of Colon's churches, or restaurants, or at a nearby farmhouse (the towns people make this a community project, you know, and do everything they can to accommodate the crowd) everyone was ready for the big public show at the New High School Auditorium seating 1400 people and sold out!
An offstage voice introduced the MC for the evening - Senator Clarke Crandali. Wilma Rench at the organ played a magical overture, of music associated with Herrmann, Kellar, Thurston, Hou-dini, Downs, Dante, Okito, Laurant, Sorcar, Nicola and Blackstone; and portraits of these famous magicians by the late Paul LePaul appeared in a large easel on the stage.
Opening the show was Signor Torino and Faye with a smart act - doves, multiplying candles, cigarettes, card fans, the bead trick and a fast dove vanish. Crandali in excellent form, kept things moving and the crowd laughing, bringing on Reggie Lawrence with rope spinning and an entertaining assortment of juggling feats climaxed by playing the harmonica while juggling three balls and teetering on a board balanced on a log. Sound complicated ? It was!
At this point the Senator completely disrupted things by trying to count six cards for a trick, and his remark "Your very kind - may you have a short memory!" seemed entirely too modest, for you haven't been entertained until you've seen this!
Milky the Magic Clown (Clare Cummings) followed in an act slanted for the children, and the little girls from the audience helped him do wonders with a rope, Forgetful Yogi Bear and the linking rings.
Crandall's Banjo monologue, the story of Ivan and Olga in old Russia (Olga is the boy), and that touching little ballad about "Me Mudder" had everyone rolling in the aisles. Jack Bauer with some serious magic came on next to restore mental balance - large firebowl to flowers, then to doves; dove vanish in tear-apart box, big rabbit surprise, the razor blade trick, the Indian Basket feat, Guillotine (in one) and Bauer's levitation, which has many points of interest!
After intermission Joe White injected much variety into his "Beetle Bomb" pitch act, using many tricks; he could have sold out of the stuff, but instead introduced six-weeks old Brenda Lee Bauer to her first big audience and presented her with a magical bouquet.
Dick DuBois' magic was off the beaten path the Chewing Gum trick, Rising Camel Cigarettes, the Computer Wheel (Dick, is it really a telepathic Computer Wheel?), and Cecil the Serpent, "the only radar-controlled reptile in the entire-world." A very enjoyable act!
Crandal's Initialled Card on Scimitar entertained well, and gave Monk Watson time to set his sound laboratory for the "orchestra conductor rehearsing the men in "Orpheus in the Underworld" down at the railroad station." Monk wore a brand new band coat, and carried on as one inspired. He "wowed 'em!"
TV STAR Mark Wilson, with Nani Darnell and Rebo the Clown from the "Magic Land of Allaka-zam," closed the show with a sampling of the fine feats presented these many months on coast to coast networks. Seeing the show in "living color," adds SO MUCH to the enjoyment of the magic! Mark's program was Vanishing Cane in newspaper, confetti to doves, Tear-Apart Dove Vanish, catching the doves from the air in a net, the vanish of the doves and large cage, production of Nani from a crystal chest suspended from chains, the 20th Century Handkerchief Trick with boy from the audience. Rebo's enormous Botania, Pop-Eye Pips (in one) a fast Substitution Trunk with Nani Darnell, and large scarf to cane for walk off. Merely listing the tricks gives you no idea of the smartness and dash of the presentation. These "Alakazamers" are good!
Two innovations were programmed - a Bingo for the ladies, with many prizes, and the Senior Magician's Contest at the elementary school auditorium, MC'd by Dick DuBois. My wife attended the Bingo and won one of the prizes, and Mrs. Ray Hackman won the door prize, a dress!
In the Senior Magician's contest, Roger G. Moore featured flashes of fire and balloon to dove, building to a good finish. Don Wiberg's Snake; Basket proved a vehicle for clever patter; Bobby arid Mary Jane Wonder displayed novel "silk" magic and fire-eating - spectacular! Chet Chyll's routine included Water to Wine, an elaborate Cords of Phantasia with a girl escaping from the bonds, and a bowl of water to dove. Bob Singer, Parkersburg, W. Va., read ESP cards in a box in the audience, following with a divination experiment titled "Mental Radio." Betty Hawkins, Toronto, Canada, next with handkerchief Magic, a test with jumbo ESP cards, Miss White and Mr. Green, and dressed a doll by magic.
At this point Dick DuBois presented a George Cooke origination wherein Neil Foster as the marksman "in mime" shot a bouquet and its trapings to bits before he dislodged the selected card from the houlette. This is hilarious and should prove a winner for those who can afford it!
