Harry & Jerry

Here is wonderful photo of Harry Blackstone Jr. signing an autograph(s) in the Jerry Conklin home. Yep, that's Jerry C on the right (ca 1970's) - We believe that is Jeff Boyer & Jim Fitzsimmons who are the lucky recipients of Harry's signature. The Conklins have hosted annual parties at their residence during magic week for over 25 years!

Both of these wonderful gentlemen are now gone but the memories live on. Thanks to Cindy Conklin for providing this neat picture.

Looking Thru the Eyes of A Dummy

Meet "Joey". As I work with the Colon Historical Society to improve the new magic displays, you find 'treasures'. This is one of them. "Joey" was Percy Abbott's ventriloquist figure and he performed with him overseas and here in the United States. As I held him I couldn't help but wonder if he could really 'talk' what stories he could tell about the people, places and events that have shaped his existence. If only 'dummies' could talk - and then again - maybe they can.


'Joey' used to tell Perc - " Be careful what you say or I'll spit in yer eye!" and then without warning 'Joey' would proceed to spit a stream of water into the audience. I can just imagine the reaction.

Our new website www.colonmichigan.org is a tribute to treasures like 'Joey' and the other jewels of this community. Won't you come visit?

"Houdini" Is Gone . . . .

"Houdini" is gone. Oh I realize the REAL Harry Houdini passed away in 1926, for many of us - Tony Curtis WAS Houdini. Growing up without cable tv, our family owned one television that once in a while, if the attennae was pointing in the right direction and there was just enough cloud cover, we could pick up old movies on WTTV-4 out of Indianapolis. Every week found me scouring the TV Guide looking for HOUDINI starring Tony Curtis & Janet Leigh. If I was lucky enough I could see the whole movie through the 'fuzzy airwaves'. This was my only connection to magic for the longest time.

I can even remember one year when I couldn't see it because of the distortions and I sat my old reel-to-reel tape recorder next to the tv speaker and recorded most of it so I could at least listen to the words and music whenever I wanted. Those were the days. . .

Whether you agree with the movie's authenticity or not it was inspirational to a lot of aspiring magicians. So here's to you Tony Curtis - thank you - we will miss you.