The club met that evening at its downstairs venue at G&G's. Many of
our regulars were absent that night, perhaps en-route to their Passover
destinations, but their places were ably filled by other, long-lost,
but no less welcome, Harding Club members. In any event, we had a full
house. This was fortunate because that evening marked the long
anticipated appearance of the Harding Club's in-house magician; Les
"Houdini" Muldorf, who was introduced around 8:pm by club V.P. John
Weisman, recently returned from Florida. and who was standing in for
President Dan Ashley. John welcomed everyone to our meeting that night
and, without further ado, introduced Les in his magician mode. Les
informed us that he took up his study of magic as a way of entertaining
his grandchildren, but soon found himself delving deeper into this
mystic art. In reality, Les is part of a long tradition of Jewish
magicians, starting with Moses and Aaron, who challenged the magicians
of Pharaoh in Egypt, and continues with Rabbi Judah Loew, the "Maharal"
of Prague, who, according to legend, created a living golem out of clay
to protect the Ghetto; to the most famous magician of the modern era;
Harry Houdini, ( born, Eric Weiss ), who, in addition to escaping from
sealed tanks of water, made a 10,000 pound elephant vanish into thin
air at New York's Hippodrome in 1918.
Les confounded club members with a number of well-known but mystifying
illusions, including a paper napkin, which, when torn to bits, emerges in the
shape of a hat. Les continued his prestidigitations by pouring a
glass of water into a newspaper, which, when folded, remained
completely dry but which, when unfolded, yielded the water back into the glass.
Les also performed the classic "World's Greatest Card Trick"
with Les correctly picking out cards chosen by volunteers from the audience.
"It's easy to do." said Les, who also invoked the Aramaic incantation
"Abracadabra" ( As it was spoken, so it will occur).
Club Business: In addition to his magic act, Les read those assembled a letter of
appreciation from local Hadassah chapter President Lisa Kirchman, thanking H.C. volunteers for
distributing the Passover gift baskets.
Rich Levine spoke about the club's annual spring outing and proposed that, instead
of holding event at Bowdoin Park, as we have in the past, the club hold the event at Baird
State park, featuring golf in addition to hot dogs and hamburgers. Those assembled seemed amenable to the idea.
HOLD THE DATES: July 18, at Dutchess Stadium, Renegades game and Picnic, Husband, Wife, Kids and
Grandkids. August 15, PICNIC at Baird Park. Details for both events coming soon.
Sunshine: Paul Rashba reported that Gene Glanzberg is on the mend,
after suffering some physical problems. Call Paul to get his phone
number. Paul also reported the distressing news that long time
member Lou Ritter was quite ill, ( unfortunately Lou passed away, his
funeral was April 15 at Temple Beth-El, a moment of silence in his memory was
held at the April 18th, meeting)
Red Ticket: Michael Rothman Blue Ticket: Jerry Goldberg
Respectfully submitted, Peter Albenda, Secretary Extraordinaire
(Thanks Peter!)