Rev. Sherman Epler entered just two tricks -first, a "monte" with a wine glass of coffee and three tin cans. The soldiers in the story could not pick out the tin can with the coffee, and finally all three cans proved to be empty! The second effect was the Rice Bowls used in a breakfast scene,with Puffed Rice which multiplied and supplied plenty of milk. A good presentation.
Paul Schuette, Euclid, Ohio, said he was a speech expert; he had advice, inventions, and Insurance Policy to save his card trick, and "Everywhere and Nowhere" by Hofzinser to establish himself as a magician. Robert Ford, Amarillo, Texas routined a "silk" production, rope restoration, Center Tear with silk streamer finish, production of handkerchiefs, streamers from box, and bowl production into a pleasing sequence. Joe White performed feats of Mental Magic with slants all his own. My notes say he called it "The Question Mark" trick, and it was in three phases.
After a "Mental "effect by the MC, the Fyhrie Family illusion act closed the show. Father, three daughters and one son gave a well rehearsed performance with the Sword Cabinet, and Transmogrification (see GREATER MAGIC page 978) ; little Carl Fyhrie proved he was the strongest boy in Colon, in a tug of war with four adults; they bowed off with the Super-X Levitation embellished with nice touches that really "window-dress" this favorite.
Winners were: First, Paul Schuette; second, the Fyhries; third, Roger Moore; fourth, Don Wiberg, and three fifth place awards, Betty Hawkins, Sherman Epler and Robert Ford.
The second public show was M.C.'d by Howard Bamman, a clever Chicagoan who goes by the name of Paul Howard. Johnny Piatt had the opening chore, and put across effectively the Vanishing Cane in newspaper, Fire Eating, Human Volcano, streamers from mouth, cut and restored rope, Prof. Cheer Rope Trick, Alarm clock Box, Sword with invisible deck, Himber's Disappearing Bottles, a mystifying glass penetration, and the Kuma Tubes with puzzling finish. Paul Scheutte, Senior Magician's Contest winner, tried to tell the audience how to put a talk together. A funny act. Mysterious M and Anndot did everything possible in magic with flowers, and filled the stage with feather blooms in pleasing colors and in black-light. The fourth act - Ron Fable, youthful Escape Artist, with Rick Rogers as lecturer. Ron escaped from a strait jacket while suspended by the heels-and set a new record of 25 seconds!
Jack Gwynne and Company presented A "Few Mysteries From China" as only this maestro can. Opening, the Jam Cabinet to produce two girl assistants; the big bowl production; "Hong Kong" Dove Production with screen panels instead of paper; fast vanish of four doves in a take-apart box on table; the Gwynne version of the Rice Bowls (the rice REALLY multiplies) ; the "Problem in Slow Motion" in which a Sateve Post page is torn and restored while the performer's hands only are visible through a black velvet screen, one of Jack's vaudeville favorites, and the explanation which leaves everyone in the dark. The production of a bowl of water and from it "art" silken banners brought the famous Gwynne Stack of Fish Bowls for a climax - the stack that towers over ALL bowl productions!
After intermission, Paul Howard made some coat hangers disappear, then brought on Reneaux, no stranger to Abbott Get-Togethers. Jimmy's magic is smart, entertaining and mystifying, with cards, doves, billiard balls, multiplying candles, and balloon to two doves. The "toss away" vanish of a dove was especially well handled. King and Zerita of Chicago presented a well-received Mental Telepathy turn - fast, good comedy, and fun at the finish with a spectator's wallet.
And then - Mark Wilson and Company! Rebo with his comedy levitation floated on stage; Mark's Egg Bag routine (in one) with small boy and girl from the audience cleared up when the bag changed to a chicken; the full stage presentation of the "Castle" Sword Cabinet with Nani Darnell closed the act. Silver wands tipped with stars are used instead of swords, and the illusion takes on fresh appeal. Mark brought on Bobby Fenton for a well deserved bow.
At last - Paul Howard's act - unhurried, wacky, very funny lines and situations, and crazy tricks-with the collapsing stool finish. This boy gets-LAUGHS!
To close, Tom Palmer and Gloria, in an act to END all comedy acts! After the curtain opens on the pleasing stage setting, and Tom makes his entrance resplendent in cape, tails, top hat and gloves, one is completely taken in by the little annoying things that befall him - one feels sorry things are not going right. But calamity builds upon calamity until complete devastation is the only logical end - and complete it is. The Sawing a Woman will never again get such howls as these two get! I cannot describe the act or the tricks -you'll just have to see it!
Fourteen acts and two MC's made it necessary to begin the Junior Talent Contest at 1 o'clock, so Monk Watson, No. 1 MC recounted some unusual incidents in the life of a character named Oppor-nockity, a man of such caliber he could not be replaced even if he DID only tune once! The little church across the street from the school, where Monk did his first show, still stands: perhaps shudders at times, now; I stayed in the house his grandfather built in 1867, and wasn't disturbed once by the ghost of Oppornockity! Monk dropped in, though!
