February 2019 Ring Report
- Ring Report submitted by Dennis Chan -
The Vancouver Magic Circle held its prestigious installation banquet and awards show on Saturday, February 16 at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club in Coquitlam. The theme for the evening was called Magic, Love and Dinner. Arriving early at the venue to set up the staging, sound, lighting, and backdrops were Alex Zander, Bryn Williams, Mike Vetterli, Rod Boss and Gabriella Lester. Gabriella placed Linking Ring magazines on the tables for people to take home.
The evening started off with the club’s annual group photo which was taken by Joanna Williams. She also took photos of the new executive. Next up President Bryn Williams thanked the members and guests for attending the event. Bryn Williams was the Master of of Ceremonies for the evening. He handed out the awards and certificates.
The recipients of the Helping Hands certificates were Terri Kita, Chantel Allen, Suzanne Gustafson and Kayden Williams. They are non-members who help behind the scenes to make our gatherings a success. Thank you everyone. Mike Vetterli and Robert Teszka received their Wand Holder’s Degree. The nominees for the Dave Culos Memorial trophy for the Golden Rabbit award were Rod Boss and Graham Kita. Rod Boss was the winner of the Golden Rabbit trophy. Congratulations Rod!
The winner of the Stan Kramien trophy for showmanship in a performance during the course of the year was Graham Kita. The winners of the Murray award for presenting the most creative performance during the course of the year was shared by Rod Boss and Robert Teszka. The President’s award went to Graham Kita. The best spread award for the Silver Knife went to Wiley Allen. Rod Boss, Bryn Williams, Graham Kita, David Yoo and James Hanson were recognized as contest winners for 2018.
After the delicious buffet, it was time for the swearing in of the new officers for the 2019 magic year. Presiding over the swearing in ceremony was special guest I.B.M. President Michael Finney. The new officers for the 2019 magic year are President,Bryn Williams, Rod Boss, 1st VP, Care Elise Dyck, Secretary, Wiley Allen, Treasurer, and Dennis Chan, Sergeant-at-Arms. Congratulations everyone. To complete the festivities for the evening, Michael Finney presented a fun filled show. The show was filled with amazing magic, comedy and had lots of audience participation. He also gave a lecture the following day.
There were plenty of prizes on the prize table. Prize draws were done throughout the evening by Gabriella Lester with Scott Jansen and Graham Kita assisting. Prize donors were Alex Zander, Dennis Chan, David Yoo, Rod Boss, Yoosik Oum, Wiley Allen and Shawn Farquhar. Terri Kita and Graham Kita made some very colourful prize baskets. Terri Kita, Bryn Williams, Marianne Dumay and Graham Kita took photos of the evening’s events. Kelvin Ng made a video. Care Elise Dyck, Rosalind Chan, and Dennis Chan were at the “front desk” greeting the members and guests as they came in and they also sold raffle tickets. Gabriella Lester went from table to table selling raffle tickets.
Jordan Vo, Rod Boss, Rosalind Chan, Mike Vetterli, Rod Chow, Jens Henriksen, and Graham Kita did walk around magic. Many thanks to Shawn Farquhar for letting the club use his backdrops and pipes. Graham Kita provided the transportation for Michael Finney to and from the airport. Alex Zander looked after Michael Finney while he was here. They stayed at Shawn Farquhar’s home while he was away on tour.
And once again many thanks to Billy Hsueh for all his hard work and dedication as the banquet organizer for making all the arrangements to hold the installation banquet at the Westwood Plateau. This was the third year for the installation banquet at this venue. The buffet and service was excellent and first class. Many thanks to all the staff at the Westwood Plateau.
The Vancouver Magic Circle thanks all those who attended this year’s installation banquet and awards evening. It was truly a prestigious and successful event. There were 30 members and 63 guests in attendance.
