I.B.M. Ring 362
Dr. James William Elliott Ring
Bangor, Maine

Ring Report
January 15, 2006

The Organizational Meeting for the new Ring in central Maine was held at the Hawaiian Paradise Restaurant in Newport on January 15, 2006. Dinner began at 6:00 pm, and the meeting followed. Emily Burnham (reporter) and Bridget Brown (photographer) of the Bangor Daily News attended, and covered the event in an article published on January 17.

Bob Nixon, the Territorial Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, gave a welcoming address and explained the procedure for forming a new Ring. All magicians in attendance were asked to briefly introduce themselves and describe their interest in magic. A motion to form a new Ring passed unanimously. Bob Nixon then answered some questions about Ring membership.

Dennis Labbe and Scot Grassette, the invited performers, gave a magical performance for members, guests, and patrons and employees of the Hawaiian Paradise Restaurant. Dennis Labbe performed a delightful version of the Orange, Lemon, Egg and Canary, starring Petey the Budgie in the role of a canary. Dennis went on to discover a signed card on the end of a rope and a signed twenty-dollar bill inside a kiwi. Scot Grassette raised money the easy way in a Miser's Dream of wealth, producing coins and bills with fluid grace. Scot's alter ego "Grampa Stumps" gave lessons in conjuration with found objects to the assembled young whippersnappers. Scot finished with a tribute to Houdini, swallowing thread and needles with a gulp of water, then drawing the needles, perfectly threaded and glinting in the stage lights, from his mouth.

Following the performance, Acting Treasurer Randy Von Smith accepted membership applications and annual dues of $5 from each member, accepting dues from 20 members. The Petition for Charter was circulated. I.B.M. members in good standing and new applicants to the I.B.M. signed the Petition for Charter.

Magical door prizes donated by members were distributed by a series of drawings.

A slate of nominees for officers was put forth. The nominees were Alan Drew (President), Wes Booth (Vice President), Paul Szauter (Secretary), Randy Von Smith (Treasurer) and Geoffrey Miller (Sergeant-At-Arms). There were no additional nominations; the election of officers was unanimous.

A motion was made to name the new Ring; the motion passed. Members spoke in support of a series of proposed names. During discussion of the naming of the Ring, it became clear that members needed more time to give full consideration to this important matter. A motion was made and seconded to table the motion to name the Ring, to allow further consideration. The motion passed; the motion to name the Ring will be acted upon at a subsequent meeting.

During dinner, after the business meeting, and at a nearby coffee shop after the restaurant closed down, new acquaintances shared close-up magic performances and entertained patrons at nearby tables.

I.B.M. Territorial Vice President Bob Nixon welcomes the new Ring.	Dennis Labbe dances with a lemon, and makes his partner look great.
Dennis Labbe finds a budgie egg inside a lemon!	Scot Grassette raises money the easy way in his delightful Miser's Dream.
Grampa Stumps (Scot Grassette) gives a lesson in conjuration with found objects to a whippersnapper.