Dave Tolman, Chicago, opened the contest with a smooth pantomime routine - cane to scarfs, billiard balls, split fans, coins, bouquet from scarf and dove production. David Taylor, Battle Creek, pattered through Center Tear, Professor's Nightmare (the pieces are restored to a long rope), Multum in Parvo in reverse, evaporated milk, Appearing Cane and Square Circle, George Sefler, Berwyn, Illinois, pantomimed with card productions, diminishing cards, Card star, glass of wine from hanky, dove vanish in Jap Box, picture card transferred to scarf, the plume trick and a slow motion block penetration. Eric Dany, Cleveland, produced three balls from a fire bowl and juggled, then C'est Terrifique, 20th Century with fish pole, scarf to cane, cane juggling, Square Circle, bowling pin from the "silks" produced, Peterka's Color Changing Snowflake, Hank Box, and production of assistant from Moon Rocket. Ray Snoddy, St.
Louis, routined some "different" magic - balls from color spots on a plaque, triple restoration newspaper tear, rigid rope, catching ping pong balls from the air in a paper bag, 20th Century with sucker business, Zot Rope, a milk trick, and "the silks are tied" from TIDE box. Marvin Merillat, Toledo, used the Adam and Eve patter story with billiard balls (see Tarbell Course), the Blue Phantom, Zombie produced from Square Circle, nice routine with Zombie, and vanish of Zombie in flames. John Nash, St. Louis; Silken Bombshell, fast golf ball routine with big ball finish, "silk" production box, vanish in a bag, production of a glass of milk, and threading razor blades.
At "half time," Dick DuBois took over the MC role and brought on Tim Walters of Battle Creek with the Snake Basket reversed card trick, materialized and dematerialized elephant, and the Leg Chopper. Gil Scott, Grand Rapids, followed with the Gizmo glass, golf ball routine with repeat production of balls from mouth, and a big "silk" production from a hat.
Joey Shulkin, Sioux Falls, S.D., worked in pantomime. Probably the youngest contestant, he acquitted himself very well in a routine built around a cage production, "silks" from tube, rabbit from pan, rabbit wringer, vanish of rabbits in a tube, and a "The End" art silk from the tube. Jack Brewer, Terre Haute, inspired by TV "doctor" programs and wearing a Ben Casey coat, as a "medic" - brain surgery and other allusions to "clinic stuff."
At this point, the MC told a story, then introduced Bob Cervas, Cleveland Heights, "The Sorceror's Apprentice." This little fellow has been well tutored, and displays a precocity in manipulative skill that is most surprising. His coin routine, including coins to glass and coin star, and linking rings with six rings, have a strong Dai Vernon flavor; the interlude, a one-man (one-boy?) floating handkerchief was professionally handled. Wm. Gorski, Grand Rapids, did a flower production, rice to silver ribbon, and the Chopper. Alien Ackerman, Chicago, was produced from the Oriental Door illusion; he extracted many "silks" from newspaper, doves from a scarf, and a pile of paper ribbon following the vanish of two doves, The Egg Producing Bag yielded a chicken, and a truck load of articles came from a hat - even a mixing bowl and ail the ingredients for a cake!
The boys have evidently been doing some magical thinking and some practicing, which is a good sign. Winners were, 1. Bob Cervas; 2, David Tolman; 3, Marvin Merillat; 4, Eric Dany; and 3 5th place winners, Joey Shulkin; George Sefler; and Dave Taylor.
While the offstage voice was announcing Jay Marshall as MC for the final show, Jay drew the curtain and exposed "the voice" in action - Dorny! Diminutive Bob Cervas, winner of the Junior Contest, opened the show like a veteran with his linking ring routine, and judging from the frequent bursts of applause, pleased magicians and laymen alike.
Neil Foster delighted everyone with beautiful manipulative magic with canes, cigarettes, card fans and card productions, arm spreads and catches with cards, a giant fan (two decks) opened with one hand, card palming and reproductions, the interlocked fingers card production, split fans and the most artistic Zombie routine ever presented. Prolonged applause voiced unanimous approval!
Duke Stern, long famous for his pantomime! characterizations of magicians doing favorite tricks, and much too long away from the Get-To-gethers, did five minutes of this side-splitting mimicry, saving the Vanishing Birdcage for the finale; then Karrell Fox, "the masked conjurer", took the stage with the Fox brand of comedy magic - the vanishing balloons, Yo Yo production, bowl of water production that became a vanish, the hanky that unties itself, the Square Circle, a 30-inch crystal Zombie ball which died offstage in a loud crash. Forgetful Freddy (with Duke as Freddy!) Too Multum in Parvo, Mr. Birch - tree, the Vanishing Egg and cut and restored necktie with Roy Kissell, then the chosen card found at, and in, selected destination - apple, banana or large Bermuda onion. Monk Watson selected the card, went onstage, and chose to have card appear in the onion. In fact, he insisted on the onion. The suffering and crying of the two as the onion was peeled and sliced to reveal the card had everyone laughing till sides hurt. Funniest thing I've seen in an age, and George Jason would have been proud of 'em!
