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............................
WELCOME!.........................
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The President's Message
 Pilgrims...a lot has happened in the last month. The first of my visits to TAOM
member-clubs was most successful. Thirty-eight members of Austin S. A. M.
Assembly 206 welcomed me as part of their program and listened attentively as
I talked about the many benefits of being a TAOM member and the excitement
building for the 2009 TAOM convention in Houston. Seven people took
advantage of the incentives and registered for the convention that night. We
also added another dealer to the excellent line-up Scott Wells has already put
together. Assembly President Hull Youngblood and Program Chairman Kent
Cummins have done an excellent job promoting Austin magic and magicians.
It's no wonder S.A.M. Assembly 206 is the second largest in the world. Their hospitality was outstanding.
I plan to return to Austin for the November S. A. M. meeting to hear Richard Garriott tell of his trip to
outer space and learn more about S.A.M. Assembly 17,210 that he and astronaut/magician Chamitoff
formed on the International Space Station. In January, I'll be back in Austin to attend the Ring 60 IBM
Holiday Banquet and Show. The combinedFort Worth magic clubs have invited me to speak on March
5th. A visit to Dallas is tentatively scheduled for April 21st. I am looking forward to visiting other clubs in
Texas and Louisiana. Plans are also in the works for a visit to three magic clubs in our neighbor to the
South, Mexico. Mexican magicians have played a large role in TAOM conventions of the past and we hope to build on that tradition.
As this momentous month of November comes to a close, remember to count your blessings and
embrace the season of families and friendship.
*****
If you'd rather not receive this monthly newsletter, please scroll to the bottom of the page for an automatic
opt-out.
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Get to Know Your TAOM Board
 TAOM Webmaster Billy Godfrey is a native of Fort Worth. His interest in magic
began in Cub Scouts with a cut-and-restored string trick and continued to grow
during his formative years. Libraries and friends contributed to his magic
education His interest in the art expanded to mentalism and bizarre magic as he
grew. He maintained those interests during his college years and throughout his
ten years in Army Intelligence. His degree in computing led to an 18-year career
at one of the world’s largest electronic data system companies.
Billy’s love of the art is focused on bizarre magic today and he thoroughly enjoys
Doc Hilford’s Weird Weekends. Billy is also very interested in mentalism and entertains at corporate
functions, as well as “new age” parties and various alternative showcases when his health allows.
Billy is a long-time member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Psychic Entertainers
Association in addition to being a valued member of the Texas Association of Magicians. We are fortunate to have this most excellent webmaster.
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Magic Across Texas...and OUTER SPACE!
 The only thing Austin magician Richard Garriott ever wanted to be when he was
growing up was an astronaut. He achieved his goal in masterful fashion last month by
being the sixth private citizen to travel into outer space.
Richard helped start a $10 billion industry by designing a computer game while he
was still in high school. This has allowed him to pursue adventures around the world
-- from tracking gorillas in Rwanda to gliding down the Amazon in a dugout canoe to
traveling to the bottom of the ocean to study hydrothermal vents to Antarctica in search of the rarest of meteorites.
His Austin mansion is filled with dungeons and secret passageways and the grounds include a half-scale
replica of the Shakespearean Globe Theatre on his lakefront property.
Growing up with his astronaut father and associating with space pioneers during his formative years
created a determination to venture into the unknown. He achieved his dream and will share the exciting
details at the November 17th Austin S.A.M. Assembly 206 meeting.
To make his mission even more fantastic, he and Astronaut (and magician) Chamitoff founded S.A.M.
Assembly 17,210 (that's the ISS speed in m.p.h.) while they were on the International Space Station and
offer membership in this one-of-a-kind magic club. You can become a member for a mere $10, a charter
member for $100 or a founder for $200. All revenue is divided between the S.A.M. National Magic
Center Foundation and the Society of Young Magicians. For more information, contact Assembly 17,210 President Hull Youngblood at dhy@austin.rr.com.
While a trip into outer space was a great journey, it was not his final destination. Stay turned for Richard's
next adventure.
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Spotlight on Houston
 Judy Donaldson has been involved in the Texas magic scene since 1970 when she
joined Austin Ring 60 as partner and assistant to Fred “The Great Scott”
Donaldson. During the next 34 years, she held the all the offices in the club at least
once and was writer, editor, and publisher of the Ring 60 newsletter for 13 years.
In 1982, Ring 60 honored her as the first recipient of the club’s “Award of
Excellence”. As “Magician’s Assistant Extraordinaire”, she performed in
thousands of magic shows. An IBM member since 1970, Judy recently received
the Order of Merlin Shield. She was one of the founding members of Austin
Society of American Magicians Assembly 206 in 1984. She and Fred owned and
operated the Scott Magic Company in Austin until he died in 2004. She held the position of
Secretary/Treasurer of the Texas Association of Magicians from 1994 until 2002.
Before life upon the wicked stage, Judy was an executive secretary in the State Department of Health and
Administrative Assistant in the Governor’s Office of Comprehensive Health Planning. She often asserts,
“Making people laugh is a lot more fun than politics”.
She moved from Austin to CapeCarancahua, a tiny community on the GulfCoast south of Houston and is
currently Registrar and Treasurer for the 2009 TAOM convention in Houston.
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TAOM Contest Winners' Medallions
 NEW!!!
From the TAOM Awards Committee
Winners of TAOM contests from 1955 through 2008 can wear their awards
in style with our new medallions. This beautifully designed 2" medal hangs
around the neck from a bright red ribbon. The winner’s name and year can
be monogrammed on the ribbon. Cost for the medal with your name embroidered on the ribbon is $20.00 plus $3.00 for shipping.
If you are a TAOM contest winner from the past, send your name, the year
you won and the contest category (Senior Stage, Senior Close-up, Senior Club, Senior Comedy, Junior
Stage or Junior Close-up) with a check for $23.00 to TAOM Secretary/Treasurer Mary Cay Gold, P.O.Box 13533, Austin, TX78711.
Order before November 30, 2008 for Christmas delivery.
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Final Thoughts
For those who have inquired about MagicIsland, I'm sad to report that due to Hurricane Ike and the
ensuing fire, the re-opening date has been moved to January 1, 2009. Join us for a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
*****
I am personally looking forward to spending quality time with my family during the holidays and hope you
and yours can do the same. Please take time out of your busy schedule to appreciate your blessings.
To your continued success,
Scott Hollingsworth
713-271-2114 or 361-972-3430
scott@taom2009.com
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Last update Wednesday, December 24, 2008
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