September 2021 Ring Report
- Ring Report submitted by Dennis Chan -
The Vancouver Magic Circle’s annual auction took place at our meeting hall on Thursday, September 30, 2021. This was the first official live meeting since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Arriving at the hall early to set up for the auction were Rod Boss, Roy Hopwood, Graham Kita and Dennis Chan.
The doors opened at six p.m. in order to let the sellers to set up their tables. All COVID-19 regulations were strictly enforced according to law. This is the night where members auction off some of their magic equipment that they don’t want or use anymore. Some items were brand new and some items were collector’s items. Items ranged from box magic, books, publications, DVDs, silks, silk magic, and magic props and much more.
Rod Boss started the bidding process then Jordan Vo took over as the auctioneer. He did an excellent job as auctioneer in keeping the auction running smoothly and quickly. Thanks Jordan. Graham Kita and Rod Boss were the runners by bringing the bought items to the buyers. The auction is always a fun filled event. “Hagglese” is the official language at our auctions. Buyers and sellers could be heard throughout the hall as buyers and sellers were trying to get the best prices for their items. The bidding was fast, furious and at times hilarious. There were plenty of “bargain basement” deals for everyone. I am sure that a lot of sellers were selling off some of their magic “stuff” that they bought at previous auctions and probably haven’t used yet. Roy Hopwood, our treasurer and Care Elise were on their computers by making sure that all items bought and sold were properly recorded in order to avoid any mix-ups or missing items and that all of the costs matched the purchases. Every year it seems like a lot of sellers went home with more “stuff” than they brought to sell at the auction.
Shawn Farquhar donated a wireless microphone system to the club. Rod Boss donated five door prizes worth a total of over two hundred dollars. The winners of the door prizes were Mike Vetterli, Simon Cassegrain, John Stenning, Dennis Chan and Ed Goldberg. Congratulations everyone. Bottled water was supplied by Graham Kita. Dennis Chan and Care Elise provided hand sanitizers.
Catching up on some late Vancouver Magic Circle business, Graham Kita presented Jordan Vo with his 2020 Tip Top and Tootsie medal and certificate. He also received a VR headset from a previous ticket draw and a pair of wireless headphones from Bryn Williams. Congratulations Jordan. Graham Kita took photos of the evening’s events. Percy Poole, one of our founding members donated some magic to the club. Jack Bastow asked the Vancouver Magic Circle to sell some magic for him but that was not donated. The members wished yours truly, Dennis the “Bulldog” Chan a Happy Birthday. He just turned 79. Rod Boss, Graham and Terri Kita gave him a birthday card. Thanks everyone.
The business portion of the meeting included talking about the Halloween meeting, the Halloween dress up contest and the Halloween themed contest for the Tip Top and Tootsie trophy. Many thanks to Rod Boss and Graham Kita who spent a Saturday afternoon sorting and cataloguing the magic stuff for the auction. There weren’t as many sellers at this year’s auction as in previous years, but for all those who took part in the evening’s fun event everyone enjoyed themselves.
There were 19 members in attendance.