Jay Marshall had to follow this laugh riot, and did it well by coaxing his little pal Lefty to sing "If I had My Way . . ." Mark Wilson closed the first half with an "in one" performance of the Parasol trick, assisted by Nani Darnell, and a nice thimble routine, while the stage was readied for McDonald Birch, Master Magician and Company, making his first appearance at a magic convention in his 40 years as a performer,
For his Get-Together appearance, Birch's program consisted of "selected" affects from his two and one half hour show. Opening full stage with fast productions of flowers, bowls, live stock, etc., one was reminded of the days of the Thurston and Blackstone shows. Then came Bird in Light Bulb, the Mismade Flag, the illusion "Mysterio" (a clockwork head and hands automaton? that became endowed with intelligence and performed "tests" with the audience); a large duck was extracted from a boy's jacket; a hat disgorged ringing alarm clocks, a cannon ball and a guinea pig, which when put in a bag and given to a little girl, changed into a box of candy. Two doves, Rachel and Minnie, were the star performers in a "sucker business" passe-passe effect; a paper napkin was torn and restored, and "the how" explained, but to no avail; the famous Birch Torture Illusion, in which Mrs. Birch is transfixed with swords and apparently sliced into four parts with a huge cleaver, looked very real and left one wondering how it could even SEEM to be; and the Birch Challenge Packing Box Escape, from box made by the Tomlinson Lumber Co., Colon, and some additional nailing done by a committee onstage before performer is nailed in, was most effectively handled - you almost believed something had gone wrong and the box had to be smashed open with an ax, when Birch strode onstage asking "What's going on here?"
During a brief intermission, Jay Marshall did Trouble Wit, wearing monocle, and told us about a sexton who minded the keys and pews, and that the squaw on the hippopotomus hide was equal to the squaw on the horsehide and some other squaw or something.
It's a good thing Birch was ready just then, Oh, I say! Ahaw, HAW!!
Part 2 of the Birch show opened with the production of ducks from a large tray covered tub, and there followed a "Where Do the Ducks Go?" vanish like in the days of Doc Nixon. The Mystery of the Green Box was a stage filling "borrowed ring in nest of boxes" routine, a favorite with magicians since the days of Kellar, performed by Birch in the classic manner. Three Card Monte, stage size, and in one, served to set for Birch's famous Vanishing Pony; the stage filled with children reminded one of Howard Thurston. The kids saw to it that the pony was real before Birch "counted down" and caused it to vanish in a puff of smoke! Fun with a boy and the Neck Spiker illusion (in one) served to get ready for "The Silken Mirage." in which the Birches filled the stage with miles of silken streamers, art squares, banners, and hand-painted hangings the size of back drops. Nothing like it since Thurston's "Mallinson Silk Girl!" I recognized many of the hand-painted hangings as the work of the late Sheldon S. Henry, which are priceless now. Mac, how did you preserve them all these years? The first time I saw this gigantic silk production (in its infancy then) was back in the early 20's and Virgil Mulkay was with the show. Remember?
Back at the plant, demonstrations, auctions, card tricks and adieus went on till daylight. Many old firends were there, among them Oscar Hack-ier, Ed Mario, Ron Bauer, Dr. Wierdo, Sally Banks, Doc Mahendra, Doc Harad, Inez Blackstone Kitchen, Gladys Abbott and her grown-up children, C. L. Schmitt and family, Horace Marshall, Ronald Haines, Adrian Overstreet, Johnny Brown, the Tadlocks, Bob Parrish and family, Phil Craig, Joe Scott, Bruce Elliot, the Auers, Frances Ireland Marshall, George Lydiatt, Vera Peterka, Bob Veverka, Bob Kurtz, Dr. Zina and Suzy Wandas Bennett, Bob and Ginny Lewis, Earl Voelker, Don Alan, the Hoeferts, Jack Rickets, Stan Noxon, Olaf Gylleck, the Frank Carters, the Hustons, Phil Willmarth, Gene Bernstein, the Reeder Hut-chinsons, Adam Hudzinski, Pete Bouton, Charlie Romig, Bob Ellis, Al Snyder, Harold Martin, Dr. Zola, and the young man who came all the way from Christchurch, New Zealand - Burns Scandrett.
Neil and Recil, this one topped them all for me, and I cannot thank you and your wives and your fellow workers enough for staging it! I hope to see all of you at the next Get Together!
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