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Those Who Came Before<\/strong><\/p>\n As our Houdini Celebration gets closer, we are reminded of the impact Harry Houdini ad on the art of magic.\u00a0 All of us, either directly through performing routines that he iginated, or indirectly through inspiration from his life and example, have been affected by Houdini\u2019s influence.\u00a0 This influence extends to the general public, as well.\u00a0 I know from many years of experience that if you ask a group of average people \u201cWhen I say the word \u2018Magician\u2019 whose name pops into your head?\u201d most of the time they will respond with \u201cHarry Houdini\u201d.<\/p>\n Most of us, however, were likely influenced in magic by a closer association.\u00a0 For me, it was a man named Len Sparagoski, a holocaust survivor and retired professional, he took me and four other members from the Oklahoma City Magic Club into his home once a week for personized training.\u00a0 His standards of excellence were a foundation of my training in those early days, and I still strive for that standard.<\/p>\n Books also played a large part in my magical growth.\u00a0 Their influence, at first, was mostly in the history of magic.\u00a0 I read not only of Houdini, but also Thurston, Hermann, De Kolta, Bertram, Vernon, Cardini, Kellar, The Great Lafayette (who fooled everyone even in death), John Henry Anderson, and many more.\u00a0 The rich history of the art of magic fueled my imagination even more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n My point is that we should take the time to remember the contributions that Harry Houdini made to the art of magic.\u00a0 Let\u2019s also take some time to remember those that influenced us individually.\u00a0 Maybe you have some letters or a scrapbook, maybe some notes from an early mentor.\u00a0\u00a0 Take some quiet time and remember the lessons they taught you.\u00a0 Meditate on those early days of your magical learning and re-discover what drew you to this art in the first place.<\/p>\n While we shouldn\u2019t live in the past, a healthy respect and fond reminder of why we love this art can help our present perspectives and just might nuance your magic in greater ways.\u00a0 Let us all take just a little time to remember Those Who Came Before.<\/p>\n IBM Ring 129 President<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" September 2026 RING 129 – Presidential Column Those Who Came Before As our Houdini Celebration gets closer, we are reminded of the impact Harry Houdini ad on the art of magic.\u00a0 All of us, either directly through performing routines that … Continue reading <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u00a0By Kelly Rusk<\/h2>\n